Alternate Histories

Avram Davidson's The Other Nineteenth Century, edited by Grania Davis and Henry Wessells, describes a world that is engaging, unexpected, and yet oddly familiar.

I've been reading a wonderful anthology, The Other Nineteenth Century, by Avram Davidson, and really enjoying it. I think the more I learn about history, the more I appreciate alternate history stories, which I used to think rather dull. I love the alternate explication for the Lizzie Borden case that he provides in "The Deed of the Deft-footed Dragon" and the lovely simplicity of "The Man Who Saw the Elephant", particularly this passage:

There was hay in the meadow, ripe for the mowing, and shingle-trees in the yard needing to be split for the roof of the barn. A cartload of corn stood as it had stood for two days -- unloaded. Esther did not hesitate.

"Then thee must see him," she said.

There's a moving conviction to that dialogue that so perfectly conveys her trust in her husband in an unexpected way that I just love it.

Hunting around for other alternate history stories, I found the following recommended, some of which I've read.

Kage Baker's Company series - I read the first two and really liked them, the latest are on my "to be read" list.

Harry Turtledove, The Guns of the South. Series includes How Few Remain, The Great War: American Front, The Great War: Walk in Hell, The Great War: Breakthroughs. When time travelers who want to create a future white supremacy appear to General Lee offering AK-47s, changing history. The group becomes angry when the Confederate government begins to relax slavery laws. Haven't read, but I'm adding them to my list.

Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle - I've read the first two of these and really enjoyed them, particularly all the economic ramifications in the second volume, which sometimes have the same feel as Delany's Neveryon serires.

Other names that popped up to be added to my list: The Last Witchfinder, J. Gregory Keyes' quartet, The Age of Unreason, and Kevin Willmott.