Tales From Alternate Earths 2

Tales From Alternate Earths #2

by Daniel M. Bensen, Brent A. Harris, Rob Edwards

The successor to the Sidewise Award winning Tales From Alternate Earths is here. Step into the worlds that might have been, the worlds of alternate history where climate change plunges the Earth into a frozen landscape, where the Moon landings may not have happened the way they did in our world, where a 10th century polymath invents the glider and changes the world, where Jacques Cousteau's successors create an undersea city, where Soviet astronauts are feted as heroes as they lead the way in space, where time travel runs wild and where fairy beings tiptoe into reality. All this and more. There are Americas of a different tilt, an alternate path steering away from world war, and nations where the most dangerous thing is knowledge. Authors Jessica Holmes, Daniel M. Bensen, Rob Edwards, Leo McBride, Christopher Edwards, Gideon Marcus, Casia Courtier, Jeff Provine, Cindy Tomamichel, Brent A. Harris and Bonnie Milani show us the world that might have been - if the world had taken a different path. This is the seventh anthology from Inklings Press, as we continue to open the door onto different worlds, with a foreword by Sidewise Award winner Daniel M. Bensen.

Genres: Alternate History, History

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 8, 2018

About the author

Daniel M. Bensen writes alternate history, science fiction, and fantasy. He teaches English in Sofia Bulgaria, where he lives with his wife and daughters in the Balkan Tower of Matriarchy.

Reviews

[Jane Jago · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid four stars.

Particular mention must go to The Dust in the King’s Library, Under Pressure and the Emperor of the North

[Margo Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good retelling of history, a glimpse into alternate pasts, into the world as might have been. I'm excited to dive into this entire collection--but I'm going to start off here with my review of Bonnie Milani's "Lueger's Wager," a story that takes on the often-discussed idea of how the world would be different if Hitler hadn't taken power.

But unlike many of those other let's-kill-Hitler-style stories, all too often big and bold in their historical changes, Milani's is a quiet shift, one of conversation rather than battle, of the important moments that come in unexpectedly quiet ways. This tiny sliver of other-Earth history is based on our own past, meticulously researched and beautifully told.

One of the joys of reading alternate history is that moment of recognition--when the world I'm reading intersects with the world I live in, and that clash gives me chills. Milani's story does that repeatedly. I can't wait to see how many of the other stories in this anthology do this, too!

[Maggie Lynn Heron-Heidel · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Not only worlds that deserve to be real, but people living stories that deserve to be true. Maybe, on the flip-side of the page of history, they are...” - A direct quote from the book.

Tales From Alternate Earths 2 provides an intriguing look into the minds of others in how things ought to have been, could possibly have been, or in some cases, shouldn’t have been at all. On whole I would recommend it as a thought provoking read. The stories all touch on different perspectives and tease the mind into thinking a little further on subjects that one wouldn’t usually ponder.

[Melody Spencer]

Aug.13th - "The Accused" by Casia Courtier
This is an awesome Witch Trials tale where knowledge and literacy become the Devil's tools.

"Her eyes swam in tears as she watched pages curl and crumple into brittle ashes of lost knowledge."

[Inemuri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it! Especially the first story by Gideon Marcus. Loved how entirely plausible it felt and its fragmented writing style.

[Leland Lydecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The haunting and all-too-believable tale of the first woman cosmonaut to reach space. A Handmaid’s Tale-esque account of a present day where witch trials never went out of style. An alternate past where Hitler was diverted from the course that eventually saw him rise to power and orchestrate the largest genocide in recorded history. An alternate history where an Andalusian polymath invented the glider and gave birth to a future utterly unlike that which we know today.

These stories and many more lie between the pages of Tales from Alternate Earths 2, and like a good potato chip (but much more mentally stimulating,) it’s hard to stop after just one.

