Map Monday: The Great Entente by Lynn Davis

There were several good maps these last couple of weeks, but after reading the description for this one below, I was finally able to pick today's featured map.

This is "The Great Entente" by long-time Map Monday alum Lynn "ToixStory" Davis. Created for AlternateHistory.com's Random Bouts of Cartography contest, Lynn says she created the map after being given the color blue and the theme fascism. Reading more into the description and you learn this is actually an alternate history of Harry Turtledove's Timeline-191 or Southern Victory series.

Although the CSA and the rest of the Entente still lose the Great War, overly pious Gordon McSweeney survives the war and goes into politics. He leads a fascist, extreme Christian political party to the White House and allies with the defeated Entente powers, due to his dislike of Germany. This isn't actually that much of a stretch, especially when you learn many fans of Timeline-191 suspected that Turtledove originally planned for the United States to lose the Great War and have McSweeney be the Hitler analog instead of Jake Featherston.

Anywho, the second Great War happens and the new Entente is victorious. As you can see from the map, France became the leading power of Western Europe and directs the region between the multi-polar Cold War with the United States, Russia and Japan. Of course, the map is great. Its minimalist, but there is definitely attention to detail. Another excellent map by one of our premier alternate cartographers.

Honorable mentions this week go out to "The Ukraine War" by JoeyB2198, "Map of the Submarine Telegraph Between America & Europe" by CourageousLife and "Romania Mare" by Nanwe.

* * *

Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a blogger for Amazing Stories, a volunteer interviewer for SFFWorld and a Sidewise Awards for Alternate History judge. When not exploring alternate timelines he enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the day when travel between parallel universes becomes a reality. You can follow him on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and YouTube. Learn how you can support his alternate history projects on Patreon.

Map Monday: Great War Naval War in Western Hemisphere by President Mahan

Harry Turtledove is one of the most prolific alternate history authors in the world today and regardless of whether you are a fan of his or not, you can't deny he has had a major impact on the genre. While most alternate historians produce their own original content, there are still many fans who dedicate their time to chronicling and expanding the work of other authors like Turtledove.

For example, the Harry Turtledove Wiki has small, but active, community of users who continuously update their encyclopedia of Turtledove's work. AlternateHistory.com also has an active thread called "TL-191: Filling the Gaps" where users speculate on the history of Turtledove's epic American Civil War timeline that the author left out. It was there where I found this map by President Mahan:

Quality wise the map is nothing special, but it nevertheless is a great example of the dedication of the Harry Turtledove fans you see on the Internet. Plus it is helpful to see where all of the naval battles from the Great War took place, even if some are pure speculation. Again not the best map I have ever seen, but for what it needs to be as an infographic, it certainly succeeds.

Honorable mention this week goes out to Rvbomally's "Command & Conquer" map. I would also check out Nick Danforth of The Atlantic's article on how America tired (and failed) to redraw the map of the Middle East after World War I. If you want to submit a map for the next Map Monday, email me at ahwupdate at gmail dot com with your map attached and a brief description in the body of the email.

* * *

Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. Check out his short fiction. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

The Andrew Wyly Film Company Acquires Rights to How Few Remain by Harry Turtledove

Here is some great news for alternate historians: the Andrew Wyly Film Company recently acquired the film rights to four books authored by Harry Turtledove: How Few Remain, The Great War: American Front, The Great War: Walk in Hell and The Great War: Breakthroughs. No word yet about the rest of the series or whether the infamous Jake Featherston will make an appearance.

For those who don't know, the series takes place in a very different America starting in 1881 with How Few Remain and ending in 1944 with In at the Death. The events occur in an alternate history where the Confederate States of America didn't lose the American Civil War. The point of divergence happens on September 10, 1862 during the American Civil War when General Robert E. Lee's Special Orders 191, which detailed Lee's plans, are not found by Union soldiers, leading to Confederate victory at the Battle of Antietam (or Sharpsburg in this timeline). Lee goes on to capture Philadelphia, earning the Confederate States of American diplomatic recognition from both Britain and France, thus winning the war (known as the War of Secession, see how much changes because of one forgetful errand boy).

Most of our readers know who Harry "The Master of Alternate History" Turtledove is, but for casual alternate historians should know that Turtledove is an award-winning author credited with bringing alternate history into the mainstream and known for a writing style that has a strong military theme. This blogger personally credits Turtledove for getting him interested in alternate history, an origin story I believe I share with several of you.

Andrew Wyly, the man behind the acquisition, says he is passionate about Turtledove's works due to his interest and background in history. "I'm looking forward to utilizing my skills as both a filmmaker and historian to bring audiences an entertaining twist on American History while maintaining the integrity of the novels," Wyly stated. Andrew, who has a BA in history from Denison University, founded the Andrew Wyly Film Company in 2007. Blood Shot, his first feature film, was completed last year along with his first book, Texas Got It Right! with his father, Sam Wyly.

Wyly is currently meeting with several studios and networks to find the right partner to develop and produce a 10 episode mini-series starting with How Few Remain. You can learn more information at HowFewRemain.com, but this alternate historian is already geeking out about the possibilities. We here at The Update wish Andrew the best of luck.

* * *

Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update and a blogger on Amazing Stories. His new story "The Enchanted Bean" can be found in Once Upon a Clockwork Tale from Echelon Press. When not writing he works as an attorney, enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana and prepares for the inevitable zombie apocalypse. You can follow him on Facebook or Twitter.

Dissecting Worlds Series 6 Episode 4: The American Civil War

Well it is finally here, my guest spot on the Dissecting Worlds podcast, my first ever podcast appearance.  I join Kehaar and Matt Farr as we look at that popular alternate history setting of the American Civil War. Topics covered during the podcast include:

• Harry Harrison’s Star and Stripes series, the Trent Affair and options for European intervention.
• Harry Turtledove’s TL-191 and the romanticism of both sides of the ACW.
• The appeal (and consequences) of a Balkanized North America and an Anglo-American Union.
• Everyone's favorite winged extraterrestrials and South African Nazis.
• One of my favorite comic books: Captain Confederacy!
• Race in America and its legacy in fiction and reality. I'm calling you out H.P. Lovecraft!

Special thanks to Chris Nuttall, Richard Small and Roger L. Ransom for giving me food for thought while preparing for the podcast.

I hope you enjoy our discussion and remember: feedback is appreciated.

* * *

Matt Mitrovich is the founder and editor of Alternate History Weekly Update, a volunteer editor for Alt Hist and a contributor to Just Below the Law. His fiction can be found at Echelon Press, Jake's Monthly and his own writing blog. When not writing he works as an attorney and enjoys life with his beautiful wife Alana.