Saturday, November 22, 2003
Timeline
The pickings at the paperback sci-fi tables at the Friends of the Library sale were pretty slim this Fall. In desperation, I perused the hardback sci-fi selection and found this book. Since it was a time travel tale and since I had been slightly intrigued by the trailer for the movie based on this tome, I splurged and bought it. The premise is that a company, ITC, has developed a method of sending people through time. A history professor, Edward Johnston, who is involved in another ITC funded project, finds out about this time travel capability and manages to convince ITC to let him try it. He ventures back to 14th century France--to the location of his current archeological dig. But instead of merely observing the past, he leaves his time machine and never returns. Three of his assistants are then called in to go back and try to find him. Can they make their way through a 14th Century French village, find the professor and return safely within the 37 hour time limit? You'll have to read it to find out. The book is a good read with plenty of action and intrigue. On the other hand, characterization is not entirely three-dimensional. Also, the story suffers from some cliches, like manipulative corporations and life threatening cliff hangers that the heroes manage to survive.... Well, most of the time, anyway. But even so, I'm glad to have read the book. You may want to check it out, too.
Labels: CheckItOut, MichaelCrichton
Friday, November 07, 2003
The Argonaut Affair
Book seven of the Time Wars series begins at Temporal Corps headquarters, where scientists are examining an honest-to-Ghandi centaur. It was discovered at a confluence--a temporary portal between alternate universes--in the 3rd Century BC. As near as the scientists can figure out, the confluence connects with an even earlier century in the alternate universe --specifically Bronze Age Greece. The centaur, Chiron by name, originated from there. The question remains, however, did he just wander through the confluence, or was he sent by the temporal agents of that universe? (The same agents who made use of another confluence in The Khyber Connection.) Also, are the scientific laws of that universe radically different, so as to evolve a real centaur? Or is Chiron a fantastic creation of the enemy? The time commandos are sent through the confluence to get some answers and possibly cause some mischief in the enemy universe. Their mission leads them to join the Argonauts, the heroes who ventured with Jason to find the golden fleece. Along the way they meet more fantastic dangers as they gather the puzzling clues to the mystery of these myths made real. It's an enjoyable tale with some appealing supporting characters. Well, also one who is rather tiresome. But his appearance doesn't detract too much from the book. I'd still put it on my shelf.
Labels: OnMyShelf, SimonHawke, TimeWars
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