16 Best Napoleonic Alternate History Books

Napoelan is one of those figures that looms large in history. His name is so recognizable that even people unfamiliar with his rise to power and the wars he fought know it when they hear it. Yet, for us who are students of history, we know how important Napoleon was to not just European history but world history. Having spent so much time with the turn of the century crises and wars that led to the War to End All Wars, it’s hard not to trace a thread back to Napoleon. 

It only seemed natural then to jump to this time period and see what alternate histories have been done with the great Napoleon Bonaparte. For those who may not be as familiar with him and his historical significance, here’s a summary. If you already know all about Napoleon, feel free to skip the book list section further down the page. 

Who was Napoleon Bonaparte?

Napoleon Bonaparte (1769–1821) was a French military commander and statesman who rose from modest Corsican origins to become Emperor of the French. He is remembered as both a brilliant strategist and a controversial figure whose ambition reshaped Europe.

After training as an artillery officer, Napoleon first distinguished himself during the French Revolution, especially in the Siege of Toulon (1793) and the suppression of a royalist revolt in Paris (1795). His victories in the Italian Campaign (1796–1797) cemented his reputation as a military genius. Following a failed expedition in Egypt (1798–1799), he returned to France, seized power in the Coup of 18 Brumaire (1799), and became First Consul. By 1804, he crowned himself Emperor of the French.

Napoleon fought a series of conflicts known as the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) against shifting coalitions of European powers, including: 

• Austerlitz (1805): His greatest victory, defeating Russia and Austria.

• Jena–Auerstedt (1806): Crushed Prussia.

• Friedland (1807): Defeated Russia, leading to the Treaty of Tilsit.

• Peninsular War (1808–1814): A grinding conflict in Spain against British, Spanish, and Portuguese forces—his “Spanish ulcer.”

• Invasion of Russia (1812): Initially advanced into Moscow, but a disastrous retreat in winter decimated his army.

• Leipzig (1813): The “Battle of Nations,” where coalition forces inflicted a decisive defeat.

  
  

In 1814, Paris was captured, and Napoleon abdicated, exiled to Elba. He escaped in 1815, returned to power in the Hundred Days, but was decisively defeated at the Battle of Waterloo (1815) by the Duke of Wellington and Prussian forces under Blücher. Exiled to Saint Helena in the South Atlantic, he died there in 1821.

Napoleon left behind sweeping reforms: the Napoleonic Code (a foundation for modern legal systems), centralized administration, and enduring military tactics. Yet his ambition and wars caused immense destruction, making him both admired as a visionary and criticized as a tyrant.

Alternate Histories in the Napoleonic Era 

Authors going all the way back to the 1800s have wondered about how the world might have looked if things had gone differently for Napoleon. Here’s a list of books that reimagine this time period in history. 

Note that many books written by French authors lack English translations. Those have been left off this list as well as other rare ones that are out of print.

The Tower of Destiny by Joseph Méry, trans. Stableford

In The Tower of Destiny, Joseph Méry spins an extraordinary vision of history gone awry. The novella begins with a familiar moment: Napoleon’s failed siege of Acre in 1799, a turning point that stopped his eastern ambitions in their tracks. But Méry dares to imagine a different outcome. What if Bonaparte had taken the city, captured its fabled citadel—the “Tower of Destiny”—and flung open the gates to further conquest? From this single victory, the narrative unfolds into a sweeping reimagining of empire, as Napoleon marches not westward toward Austerlitz or Waterloo, but eastward toward the glittering prize of India and the collapse of British power.

Written with the elegance and flourish of 19th-century Romantic literature, Méry’s tale is equal parts political speculation, historical satire, and imaginative prophecy. His Napoleon is not just a general but a force of destiny, a man whose choices echo with world-shaping consequences. The novella explores themes of ambition, fate, and the fragile balance on which history turns, posing the unsettling question: how much of our present world depends on a single moment of failure or success?

For fans of alternate history, The Tower of Destiny is a fascinating precursor to the genre as we know it today. Long before “what if” scenarios became a staple of historical fiction, Méry was already reshaping the past to show us a world that might have been, both familiar and profoundly different.

