World War I often gets overlooked by World War II, which has received far more attention in the writing world, particularly for alternate history. However, the events of World War I directly affected and led to World War II, making it an interesting divergent point for alternate history writers. From the Confederacy winning the Civil War, affecting the events of World War I, to a German focus on Russia rather than an invasion of Belgium to attack France, there are some alternate history books out there that deal with the Great War. Mind you, there is not a lot, and I will warn the reader that I have featured my own books on this list to fill it out. Here are ten alternate history World War I books you should check out.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfield and Keith Thompson
Leviathan is the first book in the Leviathan Trilogy by Scott Westerfeld, which comprises Leviathan, Behemoth, and Goliath. It presents an enthralling alternative history of World War I. In this vividly imagined series, the world is divided between two factions: the Clankers, who rely on mechanical technology, and the Darwinists, who use fabricated creatures genetically engineered from different animals. The story revolves around two protagonists: Prince Aleksander, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and Deryn Sharp, a girl who disguises herself as a boy to join the British Air Service. Their paths intersect aboard the Leviathan, a massive airship, as they navigate the complexities of war and political intrigue.
A Designer With No Name by EA Baker
An alternate history drama set against the backdrop of the outbreak of World War I. Serving as a prelude to The Kaiser's Machines, it chronicles the genesis of the machines Germany will ultimately use late in the war in a last gasp to bring the allies to the negotiating table. It follows Johann Kucinski, an aspiring Jewish artist in Munich, who grapples with a sense of societal displacement. Fleeing the pogroms of the east, his family seeks refuge in Munich, where they strive to build a new life amidst a vibrant Jewish community. As war engulfs Europe, Johann, like many young men, yearns to enlist. However, the army denies him entry, leaving him adrift as his peers march to battle. Determined to contribute to the war effort and honor his family's new homeland, Johann's path crosses with Frederick Brunner, an ambitious engineer seeking a creative collaborator to develop groundbreaking technologies for the German War Department. Under Frederick's mentorship, Johann discovers his purpose, channeling his creative talents into designing innovative war machines. Unbeknownst to him, his quest to bring his friends home will catalyze profound changes, both in his own life and Germany's fate.
Gray Tide in the East: An Alternate History of the First World War by Andrew J. Heller
In this novel, Heller reimagines a pivotal moment where Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany makes a fateful decision on August 1, 1914. Instead of proceeding with the planned invasion of Belgium, the Kaiser redirects his armies Eastward, igniting a chain of events that drastically alters the trajectory of the conflict. This bold departure from historical reality sets the stage for a meticulously researched narrative that unfolds across the globe, from the halls of power in Berlin to the battlefields of Europe and beyond. Through the perspectives of real historical figures, both prominent and obscure, readers are immersed in a world where the course of modern history takes a dramatically different turn.
Panzerwanderer by EA Baker
As the spring of 1918 dawns upon the war-torn landscapes of the Western Front, the fate of the Great War hangs in the balance. In the first book of The Kaiser’s Machines, The Allied and Central Powers, locked in a brutal stalemate, each seek the decisive blow that will bring an end to the bloodshed. Amidst this backdrop of desperation, the German Empire, grappling with supply shortages and a population on the brink of starvation due to the British blockade, embarks on a risky gamble. A top-secret project initiated by Kaiser Wilhelm II himself promises to turn the tide of the war with new, menacing machines. Unbeknownst to his generals, the Kaiser pushes forward with this costly endeavor, hoping to secure glory for the empire.
The Great War: American Front by Harry Turtledove
The first installment in an alternate history World War I series that reimagines the Great War with a twist. Comprising American Front, Walk in Hell, and Breakthroughs, the series is set in a world where the Confederate States won their independence during the American Civil War; the series explores how this altered timeline impacted the course of the “War to End All Wars.” In the first book, American Front, Turtledove sets the stage by depicting the United States divided between the Union and the Confederacy. As Europe erupts into war in 1914, the Confederate States join the Central Powers, while the United States sides with the Allies. Against this backdrop, readers follow a diverse cast of characters - soldiers, politicians, and civilians - as they navigate the tumultuous events of the conflict.
