Impossible Histories is a 'what would happen if' certain events throughout history happened or never happened and the potential ramifications of these events on the future. Events such as the US purchase of Alaska, if Hitler was sane for a day, or if Christianity hadn't stuck in most of Europe. Hal Johnson has a casual way of writing that makes this an easy to read book, but there is still a wealth of information both about the actual events and the alternate events. I really enjoyed this title and Johnson's writing style.

This took me quite a while to work through because it is PACKED with historical detail and reflection! I absolutely loved the idea of this book: investigating a historical event, then investigating the ramifications of changing one small detail. I learned so much about general history from the events that really happened, and then even more from the idea of the alternate path! What a fascinating way to look at history and at our current world. Highly recommend to history buffs and those who enjoy considering alternative histories!

This was such a super interesting and fun read! For each different history, they would explain what really happened, what could have happened to change history, and then how history could have changed. As a History teacher I had so much run reading about these alternative histories! I think the author did a wonderful job researching the historical events.

Alternate histories (AH) are interesting. The premise of all AH is that something or some moment happened differently than we know happened. From that premise has grown a whole genre of SFF tales postulating what would have happened if Caesar had not been assassinated or if Columbus had not gotten his ships or if the black plague had not wiped out Europe. Related to that genre is scholars and historians speculating what might have happened if such and such even was changed based on the choices available at that time. In Impossible Histories, Hal Johnson takes the reader on a series of What Ifs through a number of eras in history.

Hal Johnson opens with a philosophical prelude (What does it mean for something not to have happened?) and follows that with 20 What Ifs and ends with s philosophical postlude (How do you make things that did not happen happen?). In each of those 20 What Ifs, Johnson lays out what actually happened and they brings out the change and how that change would have reshaped the world. For example #2 Vikings in North America: What if Leif Erikson had Tarried in Vinland - Johnson discusses why Erikson ends up in Greenland and then Vinland and provides a brief history of what happened in our world. Then he postulates what the outcome would be if the Vikings had stayed longer, brought horses and their diseases with them? Would the Spanish faced armored horseman when they came later? The What Ifs Johnson looks into cover war (World War I, World War II, World War III, Vietnam War), ancient history (Socrates dies, Julian the Apostate, 1st and 3rd Crusade, Rome and the dangers of bathing!, and Ethiopia vs Yemen), individuals (William Morgan and Freemasonry; Sigmund Freud reading Sophocles; Vice President Henry Wallace; Samuel Taylor Coleridge in America; Harriet Beecher Stowe vs Aaron Burr; and Seward assassinated), and odds & ends (British Navy and fresh fruit).

Hal Johnson provides very readable Wat If scenarios that the reader can easily follow with sources that back up his historical renderings. Some of the What Ifs are more plausible than others, but all make for interesting reading.

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this volume!

Absolutely fascinating reading! A true ode to the butterfly effect, the author considers several different "what if?" points in history and carries the thought experiment forward to imagine all the various ways the world could have changed if Erikson had just stuck it out a bit longer or if Roman emperors had been a little more careful about cooking their huevos in their beloved bathhouses and sired a few more heirs. These unlikely pivot points in world history are explored in satisfying depth, but the book remains incredibly readable. I had a great time devouring this and felt smarter at the end--what more can one ask???

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillian's Children Press for providing an eARC copy of Impossible Histories by Hal Johnson.

Like many other reviewers, I agree that Impossible Histories dives wonderfully into the "What if's" of history. However, there are times when the author dances over the line of being insensitive to history that has happened and would warn others that some topics may not be safe for all to read.

A huge Thank You to The author, The publisher and NetGalley for providing the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
I never knew I could actually possibly like a book like this one, but here we are. After I gave it a chance, I don't rescind.

One author’s take on what could have happened.

Be aware there is a what-if surrounding the Holocaust.

This was so great! I learned a lot and it was very funny. I will definitely recommend this to library patrons.

A fun dive into what might have happened in history. The author takes scenarios and investigates the things that directly and indirectly happened from that event and how history might have been changed had something else happened. Overall interesting, although I found the author a bit rambling at times.

Impossible Histories is a well-researched non-fiction book exploring the what ifs of history. This is a fun and well-written read. I look forward to reading more from Hal Johnson in the future. Highly recommended!

This is an incredibly interesting book about historical events that never quite happened. I was eager to read it and was not disappointed. Perfect for fans of history this book reads like fiction even though it’s non-fiction.