Time Travelers Never Die

By: Jack McDevitt

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 13 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

When physicist Michael Shelborne mysteriously vanishes, his son, Shel, discovers that he had constructed a time-travel device. Fearing his father may be stranded in time - or worse - Shel enlists Dave Dryden, a linguist, to accompany him on the rescue mission.

Their journey through history takes them from the Enlightenment of Renaissance Italy through the American Wild West to the civil rights upheavals of the 20th century. Along the way, they encounter a diverse cast of historical greats, sometimes in unexpected situations. Yet the elder Shelborne remains elusive. And then Shel violates his agreement with Dave not to visit the future. There he makes a devastating discovery that sends him fleeing back through the ages and changes his life forever.

©2009 Jack McDevitt (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

"As the paradoxes begin to pile up and their luck in dodging some of history's villains runs out, McDevitt ingeniously handles a tricky denouement that will leave readers satisfied." ( Publishers Weekly)

If I had my chance to travel through history

What did you like best about Time Travelers Never Die? What did you like least?

Some of the adventures of Shel and Dave were interesting. Never once did the two want to visit with people who changed the world such as Jesus Christ, Mohammed, Moses, Ghandi, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Solomon. They did visit with some of the great philosophers, playwrights, authors, and other significant historical figures, and some who were of little importance.

The story became repetitious, even boring. Traveling back to meet this philosopher, that painter or scientist. At times, I couldn't wait until the book ended.

Would you recommend Time Travelers Never Die to your friends? Why or why not?

Some people will like this story regardless. I'm wondering how my wife will view it.

Do you think Time Travelers Never Die needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

Not if it's going to be more of the same.

Time Travelers Never Die

It was pretty good, I enjoyed the twists and turns of the book. Unusual plot.

What a twister

Any additional comments?

Great narrator. I love this author. The premise of time travel is masterfully imagined and told in this book. I can't wait for Jack to write another.

MEET INTERESTING HISTORICAL FIGURES

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The two central characters travel through the ages searching for the missing father of one of them and along the way they interact with many historical figures. The author seems particularly interested in those individuals who had a significant impact on the arts; such as Shakespeare and Sophocles’. Yes, the author has these two meet others who impacted history; such as Ben Franklin. However, unless the reader is well versed in the arts, much of this focus by the author is rather boring.The fun part of the story line is the ability of the two travelers’ to jump back in time to alter the outcome of events they are involved in. The author is careful to make sure these two do nothing to alter major historical events. The author adds a few interesting “twists-in-the-tale” in the later part of the story.

Any additional comments?

If the reader is well versed in the classics and history, this will be an enjoyable read.

Time.....'...The Rest of the Story

The narrator reads like he's doing an imitation of Paul Harvey's 'The Rest of the Story'.

Example: He called Helen....and asked.....if he could come over..........."Sure".............she said.

It's very annoying. It's too bad, because the author didn't do a bad job on the story.

Time Travelers Never Die

The book was way to slow. I kept hoping for the end to come but it seemed like it never would.

Hard work

This has to be the worst audio book I've bought. Maybe the story is OK but the narration is DULL: staccato and monotonous, it detracts from the story. I've never stopped listening to a book before the end - this one is a test.

Pretty lame time travel science

Time travel rules need to make sense. Being able to meet yourself would make no sense.
Really no plot. Characters not really lovable either.

Narrator is terrible

What would have made Time Travelers Never Die better?

A different narrator

What did you like best about this story?

Story Line was good

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Sounds like a 2nd grader learning to read

Any additional comments?

I think this book has tons of potential. The story line is good and the book seems to be well thought out and written. This is a perfect example of a book that would be a really good listen if the narrator didn't make me want to ram an ice pick through my ear.

Terrible narration

What disappointed you about Time Travelers Never Die?

The narration was simply awful. I should have believed the other reviews and not wasted my credit!

Regarding the story itself: I found myself unable to care about the characters or what became of them, and the disjointed forays into various historical moments were not at all compelling. The few scenes that had the possibility to engage my interest were suddenly dropped and, without warning, we were elsewhere.

Has Time Travelers Never Die turned you off from other books in this genre?

No, I have always been enthusiastic about time travel stories. However, I am now most definitely turned off to stories by Jack McDevitt.

What didn’t you like about Paul Boehmer’s performance?

The narration was almost unbearable. It was monotone, full of long pauses in the wrong places, and I couldn't even begin to identify which character was speaking. (Compare this to the superlative performances by Therese Plummer!) I finally used the book to help me go to sleep at night, and got through it that way. I will never buy another book read by Paul Boehmer.