Best Alternate History (358 books)

There unfortunately now many books listed that are not actually Alternate History, so perhaps I should clarify.

Alternate history stories are written about the past in which historical events differ (intentionally) from what occurred in real history.

What if Nazi Germany won WWII? What if Lincoln wasn't assassinated? What if there had been magic on the American frontier? What if the Civil War hadn't occurred?

While 1984, for example, is an excellent story, it was written about a future time and isn't alternate history. Yes, I know, for some it's hard to imagine, but in spite of the fact that the title year has now come and gone, 1984 is a dystopia regarding an imagined future.

Please do not add books to this list that are not Alternate History.

flag

All Votes Add Books To This List

1	The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick 3.59 avg rating — 233,267 ratings score: 10,907, and 110 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Watchmen by Alan Moore (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 590,399 ratings score: 8,323, and 84 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Fatherland by Robert Harris (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 55,547 ratings score: 7,930, and 80 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Coilhunter (The Coilhunter Chronicles, #1) by Dean F. Wilson (Goodreads Author) 4.16 avg rating — 1,144 ratings score: 7,398, and 74 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke 3.87 avg rating — 253,266 ratings score: 6,344, and 64 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	His Majesty's Dragon (Temeraire, #1) by Naomi Novik (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 110,861 ratings score: 4,087, and 42 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson 3.76 avg rating — 15,402 ratings score: 3,838, and 39 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon 3.72 avg rating — 79,933 ratings score: 3,725, and 38 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Plot Against America by Philip Roth 3.82 avg rating — 68,623 ratings score: 3,630, and 37 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove 3.96 avg rating — 9,630 ratings score: 2,936, and 30 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Farthing (Small Change, #1) by Jo Walton (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 5,641 ratings score: 2,662, and 27 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next, #1) by Jasper Fforde (Goodreads Author) 3.88 avg rating — 136,841 ratings score: 2,655, and 27 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	V for Vendetta by Alan Moore (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 323,433 ratings score: 2,634, and 27 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	The Difference Engine by William Gibson 3.47 avg rating — 22,885 ratings score: 2,429, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	11/22/63 by Stephen King (Goodreads Author) 4.35 avg rating — 637,280 ratings score: 2,408, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Island in the Sea of Time (Nantucket, #1) by S.M. Stirling 4.02 avg rating — 8,474 ratings score: 2,255, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Leviathan (Leviathan, #1) by Scott Westerfeld (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 94,539 ratings score: 2,253, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Seventh Son (Tales of Alvin Maker, #1) by Orson Scott Card 3.88 avg rating — 37,200 ratings score: 1,966, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	The Anubis Gates by Tim Powers 3.89 avg rating — 17,650 ratings score: 1,952, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Peshawar Lancers by S.M. Stirling 3.85 avg rating — 2,868 ratings score: 1,931, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Anno Dracula (Anno Dracula, #1) by Kim Newman 3.76 avg rating — 14,936 ratings score: 1,753, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1 by Alan Moore (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 56,116 ratings score: 1,592, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	The Amulet of Samarkand (Bartimaeus, #1) by Jonathan Stroud (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 134,330 ratings score: 1,477, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	1632 by Eric Flint 4.05 avg rating — 13,505 ratings score: 1,384, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Bring the Jubilee by Ward Moore 3.71 avg rating — 2,890 ratings score: 1,354, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain 3.78 avg rating — 107,634 ratings score: 1,342, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	SS-GB by Len Deighton 3.75 avg rating — 8,829 ratings score: 1,305, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	It Can't Happen Here by Sinclair Lewis 3.80 avg rating — 23,864 ratings score: 1,299, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Ha'penny (Small Change, #2) by Jo Walton (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 2,611 ratings score: 1,243, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	And the Tide Turns by Timothy Dalton (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 58 ratings score: 1,099, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	Dominion by C.J. Sansom 