Alternate tyrants - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Alternate Tyrants is a 1997 Tor

Tor Books

Tor Books is one of two imprints of Tom Doherty Associates LLC, based in New York City. It is noted for its science fiction and fantasy titles. Tom Doherty Associates also publishes mainstream fiction, mystery, and occasional military history titles under its Forge imprint. The company was founded...

alternate history anthology

Anthology

An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...

, edited by Mike Resnick

Mike Resnick

Michael Diamond Resnick , better known by his published name Mike Resnick, is an American science fiction author. He was executive editor of Jim Baen's Universe.-Biography:...

. Each story is by a different author, and presents a scenario where an individual becomes a tyrant

Tyrant

A tyrant was originally one who illegally seized and controlled a governmental power in a polis. Tyrants were a group of individuals who took over many Greek poleis during the uprising of the middle classes in the sixth and seventh centuries BC, ousting the aristocratic governments.Plato and...

or dictator

Dictator

A dictator is a ruler who assumes sole and absolute power but without hereditary ascension such as an absolute monarch. When other states call the head of state of a particular state a dictator, that state is called a dictatorship...

in a way that did not occur in real life.

Stories

Title	Author	Scenario
Children of Tears	Adrienne Gormley	After Boer Boer Boer is the Dutch and Afrikaans word for farmer, which came to denote the descendants of the Dutch-speaking settlers of the eastern Cape frontier in Southern Africa during the 18th century, as well as those who left the Cape Colony during the 19th century to settle in the Orange Free State,... uprisings in Africa during World War II World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... , Winston Churchill Winston Churchill Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice... imposes extreme measures throughout the British Empire with special attention being given to suppressing Indian nationalists such as Gandhi, Nehru, and Vinoba.
Boss	Mark Bourne	As told via a (fictitious) Studs Terkel Studs Terkel Louis "Studs" Terkel was an American author, historian, actor, and broadcaster. He received the Pulitzer Prize for General Non-Fiction in 1985 for The Good War, and is best remembered for his oral histories of common Americans, and for hosting a long-running radio show in Chicago.-Early... oral history, Al Capone Al Capone Alphonse Gabriel "Al" Capone was an American gangster who led a Prohibition-era crime syndicate. The Chicago Outfit, which subsequently became known as the "Capones", was dedicated to smuggling and bootlegging liquor, and other illegal activities such as prostitution, in Chicago from the early... , inspired by observing a chance astronomical event, embarks upon a political career and establishes a decades-long Mafia Mafia The Mafia is a criminal syndicate that emerged in the mid-nineteenth century in Sicily, Italy. It is a loose association of criminal groups that share a common organizational structure and code of conduct, and whose common enterprise is protection racketeering... -like presidency in the United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... .
The Rising Sun at Dusk	Jack Nimersheim	Douglas MacArthur Douglas MacArthur General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the... renounces his American citizenship and becomes dictator of Japan in the aftermath of World War II World War II World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis... , enacting harsh policies to accelerate Japanese reconstruction and industrial output.
And Make Death Proud to Take Us	Karawynn Long	Cleopatra does not commit suicide and instead seduces Octavian to become his consort and the power behind the throne.
Infallibility, Obedience, and Acts of Contrition	Brian M. Thomsen	Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli begins radically reinvigorating the Catholic Church early in his career. After becoming Pope Pope The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle... , he calls for a world-wide holy war against Israel Israel The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea... at the Second Vatican Council Second Vatican Council The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed... that ultimately leads to World War III World War III World War III denotes a successor to World War II that would be on a global scale, with common speculation that it would be likely nuclear and devastating in nature.... .
Causes	Frank M. Robinson Frank M. Robinson Frank M. Robinson is an American science fiction and techno-thriller writer.-Biography:Robinson was born in Chicago, Illinois. The son of a check forger, Frank started out working as a copy boy for International Service in his teens and then became an office boy for Ziff-Davis...	Horatio Nelson is killed at the Battle of the Nile Battle of the Nile The Battle of the Nile was a major naval battle fought between British and French fleets at Aboukir Bay on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt from 1–3 August 1798... in 1798. France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... goes on to win the Napoleonic Wars Napoleonic Wars The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to... and become the leading superpower of the world.
