What If?: Alternative Historical Time Lines

By Robert Blumetti

Book Overview

After the success of Blumetti's highly popular book, What If?, he has written What If?--Two. Blumetti once again stretches the imagination in exciting and fascinating counter-factual histories.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595301398
• ISBN13: 9780595301393
• Release Date: November 2003
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 168 Pages
• Weight: 0.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

EXCITING AND SCHAOLARLY

The scenarios in Blumetti's What If? are well thought out, interesting to read and exhibit a thorough understanding of 19th and 20th century history. Blumetti relies on his in depth knowledge of military history to weave credible alternatives out come for World War Two, in 1942 (Germans attack Moscow instead of Stalingard) and 1944 (What if the Allies are defeated at D-Day?), and what might have happened afterward to transform the course of the war. In any alternative scenario, the farther one moves from the point of divergence, the greater is the speculation of how history will play itself out. At times, an author might let his imagination soar into the realm of the unbelievable, but Blumetti's tales remain rooted in the possible, if not the probable. The scenario about Bismark creating Greater Germany shows that Blumetti has a scholar's understanding of 19th century European geo-politics and power diplomacy among the great powers of Europe. But I found his tale about Napoleon born in America clearly rooted in Thomas Caryle's theory that "History is the biography of great men." Napoleon, being one of those "supermen" who appear from time to time on the stage of history, would, according to Caryle, transform the age he was born into, no matter where he was born, or the history of whatever country he was a citizen. The fact is--Corscian rebellions, of which his father was one, did flee Corscia and many did settle in New York City, and under the leadership of Alexander Hamilton (who organized the birgade)did fight in the American Revolution. Carlos Bonaparte did want to join his fellow freedom fighters, but was convinced by his wife, who was carrying Napoleon, changed his mine and so he accepted the French offer and thus, Napoleon was born a French citizen, instead of a citizen of the New York colony. Since Carlos Bonaparte was one of the leaders of the Corscian freedom fighters, he probably would have played a major role and become friends, or at the least, knew Hamilton. If Napoleon had been born American, he probably would have entertained a career in either the military or American politics--or both. If this did happen, then anything was possible--but Blumetti does constrain his imagination, and constructs both a well-thoughtout and entertaining scenario that is well worth reading. IT IS A MUST! for anyone who enjoys alternative histories.

Absolutely Sensational

This phenomenal tale should have been picked up by a traditional publisher, because its impeccable writing is unrivaled by anyone else's work. The grasp of history and excellent storytelling combine to make an impeccable tale that anyone will enjoy!