It May Happen Yet: A Tale Of Bonaparte's Invasion Of England By Edmund Lawrence

In 1805, the French armies led by Napoleon crossed the Channel, marching on London and upending the familiar course of history. England, long seen as impregnable, faces chaos as its streets, fortresses, and citizens grapple with an unstoppable invader. Every decision, every skirmish, carries the weight of a nation’s survival, and the world watches history being rewritten.

Lawrence’s tale blends military strategy with suspenseful drama, capturing both the grand sweep of empire and the human stories caught in its shadow. Leaders struggle to respond, families flee in fear, and ordinary citizens confront the extraordinary threat at their doorstep. Through vivid scenes of tension and daring, the novella immerses readers in a Britain on the brink, imagining not just conquest but the cascading consequences of one bold military gamble.

A classic of early alternate history, It May Happen Yet explores the tantalizing question of “what if” with flair and imagination. It is a story of audacity, risk, and the fragility of a nation, reminding readers that history, as we know it, is never inevitable.

The Death of Napoleon by Simon Leys (Author, Translator), Patricia Clancy (Translator)

The Death of Napoleon imagines an alternate ending to the life of one of history’s most legendary figures. Rather than dying in exile on St. Helena, Napoleon escapes the island, assuming the unassuming identity of a lowly sailor. Traveling through unfamiliar lands, he hopes to find allies and reclaim his lost empire, but instead encounters a world that has moved on without him.

Stranded and isolated, Napoleon wanders through the remnants of his past victories, including the now-peaceful fields of Waterloo, reflecting on the fleeting nature of power. In Paris, he tries to rebuild his life in modest ways, crossing paths with ordinary citizens whose lives intersect unexpectedly with his own, forcing him to confront the limits of ambition and the absurdity of trying to rewrite history.

Leys’ novella blends dark humor with melancholy, portraying Napoleon as both a fallen titan and a man stripped of grandeur. It is a meditation on identity, legacy, and the human desire to leave a mark on the world—even when time and fate have other plans.

Napoleon Disentimed by Hayford Peirce

A whimsical and inventive science fiction tale that blends time travel, alternate history, and comedy. The story follows Sir Kevin MacNair, a quick-witted conman from Maine, who is accidentally thrust into a series of parallel worlds. In one of these realities, Napoleon Bonaparte emerges victorious in the Napoleonic Wars, creating a vastly different global landscape, while other worlds feature unexpected twists in British and European history.

As Kevin navigates these alternate timelines, he finds himself impersonating Napoleon during the emperor’s mysterious “missing years.” His misadventures range from influencing historical events in humorous ways to contending with the absurdities of life across multiple realities. Along the way, Kevin encounters both danger and delight, his actions creating ripple effects that challenge the nature of fate and history itself.

Blending sharp wit with clever speculation, Peirce’s novel explores identity, ambition, and the chaos of time travel. It is both a playful satire of history and a captivating adventure, appealing to fans of science fiction, alternate history, and irreverent humor alike.

The Napoleon Options: Alternate Decisions of the Napoleonic Wars by Jonathan North

A fascinating anthology that explores how the Napoleonic Wars might have unfolded if key decisions had gone differently. Edited by Jonathan North, the book brings together a series of essays by historians and writers who imagine pivotal moments in Napoleon’s career taking alternate paths—from campaigns in Europe to expeditions abroad.

Each chapter presents a “what if” scenario, such as Napoleon successfully invading Ireland, securing a stronger foothold in Egypt and Syria, or achieving victory at battles where history records defeat. Other essays explore the consequences of a Russian triumph at Borodino, a different outcome in the Peninsular War, or even a reimagined Waterloo. The work carefully balances imaginative speculation with historical insight, giving readers a clear sense of how small changes could have dramatically reshaped Europe and the world.

By blending scholarly analysis with vivid storytelling, The Napoleon Options invites readers to rethink history and consider the delicate interplay of strategy, chance, and human ambition. It is a must-read for fans of alternate history, military strategy, and the Napoleonic era alike.

