The Greatest Sport

May 31st, 2007

Digg this

in 1891, General Theodore Monteith's 25,000 men march to the outskirts of Topeka, Kansas, where the Union general sends word to the rebels that they may surrender and avoid bloodshed at this time. His messenger is returned with a note from the leader of the rebellion, 'Sockless' Jerry Simpson: “I fear we must politely decline the general's noble request; however, should he wish to surrender to us, we guarantee good treatment for his men and a fair trial for himself and his fellow war criminal, Major Mark Wainwright.” General Monteith laughs out loud when he reads the reply, telling the messenger, “Well, I guess they didn't hear of Wainwright's promotion. All right, then. I guess we have to go through with this.” He prepared his men for the assault on Topeka the next day. Meanwhile, three Kansan commanders - Dell Lee Lewis in the south, Emmanuel Carter in the east, and Frederick S. Ogilvy in the west – converged on Topeka with almost 50,000 reinforcements for the rebels.

in 1999, King Arthur II returns home to London amid great fanfare for his successful mission to New Zealand. Prime Minister Kay Ector, overshadowed by His Majesty's involvement in the negotiations, feels somewhat left out of the celebrations, and Queen Gwen takes note of this. She approaches him privately at the official party at Buckingham Palace, and says, “My dear Prime Minister, you seem to have not caught the festive mood of our time. Is there anything I can do to help you?” Ector, uncomfortable at the thought of being noticed by the queen, mumbles, “I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I am, of course, delighted that New Zealand will contribute to the war effort. Perhaps I am simply tired from the long trip.” The queen seems to accept this excuse, but files away Ector's mood as something that could be useful later.

Harold Wilson	"[Journalists] should investigate the forces that are threatening democratic countries like Britain. Occasionally when we meet I might tell you to go to the Charing Cross Road and kick a blind man standing on the corner. That blind man may tell you something, lead you somewhere... I am not certain that for the last eight months when I was prime minister I knew what was happening, fully, in security. " ~ Harold Wilson
Prime Minister

BBC journalist Barrie Penrose researched the TV drama documentary The Plot Against Harold Wilson which investigated the Labour prime minister's conviction that he was the target of plans to stage a military coup - and that the Royal Family backed it. Penrose says they confirm such plotting "wasn't in the fevered imagination of an embittered ex-PM". Penrose concludes his Radio Times article: "You may ask, at the end of the programme, why the coup was not believed earlier? My view now, as it was then, is that Wilson was right in his fears.... in answer to the question 'how did we come to get a military government' I can only say – we didn't speak to that Blind Man on Charing Cross Road." The review of this alternate historical masterpiece is available at BBC Web Site

~ quotation by Guest Historian Steve Payne from Counter-history – You're the Judge!

In 1919, Uncle Alf wrote - To my sweet and most delicious Geli, Hello, my darling. I wonder whether this letter will get to Munich ahead of me, for I have been mysteriously discharged by the Pomeranian doctors in this field hospital. The superhuman strength of my lycanthropy arms me for my struggles ahead. I await my meeting in Munich with General Ludendorff; together we must worship the Norse Gods together - our chosen one is Azazel. I will be home soon, I intend to show you just what a hero, just what a conqueror is your Uncle Alf.

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

Guderian	In 1947, General Hans Guderian addressed the planners of D-Day2. To explain his defection he read from the incantation Christabel by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. 'And in my dream methought I went To search out what might there be found ; And what the ..
.. sweet bird's trouble meant, That thus lay fluttering on the ground. I went and peered, and could descry No cause for her distressful cry ; But yet for her dear lady's sake I stooped, methought, the dove to take, When lo ! I saw a bright green snake Coiled around its wings and neck.' 'Revenge motivated my flight to America, gentlemen' explained Guderian, 'but not revenge for me. Fear of revenge from the vial which was crying out for its owner – you sir'. General Sir Bernard Montgomery beamed with pleasure, this time he was going to REALLY make history. The glory of D-Day2 would be his, of that he had no doubt. No doubt at all.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1989, following a transatlantic flight the remains of the British Royal Household had their suitcases unpacked by servants in the Governor General's residence at Rideau Hall, Ottawa. King James IV was not too distressed, he was looking forward to some R&R in Canada. They would be back before the New Year ushered in the ..	King James IV
.. 1990s. Until then, it was party season. It was going to be a riot.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Anon Detective	In 2001, he experienced deep remorse at the death of the decoy. He had falsified his report, changed Eilat to Tel-Aviv, not mentioned the child. How could he? The greatest fisherman set free their catch. They have no need for unnecessary cruelty having demonstrated the mastery of their skill. Hunting, he reflected, ..
.. was after all, but a sport. The greatest sport of all.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1977, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System was completed by the Russian Government. Due to the Oil Crises of the decade, the United States was unexpectedly forced into seeking a détente with the Communists as the need to find oil out-weighed the antagonisms of the Cold War.	Map of the pipe..
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Cool stuff - Let us know where you are on Frappr! and We've been Dugg

We have links again! Yay, us. Check them out on the side of the page, and if you have some suggestions, send them to us!