3.87 avg rating — 14,025 ratings score: 1,059, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus by Orson Scott Card 3.97 avg rating — 15,624 ratings score: 980, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 838,836 ratings score: 957, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Pavane by Keith Roberts 3.70 avg rating — 3,583 ratings score: 944, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Esper Files by Egan Brass (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 108 ratings score: 900, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Blood in the Skies (The Hellfire Chronicles, #1) by G.D. Falksen (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 248 ratings score: 898, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Lest Darkness Fall by L. Sprague de Camp 3.92 avg rating — 3,210 ratings score: 897, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, #1) by Seth Grahame-Smith (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 138,634 ratings score: 884, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	In the Balance (Worldwar, #1) by Harry Turtledove 3.83 avg rating — 7,225 ratings score: 872, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Boneshaker (The Clockwork Century, #1) by Cherie Priest (Goodreads Author) 3.52 avg rating — 34,158 ratings score: 852, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The High Crusade by Poul Anderson 3.88 avg rating — 4,691 ratings score: 844, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Eagle Has Landed (Liam Devlin, #1) by Jack Higgins 4.18 avg rating — 58,447 ratings score: 768, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	The Stress of Her Regard by Tim Powers 3.80 avg rating — 4,371 ratings score: 673, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Soulless (Parasol Protectorate, #1) by Gail Carriger (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 113,819 ratings score: 670, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Number of the Beast by Robert A. Heinlein 3.62 avg rating — 13,337 ratings score: 669, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	The Dragon Waiting by John M. Ford 3.77 avg rating — 2,295 ratings score: 668, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Ruled Britannia by Harry Turtledove 3.71 avg rating — 2,211 ratings score: 667, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	For Want of a Nail: If Burgoyne Had Won at Saratoga by Robert Sobel 4.02 avg rating — 285 ratings score: 581, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Nation by Terry Pratchett 4.11 avg rating — 37,870 ratings score: 577, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Agent of Byzantium by Harry Turtledove 3.79 avg rating — 1,233 ratings score: 572, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	The Arbonox Syndrome by Michael Spitzkoff (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 12 ratings score: 500, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Look Who's Back by Timur Vermes 3.43 avg rating — 40,635 ratings score: 490, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	In the Presence of Mine Enemies by Harry Turtledove 3.83 avg rating — 1,728 ratings score: 489, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Kushiel's Dart (Phèdre's Trilogy, #1) by Jacqueline Carey (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 83,867 ratings score: 488, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd (One Thousand White Women, #1) by Jim Fergus (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 135,846 ratings score: 486, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Wolf by Wolf (Wolf by Wolf, #1) by Ryan Graudin (Goodreads Author) 4.19 avg rating — 23,263 ratings score: 484, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	If the South Had Won the Civil War by MacKinlay Kantor 3.43 avg rating — 617 ratings score: 474, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Gloriana, or The Unfulfill'd Queen by Michael Moorcock 3.64 avg rating — 2,319 ratings score: 470, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	The Warlord of the Air (Oswald Bastable, #1) by Michael Moorcock 3.68 avg rating — 1,939 ratings score: 465, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	When She Woke by Hillary Jordan (Goodreads Author) 3.68 avg rating — 29,972 ratings score: 457, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	Ōoku: The Inner Chambers, Vol. 1 by Fumi Yoshinaga 3.95 avg rating — 3,114 ratings score: 446, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Illuminati - The Book of Life by Elizabeth Alsobrooks (Goodreads Author) 4.79 avg rating — 48 ratings score: 400, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Valkyrie (The Saga of Edda-Earth Book 1) by Deborah L. Davitt (Goodreads Author) 4.29 avg rating — 70 ratings score: 400, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Red Inferno: 1945 by Robert Conroy 3.85 avg rating — 1,597 ratings score: 395, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Timeless Fate: Love Adventure Through the Ages by Nenad Almaj (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 22 ratings score: 395, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Land Leviathan: A New Scientific Romance (Oswald Bastable, #2) by Michael Moorcock 3.57 avg rating — 1,025 ratings