Napoleon's Waterloo Campaign: An Alternate History: Volume I by Steven Marthinsen

Marthinesen reimagines one of the most famous battles in European history, exploring how small changes in decision-making might have rewritten the fate of Napoleon Bonaparte. Focusing on the crucial movements of the French and Allied armies in 1815, particularly the actions of Marshal Grouchy, he explores how historians have long debated his delayed response during the battle.

In this alternate scenario, Grouchy chooses to march toward the sound of the guns, responding to his subordinates’ advice and potentially tipping the balance in Napoleon’s favor. Marthinsen examines the cascading effects of this single decision, exploring how strategy, timing, and command choices could have dramatically changed the outcome of the Waterloo campaign.

Combining rigorous historical research with imaginative speculation, this volume offers readers both a detailed tactical study and a thought-provoking “what if” scenario. It is essential reading for anyone fascinated by military history, the Napoleonic Wars, or alternate history that stays grounded in real-world possibilities.

Napoleon in America by Shannon Selin

Selin imagines a striking alternate history: what if Napoleon Bonaparte had escaped exile on St. Helena and set foot on American soil? In 1821, the former emperor is rescued from near death and brought to New Orleans, where he must rebuild his strength and navigate a world far removed from the battlefields of Europe.

Once in America, Napoleon becomes a figure of fascination and tension. French royalists hope he will reclaim his throne, French Canadians urge him to challenge British control of Canada, and American adventurers tempt him with schemes in Texas. Even his brother Joseph advises him to settle quietly, but remnants of his loyal followers begin to gather, reigniting questions about his ambitions and intentions.

Selin’s novel explores Napoleon as a man caught between past glory and present reality, haunted by the loss of his empire and the separation from his son. The story blends historical research with imaginative speculation, examining how a single individual could disrupt politics, stir intrigue, and alter the course of a nation. For fans of alternate history and the Napoleonic era, Napoleon in America offers a vivid, thought-provoking tale of power, exile, and the endless possibilities of “what if.”

A Set of lies by Caroyln Mccrae

For over two centuries, history has held that Napoleon Bonaparte, the famed general and twice Emperor of the French, surrendered to the British in July 1815 and was exiled to a remote South Atlantic island. With his capture, twenty years of French conflict came to an end—but the peace of Great Britain remained fragile, threatened by revolution and looming enemies. Determined to use the knowledge and influence of his illustrious prisoner to safeguard his country, spymaster Sir Bernard Lacey devised a bold and secretive plan, meticulously recording the politically explosive details in a series of private diaries.

Two hundred years later, an extraordinary discovery by his descendant, Skye Lacey—the illegitimate daughter of a prominent right-wing politician—sets her on a quest through her family’s history. She hopes to uncover evidence supporting her daring theory, a revelation that could thwart her father’s extreme political ambitions.

Skye cannot undertake this mission alone. She convinces Fergal Shepherd, a researcher employed by her father, that the mystery is worth pursuing. Together, they enlist his university professor, Carl Donaldson, to help unravel the puzzle. If the hidden clues to Sir Bernard’s diaries can be located and deciphered—and if a codebook, a letter, and a locket have survived intact across six generations—then the secrets of the past may once again hold the power to protect Great Britain from the conspiracies that threaten its stability.

The Emperor of California by Scott Freiheit

Napoleon Bonaparte had lived a life defined by ambition, strategy, and audacity—but nothing could have prepared him for the adventures that might have followed an escape from Saint Helena. In The Emperor of California, a daring “what if” scenario imagines Napoleon fleeing exile in 1817 aboard a primitive submarine bound for America, setting off a series of escapades that surpass even his legendary campaigns in Europe.

From the vibrant streets of New Orleans’ French Quarter to the opulent estate of his brother in New Jersey, and ultimately to a quiet hacienda in Southern California, Napoleon must navigate intrigue, danger, and romance while staying one step ahead of those who pursue him. The novel weaves real historical figures, locations, and events with imaginative storytelling, creating a richly detailed and plausible alternate history.