Amandla!	Laura Resnick Laura Resnick Laura Resnick , is an award-winning fantasy writer. She was the winner of the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in Science Fiction for 1993...	Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing... is assassinated after taking office and as the African National Congress African National Congress The African National Congress is South Africa's governing Africanist political party, supported by its tripartite alliance with the Congress of South African Trade Unions and the South African Communist Party , since the establishment of non-racial democracy in April 1994. It defines itself as a... and Inkatha Freedom Party Inkatha Freedom Party The Inkatha Freedom Party is a political party in South Africa. Since its founding, it has been led by Mangosuthu Buthelezi. It is currently the fourth largest party in the National Assembly of South Africa.-History:... struggle for power, South Africa South Africa The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans... descends into a blood-soaked race war Race war Race war is a term referring to developing hostilities between ethnic groups divided on the basis of racial group or skin color. The term may refer to specific violent acts or to general overt or covert hostilities between ethnic groups; compare ethnic conflict.-Manson:The murders perpetrated by... .
In The Last Chamber	Kathe Koja Kathe Koja Kathe Koja is an American writer. She was initially known for her intense speculative fiction for adults, but over the past few years has turned to writing young adult novels.... and Barry N. Malzberg Barry N. Malzberg Barry Nathaniel Malzberg is an American writer and editor, most often of science fiction and fantasy.-Overview:Initially in his post-graduate work Malzberg sought to establish himself as a playwright as well as a prose-fiction writer. His first two published novels were issed by Olympia Press...	A young Caligula Caligula Caligula , also known as Gaius, was Roman Emperor from 37 AD to 41 AD. Caligula was a member of the house of rulers conventionally known as the Julio-Claudian dynasty. Caligula's father Germanicus, the nephew and adopted son of Emperor Tiberius, was a very successful general and one of Rome's most... experiences tormenting visions of Christ Christ Christ is the English term for the Greek meaning "the anointed one". It is a translation of the Hebrew , usually transliterated into English as Messiah or Mashiach... 's crucifixtion and converts to Christianity Christianity Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings... , leading to a more peaceful (and sane) rule.
That'll Be the Day	Jack C. Haldeman and Barbara Delaplace Barbara Delaplace Barbara Delaplace is a Canadian science fiction writer.Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, she immigrated to Florida, U.S., when she married Jack C. Haldeman II. Delaplace won the Homer Award for best short story of 1992 for her "Black Ice", originally published in the theme anthology Aladdin:...	An amendment to the United States United States The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district... constitution lowers the voting age and America's youth elects Elvis Presley Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".... as president. Presley establishes an ageist dictatorship, bans all music other than rock 'n roll, and fosters an unstable political system violently dominated by musicians.
The Symmetry of Duty	Louise Rowder	After experiencing psychological trauma caused by a bullet-wound, Albert Einstein Albert Einstein Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist who developed the theory of general relativity, effecting a revolution in physics. For this achievement, Einstein is often regarded as the father of modern physics and one of the most prolific intellects in human history... accepts the offer to become Israel Israel The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea... 's president and oversees continued atrocities committed against the Palestinians.
Jubilee	Richard A. Lupoff Richard A. Lupoff Richard Allen Lupoff is an American science fiction and mystery author, who has also written humor, satire, non-fiction and reviews. In addition to his two dozen novels and more than 40 short stories, he has also edited science-fantasy anthologies. He is an expert on the writing of Edgar Rice...	Julius Caesar Julius Caesar Gaius Julius Caesar was a Roman general and statesman and a distinguished writer of Latin prose. He played a critical role in the gradual transformation of the Roman Republic into the Roman Empire.... survives the attempt on his life in 44 BC. The Roman Republic Roman Republic The Roman Republic was the period of the ancient Roman civilization where the government operated as a republic. It began with the overthrow of the Roman monarchy, traditionally dated around 508 BC, and its replacement by a government headed by two consuls, elected annually by the citizens and... survives and goes on to dominate the world.
Mahogany Dreams	Lyn Nichols	Ronald Reagan Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor.... is assassinated in 1981. Secretary of State Alexander Haig Alexander Haig Alexander Meigs Haig, Jr. was a United States Army general who served as the United States Secretary of State under President Ronald Reagan and White House Chief of Staff under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford... , determined to preserve the presidency from continued denigration, masterminds a plot to remove his rivals and place himself in the Oval Office Oval Office The Oval Office, located in the West Wing of the White House, is the official office of the President of the United States.The room features three large south-facing windows behind the president's desk, and a fireplace at the north end... .