Visit the Co-Historian's store -

Announcement

The state of TIAH

Digg this

Alternate Historian's Note: Thanks for your patience waiting for today's post. I wanted to wait until after the anniversary for this announcement, because I wanted to give our anniversary posters all the attention they deserve. I know that I've hit you all with change-of-direction announcements before, so you're probably blasé about it by now. But, there is going to be a change in the direction of the site – mainly, with my contributions to it. I began this site thinking I would just use it as a place to jot story ideas, flesh out plots and characters, and possibly serialize long work. Instead, through the success of the format I initially chose, I've become the History Channel's illegitimate love child. While I enjoy writing alternate history, I never intended it to become all that I wrote. Unfortunately, because the only time that I have to write is used to put together the posts I co-write (Steve truly deserves credit as a Co-Historian), I have been unable to write anything else, except for the annual NaNoWriMo challenges, and even those were flavored by appearing on TIAH.
So, here's the deal – I'm going to finish the two timelines I'm currently writing (the Kansas Rebellion and The Return Of Arthur), which will probably take me to the end of June. From then until he decides he doesn't want it to appear here anymore, Steve's work will fulfill the alternate history quota for this site. My part of the site will be whatever I am currently writing – could be science fiction, could be fantasy, could be opinion, could even be alternate history – but it won't be in the standard format unless I get a hankerin' to write in the old style again.
I'm not going away. I even remember that I promised you a compilation of some of the site's more coherent timelines, and I'm going to use this time to work on that, too. Things are going to be different, though, and I want you all to know and have a chance to comment on them before they change. Our readers have been a big part of TIAH since the beginning, and I want to know what you think. Email me, leave a comment, write an insulting note on your own blog – whatever it takes to let us know what you think.
If you guys decide the site's no longer what you enjoy reading, then thanks for your patronage in the past, and I hope you'll look for my work (and Steve's) in the future, either on Lulu or (hopefully) in a bookstore near you. It's been a great 3 years – and I still look forward to Today each tomorrow.

May 29th, 2007

in 1891, 25,000 Union solders strike out from Concordia, Kansas in the direction of Topeka. General Theodore Monteith is at the head of the massive column of men, and he and his right-hand man, newly-promoted Lt. Colonel Mark Wainwright, have a sense of the inevitability of their final victory. Unfortunately for them, almost 50,000 Kansan volunteers are making their way towards Topeka, too, in a race to save the leaders of their rebellion from defeat.

in 1999, Doctor Archibald Mordred, the psychiatrist that King Arthur II is seeing at the behest of his queen, prescribes an experimental drug to His Majesty. “I believe that you suffer from a small chemical imbalance, sire,” the young doctor says to Arthur. “With this new drug, you will again have the confidence that led you to the throne in the first place. You will have the clear vision that will lead Great Britain to its rightful place as first among nations.” King Arthur, wary of medications after many years of Merl's admonitions against them, completely changes his mind after the first dose of the Brightol that Dr. Mordred gives him. He really does feel more his old self, and throws himself into the war and the task of governing his kingdom as if he were a man ten years younger.

Jack Ruby	"[To Earl Warren] Well, you won't see me again. I tell you that a whole new form of government is going to take over the country, and I know I won't live to see you another time" ~ Jack Ruby
Assassin

After he had ushered in a whole new system of government by preventing Lee Harvey Oswald from demonstrating his innocence, which would have revealed the CIA plot to kill Kennedy. The Wikipedia profile of Jack Ruby is available at Wikipedia

~ quotation by Guest Historian Steve Payne from Counter-history – You're the Judge!

In 1919, Uncle Alf wrote - My very dearest and most beloved sweet Geli, Hail victory! The Quartermaster General has written to me from Sweden; Germany will recover from our stab-in-the-back. The Norse Gods have brought General Ludendorff into their confidence. The strange men who burst into the ward and injected your Uncle with the madness of lycanthropy are his agents! With much love, I remain your Uncle Alf.

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

Marshall	In 1947, US President Harry S Truman spoke candidly with the Joint Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff General of the Army George Catlett Marshall, Jr., US Army. The plan for Operation Overlord2 was to spring the eight divisions from the Caves at Hamelin and launch a surprise attack on the Fuehrer in Berlin. The old team was ..
.. back together again for D-Day2, General Dwight David Eisenhower, General Sir Bernard Montgomery, Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay and Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay. And more significantly, Montgomery's glamour and the vial formerly owned by Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Roosevelt had said that he could not sleep when Marshall was out of Washington, and he was right : Marshall was an absolute brick. Did he believe in the plan, enquired Truman. Hell, yes! replied Marshall.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1989, the security situation in the capital and major cities of Great Britain and Europe deteriorated very rapidly. The British Army stalled at the repressive measures ordered by the coup leaders. In Whitehall, labour movement leaders stood on top of tanks which refused to intimidate the protesters. The coup leaders called ..	Tank Protests
.. a meeting for that very evening. From outside they could hear the protests. To shut out the noise, far too much alcohol was drunk. Some insane orders were issued, then changed, then re-issued. It was madness.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Porsche 928	In 2001, he hung up without saying goodbye and replaced the telephone carefully back in the cradle. His boss had received the report dispassionately and his job was done. It was a quarter of midnight as he entered the car park and started the car.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1867, the Austro-Hungarian agreement called Ausgleich ("the Compromise") was born through Act 12, which established the Austro-Hungarian Empire with a dual monarchy; on June 8 Emperor Francis Joseph was crowned King of Hungary. The logic of shared sovereignty saved the Austrians, and by the second decade of the twentieth ..	Austro-Hungary ..
.. century the Habsburgs were ascendant. Just about the only nation that were not represented in the polity were the Jews who were considered non-citizens. Anti-semitism peaked during the 1930s under the dynamic and aggressive Chancellorship of Adolf Schicklegruber as he established the modern Mittle-Europa.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

