History – 450 pages - bought from the Oxfam Bookshop in Ealing Broadway, sometime in 2008
4 nods
The publication of the "what-may-have-been" books of history have found a strong and hungry market in recent decades. Yes, we all know the heroes of history - but what of the losers? The persistant dominating image continues to be the Nazi swastika flying from London's Big Ben. There has long been debate about the merits of such writing: is it simply a parlour game or rather an argument of greater weight worthy of research?
Niall Ferguson made a name for himself in this genre of history; his edited collection Virtual History is an addition at the higher end of the market. No simple articles mocked up by hack historians, but instead well weighed arguments, interestingly researched, topped off with good, exciting prose.
The reader is treated to 'England Without Cromwell', the possibility of no American Revolution, and the what if scenario of Kennedy living beyond his assassination. Furthermore, there are more meaty topics in store, such as Home Rule being enacted in Ireland in 1912 and the continuance of Communism. Of course, there is the addition of the Nazis, fantastically written by the joint efforts of Andrerw Roberts and Niall Ferguson: 'Hitler's England: What if Germany had invaded Britain in May 1940?'. Bleak, devastating and scary; and all the more thankful for the Allies actual triumph.
All of which is crowned with Ferguson's introductory essay 'Virtual History: Towards a "chaotic" theory of the past': impressive yet also daunting for an entrance to such a book. Ferguson might over-egg the pudding, chucking into the mix all he could possibly find to justify this genre's worthiness; but for certain, it proves this collection as a heavyweight. Virtual History is recommended for all those with a thirst for history and a curious mind.