It is a rare anthology that I enjoy through and through. There are no weak stories between its pages, no duds hidden near the back cover. Inklings Press presents a wide range of works to make you think, to inspire you, to remind you not to take for granted where we are-- while keeping in mind how far we have yet to go. With something for everyone and a lot to love, this anthology is an instant classic! I look forward to more from this publisher and these authors in the future.

[Ducky · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love asking 'what if?' you'll find the stories in this second Tales from Alternate Earths 2 just to your taste. Only the most purist fanciers of history wouldn't find some of these stories fascinating. What if the first woman in space was not who you thought she was? What if we had a new ice age? What if the Salem Witch Trials had caught on and become the norm? What if the fascination with how the world worked had lead the Victorians to capture the creatures of legend as well as of Africa?

All these questions and more are asked and answered in this second alternate history anthology offered by Inklings Press. Rob Edwards, Brent A. Harris, and Leo McBride deliver excellent stories as usual. I also particularly enjoyed the stories by Casia Courtier, Cindy Tomamichel, Bonnie Milani, and Jeff Provine.

I recommend this book to anyone who has ever asked, What if?

[J.M. Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first foray into the alternate history genre and I was unprepared for the sheer variety shown by the stories and by the excellent writing. I had expected the stories to be on the lines of steampunk, based in Victorian times with a bit of technical wizardry thrown in, but this book is a very different proposition.

Among the 10 stories we find one about the younger brother of Christopher Columbus; another about global cooling rather than global warming; another one in which people who read books and gain knowledge are regarded as witches and punished accordingly. Other stories focus on folklore, the endless possibilities of time travel, the US never gaining independence from the UK and one of my favourites in which Hitler is persuaded to think about becoming the mouthpiece for the Jewish community embodied by Wittgenstein.

There have been numerous tales based on Hitler being victorious in WW2 instead of being defeated, but this particular plot takes a new and different view and asks what the world might have been like if peaceful persuasion had succeeded instead. It’s clever and the author has clearly researched her subject to provide a believable dialogue and setting. It’s also a timely reminder about the dangers of demonising people based on nationalities or beliefs, or any of the many things people use to classify others as ‘different’ without celebrating the diversity of mankind.

Regarding the subjects of the yarns, one thing I would say is that maybe some authors should be careful about creating fictional stories in which famous public figures, who are still alive, have detailed myths concocted about them. I would be worried about the possibility of libel.

That aside, the quality of this anthology is unquestionably one of excellence. Normally I don’t like reading short stories but I thoroughly enjoyed most of these (there were a couple whose subjects didn’t interest me, though the writing was very good) and I’m sure many other people will also find them fascinating and entertaining. There is bound to be something for everyone and the anthology is a fun read.

[Geoff Habiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tales from Alternate Earths 2 is a collection of 11 short stories that each look at how small changes in history, or slightly different realities, might have changed or reshaped our world. Within this collection you will find tales that range from a booming Soviet space program that rivals that of the US (Andy and Tina, by Gideon Marcus), to a look at how the US space program might have turned out had the conspiracy theories about the moon landings been correct (1969: A Space Oddity, by Jessica Holmes). There are tales that cause you to flip your reality and consider how equally damaging alternate paths could have been (The Emperor of the North, by Rob Edwards), as well as ones that just make you laugh and enjoy the imaginative ride (The Fairy Courts, by Jeff Provine).

Overall I greatly enjoyed all of the wonderful tales presented in this volume. Any one of them would make a fan of alternate history stand up and cheer. But of course, I do have a few favorites. The Emperor of the North by Rob Edwards is a wonderful dance through the looking-glass to see a world that has been turned into a new ice age because of global cooling. The reason for this is entirely plausible and is enough to make one pause and consider our own actions as a species and to realize that even something that we consider to be benign, and necessary to save our planet now, could have been the cause of a similar environmental catastrophe. Pillars of the Past, by Brent A. Harris is another wonderful tale that looks at the consequences of our actions and how zealotry and hatred can lead to dire consequences. As a good alternate history will do, it holds up a mirror to our own world that allows us to see an alternate reflection of what could have been, while pointing out the dangers and folly of our own world. Lueger's Wager, by Bonnie Milani is another powerful story, and one that tackles a subject often bandied about among writers and readers of alternate history - what if you could have stopped Hitler before he came to power and caused so much evil and death? Bonnie tackles this subject eloquently with a story that takes real-world events and history and tweaks them just enough to be believable.

