[Sam Cree]

I forgot. Yes, I did read some of that alternate history. My favorite was the one where the Confederacy was provided with AK-47's. I thought they were well written, but I still much prefer Niven and his collaborators.

I remember that one of Niven's books described a ship defending itself against laser attack by generating a mirror surface. I wonder if that would work.

Thanks for the link.

[Corin Stormhands]

My favorite was the one where the Confederacy was provided with AK-47's

Was that Harry Turtledove?

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Turtledove has several "alternate history" series. The "Worldwar" series features alien lizards arriving to conquer Earth in 1940. Expecting to go up against the sword-wielding barbarians their scouts observed 1000 years earlier, the aliens get a nasty surprise!

a ship defending itself against laser attack by generating a mirror surface.

Yes, I think it would work, depending on the efficiency of the mirror and the power of the laser. It would depend on whether the mirror could reflect enough of the laser's energy, before absorbing enough heat to melt.

Thanks for the link.

You're welcome!