Edited by Harry Turtledove
****
Alternate Historians feel an intense need to justify what we are doing, that it is more than an idle game, that we are actually rather helpful in our literary pursuits. This is yet another thing that separates us from science fiction, which is either self assured or which no longer cares if there is any utility to its efforts.
One must be discerning with this list, though, for Turtledove includes novels such as his own Guns of the South which are not Alternate History, but science fiction which examines the development and use of a time machine, rather than the effects of a Confederate victory. I loathe this book with every essence of my being.
Following the introduction there come the stories, and a noble collection they are indeed. As follows are my most reccomended, but the diversity is so great as to allow a seperate favorite to almost all of mankind.
Kim Stanley Robinson envisions The Lucky Strike being picked over the Enola Gray for the dropping of the atomic bomb in a commendable work.
Susan Schwartz's "Suppose the Gave a Peace" sees McGovern winning his election and making peace in Vietnam, with results more disasterous than our own continued war.
"Through Road no Wither" sees a Nazi victory in World War two and lends a grim prophecy to that counterfactual.
"Bring the Jubilee" provides one of the most bewildering veiws of a Confederate won Civil War that I've ever seen, taking up easily a quarter of the book to do so, and yet it manages to be good despite itself.
"Eutopia", in which Alexander the Great survived India and went on to found a more solid Hellinistic culture that would pervade the earth for thousands of years.
William Sanders' "The Undiscovered" offers only that Shakespeare emigrated to the colonies, but makes a fascinating story of it.
"Mozart in Mirrorshades" is worthwhile if only for the almost comical images of mixed epochs that it provides, though when viewed honestly it is perhaps out of place.
On the other hand there are stories that have no place at all, such as "The Death of Captain Future" or "All the Myriad Ways" the book is worthwhile despite this.
Altogether a worthwhile set, not to be criticised too lightly
Purchase: Most definately Buy it Used, $12.60 is a bit much to ask.
Price (Amazon):
(Paperback): $12.60