score: 394, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	The Iron Dream by Norman Spinrad 3.57 avg rating — 1,785 ratings score: 384, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Celestial Matters by Richard Garfinkle 3.74 avg rating — 401 ratings score: 383, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Red Plenty: Inside the Fifties’ Soviet Dream by Francis Spufford (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 4,476 ratings score: 382, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	1812: The Rivers of War (Trail of Glory, #1) by Eric Flint 3.87 avg rating — 1,438 ratings score: 378, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	Days of Infamy (Days of Infamy, #1) by Harry Turtledove 3.86 avg rating — 1,887 ratings score: 378, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	New Amsterdam (New Amsterdam, #1) by Elizabeth Bear (Goodreads Author) 3.57 avg rating — 1,748 ratings score: 377, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (The Wolves Chronicles, #1) by Joan Aiken 4.06 avg rating — 22,309 ratings score: 356, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	Hitler Victorious: Eleven Stories of the German Victory in World War II by Gregory Benford (editor) 3.39 avg rating — 303 ratings score: 353, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	The Madman Theory by Harvey Simon (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 18 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Dust to Blood (Red Slaves, #1) by Tonya Cannariato (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 57 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Paralysis Paradox (Time Travel Through Past Lives Adventure #1) by Stewart Sanders (Goodreads Author) 3.32 avg rating — 126 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Yaqteenya: The Old World by Yasser Bahjatt (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 1,208 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Agent of Vengeance by Scott M. Neuman 4.45 avg rating — 33 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	The Lightning Tree (The NI Revolution Trilogy, #1) by Lene Fogelberg (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 165 ratings score: 300, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
81	Amarna Book I: Book of Ida by Grea Alexander (Goodreads Author) 3.99 avg rating — 72 ratings score: 299, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
82	Amarna Book II: Book of Hawara by Grea Alexander (Goodreads Author) 4.12 avg rating — 25 ratings score: 298, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
82	جاسوس من أجل لا أحد: ستة عشر عامًا في المخابرات by Basel Saneeb (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 65 ratings score: 298, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
84	The Shadow of Albion (Carolus Rex, #1) by Andre Norton 3.81 avg rating — 502 ratings score: 296, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
84	A Flicker of Light by Roberta Kagan (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 1,682 ratings score: 296, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
86	Lion's Blood (Lion's Blood, #1) by Steven Barnes (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 916 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
86	Declare by Tim Powers 4.03 avg rating — 5,751 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
86	Amarna Book III: Book of Raia by Grea Alexander (Goodreads Author) 4.67 avg rating — 21 ratings score: 294, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
89	Twelve (The Danilov Quintet, #1) by Jasper Kent (Goodreads Author) 3.55 avg rating — 2,455 ratings score: 293, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
90	Territory by Emma Bull (Goodreads Author) 3.75 avg rating — 1,971 ratings score: 292, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
91	Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 699,402 ratings score: 291, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	Upsetting the Balance (Worldwar, #3) by Harry Turtledove 3.83 avg rating — 4,632 ratings score: 287, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
93	The Bloody Red Baron (Anno Dracula, #2) by Kim Newman 3.85 avg rating — 3,616 ratings score: 285, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
94	The Steel Tsar (Oswald Bastable, #3) by Michael Moorcock 3.58 avg rating — 717 ratings score: 283, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	How Few Remain (Timeline-191, #1) by Harry Turtledove 3.91 avg rating — 5,573 ratings score: 282, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
96	The Alteration by Kingsley Amis 3.63 avg rating — 1,782 ratings score: 277, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
96	A Different Flesh by Harry Turtledove 3.86 avg rating — 528 ratings score: 277, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
98	The Execution Channel by Ken MacLeod 3.45 avg rating — 1,055 ratings score: 275, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
99	A Midsummer Tempest by Poul Anderson 3.55 avg rating — 820 ratings score: 274, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
100	Garden of Beasts by Jeffery Deaver (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 7,285 ratings score: 200, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

