The book "The Alternative: A Separate Nationality; or, the Africanization of the South" by William H. Holcombe examines a possible scenario of history where the Southern States of America become an independent sovereign association based on the traditions of the black population. The author analyzes the possible political, economic and socio-cultural consequences of such "Africanization" of the South. This book is an important study of alternative historical and social paths of development, which encourages readers to think about possible prospects for the development of society.