Rewriting the final years of Napoleon’s life, The Emperor of California draws inspiration from actual escape plots and historical speculation, blending fact and fiction into a thrilling tale of adventure, cunning, and the enduring legend of one of history’s greatest leaders.

Battlesaurus: Rampage at Waterloo

by Brian Falkner

Battlesaurus: Rampage at Waterloo is a thrilling young adult adventure that reimagines the famous 1815 battle with a prehistoric twist. In this alternate history, dinosaurs never went extinct, and massive, fearsome beasts roam the world alongside humans. Europe is home to smaller dinosaurs, while enormous predators dominate the Americas.

The story follows 15-year-old Willem Verheyen, a Flemish boy trained in magical techniques by his father that allow him to communicate with and control dinosaurs. When Napoleon captures giant prehistoric creatures from across the Atlantic to use as living weapons in his quest for European domination, Willem finds himself at the center of a dangerous conflict. With the Battle of Waterloo approaching, he must use his unique skills to stop the emperor and prevent disaster.

Blending historical events with fantastical elements, Falkner delivers a fast-paced tale of courage, strategy, and adventure. The novel is the first installment in the Battlesaurus duology, setting the stage for epic confrontations where history and imagination collide.

The Diemenois: Being the Correct and True Account of the Sensational Escape, Seclusion, and Cruel Demise of a Most Infamous Man

by J.W. Clennett

On May 5th, 1821, history records that Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, died of stomach cancer. Or did he? The Diemenois proposes a daring alternate history: Napoleon escapes exile and disappears into obscurity in the French Tasmanian colony of La Ville de Baudin. There, the enigmatic Henri Maurice Claudet lives a secretive life, his true identity hidden from all but a select few.

J.W. Clennett’s graphic novel unravels the “correct and true” story of Napoleon’s sensational escape, years of seclusion, and eventual cruel demise. The narrative is steeped in intrigue, blackmail, conspiracy, and murder, immersing readers in the shadowy, gothic world of early colonial Australia. As a “novel in pictures,” it combines detailed illustrations with prose, creating a hauntingly vivid vision of Tasmania, where violence and danger always lurk just out of sight.

Praised as “a triumph of the graphic novel, strange, dark and very Australian” by the Sydney Morning Herald, and noted for capturing “the lonely, gothic weirdness of early Tasmania” by The Monthly, The Diemenois transforms historical speculation into a gripping, immersive story. It is both a meditation on identity and a thrilling alternate history that reimagines the fate of one of history’s most infamous men.

Napoleon Victorious!: An Alternative History of the Battle of Waterloo

by Peter G Tsouras

It is June 1815, and Napoleon Bonaparte faces an Anglo-led Allied army under the Duke of Wellington and Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher near Waterloo in present-day Belgium. History tells us what followed: the forces of the Seventh Coalition defeated Napoleon, ending his reign and bringing the First French Empire to a close.

In Napoleon Victorious!, Peter G. Tsouras explores how the outcome might have been very different. By introducing small but plausible changes to troop movements, command decisions, and battlefield tactics, he imagines a scenario in which Napoleon turns the tide and emerges victorious. The book examines the ripple effects of this alternate outcome, showing how a single battle could reshape the political and military landscape of Europe.

Expertly researched and highly readable, Tsouras’s work blends historical insight with imaginative speculation. Napoleon Victorious! is alternate history at its finest, offering a compelling “what if” that challenges readers to reconsider one of the most famous battles in history.

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley

The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley is a genre-bending novel that blends alternate history, time travel, and romance. Set in a world where Napoleon won the Napoleonic Wars, the story follows Joe Tournier, who wakes up in 1898 London with no memory of his past. He discovers that he is a slave in a society where the French Empire has conquered Britain. A mysterious postcard featuring a Scottish lighthouse and signed with the letter "M" leads Joe on a journey to recover his memories and uncover the truth about his identity.

