History is not Inevitable

Many people think history is boring. Perhaps it is because history is taught as Social Studies. This approach views history in large broad trends and gives every race, nationality and sex equal time and importance. Gone is the study of great people and pivotal events which make history exciting. Another drawback to the Social Studies method is that it makes historical events seem like they could not have happened any other way.

Narrative history, history written as an unfolding story, is not just interesting but very entertaining. Nothing makes history more interesting and thought provoking than to contemplate what might have happened. Alternate history stories make history come alive by focusing on a significant turning point, accident or decision and their consequences.

The books I recommend below are collections of alternate histories written by renound Historians such as Stephen Ambrose,David McCullough, John Keegan and James McPherson. They provide a short summery on what really happened and how events could have unfolded differently. See how our history was not inevitable and could have been very different.

Cold War Hot : Alternative Decisions of the Third World War
by Tsouras, Peter (Editor)

Dixie Victorious : An Alternate History of the Civil War
by Tsouras, Peter G(Editor)

The Hitler Options : Alternate Decisions of World War II
by Macksey, Kenneth (Editor)

Napoleon Options : Alternative Decisions of the Napoleonic Wars
by North, John (Editor)

Rising Sun Victorious : The Alternate History of How the Japanese Won the Pacific War
by Tsouras, Peter G. (Editor)

Third Reich Victorious : The Alternate History of How the Germans Won the War
by Tsouras, Peter (Editor)

What if? : explorations in social-science fiction
by Polsby, Nelson W. (Editor)

What If? : The World's Foremost Military Historians Imagine What Might Have Been
by Cowley, Robert (Editor)

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

What Ifs? Of American History : Eminent Historians Imagine What Might Have Been
by Cowley, Robert; Beevor, Anthony (Editors)


TB