12 Historical Fiction Books That Imagine ‘What If?’ Scenarios

Historical fiction allows readers to explore the past in great detail, but what happens when authors set out on an adventure and ask, “What if…?” These alternate history or speculative fiction novels create worlds in which historical events unfold differently, leading to intriguing and often thought-provoking outcomes. Here is a list of 12 historical fiction books that explore these fascinating “what if?” scenarios.

1. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth

Philip Roth’s novel The Plot Against America imagines an alternate history in which aviation hero Charles Lindbergh defeats Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940 U.S. presidential election. Lindbergh, an isolationist and alleged Nazi sympathizer, signs peace agreements with Hitler, leading America down a path of anti-Semitism and fascism. The novel is a chilling exploration of how easily democracy can be threatened and serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of freedom.

2. Robert Harris’s homeland

Robert Harris’s ‘Fatherland’ imagines a world in which Nazi Germany won World War II. Set in 1964, the novel follows an investigator from the Greater German Reich who uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to reveal to the world the Holocaust, which the regime has kept secret. Harris’ novel is a gripping thriller that examines the terrifying consequences of a world in which Hitler’s vision of the future became reality.

3. The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick’s The Man in the High Castle is a classic of the genre that imagines an alternate history in which the Axis powers won World War II and divided the United States into territories controlled by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan. The novel delves into the lives of the characters who navigate this dystopian reality while questioning the nature of reality itself. Dick’s work is a profound exploration of power, resistance, and the thin line between truth and illusion.

4. 11/22/63 by Stephen King

In ’11/22/63,’ Stephen King takes readers on a journey through time as Jake Epping, a high school teacher, discovers a portal to the past and attempts to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. King’s novel explores the ripple effects of altering a pivotal moment in history and the unforeseen consequences that follow. It is a thrilling and emotional exploration of fate, history, and the complexities of changing the past.

5. CJ Sansom’s Domain

‘Dominion’ imagines a world in which Britain surrendered to Nazi Germany in 1940, giving rise to a puppet government under Prime Minister Lord Halifax. Set in 1952, the novel follows resistance fighters as they attempt to undermine the oppressive regime and expose the truth. Sansom’s meticulously researched novel blends historical events with gripping narrative, offering a chilling glimpse of what might have been had Britain not stood its ground during World War II.

6. The Yiddish Policemen’s Union, by Michael Chabon

In “The Yiddish Policemen’s Union,” Michael Chabon creates an alternate history in which the state of Israel was never established and instead a temporary Jewish settlement was created in Alaska. The novel, set in the present day, follows a down-on-his-luck detective who investigates a murder in this temporary settlement, which is now facing the end of its 60-year lease. Chabon’s novel is a unique blend of crime fiction, mystery, and speculative history, rich with cultural and political commentary.

7. The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal

‘The Calculating Stars’ presents a fascinating alternate history in which a meteorite hits Earth in 1952, accelerating the space race as the planet faces environmental disaster. Elma York, a brilliant mathematician and pilot, strives to become one of the first female astronauts in this reimagined timeline. Kowal’s novel combines speculative history with a compelling narrative about gender, ambition, and the race to save humanity, all without losing sight of the science of the time.

8. The plot of Jean Hanff Korelitz

Jean Hanff Korelitz’s plot is a clever exploration of the idea that “what if” can lead to the perfect crime. The novel follows a struggling author who steals the plot of a brilliant, unwritten novel from a deceased student, only to discover that the story is more than fiction. As the book becomes a bestseller, the author becomes tormented by the origins of the plot and the truth behind it. Korelitz creates a suspenseful narrative about the cost of ambition and the consequences of taking what is not yours.

9. Colson Whitehead’s Underground Railroad

Colson Whitehead’s “The Underground Railroad” imagines an underground train system that slaves used to escape the South in the United States before the Civil War. By combining history with elements of magical realism, Whitehead explores the horrors of slavery and the desperate fight for freedom in a unique and impactful way. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize for its powerful depiction of resilience, endurance, and the enduring hope for a better future.

10. Len Deighton’s SS-GB

‘SS-GB’ is set in an alternate year of 1941, in which Nazi Germany has successfully invaded and occupied Britain. The novel follows Detective Superintendent Douglas Archer as he navigates the complex politics and dangers of working for the SS in a conquered London. Deighton’s meticulously detailed narrative creates a disturbing and plausible alternate reality, full of suspense and moral ambiguity, as Archer becomes embroiled in a deadly conspiracy.

11. The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln by Stephen L. Carter

In “The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln,” Stephen L. Carter imagines a world in which President Abraham Lincoln survived his assassination attempt and faced impeachment two years later. The novel follows a young black woman working as a law clerk who becomes embroiled in the political intrigues and legal battles surrounding Lincoln’s trial. Carter’s novel offers a fascinating exploration of race, politics, and justice in an alternative, post-Civil War America.

12. The Last Year of the War by Susan Meissner

‘The Last Year of the War’ imagines a scenario in which a young German-American woman and a young Japanese-American woman form an unlikely friendship in an internment camp during World War II. Their bond is tested when they are separated and repatriated to their ancestral countries. Meissner’s novel explores the impact of war on identity, loyalty, and the enduring power of friendship in the face of unimaginable odds.

These 12 books take readers on journeys through worlds where history took a different turn, offering thought-provoking and often disturbing glimpses of what might have been. By exploring these “What if?” scenarios, these novels challenge us to reflect on the impact of historical events and the delicate balance of decisions that shape our world. Whether you’re a fan of thrillers, mysteries, or deep philosophical questions, these historical fiction novels provide a unique and engaging way to consider the paths history could have taken.