Best Alternative History Books

Overview

After compiling recommendations from various sources, a list of the most recommended alternative history books has been created. Here is a summary of the top picks based on Reddit comments:

• The Southern Victory Series by Harry Turtledove is highly recommended, with one user describing it as "great." It spans the American continent with a focus on alternative histories.

• "The Man in the High Castle" by Philip K. Dick is hailed as the best alternate history book with one user saying, "TMITHC is the best alt history book."

• "Fatherland" by Robert Harris offers a captivating detective noir set in Berlin twenty years after Germany's victory in World War II.

• "The Years of Rice and Salt" by Kim Stanley Robinson explores a world where the Black Plague decimates Europeans, leaving China and Africa as superpowers.

• "The Plot Against America" by Philip Roth delves into an alternate reality where the US faces a different political landscape.

• "Making History" by Stephen Fry combines humor and terror by imagining a world where Hitler's existence is erased.

• "The Yiddish Policemen's Union" by Michael Chabon is highly recommended for its intriguing plot involving an alternate Jewish state in Alaska.

• "1632" by Eric Flint explores how a modern West Virginia town impacts 17th-century Germany.

• "Wild Cards I" by George R. R. Martin presents an intriguing mix of alternate history, sci-fi, and comic book elements.

• "The Iron Dream" by Norman Spinrad is described as intriguing, providing a novel within a novel reflecting fascism.

• "The Man in the High Castle" was praised, but the Amazon series was considered even better than the book by some users.

• "The Lands of Red and Gold" offers a unique view of an alternative Australian history with interactions between natives and colonizers.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Diverse range of settings and plots across the recommended books.
• Unique narratives providing thought-provoking scenarios.
• Mix of genres from noir mystery to sci-fi.

Cons

• Some books were criticized for not going further in exploring certain plot elements.
• Lasting impact of characters and storylines varied among users.

Overall, these recommended alternative history books offer intriguing perspectives on how the world could have been different with varying degrees of success and entertainment value.