Best 8 Alternate History Books to Read in 2025
We can't forget 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris, an alternate history where Nazis won WWII, creating a chilling new reality.
Take a wild ride through time in our latest list of alternate history books! We focus on gripping stories and believable twists to enrich your love for history reimagined. From the ones that keep us flipping pages at night to those that spark heated debates at book clubs, we’ve handpicked titles that turn the past on its head. Our criteria include gripping plots, rich detail, and unique settings, ensuring an exciting journey through alternate history.
On this list:
8 Fatherland by Robert Harris
Imagine a world where the Nazis won WW2. Intriguing and spine-chilling, this book kept us on our toes. The plot twists made breakfast cold once!
7 11/22/63 by Stephen King
What happens if JFK survived his assassination attempt? This gripping tale of time travel and ‘what-ifs’ will have you questioning everything.
6 The Plot Against America by Philip Roth
America’s alternate past if Charles Lindbergh had become President. Roth’s narrative is so believable, we almost convinced our cousins it was real history.
5 The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
Axis powers won WW2, and North America is now divided. This classic made us ponder what reality means, while we accidentally over-brewed our coffee.
4 The Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon
A Jewish settlement in Alaska after WW2, plus a murder mystery. Chabon’s wit and imagination will make you laugh out loud while questioning destinies.
3 The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove
Confederates with AK-47s? Yes, please! This wild ride of a book features time travel and historical battles that’ll keep you glued till midnight.
2 The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley Robinson
Explore a world without Europe after the Black Death. This thought-provoking book had us discussing alternative cultural evolutions over so many cups of tea.
1 The Underground Airlines by Ben H. Winters
This takes the top spot in alternate history because it cleverly blends crime thriller elements with a world where the Civil War never ended. Winters crafts a tense narrative, following a black bounty hunter tracking escaped enslaved people in an America where slavery is still legal in four states. The book dives into moral dilemmas, racism, and justice issues that hit home hard. With its mix of suspense and a setting familiar yet foreign, it left us reflecting on the ripple effects history has on the present. We couldn’t help but recommend it to our friends after devouring it over a sunny weekend.
