Author: Kate Wilhelm

This book could just as easily be placed in the disaster category. It is a story about cloning, but the reason for the development of clones is a collapse of the world economy and the eventually killing off of most humans due to plagues which sweep the planet.

Wilhelm explores the possibility that cloning of humans could have unexpected side effects...in this case, a sharing of emotions and some thoughts by the groups of clones, a kind of telepathy. The experiences of one human who thinks as an individual are then brought into the mix, with questions of what makes a human really a human being, individualism vs. group thought, and how diversity is key to survival.

Even though this was written in 1976, the arguments are relevant to today with the fact of human cloning not so very far off. I think the most compelling idea in this novel is that we often do not know where a scientific discovery will lead, what its consequences might be in the future.

Author: Eric Flint

This is the beginning of a series of books, the first one written by Eric Flint, others written with David Weber and assorted collaborators.

The idea explored in Island in the Sea of Time is recreated here with a seven mile circle of land in West Virginia transported back in time to the year 1632. The piece of land is not just transported temporally however, it is also transported geographically to a place in Germany. What this sets up is all kinds of very cool stuff--first there are the problems in being suddenly cut off from 20th century technology, having only what was brought with them during the event. Second, they are dropped into the middle of the Thirty Year's War.

The issues of changing the future, trying to establish the idea of democracy in a world made up of kings, how to keep parts of your culture when you are in the minority...all of these enter into the story. There are some very good characters in these books, likable and well-meaning. One thing I like about this book as opposed to Stirling's books is that the villains in these books are historical figures, rather than having the main villain be one of the people who were transported. For instance, Richelieu is a big player in causing trouble for the new United States. Due to more knowledge of what actually transpired historically in 1632, as opposed to Stirling's books in 1250 B.C., there is a lot more in Eric Flint's books about the historical figures of the times.

The first book, 1632, was a very up and optimistic book--almost too light-hearted in its treatment of the subject. The second book, 1633 was more complex and deeper in thought. The second book also spends most of its time setting up the events for the third book which is supposed to be 1634, the Baltic War, but I'm not sure when it will be published--2004 or 2005. But even with the need to establish a lot, the second book was highly enjoyable and I recommend this series. I am sure I will read it again and again.

Added March 2004:
In 2004, the book Ring of Fire was added to the series. It is a collection of stories all set in the 1632 universe, written by a number of authors. The stories are well-done and help to tell more about different characters that we only got a glimpse of in 1632 or 1633.

Another novel should be coming out in April 2004, called 1634: The Galileo Affair. According to Eric Flint's web site, the novel 1634: The Baltic War probably won't get written until the end of 2004 at the earliest, so don't expect that before 2005.

Series:

1632
1633
Ring of Fire
1634: The Galileo Affair

Author: S.M. Stirling

This is the first book of a trilogy (books listed below).

Stirling has come up with a brilliant idea here...take the island of Nantucket and have it suddenly transported back in time to 1250 B.C., then see how the island inhabitants cope with loss of 20th century technology and their Bronze Age neighbors.

I thoroughly enjoyed these books, even though there were times that the military and sea battle descriptions were a bit much. There are some great characters in a decent sized cast, and the depiction of life in 1250 B.C. is nothing less than great. The idea that the island inhabitants could change the future, knowing all that they know of history, and actually feel obligated to, is very intriguing. So intriguing, in fact, that this whole idea was essentially copied in another book 1632 by Eric Flint. I actually enjoyed the 1632 version of the idea more than Stirling's take on it, but I still am willing to highly recommend these books by Stirling.

I have placed these books in the Fantasy category because even though they are time travel of a sort, they are more historical fantasy than anything. They could even be in the Disaster category, due to all the info on how to survive in 1250 B.C. without a lot of your current day technology, but since this isn't a world disaster type of theme, I think they belong in Fantasy.

Trilogy:

Island in the Sea of Time
Against the Tide of Years
On the Oceans of Eternity

Author: Agatha Christie

Titled also as: So Many Steps to Death

This is one of Agatha Christie's books that doesn't feature any of her regular detectives, Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot. Instead, it is about a woman who is on the brink of committing suicide who is offered a more interesting way to die, in service of her country.

First published in 1954, this book does a good job of taking us back to the ideas of that time. Scientists from all over the world are disappearing - some think to a place behind the Iron Curtain - but others believe it is the work of terrorist group using these scientists for nefarious purposes.

I've read this book a number of times over the years. I think I like it because of the personality of the main character, a strong woman who discovers she still does have the will to live after all. The mystery here is secondary to the characterizations, and does not really live up to other Christie mysteries in plotting.

A nice read for a lazy afternoon.

Author: Kate Wilhelm

What would you do if you knew how to give an innoculation that would give immortality to half of those who took it, but killed the other half? And there was no way to know which people would survive the serum?

This book explores the idea of immortality, some of the problems inherent in it, but the main reason I love this book is because of the author's ability to write her characters so well. That and her descriptions of the Northwestern U.S. This is a beautifully written book. It isn't a techno thriller type of science fiction, and in fact, very little of the science involved is described. This is more a what-if scenario. The book was written in the early 80's so the threat of nuclear war that weighs so heavily on the minds of the main characters is not the same as today's concerns. However, with the other worries we have today I think this book still has relevance.

Strong female lead character, highly recommended.