The Greatest Alternative History Literature
This selection of the 55 greatest works of alternative history is based on the continuing research carried out for The Greatest Literature of All Time and additional research into alternative history works acclaimed by the world's readers, writers, critics and scholars.
Alternative—or alternate or just plain alt—history was once considered a category of science fiction. But the subgenre's distinguishing "what if" feature, speculating on the results of a different history, has appeared in works also classed as literary fiction, mysteries, thrillers, romances, historical fiction and even westerns.
The Greatest Alternative History Literature focuses on major works of alternative history, including novels, novellas, and novel series.
The list is continually updated as new works are discovered and appreciation of older works evolves. Please note the current revision date when citing the list.
Latest update: April 6, 2025
1490
Tyrant the White
by Joanot Martorell, Martí Joan de Galba, Spain
Novel
1888
Looking Backward: 2000–1887
by Edward Bellamy, United States
Novel
1939
Lest Darkness Fall
by L. Sprague De Camp, United States
Novel
1949
Seven Days in New Crete
by Robert Graves, England
Novel
1953
Bring the Jubilee
by Ward Moore, United States
Novel
Bring the Jubilee is one of those modern works declared a classic within certain genres but, despite repeated reprinting, largely forgotten by the general reading public. Which is ironically appropriate in this case perhaps, as.... Critique • Quotes • Buy
1962
The Man in the High Castle
Novel
Around the time of this novel, Philip K. Dick was being heralded as the next scifi writer to break into mainstream popularity after Kurt Vonnegut. The Man in the High Castle won the prestigious Hugo Award for science fiction.... Critique • Quotes • At the movies • Buy
1968
Pavane
by Keith Roberts, England
Novel
1975
Ecotopia
by Ernest Callenbach, United States
Novel
The Female Man
by Joanna Russ, United States
Novel
1976
The Alteration, The
by Kingsley Amis, England
Novel
The Malacia Tapestry
by Brian W. Aldiss, England
Novel
Gloriana
by Michael Moorcock, England
Novel
1983
The Anubis Gates
by Tim Powers, United States
Novel
The Dragon Waiting
by John M. Ford,
Novel
1987
Watchmen
by Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons, England
1989
The History of the Siege of Lisbon
by José Saramago, Portugal
Novel
Tours of the Black Clock
by Steve Erikson, United States
Novel
1990
The Difference Engine
by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling, Canada, United States
Novel
1992
Anno Dracula
by Kim Newman, England
Novel
Fatherland
by Robert Harris, England
Novel
Jerusalem Commands
by Michael Moorcock, England
Novella
1993
Aztec Century
by Christopher Evans, Wales
Novel
1995
The Time Ships
by Stephen Baxter, England
Novel
1996
Making History
by Stephen Fry, England
Novel
Ash: A Secret History
by Mary Gentle, England
Novel
1999
The Intuitionist
by Colson Whitehead, United States
Novel
2001
Noughts and Crosses
by Malorie Blackman, England
Novel
The Eyre Affair
by Jasper Fforde, England
Novel
The Part of The Other
by Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt, France
Novel
Declare
by Tim Powers, United States
Novel
2002
The Separation
by Christopher Priest, England
Novel
The Years of Rice and Salt
by Kim Stanley Robinson, United States
Novel
2003
Felaheen
by Jon Courtenay Grimwood, England
Novel
2003–2004
The Baroque Cycle
by Neal Stephenson, United States
Novel series
2004
Iron Council
by China Miéville, England
Novel
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
by Susanna Clarke, England
Novel
The Plot Against America
by Philip Roth, United States
Novel
2006
Farthing
by Jo Walton, Canada
Novel
2006
Against the Day
by Thomas Pynchon, United States
Novel
2007
The Yiddish Policemen's Union
by Michael Chabon, United States
Novel
What is this? You could waste a lot of time trying to figure out what kind of novel The Yiddish Policemen's Union is. Some people have clearly decided. The science fiction community has claimed Michael Chabon's 2007.... Critique • Quotes • Buy
2009
Boneshaker
by Cherie Priest, United States
Novel
2010
Blackout/All Clear
by Connie Willis, United States
Novel
2011
City of Bohane
by Kevin Barry, Ireland
Novel
11/22/63
by Stephen King, United States
Novel
2011
Osama
by Lavie Tidhar,
Novel
2014
City of Stairs
by Robert Jackson Bennett, United States
Novel
2016
Arabella of Mars
by David D. Levine, United States
Novel
Lovecraft Country
by Matt Ruff, United States
Novel
The Underground Railroad
by Colson Whitehead, United States
Novel
2017
Tyll
by Daniel Kehlmann, Germany
Novel
2018
The Calculating Stars
by Mary Robinette Kowal, United States
Novel
Dactyl Hill Squad
by Daniel José Older, United States
Novel
2019
Queen of the Conquered
by Kacen Callender, United States
Novel
2021
A Master of Djinn
by P. Dèlí Clark, United States
Novel
2022
Babel, or the Necessity of Violence
by R.F. Kuang, United States
Novel
