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I remember not so long ago hearing about a new book that was somewhat controversial in that it made the case that it was a mistake for Great Britain to have entered WWI. I believe he laid out an alternative history on what would have happened had this played out. Does anyone know the title or author of this book? I'm sure it was given an academic treatment, not some Turtledove-style novel. Thanks.

Could be this one

Forgotten Victory : The First World War - Myths and Realities (Paperback)
by Gary Sheffield

Forgotten Victory : The First World War

No, this book makes the opposite contention. This was an academic treatment of an alternative history. Lots of intellignet speculation. I saw the author discussing it on Book TV and he laid out a world in which Germany wins the 'Great War' because Britain opts out. Then a 'Cold War' begins with the US and Britain in a stare down with a Germany dominating the continent. Hitler remains a 'nobody' and Russia...? What about Russia? That's why I want to read the book... I'll keep looking. Thanks.

I'm not very sure if this is what you're looking for, but there was a novel about 10 - 15 years ago called Fatherland. I want to say it was written by Robert Harris, but that's likely wrong. This one was more of an alternate history fiction, so probably no help to you.

I do love the type of book you are talking about. I read one maybe 20 years ago that I would love to get my hands on again. I don't remember the title or the author. Basic premise was that Nazi Germany could have used their airborn troops to assult Malta instead of "wasting" them on Crete. Without Malta to interdict supply to North Africa, Rommel would have had a much better chance to defeat the British in Egypt...rolling on into the Middle East...securing oil...threatening the Soviets from the south. Fun read. [8D]

This might be a possibility:

What If?: The World's Foremost Military Historians Imagine What Might Have Been

It's edited by Robert Cowley and he has one chapter titled "The What Ifs of 1914: The World War that should Never Have Been".

If this isn't it, it might be worth reading anyway, with chapters by Ambrose, Keegan, McCullough, McPherson...

ORIGINAL: USS America

I'm not very sure if this is what you're looking for, but there was a novel about 10 - 15 years ago called Fatherland. I want to say it was written by Robert Harris, but that's likely wrong. This one was more of an alternate history fiction, so probably no help to you.

Fatherland was written by Robert Harris.

Maybe The Pity of War by Niall Ferguson. One of his contentions is that Great Britain unnecessarily entered WW I.

It's edited by Robert Cowley and he has one chapter titled "The What Ifs of 1914: The World War that should Never Have Been".

If this isn't it, it might be worth reading anyway, with chapters by Ambrose, Keegan, McCullough, McPherson...

Unbelieveable, I don't even want to hear that History Docrtrates who are employed by major universities around the world contributed to a book based purely on speculation. Is that what this book is? Is it fiction? Was Keegan truely afraid that Harry Turtledove's boyish looks were bitting into the market so much that the English speaking public would never buy a scholarly book on history again? I don't mean to come off so brash here guys, but this sounds like nothing more than pure speculation. If so, why even bother reading it? I mean there are plenty of good fiction writers out there that posses much better style than anyone of those history scholars.

why even bother reading it?

For the same reason we play wargames....because it's fun!

ORIGINAL: Feralkoala

Maybe The Pity of War by Niall Ferguson. One of his contentions is that Great Britain unnecessarily entered WW I.

No alternate reality scenario in it, though, IIRC.