On Other Fields: Alternate Outcomes of the Middle Ages - 2nd Edition

‘On Other Fields: Alternate Outcomes of the Middle Ages – 2nd Edition’ looks at a range of what ifs?s of medieval history stretching from the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century to the elimination of the Emirate of Granada at the end of the 15th century. It looks at the different sides of particularly important points in history. It asks what if King Harold had won at the Battle of Hastings but also what if he had lost at the Battle of Stamford Bridge? What would have happened if the First Crusade had failed to take Jerusalem and conversely what if the Crusader States it established lasted beyond the medieval period? It looks at a world where the Black Death never occurred and one where it was more severe than the plague our world encountered. It looks at the Byzantine Empire lasting into the industrial revolution and on the other side considers the Ottomans sweeping on from taking Constantinople to seize Rome. Amongst others it takes in the survival of Paganism, the discovery of South America by the Chinese in the 13th century, an English king on the throne of France, a French king on the throne of England and a Europe laid waste by Mongol invaders. Across nineteen chapters, Alexander Rooksmoor shows how easily changes in the Middle Ages could have led to a very different world to the one we know.

NOTE: ‘On Other Fields: Alternate Outcomes of the Middle Ages - 2nd Edition’ DOES NOT contain stories. It has chapters analysing different potential outcomes in history. It is closest in style to the ‘what if?’ collections edited by Peter Tsouras, Robert Crowley, Duncan Brack, Niall Ferguson and Andrew Roberts. It is suggested that you check them if you are uncertain whether this one is the sort of book you are looking for.

The book is written by Alexander Rooksmoor, author of a range of 'what if?' history books. Alexander’s publications draw on his twenty years’ experience in researching and teaching history and in exploring and discussing a whole range of ‘what if?’s. It is not the aim to provide in-depth history of what actually happened, rather through a series of chapters to stimulate discussion of how things may have turned out differently.

Comment on the 1st Edition:
'A very interesting 'what if'' book.' – Julia Hussey.