← Previous 1 2 3 4 Next →

358 books · 677 voters · list created July 30th, 2008 by Alexandra (votes) .

Tags: alternate-history, fantasy, fiction, science-fiction

167 likes · Like

Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes.

People Who Voted On This List (677)

Alexandra 7808 books
413 friends

Michael 485 books
92 friends

Greyweather 2660 books
65 friends

John 662 books
41 friends

Marcia 2140 books
65 friends

Antoine 949 books
177 friends

Alison 785 books
17 friends

Chris 474 books
26 friends

More voters…

Post a comment »
Comments Showing 1-39 of 39 (39 new)

date

newest »

message 1: by Jay (new)

Jul 29, 2009 12:38PM

It Can't Happen Here

reply | flag

message 2: by [deleted user] (new)

Jan 28, 2013 04:06PM

Love alternate history! Is it just me, or does it seem like there's a lot of post-WWII alternate history out there? Anybody know of any Civil War alternate history? I might write some one day (working on alternate Revolutionary War right now...), and I'd love to read some.

reply | flag

message 3: by Susanna - Censored by GoodReads (new)

Jan 28, 2013 04:31PM

Try Harry Turtledove.

reply | flag

message 4: by Alexandra (last edited Jan 28, 2013 05:03PM) (new)

Jan 28, 2013 05:03PM

Can't think of any real alternate history for the Civil War, that'd be interesting. Although it isn't an alternate history you might like Lincoln's Dreams by Connie Willis

reply | flag

message 5: by [deleted user] (new)

Jan 28, 2013 06:22PM

I have two books from Turtledove on my reading list now, plus I know he's got more. Anyone with the title "master of alternate history" is worth exploring!

That does look like a beautiful story. Thanks!

reply | flag

message 6: by Alexandra (new)

Jan 29, 2013 04:25AM

I liked it, although I enjoyed other books by Willis much more. I did read a book once about a man who was sent back in time to stop the assassination of Lincoln, I've been trying to remember the title for years though with no success.

reply | flag

message 7: by [deleted user] (new)

Jan 29, 2013 08:22AM

I'll have to look into Willis's other books, then, too. But as long as I have at least one book by an author on my TBR list, I'll remember that author exists. ;)

reply | flag

message 8: by Alexandra (last edited Jan 29, 2013 01:20PM) (new)

Jan 29, 2013 01:18PM

Great! Highly recommend her time traveling historians books, particularly Doomsday Book, To Say Nothing Of The Dog.

reply | flag

message 9: by [deleted user] (new)

Jan 29, 2013 03:38PM

I haven't read much time-travel, but both of those sound awesome!

reply | flag

message 10: by Alexandra (new)

Jan 29, 2013 04:10PM

reply | flag

message 11: by David (new)

Apr 08, 2013 07:24PM

None of these books are alternate history:
The Anubis Gates
The Stress of Her Regard
The Eagle Has Landed
A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present

reply | flag

message 12: by Alexandra (last edited May 19, 2014 09:02PM) (new)

May 19, 2014 08:59PM

David wrote: "None of these books are alternate history:
The Anubis Gates
The Stress of Her Regard
The Eagle Has Landed
A People's History of the United States: 1492 to Present"
You're right David. Of the books on this list now that I've read many are not alternate history. I thought the title of the list would be pretty self-explanatory, but apparently there is some confusion about what alternate history is, and what it isn't. I've added a description to the list, hopefully that will help. Unfortunately I cannot remove a book when someone has added it.

These are also not alternate history:
1984
The Eyre Affair
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (one of my favorite books though!)

There are several others I'm pretty sure are dystopia, and not alternate history, but I haven't read them so I'm not positive.

reply | flag

message 13: by Lobstergirl (new)

Oct 14, 2014 11:39PM

I would classify The Handmaid's Tale as a dystopia rather than an alternate history, wouldn't you?

reply | flag

message 14: by Lobstergirl (last edited Oct 14, 2014 11:40PM) (new)

Oct 14, 2014 11:40PM

Also I saw a nonfiction book on the list. You specifically want fiction, correct?

What Ifs? of American History: Eminent Historians Imagine What Might Have Been

reply | flag

message 15: by Alexandra (new)

Oct 17, 2014 05:00AM

Lobstergirl wrote: "Also I saw a nonfiction book on the list. You specifically want fiction, correct?