While those are my favorites, I consider all of the stories within Tales From Alternate Earths 2 to be a great collection. I did come across some minor typos and edits that were needed, but they were few and far-between and do not distract from the wonderful tales presented in this volume. I highly recommend this anthology to anybody who loves stories of alternate history, or just a really good yarn.

[Dan Melson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uneven Anthology of Alternate History

Andy and Tina by Gideon Marcus. Andy and Tina are two Soviet cosmonauts caught in a continuing deception by their government. Lots of feelings on the part of Tina, the viewpoint character, but precious little action or decision.

The Matthew by Christopher Edwards. The Matthew is a ship which (in this version of history) took Christopher Columbus' brother to the New World under the auspices of Henry VII of England. Most of the narrative is taken up with the complicated political manuevering between the nations of Europe. Lots of tell, not much show.

The Emperor of the North by Rob Edwards is a tale of an alternate ice age coming upon us, and Finland's attempts to cling to habitability. The characters are as interesting as short story characters get, but the plot twist isn't much of one.

The Accused by Casia Courtier is a story of a girl accused of witchcraft in some future puritannical society. I found it to be unconvincing virtue signalling, and the ending deus-ex-machina

The Fairy Courts by Jeff Provine tells of a Victorian age in which fairies of various sorts are real and have been captured into a menagerie. Moderately interesting viewpoint character, but the plot demonstrates a flaw in the concept - were it that easy to set them loose to such damage, what would the world in which they live be like?

The Dust In The King's Library by Cindy Tomamichael was a ray of sunshine. A tale starting from a supposition that George III of England was cured of his ailments and sponsored scientific research, and the effects upon the future.

Pillars Of The Past by Brent A Harris is basically a melodrama that convinced me of nothing so much as that the author doesn't understand what causes political revolution or why tactics are tailored to fit a situation.

1969: A Space Oddity by Jessica Holmes is a tired moon-landing conspiracy trope.

Lueger's Wager by Bonnie Milani is a different take upon the notion of what if you could prevent Hitler from doing what he did.

Under Pressure by Leo McBride is a pleasant little whodunnit revolving around an underwater colony

The Goose's Wing by Daniel Bensen tells the tale of a 'Connections' type television personality trying to tell the tale of how gliders altered the path of the world he lives in starting in Andalusian Spain. I thought it interesting enough.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alternate history is one of my favorite science fiction subgenres, and Tales of Alternate Earths 2 does not disappoint. There’s a good variety of ideas, settings and historical divergences large and small in this anthology.

Although the quality of prose varies, I found something to like in every story. Here are a few of the standouts for me:

“Andy and Tina” by Gideon Marcus: Envisions an alternate Space Race where the Soviets landed on the moon, told from the perspective of Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova.

The Goose’s Wing” by Daniel M. Benson: A world where Muslim Andalusia spread throughout the Mediterranean and gliders became a routine form of transport. Journalist Tariq is making a documentary about the glider’s history that he hopes will help dispel anti-Mongol xenophobia. He gets embroiled with the Kurultai Mongol separatists along the way.

Pillars of the Past” by Brent A. Harris: The American Revolution failed and the US is still a part of England in 2016. A vote to exit Britain is being held, but a terrorist group is determined to stop it. Powerful and interesting, definitely a standout of the collection.

The Fairy Courts” by Jeff Provine: One woman’s account of an exhibition of fairies and magic creatures at the British Museum that goes disastrously sideways. Funny and imaginative with a dash of feminist commentary.

