One of the main focal points of alternate history is World War 2—for obvious reasons. It’s the bloodiest war in human history and has shaped the world that we know today. From the planned Nazi invasion of Britain to FDR losing his presidential bid in 1940, authors have explored various “what if” scenarios where the war went differently. Mind you, some are more fantastical than others (and you're going to find A LOT of Turtledove on this list), but this list compiles seventeen alternate history World War 2 books.
1. The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
Set in a world where the Axis powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) won World War II and divided the United States into occupied territories, the story follows several characters whose lives intersect as they navigate this dystopian reality. In the Japanese Pacific States, we meet Juliana Frink, a judo instructor who becomes involved with the Resistance after her boyfriend is killed. She discovers a mysterious book titled "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy," which presents an alternate history where the Allies won the war. Juliana becomes determined to find its author, "The Man in the High Castle."
In the Neutral Zone, a buffer region between the Japanese and German territories, we encounter Frank Frink, Juliana's ex-husband, who is a jewelry maker of Jewish descent. Frank's storyline explores the struggles of minorities under the oppressive rule of the Axis powers. Meanwhile, in the Greater Nazi Reich on the East Coast, we follow Robert Childan, a dealer in Americana artifacts, as he navigates the complexities of living under Nazi rule and his interactions with high-ranking Nazi officials. The paths of these characters converge as they grapple with questions of identity, resistance, and the nature of reality.
2. Fatherland by Robert Harris
A thriller set in 1964 in a world where Nazi Germany emerged victorious in World War II. The novel follows Xavier March, a detective in the Berlin Kriminalpolizei (Kripo), as he investigates the murder of a high-ranking Nazi official. As March delves deeper into the case, he uncovers a conspiracy that threatens to unravel the carefully constructed facade of the Nazi regime. Alongside American journalist Charlotte "Charlie" Maguire, March discovers evidence suggesting a massive cover-up involving the Final Solution—the Nazi plan to exterminate Europe's Jews—which, in this reality, has been kept secret from the world. March's investigation puts him on a collision course with powerful figures within the Nazi hierarchy who are determined to protect their secrets at any cost.
3. The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon
A detective novel set in an alternate history where a temporary Jewish homeland was established in Sitka, Alaska, following World War II. The novel follows Meyer Landsman, a washed-up alcoholic detective in the Sitka District Police Department. Landsman becomes embroiled in a complex murder case when he discovers the body of his neighbor, a heroin-addicted chess prodigy. As he investigates the murder, Landsman navigates the gritty underworld of Sitka, encountering a diverse cast of characters, including Orthodox Jews, Alaskan natives, and members of the local crime syndicate.
As the investigation unfolds, Landsman uncovers a web of conspiracy involving political intrigue, religious fanaticism, and long-buried secrets.
4. The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
Set in the United States during the 1940s, the story unfolds in a world where aviation hero and isolationist Charles Lindbergh defeats Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1940 presidential election, leading to a series of events that dramatically alter the course of American history. Narrated by a young Philip Roth, the novel follows the Roth family, who live in Newark, New Jersey. As Lindbergh's presidency unfolded, the country became increasingly divided, with anti-Semitic sentiments on the rise. The Roths, who are Jewish, find themselves grappling with the implications of Lindbergh's policies, including the implementation of programs such as "Just Folks," which encourage Jewish families to assimilate into American society by living and working on farms in the Midwest. Against this backdrop of political upheaval, the Roth family faces personal challenges and struggles to maintain a sense of normalcy. Philip's parents, Herman and Bess, disagree on how to respond to the growing threat of Lindbergh's administration, while his older brother, Sandy, becomes enamored with the president's message of isolationism. As tensions escalate and anti-Semitic violence erupts across the country, the Roths are forced to confront the harsh realities of prejudice and persecution.