May 30th, 2007

in 1891, Union scouts return to General Theodore Monteith with reports of massive troop movements along the Kansas borders. “They know where we're headed, Mark,” he says to his aide, Lt. Colonel Mark Wainwright. “And, damned if they aren't going to fight us for it. You know what this means, don't you?” Colonel Wainwright nods and says, “Plan B.”

in 1999, King Arthur II joins his prime minister, Kay Ector, on a mission to New Zealand to convince the island nation to contribute aid to the war effort. The presence of the king in the British delegation sways New Zealand's parliament, and they throw all of the resources they can spare into helping oust the last remnants of the Central European Empire's stranglehold on the world. The Kiwi troops join Sir Lance du Lac's Round Table Corps, and become the spearhead for clearing out the CEE's Asian possessions.

Douglas MacArthur	"By profession I am a soldier and take pride in that fact. But I am prouder--infinitely prouder--to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys. The one has the potentiality of death; the other embodies creation and life. And while the hordes of death are mighty, the battalions of life are mightier still. It is my hope that my son, when I am gone, will remember me not from the battle but in the home repeating with him our simple daily prayer, 'Our Father who art in heaven.'" ~ Douglas MacArthur
General

Before deploying super-weapons on the Korean Peninsula. Bacteriological weapons from Unit 731 had been surrendered to MacArthur in 1945 to secure the amnesty of the Japanese scientists against trial for the extermination of 200,000 Chinese citizens during World War II. These were used alongside the hydrogen bomb in order to re-unite the Peninsula and retain American hegemony over south-east Asia. The Wikipedia entry on Unit 731 is available at Wikipedia

~ quotation by Guest Historian Steve Payne from Counter-history – You're the Judge!

In 1919, Uncle Alf wrote - Dear lovely Geli, So good to hear from you at last! When I got your letter, I first and foremost kissed the postage stamp, knowing it had touched your sweet lips but two days before. Hail victory! General Ludendorff has departed Sweden and will meet your Uncle Alf in Munich; together we will lead a German recovery from our stab-in-the-back - the Norse Gods have assured us. I remain your Uncle Alf.

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

Guderian	In 1947, General Hans Guderian spoke privately with the US President. 'I understand everything, but this' says Harry S Truman. Why did you come to America after you've won? Guderian replies, I had no choice, no choice at all. The vial started to incant Christabel. 'I don't understand says Truman..'
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1989, on this day occurred the final act of the fall of the House of Stuart. Lieutenant-General Sir Peter de la Billiere arrived at Downing Street with a splitting hangover headache. Number 10 was strangely quiet. He entered the Cabinet Office to find a beaming Peter Tatchell sitting behind his desk. The coup was over. ..	Peter Tatchell
.. The Republic was only just beginning.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Car on fire	In 2001, he pulled out of the hotel car park onto the main road. It was still stiflingly hot as the electric window lowered; he lit a cigarette and inhaled deeply, starting to perspire. A motorbike shot past, then another, then two more. Brilliant lights flashed inside the car, he was blinded. He lost control. The car hit ..
.. a water hydrant and flipped over, caught fire, finally exploded.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1995, the counter-history Napoleonic Options is published in paperback. The book contained detailed examinations by ten leading military each presenting different scenarios that might have changed the course of the American War of Independence. Perhaps the most controversial was James Lucas' Operation Whiff of ..	Napoleon Bonapa..
.. Grapeshot: Napoleon's European Strategy, in which the Little Corporal never fought in North America at all. The title was chosen from Bonaparte's clearing of the National Convention in Paris 1795 when he later boasted that he had cleared the streets with a "whiff of grapeshot" (musket balls fired in cloth bags from the cannon, a devastating anti-personnel munition), although the fighting had been vicious throughout Paris.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Cool stuff - Let us know where you are on Frappr! and We've been Dugg

We have links again! Yay, us. Check them out on the side of the page, and if you have some suggestions, send them to us!

Visit the Co-Historian's store -

Double Post & Announcement Tonight

Alternate Historian's Note: Come back tonight for a double post and an announcement about TIAH in the future!

