Zonen: What if Denmark had occupied northern Germany after WWII?

by Tom Black

What if in 1946, an overstretched British occupying force had called on Denmark to aid in the occupation of post-war Germany? Would the world today be radically different? Or would it be mostly the same?

Tom Black's short story, told as a series of newspaper interviews, explores a present-day Denmark with a slightly different past. An examination of how alternate history need not only focus on great men and decisive battles, Zonen tells a simple human story. Our anonymous narrator meets characters aplenty, from family historians to TV executives and hard-right politicians.

Funny, interesting and poignant, this short story may also teach you a thing or two about the real Denmark.

Reviews

"A credible different world... if I didn't know my history well I would have believed that the events here actually took place."
"Very touching, and a well-crafted and brilliant concept."
"A gem that seems to be more reflective on our present than on its own world."
"An excellent a change to history that was very subtle but still affected individual lives on a profound level."

Genres: Alternate History

39 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 24, 2015

Reviews

[Derek Alberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting take on an obscure area of history. This is no grand change to how history went, but illustrative of how a seeming footnote can nonetheless change real human lives. Told through the travels of a journalist, this tale explores how Denmark being asked to take part in the occupation of postwar Germany might impact both countries in the present day. My only criticism is that it could have been longer.

[Tom Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very unusual, niche take on alternate history. What if Denmark had been part of the occupying forces in West Germany after the Second World War? A seemingly minor point, with no real impact on history as a whole? Yes, in fact. But as far as the lives of a few individuals are concerned - one of them the protagonist of this story - that's a different matter.