5. Worldwar: In the Balance by Harry Turtledove
Set in the midst of World War II, the story takes a dramatic turn when an extraterrestrial race known as the Race, or the Lizards, arrives on Earth in June 1942. The Race is a highly advanced civilization of reptilian creatures on a colonization mission. Their sudden arrival disrupted the ongoing conflict between the Axis and Allied powers. Initially, both sides mistake the Race for allies of the enemy and attempt to communicate and negotiate with them. However, it soon becomes apparent that the Race is a formidable adversary with its own agenda. As the Race begins its conquest of Earth, it encounters fierce resistance from humans armed with World War II-era technology. The story follows various characters on both sides of the conflict, including military leaders, politicians, scientists, and civilians, as they grapple with the unprecedented threat posed by the alien invaders. Despite their technological superiority, the Race faces unexpected challenges from humanity's diverse cultures and strategies. Meanwhile, humans must adapt quickly to the new reality of an interstellar war, forming unlikely alliances and developing innovative tactics to combat the alien threat.
6. SS-GB by Len Deighton
An alternate history World War 2 book set in Nazi-occupied Britain during World War II. The novel follows Scotland Yard detective Douglas Archer as he navigates the treacherous political landscape of German-occupied London. In this alternate reality, Germany successfully invaded and conquered Britain in 1940, leading to the establishment of a puppet government under Nazi control. As a high-ranking officer in the Metropolitan Police, Archer finds himself torn between his duty to uphold the law and his moral compass in a world where the rule of law has been replaced by the iron fist of Nazi oppression.
When a murder investigation leads Archer to uncover a conspiracy involving British resistance fighters, German intelligence agents, and a mysterious American journalist, he becomes embroiled in a dangerous game of espionage and betrayal.
7. The Iron Dream by Norman Spinrad
A thought-provoking alternate history novel that presents a fictional scenario where Adolf Hitler, instead of becoming the dictator of Nazi Germany, immigrates to the United States in the 1920s and becomes a successful science fiction writer. The novel is presented as a work of metafiction, featuring a foreword, an introduction, and an afterword by fictional editors, scholars, and critics. The bulk of the novel consists of the text of Hitler's imagined science fiction novel, "Lord of the Swastika," an allegory for Hitler's ambitions and ideologies. In this fictional narrative, Hitler depicts a dystopian future where a hero named Feric Jaggar rises to power through violence and conquest, establishing a totalitarian empire known as the Domination of the Draka. Through Jaggar's exploits, Spinrad explores themes of fascism, militarism, and the dangers of authoritarianism.
8. The Children's War by J.N. Stroyar
Set in a world where in 1941, a pivotal moment alters history when Adolf Hitler's astrologer persuades him against attacking the Soviet Union, leading to accelerated progress in Germany's nuclear weapons program. Fast forward fifty years, and an enduring truce prevails between Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and the North American Union. Amidst this fragile peace, our protagonist, Peter Halifax, faces betrayal by the British underground, condemning him to servitude in a Nazi household. However, Peter seizes an opportunity to escape, finding sanctuary within the Polish resistance, where he embarks on a journey of defiance and redemption.
9. Farthing by Jo Walton
Set in England, where the country made peace with Nazi Germany in 1941, allowing Hitler to focus his efforts on the Soviet Union. The story unfolds in 1949 against the backdrop of a nation under authoritarian rule and deeply entrenched anti-Semitic sentiments. The narrative alternates between two perspectives: Lucy Kahn, the daughter of a prominent aristocratic family, and Inspector Peter Carmichael, a Scotland Yard detective. When a high-ranking government official is found murdered at a weekend retreat, suspicion falls on David Kahn, Lucy's Jewish husband, who was present at the scene of the crime. As Peter investigates the murder, he uncovers a web of conspiracy and political intrigue reaching the highest echelons of power.
10. Making History by Stephen Fry
A novel that explores the consequences of altering history through time travel. The story follows Michael Young, a history student enlisted by his eccentric professor, Leo Zuckerman, to help prevent the birth of Adolf Hitler. Using a time machine invented by Zuckerman, Michael travels back in time to Vienna in 1889 with the intention of thwarting Hitler's conception. However, their plan goes awry, leading to unintended consequences that ripple through time and drastically alter the course of history.