More 3rd Anniversary Stuff; Sunningdale Agreement Collapses

The state of TIAH

May 28th, 2007

Digg this

Alternate Historian's Note: We have a couple more entries from our 3rd anniversary – thank you, Max! Today's the real 3rd anniversary, anyway...

in 2004, after a false start the day before, the band Ratman Taylor and the Institute gathered for a first practice. They later went on to some fame. They are especially famous for their concept albums with songs inspired by, quote, "events from history that never occurred." anniversary entry by Max Liebersohn

in 2096, at the behest of the Emperor, the Institute for the Study of Parallel Temporal Mechanics was founded by Dr. Robert Taylor. It is, of course, the organization that creates new forms of crosstime viewers and portals for the conquering of other timelines to become part of the Glorious Empire. anniversary entry by Max Liebersohn

Éamon de Valera	"The English must now move forward from [the Reformation in] 1533 and stop arguing about the past." ~ Éamon de Valera, Taoiseach
Taoiseach

After Churchill was reported to mutter Something must be done. In 1942 the 32nd American President Winston S. Churchill arrived for a State Visit to the Irish Isles. His dual heritage was a source of deep concern to the Dublin Government. Winston's father, Randolph Churchill was English, whilst his mother was daughter of American millionaire Leonard Jerome Taoiseach Éamon de Valera responded with absolute fury to Churchill's ill-concealed sympathy for the English. Collecting himself nonetheless, De Valera spoke truly when he said “The English must now move forward from 1533 and stop arguing about the past”. A truthful, but perhaps unhelpful reference to Henry VIII precipitous action to launch the Reformation, the event which triggered the collapse of English power. The Wikipedia entry on the Taoiseach is available at Wikipedia

~ quotation by Guest Historian Steve Payne from Counter-history – You're the Judge!

In 1919, Uncle Alf wrote - Dear sweet adorable lovely Angela, Six months now in Pomerania and only two letters from you! I have taken great comfort from word received from Sweden. Hail victory! With much love, I remain your Uncle Alf.

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

Eisenhower	In 1947, Senator McCarthy shared a late night drink with General Dwight David Eisenhower. 'She's in custody, you know Ike?' says the Tail gunner. Eisenhower takes a huge slug of his bourbon to set his teeth. 'Yes, I am over my infatuation with Kay Summersby, do not worry' says Ike'. Then he adds with a hiss 'That witch'.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1989, the British Royal household awoke to receive some quite frightening news. The British Army had announced a state of martial law existed throughout the British Empire and Commonwealth. The Royal Family were being transported to Canada for their own safety. Lieutenant-General Sir Peter de la Billiere was the Interim ..	Peter de Le Bil..
.. Prime Minister who would seek a compromise with the Republican protesters whilst leading the hunt for the Brighton Bomber. The Royal Household could return from Canada when matters were in control. Sometime soon...
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Dodi Al Fayed	In 2001, the truth was as shocking, as appalling and unexpected as could be imagined. Diana was an amnesiac, with no recollection of her former life. The huntress was aware of course they were in hiding, but she had no idea from whom. He suspected that it was no accident, it was all part of the deal struck all those years ago.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1974, Southern England's power-sharing Sunningdale Agreement collapses following a general strike by loyalists. Edward Heath, Head of the Southern Department and his Government resign the next day. Direct rule from Dublin is re-imposed to restore order as secretarian violence breaks out in London. In a press conference, ..	Edward Heath
.. Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave placed the blame fairly on King Henry VIII and his fateful decision to divorce first wife Catherine of Aragon. Unable to gain papal approval, he launched the Church of England and plunged the country into the reformation. He said the British must move forward from 1533 and stop arguing about the past.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Cool stuff - Let us know where you are on Frappr! and We've been Dugg

We have links again! Yay, us. Check them out on the side of the page, and if you have some suggestions, send them to us!

Visit the Co-Historian's store -

Our 3rd Anniversary!

The state of TIAH

May 27th, 2007

Digg this

Alternate Historian's Note: Three years ago, I put up a few hundred words on Blogger that disappeared when I tried to edit them. So, the next day, I added a few more hundred words and reposted what I'd written before. A few days later, posters at Metafilter and BoingBoing brought a deluge of visitors to the site, and I was suddenly having to deal with the thought of having readers. Since that time, we've had enthusiastic fans set up web sites that pull our feed, (although the new Blogger caused them to stop working for a long time), clueless readers who are really unclear on the concept, our own explainer, and guest historians who mean the world to us. We turn today's post entirely over to them. Thank you all for a wonderful three years!

in 2004, the website "Today in Alternate History" begins. Almost immediately, its creator begins recieving odd e-mails: "How about an alternate history where Abraham Lincoln was the President, and John Wilkes Booth the shooter, instead of the other way around?" "Make an alternate timeline where the Beloved Fuhrer was killed by malcontents before he could install the Third Reich!" "Abejduc ei qpgeixu t kiiii querl euido xhe dix eiweoid yhzl xoi!"