A Stable Relationship	Lawrence Schimel Lawrence Schimel Lawrence Schimel is an American science fiction and fantasy writer, translator, and anthologist whose work frequently deals with gay and lesbian themes, and with Jewish themes. He was born in New York, and received his B.A. in Literature from Yale University. Schimel is a member of the National...	Mike Resnick Mike Resnick Michael Diamond Resnick , better known by his published name Mike Resnick, is an American science fiction author. He was executive editor of Jim Baen's Universe.-Biography:... becomes the "tyrant" of the American publishing world.
Faith	Kristine Kathryn Rusch Kristine Kathryn Rusch Kristine Kathryn Rusch is an American writer. She writes under various pseudonyms in multiple genres, including science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, and mainstream....	A widow claiming to be the wife of God God God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism.... tells her husband's checkered and disillusioned story.
The October Crisis	Edo van Belkom Edo van Belkom Edo van Belkom is a Canadian author of horror fiction.Born in Toronto, Ontario, he is the author of the novels Wyrm Wolf, Teeth, Martyrs, Scream Queen, Army of the Dead, and Wolf Pack, and the Dragonlance setting novel Lord Soth , amongst others...	Pierre Trudeau Pierre Trudeau Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,... takes drastic steps to crush the Front de libération du Québec Front de libération du Québec The Front de libération du Québec was a left-wing Quebecois nationalist and Marxist-Leninist paramilitary group in Quebec, Canada. It was active between 1963 and 1970, and was regarded as a terrorist organization for its violent methods of action... during the 1970 October Crisis October Crisis The October Crisis was a series of events triggered by two kidnappings of government officials by members of the Front de libération du Québec during October 1970 in the province of Quebec, mainly in the Montreal metropolitan area.The circumstances ultimately culminated in the only peacetime use... .
The King of Poland's Foot Cavalry	Roland J. Green Roland J. Green Roland James Green is an American science fiction and fantasy writer and editor. He has written as Roland Green and Roland J. Green; and had 28 books in the Richard Blade series published as Jeffrey Lord .- Early life and personal matters :Green was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, in 1944...	Maurice de Saxe becomes King of Poland and revolutionizes the Polish military. He aligns with France France The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France... during the Seven Years' War Seven Years' War The Seven Years' War was a global military war between 1756 and 1763, involving most of the great powers of the time and affecting Europe, North America, Central America, the West African coast, India, and the Philippines... and sends Polish cavalry Polish cavalry The Polish cavalry can trace its origins back to the days of Medieval mounted knights. Poland had always been a country of flatlands and fields and mounted forces operate well in this environment... to assist the French in North America.
Dao De Qing by Lao Tzu	Nicholas A. DiChavio	Instead of preaching peace, Lao Tzu writes a treatise on how to be an effective tyrant unbound by morality or emotion.
The Sword in the Stone	Michelle Sagara	Prince William of Wales engineers a series of political crises in order to restore the power of the British monarchy British monarchy The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties... .
The Crab Lice	Gregory Feeley	The Greek god Dionysos begins taking a more active role in the life of Aristophanes Aristophanes Aristophanes , son of Philippus, of the deme Cydathenaus, was a comic playwright of ancient Athens. Eleven of his forty plays survive virtually complete... , warping the development of drama.
The Lincoln Train	Maureen F. McHugh Maureen F. McHugh Maureen F. McHugh is a science fiction and fantasy writer.Her first published story appeared in Isaac Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine in 1989. Since then, she has written four novels and over twenty short stories. Her first novel, China Mountain Zhang , was nominated for both the Hugo and the...	Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and... survives John Wilkes Booth John Wilkes Booth John Wilkes Booth was an American stage actor who assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, in Washington, D.C., on April 14, 1865. Booth was a member of the prominent 19th century Booth theatrical family from Maryland and, by the 1860s, was a well-known actor... 's bullet, but is rendered a vegetable. William H. Seward William H. Seward William Henry Seward, Sr. was the 12th Governor of New York, United States Senator and the United States Secretary of State under Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson... takes over in Lincoln's stead and organizes brutal population transfers of Southern civilians to the Western territories where they are left to die of starvation and disease.

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