What Ifs? of American History: Eminent Historians Imagine What Might Have Been"

Yes, I would classify The Handmaid's Tale as dystopia, not Alternate History, and I did/do intend this list for fiction only.

Thank you :D

reply | flag

message 16: by Lobstergirl (new)

Oct 17, 2014 04:33PM

Ok. I deleted them both.

reply | flag

message 17: by Kris (new)

Apr 25, 2015 08:44AM

Aubrey wrote: "Love alternate history! Is it just me, or does it seem like there's a lot of post-WWII alternate history out there? Anybody know of any Civil War alternate history? I might write some one day (w..."

Definitely read Turtledove's Guns of the South. While technically not about the Civil War itself, Seth Grahame Smith's Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter is a fun read.

reply | flag

message 18: by Keith (last edited May 13, 2016 05:55AM) (new)

May 13, 2016 05:48AM

I don't think Y: The Last Man should be on this list - it's post-apocalyptic sci-fi set "twenty minutes into the future" from when it was written, as far as I can remember. There are several other near-future/present-day sci-fi books that I can see, like Never Let Me Go and The Handmaid's Tale, as well as at least one historical fantasy book (Kushiel's Dart) that depicts a world a bit like ours but with many differences - I didn't think this sort of thing really counted as alternate history.

reply | flag

message 19: by Kelley (last edited Aug 04, 2016 03:50PM) (new)

Aug 04, 2016 03:46PM

I like this list!!! And you've given a very good description of what SHOULD be on this list.

I agree with all the ones that have been suggested as deletions. Here are a few more and my reasons why:

On the Beach - set in a post-apocalyptic future (from when it was written).
The Postman - although it seems like the past, this is actually set in a post-apocalyptic future.
One Thousand White Women... - this is historical fiction.
11/22/63 - the protagonist DOES try to stop Kennedy's assassination but is unsuccessful and doesn't change anything.

If anyone believes differently about any of my suggestions, please feel free to argue. :)

reply | flag

message 20: by Vonia (new)

Aug 15, 2016 12:43AM

This list fails. Apocalyptic, dystopian, science fiction. Most of these are in no way alternative history books.

reply | flag

message 21: by Keith (new)

Aug 15, 2016 12:49AM

Goodreads really needs to change the mechanics of lists so that the list creator can either remove or suspend books that shouldn't be there. Too many lists clearly get spammed up with irrelevant or nearly irrelevant blockbuster books and the creator can't do anything about it unless a librarian gets round to removing the offending books.

reply | flag

message 22: by Vonia (new)

Aug 15, 2016 12:56AM

Yes. None of the Alternate History Lists are even accurate.

reply | flag

message 23: by Lobstergirl (new)

Aug 15, 2016 01:08AM

You can always start a thread in the Librarian Group asking for certain books to be removed. Specify which books and what page they're on to make it easier for the librarian.

reply | flag

message 24: by Veeral (new)

Aug 31, 2016 08:49AM

I'm removing the following books as they are clearly not alternate history:

The Handmaid's Tale (Dystopian)
I Am Legend and Other Stories (Post-Apocalyptic)
On the Beach (Post-Apocalyptic)
The Postman (Post-Apocalyptic)
Replay (Science-fantasy)
Alas, Babylon (Post-Apocalyptic)

reply | flag

message 25: by Veeral (new)

Aug 31, 2016 08:57AM

Further removal:

Oryx and Crake (Post-Apocalyptic)
Y: The Last Man (Post-Apocalyptic)

I have only removed books which I have read and am sure are not alternate history books (fiction).

reply | flag

message 26: by Veeral (new)

Aug 31, 2016 09:17AM

Here are some books that I haven't read but think should not be on this list. But I'm not deleting them since I have to be 100% sure:

