A favourite genre of mine, this. Alternative or counterfactual history, and this book is a treat.

All short pieces outlining speculative theories from Halifax becoming PM in 1940 instead of Churchill, to JFK surviving, to John Smith living, to Portillo winning the Tory leadership in 1997. 

It’s also a fun book, summed up by one quote in it.

Chairman Mao was asked what he thought would have happened if Khruschev had been assasinated instead of Kennedy in 1963. He replied: “Well, I’ll tell you one thing. Aristotle Onassis wouldn’t have married Mrs Khruschev.”

A great gift for the politics junkie.