Harry Turtledove really knows how to twist history. He builds worlds that feel both recognizable and totally different.
If you are a reader who enjoys this kind of story, with its “what if” questions and deep dives into historical periods, you might look for authors with a similar approach.
Turtledove is known for series like “The Guns of the South,” which asks what might happen if the Confederacy got modern weapons, or “Worldwar,” where aliens invade during World War II.
For anyone who loves alternate history with lots of military action and a big scope, there are other authors out there you are sure to find interesting.
Connie Willis is a fantastic author whose books skillfully blend science fiction with a thoughtful look at history and society. Readers who enjoy Harry Turtledove’s alternate history narratives might appreciate Willis’ novel “Doomsday Book.”
This story follows a young historian named Kivrin who travels back in time to study medieval England. But something goes wrong, and she’s trapped in the past during one of the worst outbreaks of the plague.
Her experience becomes an intense struggle to survive and find a way home, while back in the present, her mentors race to save her. Willis captures the terror and compassion of the medieval era in a powerful story that explores human strength during times of crisis.
Eric Flint is a master at blending history with alternate worlds, similar to Harry Turtledove’s style. His novel “1632” throws a modern-day West Virginia town back into 17th-century Germany during the devastating Thirty Years’ War.
The townspeople find themselves surrounded by chaos and violence, but their advanced technology and modern ideals quickly disrupt Europe’s established order. Flint brings alternate history alive with vivid characters, exciting battles, and realistic portrayals of culture clash.
Readers who appreciate historical “what-if” scenarios and imaginative storytelling will find “1632” highly enjoyable.
S. M. Stirling is an author known for his alternate history and speculative fiction novels, often exploring scenarios where history takes a dramatically different turn.
In his book “Dies the Fire,” a mysterious event called “The Change” spreads across the globe and permanently disables electricity, firearms, and combustion engines.
Society collapses immediately into chaos, and survivors must adapt to a world based again on medieval technology, old-fashioned skills, and ancient social structures.
As Stirling follows various groups struggling to form communities and rebuild, he develops vivid characters and thrilling, believable conflicts.
Fans of Harry Turtledove’s careful blend of history and imagination will find familiar themes of survival, shifting politics, and the resilience of humanity in Stirling’s captivating storytelling.
Readers who enjoy Harry Turtledove’s alternate history novels may find Stephen Baxter’s storytelling equally fascinating. Baxter combines meticulous historical detail with imaginative scenarios that offer a fresh look at familiar events.
One good example is his novel “Voyage,” which explores an alternate history of the space race. The story begins in 1969, just after the Apollo 11 moon landing, but instead of cutting back the space program, President Nixon commits NASA to a manned Mars mission.
The reader follows astronauts, engineers, and politicians over several years as they face incredible technical, political, and personal challenges. Baxter skillfully blends real science with emotional depth, providing an absorbing possibility of how history might have unfolded.
John Birmingham writes alternate history and military adventures with a punchy, fast-paced style. His novel “Weapons of Choice” introduces readers to an intense blend of future tech and World War II warfare.
A naval task force from 2021 accidentally travels back in time and crashes right into the US Fleet bound for the Battle of Midway. The collision between eras sets off chaos, mistrust, and intriguing possibilities.
Harry Turtledove fans will appreciate Birmingham’s attention to historical detail and his ability to realistically depict how cultures from different times clash and adapt.
Kim Newman is a British author known for inventive alternate histories and horror fiction with engaging twists on familiar historical events.
His novel “Anno Dracula” offers a fascinating alternate timeline where Count Dracula survives and marries Queen Victoria, becoming the ruler of Britain. Vampirism spreads among the rich and powerful elite, creating a thrilling blend of political intrigue, mystery, and horror.
Historical figures such as Jack the Ripper, Sherlock Holmes, and Bram Stoker himself appear vividly woven into the narrative. Readers attracted to Harry Turtledove’s blend of real history with imaginative changes will find Kim Newman’s books equally entertaining.
Readers who enjoy Harry Turtledove’s alternate history novels might also appreciate Michael Chabon, an author known for blending history with imaginative storytelling.
Chabon’s novel “The Yiddish Policemen’s Union” imagines an alternate timeline where Jewish refugees settled temporarily in Sitka, Alaska, after World War II.
In this unique setting, detective Meyer Landsman investigates a mysterious murder among the cramped neighborhoods and shadows of this cold Alaskan city.
The story mixes detective fiction with alternate historical elements, creating a believable yet surprising world filled with intriguing characters and unexpected plot turns. Fans of alternate timelines and historical twists will find Chabon’s work entertaining and original.
If you enjoy Harry Turtledove’s alternate history and thought-provoking scenarios, Philip K. Dick might capture your interest.