As Michael grapples with the ethical implications of meddling with the past, he must confront the paradoxes and complexities of time travel. Along the way, he encounters historical figures such as Sigmund Freud and Gustav Mahler, whose lives are irrevocably changed by his actions. Meanwhile, in the present day, Michael's alterations to the timeline have unforeseen effects on the world, leading to a reality where Hitler never rose to power, but other sinister forces have emerged in his place.
11. The Proteus Operation by James P. Hogan
A science fiction novel that explores the concept of time travel and its potential impact on history. In the story, a group of scientists from the future develop a revolutionary time machine called Proteus, intending to alter key events in the past to prevent the rise of a totalitarian regime in their own time of 1975. The scientists, led by physicist John Sinclair, embark on a daring mission to travel back to the year 1940 and alter the outcome of World War II. Their goal is to ensure that the Allies achieve victory over the Axis powers, thus preventing the rise of the oppressive government in their own time.
As the team navigates the complexities of time travel and the dangers of altering historical events, they encounter unexpected challenges and moral dilemmas. Along the way, they interact with historical figures such as Winston Churchill, Adolf Hitler, and Albert Einstein, whose actions could determine the world's fate.
12. Days of Infamy by Harry Turtledove
A set of two novels that explore the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent invasion of Hawaii by Imperial Japanese forces during World War II. Set in December 1941, the story follows a diverse cast of characters navigating the chaos and uncertainty of war. As the United States reeled from the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, the Japanese launched a full-scale invasion of Hawaii, catching the American military off guard. The novel portrays the harrowing experiences of soldiers, sailors, civilians, and politicians as they struggle to defend the islands against overwhelming odds.
13. In the Presence of Mine Enemies by Harry Turtledove
An alternate history novel expanded from a short story of the same name, where the original text serves as the book's first chapter. Set in Berlin from the middle of 2010 through the middle of 2011, the novel presents a world where the United States remained isolationist, and Germany and Japan emerged victorious in World War II. The Axis powers, including Germany and Japan, have extended their influence over much of the world, with the U.S. and Canada falling to them during the Third World War. The story revolves around Heinrich Gimpel and a small group of Jews who have survived the mass extermination by concealing their identities under forged "Aryan" credentials. One central plotline follows Alicia Gimpel, who discovers her true heritage and grapples with the prejudice she was taught to uphold.
A novel that explores the aftermath of World War II in a world where Nazi Germany did not surrender and instead continued to fight a guerrilla war against the Allied occupation forces after Hitler's death.
Set in 1945-1946, the novel follows a diverse cast of characters navigating the challenges of post-war Europe. Among them are American intelligence officer Sam Yeager and his Czech lover, Lorelei, who become embroiled in the hunt for Reinhard Heydrich, the leader of the Nazi resistance movement known as the "Werewolves."
With a stroke of the pen, the course of history alters dramatically. In 1938, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, determined to avoid war at all costs, signed the Munich Accord, relinquishing part of Czechoslovakia to Hitler. However, the following spring, Hitler seized the remainder of the country and expanded beyond its borders, igniting World War II. England, having appeased Hitler, found itself ill-prepared for the ensuing conflict. In this thrilling alternate history by Harry Turtledove, a different scenario unfolds: What if Chamberlain had refrained from signing the accord? What if Hitler had acted impulsively before his army was fully prepared—would such impatience have bolstered his success or hastened his downfall?
Three decades following the victory of the Nazis in World War II, Hilda Goebbels, daughter of Hitler's propaganda minister, has risen to global prominence as an influential anarchist. She poses a significant threat to the Reich as she vows to unveil her father's concealed diaries, whose contents hold the potential to dismantle the regime.
Set in a world where Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan emerged victorious in World War II, the story follows the journey of Yael, a young Jewish woman who survived the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp and possesses a remarkable ability: the ability to skinshift. Determined to seek revenge against the leaders of the Axis powers, Yael enters the Axis Tour, an annual motorcycle race that spans continents and attracts the world's attention. Disguised as Adele Wolfe, the previous year's winner, Yael aims to win the race and gain an audience with Adolf Hitler at the victors' ball, where she plans to assassinate him.