Soon, the truth becomes apparent: this website now exists not only in the timeline its creator knows, but in every other timeline as well, all at once. As much fun as it is to peek into some timelines ("Emperor Robbie, Ruler of All Creation"? Hmmmm...), others give glimpses into disturbing possibilities that are hard to even think about, let alone comprehend. Ah, well, at least there's no shortage of material... Anniversary entry by LeaperBP

in 2004, on this day, seven years to the day after the Jarrell tornado, College Station TX is struck by a cluster of tornadoes at precisely 3:50 PM. Rescue workers from neighboring towns could find no survivors; in fact they found no deceased either. One man, who had been away from town on business, starts a website dedicated to the disappeared. Mr. Taylor appears to have become delusional, though, as his weblog advocates strange theories on where - or WHEN - the residents of College Station may have gone. Anniversary entry by Lance Lavandowska

After nearly 90 years, Ford Motor Company stopped producing the finest car ever, the Model T. After a few modifications in the years following 1908, the Model T had continued nearly unchanged; for who could improve upon such an excellent example of modern engineering.

The telegraph to the nation was sent from Henry Ford's descendant, Edsel B. Ford the Second: "My Great-Grandfather said 'I will build a motor car for the great multitude, constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise ... so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one--and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces'. And in that tradition, today I announce the Model A!" Anniversary entry not about our anniversary by Lance Lavandowska

Winston Churchill	"Why does the memory of Winston Churchill refuse to be exorcised? Why, forty years after his death and the end of World War II, do we have Churchill Victorious, an anthology of eleven stories set in various alternative worlds in which the, uh, Bulldog spirit of Imperial Britain did not end in the rubble of the Dollis Hill Bunker in North London?" ~ Norman Spinard
UK War Leader

Benford & Greenberg present a whole series of futures made possible by the plausible premise of a victorious Thousand-Year British Empire & Commonwealth The Amazon Review is available at Amazon.com Review

~ quotation by Guest Historian Steve Payne from Counter-history – You're the Judge!

In 1919, Uncle Alf wrote - My very dear Angela, my circumstances are desperate. The Pomeranian doctors in this field hospital have diagnosed a severe mental disorder, attributed to shell shock from the front. I have told them of the evening when strange men burst into the ward and injected your Uncle with the madness of lycanthropy, yet none believe me. I send you many kisses, and wish I could give them to you in person. With much love, I remain your Uncle Alf.

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

Harry S Truman	In 1947, US President Harry S Truman stared out of the Oval Office window in the White House with his hands clasped neatly together behind his back. Incredible! he whistled through his teeth, Incredible! Returning to the Resolute Desk, he said to Generals Sir Bernard Montgomery and Dwight David Eisenhower: But ..
.. will it work? Yes sir they replied as if in stereo.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1989, events in the overthrow of the House of Stuart headed towards a climax. Buckingham Palace announced that the coronation of King James IV, the seventh in line to the thrown, would be scheduled in two weeks time, after a suitable period of mourning had passed. James IV was a playboy party-animal of a Prince who would ..	King James IV
.. think mourning was the hangover lie-in time of day. The mourning never happened. The coronation never happened either.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Diana, huntress	In 2001, at last after three bitter and frustrating years of searching the huntress was hunted. Finally, he had located the lady described by her brother as 'the unique the complex, the extraordinary and irreplaceable Diana'. That was the easy bit. Now he had to tell his boss. And there was something else. Dread.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1813, American forces capture Fort George in Canada, during the War of 1812. Napoleon Bonaparte and La Grande Armée were hot on their heals, determined to protect the sovereignty of French North America. It was the last campaign for the Little Corporate. He died on the bitter retreat from Yorktown (Toronto), defeated by ..	Napoleon Bonapa..
.. Generals December and January - the cruel Canadian winter.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Cool stuff - Let us know where you are on Frappr! and We've been Dugg

We have links again! Yay, us. Check them out on the side of the page, and if you have some suggestions, send them to us!

Visit the Co-Historian's store -

Last Chance To Contribute To Our Anniversary Tomorrow!

The state of TIAH

May 26th, 2007

Digg this

Alternate Historian's Note: This is it - our 3rd anniversary is tomorrow! Today, you have your last chance to send in your alternate versions of the Academy's beginnings (May 27th, 2004 was the date in this timeline) to appear on the anniversary celebration page. You can use everything you know about us - even the fact that we lost the original day and had to restart on the 28th – whatever you can think of to provide a twist to our start. Send 'em in, and we'll print 'em! Be sure to tell us how you want your credit for the post to appear, as well as any links you want to be connected with your entry. Thanks for reading and get researching those alternate timelines! And, here's an update – we've gotten some entries, but if we don't get any more, we're going to consider printing some of our more interesting emails and comments...

in 1891, more trains pull into Hebron, Nebraska, full of troops to fight the war in Kansas. A few Kansan sympathizers make note of how many troops are being moved west, and send a telegraph to Topeka. The Farmers Council convenes to discuss what to do about this new development. “From what the telegraph said, they might have 20,000 men or more by next month,” Councilor Stephen Zamachowski said. “All massing at the border in Hebron, with a straight shot down to Concordia at that damned fort.” 'Sockless' Jerry Simpson, leader of the council, dismisses Zamachowski's fears. “We've got 5 times that number armed and ready to fight. These boys they've sent down haven't even gotten through the most basic training. They're of no concern.” Councilor Thaddeus Elridge, who had opposed Simpson before, saw an opportunity here to score some points against the 'Socrates of the plains'. “Mr. Simpson is right that we got 100,000 men ready to defend the state, and the men they got ain't exactly battle-hardened. But, our 100,000 men are spread all over Kansas, and those 20,000 are right where they can make a run for us, here, in Topeka. Plus, they're being trained by a man whose got a personal grudge against us and who has managed to defeat us in the past. We need to start pulling our volunteers away from the other borders and bring them here, to defend Topeka.” While many of the councilors are afraid that action will leave their borders ill-defended, Elridge's plan receives approval, and word is sent to all corners of Kansas to begin troop movements to Topeka.

