Tag Archives: alt-history

Texas in the Med

Posted on January 30, 2024 by smellincoffee

Well, things is gettin’ interesting around these parts. All of Gaul France is divided into three parts: Nazi Germany occupies part, the tyrant Petain who knocked off the democratic president before Hitler invaded rules Vichy France; and then there’s a few colonies and ships … Continue reading →

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The Lone Star, the Tricolor, and the Swastika

Posted on January 29, 2024 by smellincoffee

Despite the fact that France is technically at war with Nazi Germany, a secret society known as the Order of the Black Pillar have dedicated themselves to destabilizing the Third Republic so that their thirst for vengeance against the Republic of Texas can … Continue reading →

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Shtetl Days

Posted on January 29, 2024 by smellincoffee

“We will do, and we will hear”. Such was the people’s reply when Moses descended from Mt. Sinai and presented the Ten Commandments to the Hebrews. There’s an inversion in that statement, alien to our modern age: imagine doing a thing before understanding … Continue reading →

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Texas at the Coronation

Posted on January 28, 2024 by smellincoffee

The year is 1937, and on the eve of His Majesty King George VI’s coronation, a naval review is to be held in the United Kingdom — and the president of The Republic of Texas shall be in attendance, the first … Continue reading →

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The Apollo Murders

Posted on July 15, 2022 by smellincoffee

The Apollo Murders(c) 2021 Chris Hadfield 480 pages It’s 1973, and the Apollo program is nearly at its end. One more mission is planned — but it won’t be the mission executed. Instead, the all-military crew of Apollo 18 will … Continue reading →

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CS Lewis, alt-history Brits, and a Trek repast

Posted on June 9, 2022 by smellincoffee

Still offline, so — quickie reviews. Call C.S. Lewis’ friends to mind and the mental image, invariably, will be that of Lewis and the Inklings gathered around a table at the Eagle and Child, drinking and talking.  But one of … Continue reading →

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Joe Steele

Posted on April 16, 2015 by smellincoffee

Joe Steele © 2015 Harry Turtledove448 pages                       What if Joseph Stalin was a Democrat? Imagine that the Man of Steel’s parents had emigrated to the United States before he was born, and that instead of rising to power through … Continue reading →

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Ruled Britannia

Posted on April 13, 2015 by smellincoffee

Ruled Britannia© 2002 Harry Turtledove458 pages 1597. The 16th century is drawing to a close, and with it — seemingly — England’s fortunes. Nine years ago the vast Spanish armada triumphed in delivering its army to English shores, where grim … Continue reading →

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Last Orders

Posted on July 12, 2014 by smellincoffee

The War that Came Early: Last Orders©  Harry Turtledove416 pages This cover has nothing to do with the plot.  Good things come to those who wait. Such is the lesson of Last Orders, the sixth book in an alternate-history series … Continue reading →

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Voyage

Posted on March 4, 2014 by smellincoffee

Voyage: A Novel of What Might have Been© 1996 Stephen Baxter511 pages             On November 22nd, 1963, John F. Kennedy narrowly escaped assassination while touring Dallas, Texas. A gunman’s assault left his wife Jacqueline dead and the president hospitalized, but … Continue reading →

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