Now, we have all seen ASB timelines. I am not refering to the science fiction stories that involve aliens or time travel (such as Guns of the South and World War). No, I am referring to timelines in which the plausability/posibility is so apparent, one must ask if it was written by a NOOB.
Unfortunately some of these Alternate Histories make it to the publisher.
What, if any, ASB AH stories have you read in a published novel or anthology?
I just finished one, a short story from The Mammoth Book of Alternate Histories.
James Marrow's The Raft of the Titanic.
SPOILERS
In this timeline, Mr. Andrews comes up with an insane plan to save everyone aboard the Titanic after it strikes the iceberg. Use twelve of the fourteen lifeboats to make a four by three grid, connected by ropes, poles, etc. and then overlaid with floor panels taken from the ship (floors, doors, etc.). This raft is about 20,000 Sq Feet.
Not only do they manage to build this thing before the ship sinks, but there are only twenty casualties.
After this, the Ada (as the raft is called) is blown farther south. As a result, when the RMS Carpathia arrives at the scene of the sinking, they assume there were no survivors.
Eventually, via a newspaper savaged from a sunken fishing boat, the survivors discover that the tragedy of the Titanic has changed many's outlook on life for the better (It's complicated, but it's something along the lines of "We shouldn't be so proud to think we could do anything without consequence"). So, inspired by this, everyone on the Ada votes to NOT return home, and instead spend the rest of their lives at sea. At one point they even desperately try to evade detection of a British Ship for fear of being "rescued".
Not only do they survive, but they prosper. They get water from rain, food from the oceans and salvaged ship wrecks. They develop a community, with celebrations and parties.
Eventually, a group of Socialists from Third Class/Staff attempt a Revolution, but this is put down. So, they actually form a constitution to establish a Parliamentary Republic, with a Prime Minister, Parliament, cabinet and even political parties. The Ada is renamed The United People's Republic of Adaland.
The story takes place over the coarse of two and a half years; and ends with the Ada sailing to the Pacific in the hopes of evading the sea fights of World War I.
Unfortunately some of these Alternate Histories make it to the publisher.
What, if any, ASB AH stories have you read in a published novel or anthology?
I just finished one, a short story from The Mammoth Book of Alternate Histories.
James Marrow's The Raft of the Titanic.
SPOILERS
In this timeline, Mr. Andrews comes up with an insane plan to save everyone aboard the Titanic after it strikes the iceberg. Use twelve of the fourteen lifeboats to make a four by three grid, connected by ropes, poles, etc. and then overlaid with floor panels taken from the ship (floors, doors, etc.). This raft is about 20,000 Sq Feet.
Not only do they manage to build this thing before the ship sinks, but there are only twenty casualties.
After this, the Ada (as the raft is called) is blown farther south. As a result, when the RMS Carpathia arrives at the scene of the sinking, they assume there were no survivors.
Eventually, via a newspaper savaged from a sunken fishing boat, the survivors discover that the tragedy of the Titanic has changed many's outlook on life for the better (It's complicated, but it's something along the lines of "We shouldn't be so proud to think we could do anything without consequence"). So, inspired by this, everyone on the Ada votes to NOT return home, and instead spend the rest of their lives at sea. At one point they even desperately try to evade detection of a British Ship for fear of being "rescued".
Not only do they survive, but they prosper. They get water from rain, food from the oceans and salvaged ship wrecks. They develop a community, with celebrations and parties.
Eventually, a group of Socialists from Third Class/Staff attempt a Revolution, but this is put down. So, they actually form a constitution to establish a Parliamentary Republic, with a Prime Minister, Parliament, cabinet and even political parties. The Ada is renamed The United People's Republic of Adaland.
The story takes place over the coarse of two and a half years; and ends with the Ada sailing to the Pacific in the hopes of evading the sea fights of World War I.
