Capricon: panel schedule

[jrittenhouse]

Alternate History that Doesn’t Involve WW2 or the Civil War - Friday, 02-10-2012 - 11:30 am to 1:00 pm - Birch B
As any judge for the Sidewise Awards knows, hundreds of Alternate History stories come out each year. Though many of them seem to fixate on World War II and the Civil War, some find more unique points in history for a divergence. What are

Comments

[acmespaceship]

I just read Jeff Greenfield's "Then Everything Changed" which posits three scenarios:

Jackie and the kids don't see prez-elect JFK off at the door one morning in 1960, and thus the suicide bomber parked across the street feels no reason to hesitate.

A member of RFK's campaign team decides at the last minute to come along downstairs for the California primary victory speech.

President Ford shocks a debate audience by saying there is no Soviet domination of Eastern Europe, then covers with a plausible explanation of what he meant.

The book isn't so much a novel as a wallow in political wonkitude. I've been wondering about the AH community's reaction to the book. But I appreciate Greenfield's point that "unique points in history for a divergence" are everywhere and they turn on the most minute decisions. Too bad about Sevastopol.

[dalecoz]

I love to get into the lesser known areas of history (As anyone who reads my AH Newletter can tell you), but I know from experience posting scenarios on my website and in forums that the World War II stuff is what draws the vast majority of hits and comments. So I try to find fresh perspectives and approaches on it. That's fairly easy for 1938 to mid-1942, but after that the real question boils down to how the Allies are going to divide the rubble.

[the_dark_snack]

Happy Birthday!

[jrittenhouse]

Thanks!

[bsaffliction]

Hi, I came across your name while reading an article in the Toronto Star this morning (Btw, the Toronto Star is Canada's highest circulated newspaper and for country with a population of 30,000,000+ it's a big deal) in regards to twins adopted from China but raised separately. All I have to say is wow, what a fascinating story. Glad to hear your daughter, her sister and all respective families are doing well.

http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1140038--identical-twins-adopted-from-china-by-two-different-ontario-families-grow-up-400-km-apart?bn=1

[jrittenhouse]

Thanks. Was wondering when that was coming out!