History That Might Have Been

What If? 2: Eminent Historians Imagine What Might Have Been by Cowley, Robert (Editor)

There is no surer way to make history come alive than to contemplate those moments when the world's future-the government and wealth of nations, the faith and culture of generations-hung in the balance.

In this volume, many of our brightest historians speculate about some of history's intriguing crossroads and the ways in which our lives may have been changed for the better-or the worse.The twenty-seven original essays range across the full span of history.

Each historian examines a pivotal event, then considers the ramifications had the event come out differently. Contributor's include Victor Davis Hanson, Josiah Ober, Geoffrey Parker, Tom Wicker,and Caleb Carr. Some of my favorites are "Repulse at Hastings, October 14, 1066" by Cecelia Holland, "The Chinese Discovery of the New World, 15th Century" by Theodore F. Cook Jr. and "The Election of Theodore Roosevelt 1912" by John Lukacs.
TB

A Murder Mystery in an Alternate History

SS-GB : Nazi-Occupied Britain, 1941
by Len Deighton

SS-GB is a murder mystery set in a 1941 Britain which has been successfully invaded by Nazi Germany. The main character, Douglas Archer, is a Scotland Yard detective asked to investigate a killing that seems related to black market activity. However, the investigation rapidly assumes a high political significance. Archer not only has to solve the murder but also avoid being damaged by political infighting. He must also make some decisions on how to deal with approaches from the resistance movement.

The question is: who can profit most by cooperating with whom? The answers turn out to be surprising indeed. Deighton does a great job in describing a Nazi-occupied Great Britain. SS-GB is really the forefather of Jo Walton's recent series "Farthing", "Ha'penny", and "Half a Crown".
TB