Across a Billion Years

By: Robert Silverberg

Narrated by: Alex Knox

Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

A team of space archaeologists makes an astonishing discovery about an ancient alien race in this science fiction tale from "a master of his craft" (Los Angeles Times).

Graduate student Tom Rice is thrilled to embark on his first deep-space archeological expedition. He is part of a team from Earth, venturing out in search of artifacts from a civilization that ruled the universe many millennia ago. Called the High Ones, the members of this long-gone society left tantalizing clues about their history and culture scattered throughout space. One such clue, a "message cube" containing footage of the ancient ones, is more interesting than all of the others combined. It seems to indicate that the High Ones aren't extinct after all - and just like that, Tom Rice's archeological mission has become an intergalactic manhunt, one filled with ever-increasing danger that will send the explorers hurtling headlong into the greatest adventure - and peril - of their lives.

©1969 Robert Silverberg (P)2020 Tantor

An old favorite, well narrated

Some reviewers have commented that this isn’t Silverberg’s best work, and I agree. They also mentioned that it sounds like it was written for a YA audience. Perhaps this is part of why I loved the book when I first read it in the late 1970’s when I was, in fact, a teen. I have looked for it in library audio collections for a while, and never found it, so I was happy to add it to my Audible collection when it was on a half-off sale. Indeed, it’s not his best, especially when compared to his lengthy and deep Majipoor books, for instance. And there are parts that haven’t aged well, like when his somewhat clueless protagonist says that “he’s heard it’s not possible to force someone to have sex against their will.” o.0 Fortunately, the young woman pushes back against this notion, and our protagonist becomes her ally in resisting further unwanted advances by other men. Regrettable 1960’s norms aside, though, it’s still a fun romp through the galaxy with a lot of twists and turns. It has a lot to say about humanity’s hope for the future, and some of what keeps us separated from each other. The science is decent enough to allow the willing suspension of disbelief. I’m not sure how modern disability rights folks might think about how disability is framed in this book, but it at least presents the notion that disabled folks don’t wish to be pitied, and that there are many different abilities that people might value beyond physical prowess or good looks. On the whole, a solid and enjoyable book if you aren’t expecting something universe-shattering. The narrator does a good job at giving voice to the young — 22 year old — protagonist, and the production has no major flaws that I heard. Worth listening to if you are a Silverberg fan, and especially if you can score a sale as I did.

I dunno maybe

not bad, not great. had the potential to be a great story but flat lined at 'meh'.

I was expecting better

I had very high expectations from this well respected author. What I got was an interesting story containing several nice plot twists and a great finish but writing that would be better suited to an adolescent, not adult, audience.

An oldie but a goodie

I first read this YA novel as a teenager in the 1970's. It stuck with me and I still remembered most of the details of the story. It will resonate with people today because it discusses racism, sexism, sexual violence, but from an earlier time when people took those things too much for granted.

I have long wished that this story s made into a movie - Stephen Spielberg, are you listening?

Even the greats sometimes phone it in

One of my favorite authors, but very mediocre this outing. I'd skip this book unless you want to see a different side of his writing.