Its a natural question given the axis winning world war ii is a standard alternate history plot line and even if we know it is unlikely its interesting to. Alternate history novels take significant events and ask how things might have turned out differently. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. The most unusual alternate history novels ever published. If you like a more steady story then this possibly isnt for you. The first novel, how few remain 1997, introduced a world where, years after the war, the former usa is divided into two nations. Alternate history fiction continues to thrive in the twentyfirst century, particularly as film and television adaptations are created from alternate history books. In this alternate history of world war ii, the ripples of change begin decades earlier, with german air ace hermann goring killed in 1917, and u.
Herman wouks the caine mutiny is set in our own historical timeline for world war ii and is thus historical fiction. Others were jokers, cursed with bizarre mental or physical disabilities. As a big alternate history fan, i get asked often to recommend a good alternate history books, but that is like asking me what my favorite film is. The magnificent alternate history the company of the dead is set against the backdrop of the greatest maritime disaster the world. Though my kids are mostly too young to stay up for saturday night live, we occasionally watch parts of the show online. Ultimate alternate world war ii perfected 19391951 youtube. It differs from historical fiction, which mostly sticks to real history. There is a secret history of the worlda history in which an alien virus struck the earth in the aftermath of world war ii.
The third reich and the united states are locked in a cold war, and harris delights in dropping hints concerning everything that is different as a result of the twist of the historical record. Dec 11, 2017 this is my alternate history of world war 2. In the war that came early series, world war ii starts in 1938 over the. Two world war i alternate history questions history forum. World war ii alternate histories are fiction wherein events during world war ii occurred differently to those in history.
Set in berlin in 1964, the greater german reich enjoys an uneasy peace with the u. Among their few possessions were manuscripts for a childrens book. Anvil of necessity the usa and soviet union fight nazi germany in an alternate world war ii after a british capitulation in 1940. Set in a version of america that is ruled by japan and germany, with a neutral zone in between. World war ii alternate histories are one of the two most popular point of divergences to create an alternate history in the english.
In 1942, a series of meetings took place between the war planners of the imperial. Within that genre, he is known for creating original alternate history scenarios, such as survival of the byzantine empire or an alien invasion in the middle of the second world war. During world war ii, everyone had a planor at least thought they did. Nov 07, 2016 i can suggest some of the books by harry turtledove. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read refighting the pacific war. Weird and wacky versions of an alternate world war ii. The period between the world war i and world war ii between the usa and its allies, and the confederacy and its allies. Alternate history is a curious branch of science fiction or, perhaps more properly, of speculative fiction. In addition to this, it may very well be the only alternate history novel in. Luckily for you, there are a ton of allohistories that pick more obscure and interesting points of. Dominion is the first of many world war ii alternate histories you will see on this list and is an example. The most popular theme for alternative histories by far is world war ii it would have been possible to. The third reich and the united states are locked in a cold war, and harris delights in dropping hints concerning everything that is different as a.
Works of alternate history fiction trickled in during the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, but a true bloom of the genre sparked during the cold war era. There are several stories that are set during or after world war ii, but have their point of divergence in the period between 1937 and 1945. The books are opening atlantisdiscovery, colonization, and alternate version of frenchindian war, the united states of atlantisrevolutionary war, and liberating atlantiscivil war. One of the delights of the alternate history genre of fiction is that its authors generally expend some considerable effort on the notion of history itself. Stirling an alternate history series, taking place during wwi when repeat president teddy roosevelt creates the black chamber, a spy organization that might be americas best hope. At their worst, these books may seem like an empty exercise in world building. Some were called aces, which were those with superhuman mental and physical abilities. As young men and women are forced to answer their nations call, the choices they make and risks they take will write a different song for the greatest generation. There is a secret history of the worlda history in which an alien virus struck the earth in the aftermath of world war ii, endowing a handful of survivors with extraordinary powers. We all love a good alternate history yarn no one more so, it must be.
Part biography, part travel journal, and part portrayal of wartime in europe, this is an educational and entertaining book for middle grade readers and young history buffs alike. His southern victory or timeline191 series has the confederates beating the union. May 05, 2018 world war 2 a war against tyranny every day 193945. And if any of the plans below had been used, our history would have changed entirely.