Sturmspinnen by EA Baker
The second book of The Kaiser’s Machines picks up with the characters of Panzerwanderer as the Germans turn their eyes to the north to the channel ports. Major Otto König, recently promoted and tasked with leading a unit of sturmspinnen, faces a daunting challenge. As he contends with the resistance of his unit's former commander, Otto must prove himself in a trial that could shape not only his career but the outcome of the war itself. Meanwhile, John Billings, Paul Davies, and Sarah Anderson reunite in Colonel Campbell's special unit, charged with hunting down and destroying the German walkers. Across enemy lines, Henri Marcel receives new orders to join a secret aerial observation unit. But as he embarks on a crucial mission, Henri grapples with conflicting versions of himself, torn between caution and newfound daring. Haunted by the loss of his comrade, James Thompson, William Winter embarks on a perilous journey across war-torn France to a secret assignment. Unbeknownst to him, JT is alive and trapped by a deranged German officer, uncovering sinister plans that threaten to devastate Allied forces.
Baltimore, or, The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire By Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden
As evidence that there are not many alternate history World War I books, I decided to include this graphic novel. Awakening the ire of a vampire on the bleak battlefields of World War I, Lord Henry Baltimore becomes the solitary warrior in an eternal struggle against darkness. To combat the spreading evil, Baltimore calls upon three old friends, whose past adventures and fantastical encounters make them believers in the malevolent forces consuming humanity's soul.
Eisenwürmer EA Baker
In the climactic conclusion to The Kaiser's Machines, the German High Command, led by Ludendorff and Hindenburg, pivots their strategy from the stalled attack on the channel ports to a bold plan to sack Paris. Major Bagger's diversionary assault on Verdun and a clandestine tunnel dug by the Eisnewürmer machine form the centerpiece of this daring gambit. With the initiative firmly in their grasp, the German leadership aims to force the Allies to the negotiating table, risking everything in a bid for victory.
Anno Dracula: The Bloody Red Baron by Kim Newman
Set against the backdrop of World War I, The Bloody Red Baron immerses readers in an alternate history where the infamous Graf von Dracula, ousted from the United Kingdom in 1897, extends his malevolent influence by spreading his volatile brand of vampirism and lycanthropy throughout the Russian Imperial Family. Now at the helm of Germany and the Central Powers, Dracula orchestrates a dark campaign against the Entente, where vampires have become an integral part of daily life, entrenched on both sides of the conflict and facing mortality alongside human soldiers. At the heart of this gripping tale stands the iconic figure of Manfred von Richthofen, known as the Red Baron, a renowned ace fighter pilot who, in this alternate timeline, commands a squadron of monstrous flying vampires. As alliances shift and betrayals loom, the fate of nations hangs precariously in the balance, weaving a narrative of horror, intrigue, and peril on the war-torn fields of battle.
Detachment M: A Kaiser’s Machines Story by EA Baker
Amidst the turmoil of World War I in Europe, the British forces retreat from Gallipoli, setting the stage for Lieutenant Edward Goodspeed's long-awaited return to Mesopotamia. Fluent in Arabic and intimately familiar with the area, Edward seizes an opportunity to lead a mission investigating rumors of a new Turkish transportation system. Tasked with this vital reconnaissance mission, Edward assembles a diverse unit comprising Armenian freedom fighters and Indian infantrymen. With the impending offensive on the horizon, their mission adds urgency as they venture behind enemy lines to uncover the truth. The success of the final push on Baghdad hinges on their courage and resourcefulness as they navigate the perilous landscape of war-torn Mesopotamia.
Check out my other blog 17 Alternate History World War 2 Books.
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