If the North Had Won the Civil War: An Alternate History

By: Andrew J. Heller

Narrated by: Kristen S. Osborne

From the author of the best-selling alternate histories Gray Tide in the East and Tidal Effects comes a unique look at the American Civil War.

If the North Had Won the Civil War is two alternate history novels in one. The modern story follows Stonewall Jackson "Jack" Sawyer, a history professor in the modern-day Confederate States of America, and his alternate history "If the North Had Won the Civil War" in a nation where publication of his book is a criminal offense.

The story gives the listener a look at a nightmarish modern-day Confederacy where any person with a drop of black blood in his veins is denied basic human rights and confined to a "Preserve". Interwoven with the adventures of Jack, his fiancée, Annabelle Parkins, his friend and fellow history professor, Buzz Hanson, and Buzz's girlfriend, a biracial escort, Lydia Starkwell, is Jack's book.

This is an alternate history of the Civil War written with the painstaking historical authenticity and attention to detail that Mr. Heller's fans have come to expect. The characters in this book-within-an-audiobook are actual figures in the Civil War, and the military tactics and strategies are based on those of the historical war. The fiction is followed by a lively and informative factual discussion of the Civil War, and a bibliographic essay.

©2018 Andrew J. Heller (P)2018 Wordwooze Publishing

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The historic stuff was pretty dry. The contemporary storyline was extremely one-dimensional. Ending wasn't bad, though.

Overall, I liked the idea of this book, but not the execution.

INTERESTING TAKE - ALTERNATE HISTORY OFCIVIL WAR

So, I'm a traditionalist and constitutionalist, so I was a bit skeptical in beginning this one, but actually found it very interesting and well-written. The creation of two alternate worlds is well done and creative. It definitely gives you "food for thought" and I did enjoy listening. Whether you're left or right-minded, I think everyone can take something from it, and it definitely gets you thinking! Great job.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Unique take on alternate histories well worth the

I enjoy the alternate history genre. This book has a really unique take on the subject. It's effectively two books in one.
The first book is the story of the Antebellum South if the bad guys had won and what it would be like to be the academic that invented the genre in his timeline. The other is the book he wrote which is what he thought might have had to happen for the United States to have won the war and what it might have been like afterward. He flips back and forth between the two. LOTS of rich historical characters in both timelines. The ending was really well written and full of as much humor and hopefulness as it was drama and nail-biting political drama.
I can't recommend this book enough to fans of history and of the alt-hist genre.

Too much military history

Unless one is a specialist in military history this book will come across as ridiculously over details in everything to do with dramatic battles, however the plot has some good twists and the alternative reality is compelling.

Worth listening to

My primary complaint would be that the end of the book is Cinderella fantasy and overly optimistic. There was considerable resistance to reconstruction.

Interim review

Circumstances right now prevent me from writing an extensive review. I will update my review as soon as I am able.

One good read

This was one ggod book, actually it was two good books. It is the story of Jack Sawyer author of the book within the book "If the North Haf Won the Civil War". Jack lives in the Confederate States of America. In this version, the South won the Civil War, and his book is based on the fact that The North won. It tells the story of the problems that face the South and Jack.
The book starts out slowly but gets better. It ended up being a good book, no make that two good books.

loved it even more the second time!

Having read the book, I was delighted to listen to the audible version, and came away with even more praise, both for the brilliant twist on alternative history, and the thoroughly thoughtful and completely plausible execution of the writing. Bravo!

Good

The production has a few small glitches where the audio repeats.

It is odd to read fictionalized descriptions of real battles where the Union wins when the Union actually won the real battles.

I like the story overall.

A complex tale

I loved this audio book it made the my mind work sorting out the plot.
It is a well thought out plot and hold your attention.
Beautiful Narration makes you feel like your in the deep South.