A gripping alternate history of england after world war ii. Alternate history of the european axis powers duration. Thats good, or else the man in the high castle by philip k. Five weird and wonderful versions of an alternate world. Failed dday invasion is an alternate history in which the point of divergence occurred on june 2, 1944, when nazi intelligence learn of the impending dday invasion. Unlike many alternate histories, the novel avoids the wishfulfillment aspect inherent in the. For the sake of all the current and future alternate historians. Instead of the race probe arriving to earth in 1141, what if the race probe reaches earth today. From 1941 to 1951 the us is bogged down in the pacific war, initially war with japan it became an extension of the chinese civil war and included cooperation with the third reich against communists in russia and china.
Small means playing in the margins, subtly twisting known history, or exploring. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The 17 best books on world war i of 2020 thoughtco. World war ii is a frequent setting in the works of harry turtledove, particularly his alternate history works. Hypothetical axis victory in world war ii wikipedia. Eisenhower gives a speech the day before, also having a prepared speech in case of a failed invasion. Published in 2004 this is a collection of alternate history shortstories. The best historical fiction books about world war ii you. Some of them are, colonization and worldwar series alien invasion during world war 2 cross time traffic series a trading company with a. The world war ii part of my alternate history section got big enough that it needed a section of its own. But for every plan put into action, an alternative one is scrapped or kept hidden for future use. The most common variant of these detail the victory and survival of the axis powers.
There are several stories that are set in timelines in which world war ii took a different course or reached a different. Numerous examples exist in several languages worldwide. Over the next few decades the european commonwealth slowly formed as an insular market with shared military exercises. There are just so many to choose from that it is hard to pick just one. The alternate history of the plot against america comes to hbo philip roths alternate history novel the plot against america has been adapted into an. Even when nazi germany lose the war the war is completly differentfrom nuking berlin to lasting 2 more years and most of. Hitlers alternate scenarios, is not about adolf hitlers alternate scenarios for his 1944 ardennes offensive. World war ii alternate histories are texts wherein events during world war ii occurred differently to those in history. What are some of your favorite books about world war ii for young readers.
But they both concentrate on the aftermath and how messed up a nazi world would be. Best alternate history novels and stories other lists of note. This following video is for fun, and does not display my, or any others political views, nor is it a prediction for our future. Europe 1914 1918 by nicolson buy on amazon although not enough for a study in itself, this quality book will accompany any discussion of the first world war, whether you want a few extra figures for an essay or a readyreference for your novel. The alternate history scenarios listed take place from 1919 through at least 1946. Dick, is an acknowledged classic of the alternative history genre the sort of books that imagine a world. Five favorite and weird and wacky versions of an alternate world war ii. Dicks seminal 1962 novel is set fifteen years after the end of wwii in a. What are some good books about alternative histories. Publishers weekly dubbed turtledove the master of alternate history. Because the factor that limits the authors imagination arent the boundaries of science but those of history itself. Our community welcomes everyone from around the world to discuss world history, historical periods, and themes in history military history, archaeology, arts and culture, and history in books and movies. The world war was the bloodiest conflict in human history, spanning nine years and claiming the lives of millions of people.
Dicks brainwarping story is set in a world where the axis powers won world war ii, and america has been divided between japan and nazi germany the brain twisting bit. Alternate history fiction books to read now penguin random. Though it may be a popular genre, only a select few historical fiction books about world war ii truly capture the nuance and danger of that period of time in our world s history. Written in 1962, its set in a fictional 1962 where nazi germany, fascist italy and imperial japan have won the war and more or less divided the world between themselves see map above. One of the delights of the alternate history genre of fiction is that its. A reincarnated teen finds himself in a world similar but different from our world war 2 era. Acts of war is the first novel of the usurpers war series, which charts an alternative world war ii. What if germany won world war ii part 2 alternatehistoryhub. The popular harry turtledove, who specializes in alternate history novels, has suggested what might have happened in 11 volumes so far. I would have expected chapters on the various german schemes put forth during the planning stages of the bulge, or perhaps an expanded treatment of the. Tired of alternate history books where the axis won world war ii, or the south won the civil war. Thread a history of the world war, 19361945 an alternate world war ii tl. A great many books claim to be an alternative history of world war ii or some other event. I like alternate history books but this is a little bizarre for my tastes and jumps around between alternate times and battles very quickly and i struggled to keep up.
