32. What if?

SS-GB is an alternate history novel by Len Deighton, set in a Britain conquered by Germany during World War II. The story follows Detective Superintendent Douglas Archer as he investigates a murder that leads him into a high-stakes espionage battle involving the British resistance, German factions, and a plot that could change the course of history. The novel explores themes of occupation, resistance, and intrigue in a meticulously researched historical setting.

In 'Altered Pasts: Counterfactuals in History', Richard J. Evans explores the concept of counterfactual history, examining how alternative scenarios can provide insights into historical events. The book discusses the intellectual fallout from such speculative histories and critiques their use in contemporary historical discourse. Evans offers a thought-provoking analysis of the genre, highlighting both its potential and pitfalls.

Set in 1964 in a world where the Axis powers won World War II, 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris is an alternative history detective novel. The story follows Xavier March, a detective in the Kriminalpolizei (Kripo), as he investigates the murder of Josef Bühler, a high-ranking Nazi official involved in the Wannsee Conference. As March delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a conspiracy involving senior Nazi Party officials and discovers evidence of the Holocaust. The novel explores the dark and oppressive atmosphere of a totalitarian Nazi regime and the personal risks March and his American journalist ally, Charlotte 'Charlie' Maguire, take to expose the truth.

The novel is set in an England where Charles Babbage has successfully built his mechanical computer, the 'Difference Engine', leading to a premature computer age. This event alters the course of history, resulting in significant changes to British society and global politics. The story follows three main characters: Sybil Gerard, a prostitute with political aspirations; Edward Mallory, a paleontologist who discovers a crucial computer program; and Laurence Oliphant, a spy masquerading as a travel writer. The novel explores themes of technological advancement, social change, and the consequences of an information technology revolution in the 19th century.

In "Escape from Rome" untersucht Walter Scheidel den Untergang des Römischen Reichs und seine langfristigen Folgen. Scheidel argumentiert, dass der Zusammenbruch des Imperiums letztendlich zu einem wirtschaftlichen Aufschwung in Europa führte. Das Buch analysiert die komplexen Faktoren, die zum Fall Roms beitrugen, und stellt die traditionelle Sichtweise auf den Niedergang des Imperiums in Frage. Scheidel präsentiert eine neue Perspektive auf die Geschichte Europas und die Entwicklung des Wohlstands. Das Buch ist eine wichtige Lektüre für alle, die sich für die römische Geschichte und die Entwicklung Europas interessieren.