Lueger’s Wager” by Bonnie Milani: In 1910, the anti-Semitic mayor of Vienna and a prominent member of the Jewish community conduct a war of words to win the allegiance of a young Hitler, currently a starving postcard artist. Very interesting historical divergence, and I liked the background history Milani included at the end.

This is a solid anthology of alternate histories that should appeal to anyone who’s ever wondered, “What if it happened that way?

[Andrew Weston · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Imagine a world where...”
How often a really good adventure has started with those words. Well, in “Tales From Alternate Earths 2” we have a selection of stories that do just that, bring us the “what if” history – reality – folklore and myth had turned out that little bit differently. In doing so, we are presented with a medley of philosophical and moral dilemmas that make you realize, “Wow, I never thought about that!”
Some are clever, witty and amusing; others, poignantly insightful. A few, downright disturbing and provocative . . . and all the more so when you appreciate that all it would have taken for those alternate realities to exist is a little pinch of circumstance here or a twist of fate there.
Overall, an entertaining collection of alternative realities you need to experience.

[Christopher Keene · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's difficult to write a review for several short stories but this anthology makes it even more difficult because most of them were very thought-provoking. I particularly liked the alternative history stories over the mythology-based ones and the what-if tales relating to slight changes, anything as switching as having a female cosmonaut to somewhat larger things around readers labeled as witches to massive historical moments leading to even greater catastrophes, while Under Pressure shows a very realistic account of a deep sea political murder with line that I thought most accurately summed up the entire anthology "There was a time when all this might never have happened." To sum up, where I enjoyed some stories more than others, the ones I did enjoy were so good that I couldn't give them less than 5 stars. Great work.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

An anthology of alternate-histories--stories where history got nudged sideways at some point, creating a different world. They're difficult to write, and it's interesting to watch the different authors find ways around the particular challenges of the genre. For example, how to inform the reader of what went differently and set the world in a different course? A few writers have characters who are aware that history diverged, but the more interesting ones are the ones who leave their POV characters fully immersed in the alternate world and have to drop hints about what's different. I appreciated that the stories generally steer clear of simple utopian or dystopian visions: the worlds they present are largely as riddled with problems as our own.

[James Crawford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is not as good as the first volume of stories. Stories include one about a post-nuclear world, one based on ancient Egypt with Cleopatra and Caesar; one where dinosaurs evolved to intelligence but were threatened with destruction of Earth; one with a JFK that became a dictator; one with London vs. a meteor; a War of the Worlds variation; a Muslim-dominated world and one about an event in Tungusta.

There's not bad stories but they don't seem to be quite as innovative or done as well as the first volume.

[Book lover · Rating 2 out of 5]

Couldn't finish it

The first three tales dragged on so much, I had to read three other books between these stories. I hope I didn't miss anything different when I opted to throw in the towel.

[Stoney OHanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Frankly, most were not very good. The last one was an Islamic mishmash that was pointless and WAAAY too long. I love a good alternate history, but these hearkened back to the Sixties Depressing Dystopia genre. A good effort, but hard reading.

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

The last two stories didn't really grab me, but I enjoyed the rest.

[Ernie]

The Kennedy story stayed with me afterwards even though there's better stories in this volume.

[Joe McCullough · Rating 4 out of 5]

New Directions

Paths that deserve exploration. There is a lot of possibilities to explore here. Paths certainly less traveled. This work is well worth the time.

[Garry Whitmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second in these collections of these alternate world short stories. I found it OK, but not as memorable as the first volume. Two of the 11 tales stick out for me. The first one is set on an earth where green technology won out but is suffering from a new ice age. The solution being the same technologies causing global warming for us. the second set in an alternate where subsea exploration has proceeded at a much faster rate is a good little crime puzzle tale.

the rest did not make much impact, in a couple of cases, I skipped through the stories as they were of so little attraction.

A bit of a disappointment overall.