in 1999, Prime Minister Kay Ector of Great Britain meets with success after success as he tours across the former vassal states of the Central European Empire, securing pledges from their governments to cease hostilities against the British, and turn over CEE war criminals. King Arthur II is relieved to hear of the cessation of fighting in many of the hot spots of the war, and Sir Lance, his chief general, turns to rooting out the CEE elite who had been responsible for prosecuting the war against Great Britain.

in 2004, the gaming blog RPGs-a-plenty gets mentioned on the news aggregate sites Metafilter and BoingBoing, causing thousands of people to begin reading the upstart blog in only its first week. The rush of readers to this site causes the site's writer, Robbie Taylor, to forgo the plans he had to create a blog about alternate history. Who would've read that, anyway?

In 1940, UK War Leader Winston Churchill delivered his final radio broadcast before fleeing to the Falkland Islands with the remnants of the British Navy. His last words to the defeated British nation were a fragment of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's poem The Rime of the Ancient Mariner The Sun's rim dips ; the stars rush out : At one stride comes the dark ;.. Fear at my heart, as at a cup, My life-blood seemed to sip ! One after one, by the star-dogged Moon,Too quick for groan or sigh, Each turned his face with a ghastly pang, And cursed me with his eye.

~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1919, Uncle Alf wrote - My very dear Angela, You will have seen, I am sure, from the stamp and the postmark that I am now in a field hospital in Pomerania. My circumstances are confused. You can write to me at the address on this envelope. I hope all goes well for you, and that you never have to trouble your lovely little head about the schemes of these degenerates who threaten me. I send you many kisses, and wish I could give them to you in person. With much love, I remain your Uncle Alf.

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

Guderian	In 1947, General Hans Guderian addressed the final session of the Tydings Committee. Yes, it was still possible to pay the Pied Piper. And yes, it was possible to release the eight divisions of the Allied Expeditionary Force from the Caves of Hamelin. But to what benefit? The troops would be in the middle of hostile of North ..
.. West Germany? General Sir Bernard Montgomery leans over to General Dwight David Eisenhower and whispers in his ear 'Are you think what I am thinking?' Says Monty, to which Ike says a simple affirmative: Yes.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1989, on this day the Grand Hotel, Brighton bomb went off at 2.54 am. The British Royal household and key advisers who had planned to meet with Peter Tatchell and members of the Republication protest leadership were decimated. The King was still awake at the time, said to be working on his compromise speech. It shredded ..	Grand Hotel Bri..
.. through his bathroom barely two minutes after he had entered it; killing him instantly. The UIRA claimed responsibility the next day; their statement famously included the words: 'Today we were lucky'. Security Forces claimed the bombing was 'an attempt to cripple Her Majesty's Government'; it had succeeded.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Queen of Sheeba..	In 2001, the note he was expecting was pushed under the door of his room at the Queen of Sheen Hilton Hotel in Eilat. It would be an emissary of course, a small child perhaps on a five dollar task. There was no point darting out into the corridor. He opened the note and read the few words carefully. Pouring himself a gin ..
.. and tonic from the mini-bar, he realised he was very excited he was. Tomorrow evening his search would be over.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1828, a mysterious feral child Kaspar Hauser is discovered wandering the streets of Nuremberg. He was wearing peasant clothing and could barely talk. The only identifying material carried by the boy was a letter addressed to the captain of the 4th squadron of the 6th cavalry regiment, in which the author asked the captain ..	Kaspar Hauser
.. to take the boy in or hang him, and another piece of paper which appeared to be from his mother to his prior caretaker. Hauser said that he had spent most of his life in a darkened 2×1×1.5 metre cell with only a straw bed to sleep on and a horse carved out of wood for a toy. He was given nothing but bread and water, and was periodically drugged so that his clothes could be changed and his hair cut. The first human being he ever had contact with was a mysterious man who visited him on occasion, always taking great care not to reveal his face to Kaspar, and from whom the boy acquired his limited spoken vocabulary and learned to write his name. The stranger eventually released Kaspar from his cell and deposited him outside, where he fainted. His next memory was of wandering the streets of Nuremberg. He had not seen the last of the mysterious man..
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Cool stuff - Let us know where you are on Frappr! and We've been Dugg

We have links again! Yay, us. Check them out on the side of the page, and if you have some suggestions, send them to us!