As Joe's quest unfolds, he travels to the Outer Hebrides, where he encounters a lighthouse that serves as a portal between different times. This discovery propels him back to 1797, where he becomes entangled with Captain Kite and the crew of the Kingdom, a ship that has inadvertently traveled from the future. Through these time-bending events, Joe grapples with questions of fate, memory, and the impact of historical events on personal lives.

Pulley's novel is noted for its intricate plotting, emotional depth, and exploration of themes such as identity, trauma, and the consequences of historical change. The Kingdoms offers a thought-provoking narrative that challenges readers to consider how small alterations in history can ripple through time, affecting individuals and societies in profound ways.

Needing Napoleon (The Richard Davey Chronicles Book 1) by Gareth Williams

Needing Napoleon is the first book in The Richard Davey Chronicles, a thrilling mix of historical adventure and time-travel fiction. The story follows Richard Davey, a history teacher whose fascination with Napoleon Bonaparte turns extraordinary when he discovers a mysterious way to travel back in time. Plunged into the final days of the Napoleonic Wars, Richard faces the perilous question: could he change history, and at what cost?

As he navigates the political intrigue and chaos of early 19th-century Europe, Richard must reconcile his modern perspective with the realities of the past. Along the way, he encounters historical figures, dangerous conspiracies, and moral dilemmas that test his courage, intellect, and understanding of history itself.

Gareth Williams combines meticulous historical research with imaginative storytelling, creating a narrative that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking. Needing Napoleon explores the allure of “what if?” scenarios, examining how a single person could influence the course of history while grappling with the personal consequences of such power.

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell: A Novel

by Susanna Clarke

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke is a richly woven tapestry of historical fantasy set in an alternate 19th-century England, where magic has been dormant for centuries—until two magicians emerge to revive it.

The novel opens in 1806 with Gilbert Norrell, a reclusive scholar from Yorkshire, who demonstrates his magical prowess by animating the statues of York Minster. His public display of magic ignites a renewed interest in the arcane arts. Norrell moves to London, aiming to restore English magic to its former glory and gain favor with the government during the Napoleonic Wars. However, his conservative approach to magic and desire for control led to tensions with others in the magical community.

Enter Jonathan Strange, a young and daring gentleman who becomes Norrell's pupil. Unlike his mentor, Strange is passionate and ambitious, eager to explore the full breadth of magical possibilities. Their partnership, marked by both collaboration and rivalry, drives the narrative forward. As Strange delves deeper into magic, he encounters the enigmatic Gentleman with the Thistle-Down-Hair, a fairy who offers him power at a steep price.

The story explores themes of friendship, pride, and the consequences of unchecked ambition. Clarke's prose, reminiscent of 19th-century literature, adds depth to the world-building, making magic feel both wondrous and perilous. The novel's intricate plot and richly developed characters have garnered critical acclaim, earning it the Hugo Award for Best Novel and a nomination for the Booker Prize.

For readers who appreciate a blend of historical fiction and fantasy, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell offers a compelling journey into a world where magic is real, and its practitioners shape the course of history.

His Majesty's Dragon: Book One of Temeraire

by Naomi Novik

Set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars, His Majesty’s Dragon imagines a world where dragons are not mythical; they're integral to military strategy. The story unfolds when Captain William Laurence of the British Royal Navy captures a French ship carrying a mysterious dragon egg. To his astonishment, the newly hatched dragon chooses Laurence as its rider, forging a bond neither had expected.

Named Temeraire, the dragon is not just rare—but extraordinary. Laurence is quickly pulled from conventional naval duties into the elite Aerial Corps, where he must train to fight in dragon-mounted warfare. As he and Temeraire learn to trust and depend on each other, they confront cultural clashes, class barriers, and shifting allegiances. Soon, they face their greatest test: defending Britain from a French aerial invasion led by Napoleon himself.

Through themes of loyalty, duty, and understanding between species, Novik crafts a compelling tale that reinvents historical conflict with fantasy flair. His Majesty’s Dragon blends soaring dragon battles with richly drawn characters, delivering a thrilling introduction to an epic series.

Cover Photo Artwork:

https://gmvader.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/his-majestys-dragon-by-naomi-novik/