Over twenty years ago, at the dawn of the new millennium, Roberts was among those erudite people who launched what became known as the “what if?” school of thought. What if FDR had actually been assassinated in 1933? Or if the Kennedys had not? What if Lincoln did not abolish slavery, and the Civil War did not take place? For each of these possibilities there is some evidence that these events could have been avoided. And those that were not, what truly happened and followed they certainly changed life, as we know it. Hence the allure of the what if.
It is great entertainment to read prominent historians stepping out on a speculative limb. At least two collections of short essays allowing serious scholars flights of fancy have appeared as a result of Roberts launching flight-of-fancy projects. Others, including (gasp) politicians and spinmeisters, have contributed. Canadian David Frum, George W. Bush’s speechwriter, mused in print: how would President Gore have reacted to 9/11? Presuming, of course, that Florida and the hanging chads, the election recounts never happened.
Among the ‘what never happened’ realities is one that this writer has long mulled over. Questioning what kind of world would we have today, if Hitler had died at the famous battle for Vimy Ridge. Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of Canadian troops during WW I, this strategic strip of land in France was conquered at great cost of life. Alas, the Canucks only managed to wound the corporal who became Der Führer. The German loss to the Allies in “the war to end all wars” no doubt contributed to Alois Shicklgruber’s megalomania, and proved that phrase false.
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