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Lee at the Alamo
Librarian Note: This ISBN appears to be duplicated for an edition of The Last Days of Louisiana Red by Ishmael Reed.
In the history we know, General Robert E. Lee felt compelled to fight on the Confederate side, because honor (as he saw it) forbade him to take up arms against Virginia, his native state. But what if the demands of honor had led him in the other direction altogether? Harry Turtledove, author of perhaps the most famous alternate-history novel about Robert E. Lee (The Guns of the South, 1992), here returns with a look at what the great military leader might have done under only slightly different circumstances...
32 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
18 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Harry Turtledove
569 books1,987 followersDr Harry Norman Turtledove is an American novelist, who has produced a sizeable number of works in several genres including alternate history, historical fiction, fantasy and science fiction.
Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.
Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.
Harry Turtledove attended UCLA, where he received a Ph.D. in Byzantine history in 1977.
Turtledove has been dubbed "The Master of Alternate History". Within this genre he is known both for creating original scenarios: such as survival of the Byzantine Empire; an alien invasion in the middle of the World War II; and for giving a fresh and original treatment to themes previously dealt with by other authors, such as the victory of the South in the American Civil War; and of Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
His novels have been credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream. His style of alternate history has a strong military theme.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 9, 2018
Turtledove's stories are full of detail but they contain no appeal to me. They're slow and he makes an interesting story endlessly boring.
January 19, 2018
A fine piece of alternative historical fiction, which could be as much a history book brought to life as the real events. Turtledove captures Lee moral character well within the short story confines, with your personal pallet of oppressing heat on white stone under an azure sky left to fill in the atmosphere that surrounds the beleaguered Alamo. his secessionist militia antagonist Ben McCulloch sounds bull-necked, which'd contrast nicely with Lee's physique, but as a rough-riding Texan he's more likely to fill Sam Elliot's boots.
Lee's loyalties waver scarcely from historical events, not an inch away from his oath to the U.S. Army up to his meeting with Lincoln, who offers him to continue to fight for the Union under the condition that he not be deployed against his home state of Virginia. The shift is so subtle you almost miss it!
Avaliable at the (Wikipedia-utilised) link:
https://www.tor.com/2011/09/07/lee-at...
Lee's loyalties waver scarcely from historical events, not an inch away from his oath to the U.S. Army up to his meeting with Lincoln, who offers him to continue to fight for the Union under the condition that he not be deployed against his home state of Virginia. The shift is so subtle you almost miss it!
Avaliable at the (Wikipedia-utilised) link:
https://www.tor.com/2011/09/07/lee-at...
November 26, 2025
The Alamo becomes a focus for the Civil War as General Robert E. Lee struggles with his conscience.
Turtledove's alternate histories are fascinating looks at what might have been.
Turtledove's alternate histories are fascinating looks at what might have been.
February 3, 2012
This short story from Harry Turtledove followed in the tradition of "Guns of the South" by placing General Robert E. Lee at the center of the initial battle of the Civil War. In this alternate history, it is not Fort Sumter and Major Anderson that receive the first salvo of the Confederate attack, but rather Major Robert E. Lee at the Texas fortress of the Alamo.
This novella focuses on Lee and his thoughts and reactions to the coming civil war. In it we observe the real life struggle to balance loyalty to country vs. state. The descriptions of the battles are interesting and the climax is both interesting and intriguing.
This novella focuses on Lee and his thoughts and reactions to the coming civil war. In it we observe the real life struggle to balance loyalty to country vs. state. The descriptions of the battles are interesting and the climax is both interesting and intriguing.
February 7, 2015
A great read of a road not taken!!
Harry Turtledove does it again!!! An excellent read that explores Lee as a Union officer just prior to the Civil War!! Many forget (or choose to not acknowledge) that Lee served US proudly for close to forty years before leaving for the Confederacy. This short story gives a glimpse of Lee service at a pivotal point. I wish it could continued, but sadly, like Guns of the South, I fear it will be only this short excellent story. A must read and I highly recommend it to everyone, especially fans of history or alternative history.
Harry Turtledove does it again!!! An excellent read that explores Lee as a Union officer just prior to the Civil War!! Many forget (or choose to not acknowledge) that Lee served US proudly for close to forty years before leaving for the Confederacy. This short story gives a glimpse of Lee service at a pivotal point. I wish it could continued, but sadly, like Guns of the South, I fear it will be only this short excellent story. A must read and I highly recommend it to everyone, especially fans of history or alternative history.