Dick’s novel “The Man in the High Castle” takes readers to a chilling alternate reality where the Axis powers won World War II and now occupy the United States. The story follows ordinary people navigating a tense and divided America, occupied by Japanese and German authorities.
Characters come across a forbidden book that imagines a different outcome—a world in which the Allies won. The uneasy encounters between occupiers and the occupied, and the risky quest to uncover deeper truths, make this novel suspenseful and haunting.
Dick’s approach prompts readers to question not only “what could have been,” but also the fragile nature of reality itself.
Readers who enjoy Harry Turtledove’s alternate history novels might find Robert Conroy’s works appealing. Conroy specializes in stories that reimagine critical moments of history, vividly exploring what might have happened if events turned out differently.
For example, in “1901,” Conroy imagines a scenario where Germany invades the United States at the start of the twentieth century.
The story follows American defenders as they fight to reclaim their homeland, weaving intense military action, engaging characters, and believable historical detail into a richly imagined narrative.
Fans of alternate history scenarios demonstrating how a single moment can shift global events should definitely consider giving Robert Conroy a try.
Books by Robert Harris often combine meticulous historical detail with exciting, imaginative storytelling. If you enjoy alternate history novels by Harry Turtledove, a great place to start with Harris is “Fatherland.”
Set in a world where Nazi Germany won World War II, the novel takes place decades later in the 1960s. Detective Xavier March investigates the death of a prominent official, uncovering secrets the government wants hidden.
Harris brings the alternate reality vividly to life, creating a suspenseful mystery immersed in historical context. Fans of thought-provoking storytelling and rich historical elements will appreciate Harris’s style.
Ward Moore was an American author known for imaginative alternate history novels. His book “Bring the Jubilee” explores a world where the Confederacy won the American Civil War. The story follows Hodge Backmaker, a curious historian fascinated by a past that could have been.
Seeking knowledge, Hodge becomes involved in an experiment to uncover vital secrets about the decisive Civil War battle at Gettysburg. Moore vividly portrays America divided, economically challenged, and politically tense.
Readers intrigued by Harry Turtledove’s alternate histories with intricate twists and historical detail will find “Bring the Jubilee” particularly enjoyable.
If you enjoy Harry Turtledove’s alternative histories and intriguing what-if scenarios, you might appreciate L. Neil Smith’s imaginative blend of science fiction and alternate reality.
Smith’s novel “The Probability Broach” presents an America that took a different path after the Revolution, creating a society built on libertarian ideals, freedom, and advanced technology.
Detective Win Bear accidentally crosses into this parallel world while investigating a murder, and must navigate its surprising politics and advanced gadgets to solve the mystery.
The clever mix of detective thriller, alternate history, and a fascinatingly detailed libertarian society makes Smith’s work engaging for anyone who enjoys exploring worlds shaped by unusual political events.
Readers who enjoy Harry Turtledove’s alternate histories and detailed world-building will likely appreciate Neal Stephenson. Stephenson often blends history, science, and technology to create thought-provoking fiction.
His novel “Cryptonomicon” alternates between two timelines: one set during World War II focusing on secret codebreakers and intelligence operatives, the other in the late 1990s exploring data encryption, hacking, and finding buried wartime gold.
Stephenson weaves together a rich narrative full of historical intrigue, suspenseful action, and sharp insights into technology and privacy.
The stories of characters like mathematician Lawrence Waterhouse and marine Bobby Shaftoe make “Cryptonomicon” an enjoyable dive into secrets, espionage, and hidden treasures across decades.
Books by Robert Silverberg often blend history and speculative ideas in ways that Harry Turtledove fans might appreciate. In “Roma Eterna,” Silverberg explores a fascinating alternate timeline where the Roman Empire never fell.
The novel spans centuries, offering vivid snapshots of politics, intrigue, and ambition within the enduring Roman state. Through the eyes of senators, generals, and philosophers, readers get a detailed sense of what might have happened if Rome ruled through modern times.
Anyone intrigued by alternate history stories and rich historical detail will likely find Silverberg’s imaginative world worth exploring.
Readers who enjoy Harry Turtledove’s alternate histories might appreciate Tim Powers, an author skilled at weaving history with fantasy. His novel “The Anubis Gates” combines real historical figures with ancient Egyptian magic, time travel, and adventure.
The story follows English professor Brendan Doyle, who unexpectedly travels to 1810 London. He finds himself caught between dangerous sorcerers, beggars with sinister powers, and an ancient plot that threatens his very survival.
With an imaginative cast of characters and a richly portrayed historical setting, Powers offers an exciting twist on the past that fans of alternate histories should find appealing.