My two great loves are science fiction and history; I therefore have a sometimes fraught relationship with alternate history, historical science fiction, and the other variations that Brenda Clough examines in this essay. Sometimes I am a real stickler for accuracy in my history, which can get in the way of enjoying a good story if the author hasn’t been as precise as I would like! Clough’s essay is a wonderful overview of some of the different ways science fiction (as opposed to fantasy) has made use of history; I’m going to be amused by her phrase “wow the rubes” for a long time to come. Also, the essay features discussion of medieval representations of Alexander “the Great,” so that also brings me great amusement.