The best alternative histories in literature on abebooks. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. It is a political thriller set in the early 1950s against the backdrop of a britain that has become a satellite state of nazi germany. In an alternative world war ii that lasts ten years, japan becomes a stronger naval power thanks to admiral isoroku yamamoto who. Its a common question on here to ask how you can make nazi germanyimperial japanfascist italythe axis in general do better in wwii. Fatherland is a classic of the alternate history genre. The world war ii book series by multiple authors includes books the rising sun, the battle of the atlantic, time life world war ii. Jan 08, 2014 if the csa won world war i by jordan alternate history is a genre of speculative fiction which alters historical events and sets stories within the worlds created by those changes. Summary report to osrd from org, 1 december 1945 11. The italian world war ii alternative history l iterature, beginning in 1973 with lucio cevas asse pigliatutto the acethe axis takes it all, discussed. Plenty of alternate history books focus on world war ii, but a new series coming in 2011 goes one better. Eleven stories of the german victory in world war ii by. This vibrant fiction genre could be renamed what if books.
Alternate history or alternative history is a genre of fiction consisting of stories in which one or more historical events occur differently. These stories usually contain what if scenarios at crucial points in history and present outcomes other than those in the historical record. See the complete world war ii series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. We have made a list of our favourite alternate history books which we think you will enjoy. May 25, 2018 many, many alternate history ask how the world would be different if germany had won world war ii. The undisputed king of alternative histories is the prolific harry turtledove, who has helped guide the genre into mainstream reading. Dominion is a 2012 alternate history novel by british author c. Dick is one of the first alternate history novels to look at an axis victory in world war two. It starts with the age of colonization, but the east coast of north america was separated from the rest before the europeans discovered it. Tsouras has assembled an ateam of wellknown historians and military analysts who have given a great deal of thought to the various turning points of world war ii. The alternate history of the plot against america comes. And the man in the high castle is among the most wellknown books that tackle that question.
The most popular theme for alternative histories by far is world war ii it would have been possible to populate the entire list with books where the nazis won or the conflicts outcome is drastically different. A hypothetical axis victory in world war ii has become a common concept of alternative history and counterfactual history. Best alternate history novels and stories 610 books. Jul, 2019 founded in 2006, historum is a history forum dedicated to history discussions and historical events. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the second world war. After careful planning, the allies prepare the infamous dday invasion, set for june 6, 1944. Harris 1992 novel is among the ultimate alternate world war ii stories. Operational research reports conducted post war on wwii subjects. Dick you cant discuss alternate history without bringing up the man in the high castle. Napoleon and the conquest of the world by louis geoffroy, napoleon s first french empire emerging. The most common variant of these detail the victory and survival of nazi germany. He is reborn into thomas kunz, son of a general in the german army. Apr 11, 2014 alternate endings ten hypothetical events that would have changed the outcome of world war two by 11 april, 2014 8 comments how might world war two have unfolded differently had the nazis captured moscow, had the japanese not struck pearl harbor or had hitler developed an atom bomb first.
Because world war ii played out differently, the cold war is very different. Many, many alternate history ask how the world would be different if germany had won world war ii. The big switch by harry turtledove, north reich by robert conroy, hold back the sun by warren bell, democracys m. Two nuclear attacks on texan towns usher in world war iii, big brotherstyle us government surveillance, energy crises, an underground neomarxist movement oh.
Such writings express ideas of what the world would be like had the axis powers of germany, italy, and japan won world war ii. His days of infamy books have japan occupying hawaii. However if you like very descriptive battle scenes and a lot of action then youll probably like this. World war ii alternate histories alternative history. The latest alternate history book from greenhill, the battle of the bulge.
What if the confederates won the american civil war. The most intriguing alternate history weve heard of in ages. Alternate endings ten hypothetical events that would have. Ww2 an alternate history kindle edition by brandt, ralph. Worldwar series fanfiction archive with over 24 stories. Its a meticulously thought out detective yarn set in a world where the nazis won world war ii. Nov 01, 2011 hitler triumphant provides another alternate history what if collection of scenarios, this using hitlers decisions and key changing points during the war to provide a more scholarly survey of how different circumstances could have altered the outcomes and given hitler victory. Set in a version of america that is ruled by japan and germany, with a neutral zone in between, this book is gets a little loopy, but its a classic of. Sure, one could argue that it has become alternate history after the fact, but when it was written in 1948, it was a dystopian novel set in the then near future. This is a list of alternate history fiction, sorted by type. Im guessing the op would want a book with a timeline on the nazis winning the war, more like turtledoves early tl191 books. An alternative history of world war ii ebook written by james bresnahan.