Impossible Histories: The Soviet Republic of Alaska, the United States of Hudsonia, President Charlemagne, and Other Pivotal Moments of History That Never Happened

by Hal Johnson

Overview

Across 1400 years and six continents (sorry, Australia), Impossible Histories examines pivotal moments in history from both sides—what happened and what would have happened had things gone differently. The results are by turns strange, hilarious, tragic…and always fascinating.

Imagine a world in which...
- Hitler builds a thousand-year Reich
- Columbus gets driven from the Americas by mounted knights
- Robespierre decapitates Caesar Augustus
- The Inca Empire has an air force
- Jimmy Carter presses the Button

These brave new worlds are merely our own, familiar world—if something small had happened differently. We're all one elephant away from peace in the Middle East, one knife thrust away from nuclear Armageddon.

This book examines twenty pivotal moments in history, asks what if?...,and drags the answers kicking and screaming into the light. History—factual and counterfactual has never been so entertaining.

A whirlwind ride through history as it never happened—but could have.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781250809674
Publisher:	Odd Dot
Publication date:	02/07/2023
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	262,718
Product dimensions:	5.70(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

Hal Johnson is the author of several books. In a world where he had fallen into a volcano as a young man, this book—and many of those other ones—would never have been written.

Editorial Reviews

01/20/2023

Not everyone considers the many ways in which everything about their social surroundings could be different if a seemingly disconnected historical event were altered. According to Johnson (Immortal Lycanthropes) , the possibilities of this problem are seemingly endless. This book is a highly entertaining piece of contemplative historical interpretation, the ultimate presentation of "what if." While witty and thought-provoking, this work can also be challenging to understand, as Johnson's scenarios—which are so carefully presented—did not actually occur. But the author thoroughly expands upon his ideas, such as what would have happened if Sigmund Freud had not been addicted to cocaine? Johnson continues his journey through historical event after event, using wordplay and humor to highlight how the origins and power of one small difference can change the entire course of history. VERDICT This book is highly recommended for those with an interest in world history, Western civilization, and alternative histories.—Monique Martinez

Library Journal