January 7, 2018
Robert E. Lee has been recorded in our history books as a great tactician, military genius even. However he chose the losing side and fought odds that were eventually insurmountable. But in this short story, he was in charge of the Alamo when Texas declared it’s independence from the USA. And this is his story of the defense of the Alamo.
Would the Alamo be home to two massacres where more noble names would be etched into the history books as fallen heroes?
As always Harry Turtledove wrote a top notch story that was very believable and could have you thinking it was what really happened if you did not know your history.
Would the Alamo be home to two massacres where more noble names would be etched into the history books as fallen heroes?
As always Harry Turtledove wrote a top notch story that was very believable and could have you thinking it was what really happened if you did not know your history.
September 22, 2022
Should have been a series
Could you imagine the Civil War with Grant and Sherman as Lee's Lieutenants in the West? We would probably never have seen Shiloh, Vicksburg would have fallen in 62. And Longstreet and Jackson, how would they have done without Lee?
Could you imagine the Civil War with Grant and Sherman as Lee's Lieutenants in the West? We would probably never have seen Shiloh, Vicksburg would have fallen in 62. And Longstreet and Jackson, how would they have done without Lee?
July 17, 2018
Short story
A interesting story of what if. Hope to read more on this universe. Quick read. Really enjoyed the the story.
A interesting story of what if. Hope to read more on this universe. Quick read. Really enjoyed the the story.
September 15, 2022
Great read!
The South does win the Civil War in this gripping read! What happens afterwards is quite a tale. Read this to learn more about it
The South does win the Civil War in this gripping read! What happens afterwards is quite a tale. Read this to learn more about it
December 19, 2023
This novelette was nominated for the Sidewise award in 2012.
July 26, 2025
I have always liked "What Ifs"
Lee at the Alamo was a wonderful What If. I would like another extension of this story as Lee commanded in the West. That would be wonderful
Lee at the Alamo was a wonderful What If. I would like another extension of this story as Lee commanded in the West. That would be wonderful
March 22, 2017
Wish there was more
I love, yet hate the short story. I love it for the general succinctness of its plot. Unfortunately that very same quality leads me to always want more than is provided.
Though I have disliked some of Turtledove's work, I found this short story to be an excellent and tantalizing glance at what might have been. Highly recommended.
I love, yet hate the short story. I love it for the general succinctness of its plot. Unfortunately that very same quality leads me to always want more than is provided.
Though I have disliked some of Turtledove's work, I found this short story to be an excellent and tantalizing glance at what might have been. Highly recommended.
February 28, 2017
Short story but good. Shows Turtledove doesn't need to be paid by the word
April 20, 2018
What would happen if the first battle of the Civil War was in Texas? And Robert Lee was fighting for the Union, while held up in the Alamo, once again, under siege?
An interesting take on several little bits of 19th century history.
And given that today is the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo, only fitting that another American Legend does battle at the famous fort.
An interesting take on several little bits of 19th century history.
And given that today is the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo, only fitting that another American Legend does battle at the famous fort.
January 26, 2012
Not as good as I was hoping it would be. I don't think it was worth the $0.99. This would have been more appropriate as a free teaser. It was short and to the point, too short, and there in lies the problem. This could have been developed into a whole series. Potentially it could have been one of the best plots for alternate history that I have found but it does't sit well as a short story. Not with me anyway.
January 10, 2012
In this short story, Turtledove places Lee in Texas rather than Virginia during the succession debates. Lee then works to uphold the Union (as Virginia has not left) which alters his actions later. Be interesting to see how Turtledove would develop this AH.
May 23, 2013
One of the great "What if?"s in American History has become "what if Lee fought for the Union?" This short story answers that. It's a plausible plot that could have well happened but for a few events. If Turtledove ever develops this into an alternative history series, I would love to read it.
September 23, 2016
Turtledove is a fantastic author!
Turtledove makes you feel like a witness to history as it might have happened. I feel that I come to know and understand the participants anew, in historical moments as they are placed into different events that never were
Turtledove makes you feel like a witness to history as it might have happened. I feel that I come to know and understand the participants anew, in historical moments as they are placed into different events that never were
October 27, 2012
Decent quick story with a good plot and an interesting end that makes you think about what effects it would have on the war.
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December 24, 2012Very brief, pleasant read. Not giving it a rating because I don't think it was intended to be a work rated along with full length books.
January 31, 2013
What if Lee had stayed in the United States Army, and had to deal with angry Texans who hate the U.S. government, and want them out.
May 3, 2015
A clever and believable 'What if?' from the master of alternative history.
August 30, 2016
Excellently written short story. Would love to see it turned into something more
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews