An alternate history short story in which Robert E. Lee, stationed in Texas prior to his home state of Virginia's seccession, finds himself protecting Federal military property from Rebel militia. He does it from inside the Alamo. Excellent read with a believable Lee. Recommended! ( )

I normally don’t include short stories in my list but since this was written by Harry Turtledove and was about the Civil War, Robert E. Lee, Texas and the Alamo it was just impossible to ignore. Robert E. Lee was stationed in Texas at the beginning of the unpleasantness and he did have something of a run-in with some pro-secession ruffians and was not particularly impressed (check out Carl Rister’s Robert E. Lee in Texas). Turtledove uses this incident as the jumping point on how things might have happened differently both for Lee and the nation. A very enjoyable short read. You can read it free at tor.com. ( )