The Anubis Gates (time travel)
The Amulet of Samarkand (fantasy)
The Number of the Beast (science fiction)
One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd (historical fiction)
Look Who's Back (fantasy, basically Hitler wakes up in the modern world. Not alternate history)
Kushiel's Dart (fantasy)
Kill Zombies (post-apocalyptic)
When She Woke (re-imagining of the Scarlet Letter)
Dies the Fire (post-apocalyptic)
Battle Royale (dystopian)
Islandia (fantasy)

reply | flag

message 27: by Vonia (new)

Sep 01, 2016 09:46AM

Kushiel's Dart
Battle Royale
Look Who's Back
Islandia

Those are the ones I agree with for deleting.

reply | flag

message 28: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Oct 08, 2016 05:45AM) (new)

Oct 08, 2016 05:43AM

I've read A Clockwork Orange (#23) but I never considered it to be alternate history. But maybe I should reconsider, as 14 people voted for it...

reply | flag

message 29: by Veeral (new)

Oct 08, 2016 06:44AM

Booklovinglady wrote: "I've read A Clockwork Orange (#23) but I never considered it to be alternate history. But maybe I should reconsider, as 14 people voted for it..."

Or, it could mean 14 people don't know the meaning of "alternate history".

reply | flag

message 30: by Lobstergirl (new)

Oct 08, 2016 05:03PM

Booklovinglady wrote: "I've read A Clockwork Orange (#23) but I never considered it to be alternate history. But maybe I should reconsider, as 14 people voted for it..."

I agree, I removed it.

There are a lot of suspicious looking books on here that I suspect don't belong. Time travel for example doesn't by itself make a book alternate history.

reply | flag

message 31: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (new)

Oct 09, 2016 04:39AM

Veeral wrote: "Or, it could mean 14 people don't know the meaning of "alternate history"..."

My thought exaclty :-)

@Lobstergirl
Thanks for removing it.

reply | flag

message 32: by Brent (new)

Mar 10, 2017 08:59AM

Underground Airlines - Ben H Winters

reply | flag

message 33: by Syd (new)

Dec 29, 2017 04:17PM

Re: Number of the Beast - Heinlein wrote accurate projections of the near future and when the present overran him, began to consider his works as occuring in alternate timelines. This makes all of his work technically alternate history, but not suitable for a list like this.

reply | flag

message 34: by Andrea (new)

Aug 16, 2021 09:39AM

Alexandra wrote: "These are also not alternate history:
1984
The Eyre Affair
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (one of my favorite books though!)"

I don't think you can really tell in The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, but that whole series is set in an alternate British timeline in which the Stuarts are still on the throne by the 1800s. I think it is more obvious in some of the later books in the series.

reply | flag

message 35: by Nenad (new)

Sep 30, 2021 07:46AM

One more interesting title you might want to check out is Salvation on Peril Island by Nash Knight. In takes place in near-future, in the year 2028, where Trump won second term and a an internet-originated document changed the geo-political map of the world. It also features new technologies and even cultural movements, creating a whole new world that feels realistic and organic. If you are a fan of the show Years and years you should definitely give this one a go.

reply | flag

message 36: by Lobstergirl (new)

Oct 03, 2021 01:08PM

Nenad wrote: "One more interesting title you might want to check out is Salvation on Peril Island by Nash Knight. In takes place in near-future, in the year 2028, where Trump won second term and a an internet-or..."

Looks like you are the author. You should be transparent about promoting your own book. Many GR members consider it spammy when authors promote their own work.

reply | flag

message 37: by Nenad (new)

Oct 03, 2021 01:45PM

Lobstergirl wrote: "Nenad wrote: "One more interesting title you might want to check out is Salvation on Peril Island by Nash Knight. In takes place in near-future, in the year 2028, where Trump won second term and a ..."

Yes, it is me, and yes, the ethically correct option would be being transparent, but like you said, many GR members consider it spammy when authors promote their own work, so I tried a tiny bit of weaseling. Promoting your work in this day and age is a nightmare, that's why I opted for this strategy. I sincerely apologize.

reply | flag

message 38: by Lobstergirl (new)

Oct 03, 2021 01:54PM

Thank you, we do appreciate the apology.

reply | flag

message 39: by Pradeep (new)

May 09, 2023 10:27PM