Visit the Co-Historian's store -

Coleridge's Spells; A New Hope

The state of TIAH

May 24th, 2007

Digg this

Alternate Historian's Note: OK, folks. We're experiencing joys of computing that are oddly reminiscent of the founding days of TIAH – whose 3rd anniversary we celebrate THIS Sunday! We're putting up a double post tonight in case there's no Internet tomorrow. But, this Sunday, you've got to help us! Please send in your alternate versions of the Academy's beginnings (May 27th, 2004 was the date in this timeline). You can even use the fact that we lost the original day and had to restart on the 28th – whatever you can think of to provide a twist to our start. Send 'em in, and we'll print 'em! Be sure to tell us how you want your credit for the post to appear, as well as any links you want to be connected with your entry. Thanks for reading and get researching those alternate timelines! And, just as an addendum – if we don't get any entries, we're going to consider printing some of our more interesting emails and comments...

in 1891, the first trains full of Union soldiers pull into the train station at Hebron, Nebraska, where they are met by Major Mark Wainwright and prepared for the march down to the fort at Concordia, Kansas. “You're about to enter hostile territory, fellows,” he warns them, “so, keep your wits about you and maybe you'll live through this. Let your guard down, and these Kansans'll have no hesitation about making you pay for it. Believe me – I've lost more men than you'll ever know on this campaign.” With a slight catch in his throat, he concludes, “You're going to help me end it.”

in 1999, in a private audience with King Arthur II and Queen Gwen of Great Britain, Sir Lance du Lac implores the monarchs to accept the offers coming in from several former Central European Empire vassal states. “They only wish to chart their own courses now, to have the freedom that we enjoy,” he says. “They are willing to lay down arms against us and turn over any CEE imperial representatives that are seeking refuge in their countries.” King Arthur mulls over the proposal. “It does sound like an ideal way to preserve our forces for those nations that are unwilling to be freed. However,” he continues, much to Queen Gwen's consternation, “we should be cautious about this. Accept the offer from the Hungarians, but let us keep prosecuting the war on all other fronts. Once we see if the Hungarians are behaving themselves, then we shall consider the offers from the other nations.”

In 1941, the wizard Cadellin took Colin and Susan to the caves of Fundindelve. Using Susan's bracelet, the Weirdstone of Brisingamen he roused the band of Knights that slept until the hour when they must rise and fight. Charging into the night, they they prepare to confront the German invaders to the North.

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

In 2004, Foresight War author Anthony G Williams woke up one morning to find himself in 1914. Williams was confronted with the fictional dilemma he had postulated for twenty years hence - what changes could be wrought to save lives? And what if a counter-part had also been sent to Imperial Germany?

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

Coleridge	In 1947, Senator McCarthy expanded upon his explanation of the Dunkirk evacuation. The price paid by Montgomery was his glamour, left behind in the dunes inside a bottle owned by the poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Coleridge, explained McCarthy, was a 'giant among dwarfs'. The orthodox wisdom was as follows: around 1796, ..
.. Coleridge started using opium as a pain reliever. His and Dorothy Wordsworth's notebooks record that he suffered from a variety of medical complaints, including toothache and facial neuralgia. There appears to have been no stigma associated with taking opium then, but also little understanding of the physiological or psychological aspects of addiction. It was not true, in 1796, the bottle had come into the possession of Coleridge, who had then written his most powerful poems. Or in fact, not so much poems, as incantations. Spells, to be blunt.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1989, the British Royal household and key advisers departed London by helicopter. The travel plan including accommodation at the Grand Hotel, Brighton. There the Stuarts would meet with Peter Tatchell and members of the Republication protest leadership. Make a British compromise and end the current crisis. And then renege ..	Grand Hotel Bri..
.. on the commitments when the protest had quietened down. That was the Royal plan. Events turned out somewhat differently to the plan, shall we say.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Queen of Sheeba Hotel..	In 2001, she knew the child had changed everything. A jet-set young couple could drift ..
.. in and out of a sea-coast town like Eilat, unnoticed. But a child brought a pressing urgency, drew your focus elsewhere. Even in the hotel lobby of the Queen of Sheeba, the child had drawn attention where previously they had been invisible. Well, almost invisible. And yet the series of events that had brought the huntress to Eilat had been triggered by the child. Soon, events would change everything. Also because of the child.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1626, the third director-general of New Netherlands, Peter Minuit bought the Island of Manna-hata (Manhattan) from a Metoac tribe known as the Canarsee in exchange for trade goods valued at 60 guilders. Into his possession fell the strange being, the thousand year old Lenape soothsayer who would later predict the course ..	Lenape Nation
.. of modern history to strategic planners in the US Government. This long period of service ended with explosion of booby-trapped extra-terrestrial technology in a US base in Nevada in 2008.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

May 25th, 2007

in 1891, General Theodore Monteith faces off against an exploratory force of Kansans testing the new defenses at the Concordia fort. He bests them easily, but sends word north to Major Mark Wainwright to hurry reinforcements down from Hebron in case the Kansans try to take back their fort again. Major Wainwright immediately assembles his best 2000 men and heads south to aid his commanding officer.

in 1977, the cult film A New Hope opens in US theaters to general critical disappointment. Twentieth Century Fox, the studio that finally gave filmmaker Luke Walton the green light to make his space opera is pleased to find out that the public doesn't share the critics' opinions, and the movie makes a reasonable $50 million in its theatrical release. A few years later, though, it enjoys a second life as it becomes a hugely popular rental at video stores across the English-speaking world. It earns enough, in fact, for Walton to film 2 sequels to the campy original, fleshing out his story of a young man's fight against an evil that turns out to be closer to him than he originally thought. These direct-to-video sequels brought Walton enough money to retire on, although there are persistent rumors that he still plans to do something more with the Darth Vader character someday.

in 1999, Queen Gwen of Great Britain tries to convince her husband, King Arthur II, to give quarter to more of the Central European Empire's former vassal states. “Mercy to them now would show them what a wise and kind ruler you can be,” she tells him. When she sees that this line of argument isn't persuading him, she tries another tack. “Wouldn't Merl tell you to pursue peace if it was offered? Wouldn't he have seen the wisdom of saving your resources to battle those who actually mean to fight back?” This finally sways him, and he instructs his Prime Minister, Kay Ector, to begin negotiations with the CEE nations that are willing to surrender to the United Kingdom.

In 1940, UK War Leader Winston Churchill delivered his final radio broadcast before fleeing to the Falkland Islands with the remnants of the British Navy. His last words to the defeated British nation were a fragment of W.B. Yeats' poem The Second Coming The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, The darkness drops again; but now I know That twenty centuries of stony sleep were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

In 1914, Foresight War author Anthony G Williams gained access to the Rector of Imperial College by presenting a 2002 pound coin to the doorman. Having explained his accidental time travel from 2004, and moving into detail on his plans, the Rector realised they were speaking at cross-purposes. Yes war was expected to break out at any moment, but the threat posed to world peace was mis-stated by Williams. An attack from the megalomaniac Emperor Napoleon V was imminent!

~ variant from Steve Payne: extensive use of original content has been made to celebrate the author's genius.

Guderian	In 1947, Senator McCarthy explained Montgomery's error. In exchanging his glamour for the safe passage of 338,000 Allied troops, few could argue that anything other than an honourable trade had occurred But by giving Guderian his glamour inside Coleridge's vial, he had inadvertently given the Nazis a super-weapon. And the ..
.. result was 1 May 1944, Disaster Day. Guderian had invoked the incantation of Kubla Khan to trap the Allied invasion force inside the Caves of Ice. Case closed announced McCarthy, hoping to wrap up the session early. His plans for the afternoon were routine, he intended to disappear inside a bottle of bourbon. Not yet sir! shouted General Dwight David Eisenhower, Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Force, what of our men? what of Hamelin? Immediately General Hans Guderian slammed the desk with his fist in a fury and shouted at Eisenhower in incomprehensible and guttural German.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1989, Patrick Magee, then aged 38 left Brighton by car. He had stayed in the Grand Hotel hotel under the false name of Roy Walsh two weeks prior to the conference and planted the bomb, with a long-delay timer, in his room, number 629. Following his release Magee was reported to have said 'I stand by what I did,' inflaming ..	Patrick Magee
.. the anger of survivors and the bereaved towards him. Whilst he admitted partial responsibility for planning the attack, he maintains that the fingerprint evidence found on a registration card recovered from the hotel was faked : 'If that was my fingerprint I did not put it there,' he said in a newspaper interview after his release. He has since indicated that he did not act alone at Brighton. He continues to defend his role in the blast, but he has expressed remorse for the loss of innocent lives. One of the victims of the bombing was Sir Anthony Berry, whose daughter, Jo Tufnell, publicly met with Magee shortly after the GFA, and expressed her forgiveness in an effort at achieving reconciliation as envisioned in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement with the Undefeated Irish Republican Army (UIRA).
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Queen of Sheeba..	In 2001, the lovers slipped discretely through the lobby of the Queen of Sheen Hilton Hotel in Eilat. The face of the huntress was covered by a scarf as if to protect her light European skin from the ruthless sun. It was prime check-out time and the hotel was buzzing. Distressed, the child says “Mummy, my bear”. Her concentration ..
.. interrupted, the huntress turns around. Distracted for a brief moment, the scarf falls and her eyes drop down to the furry toy on the lobby floor. As she looks up her eyes meet his. She has been recognised.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

In 1953, on this day at the Nevada Test Site, the United States conducted its first and only nuclear artillery test. On June 2, 2006, the site was scheduled to be used to conduct the testing of a 700-ton conventional bomb in an operation known as Divine Strake, an alternative to nuclear bunker busters, which Congress has ..	Nevada Test Sit..
.. been reluctant to fund, despite support from President Bush. The 700-ton bomb was used by agents of the Alliance to booby-trap extra-terrestrial technology in the US base in Nevada in 2008, leading to the deaths of the President, his father and the thousand year old Lenape soothsayer.
~ entry by Steve Payne from Counter History in Context - You're the Judge!

Cool stuff - Let us know where you are on Frappr! and We've been Dugg

We have links again! Yay, us. Check them out on the side of the page, and if you have some suggestions, send them to us!

Visit the Co-Historian's store -