If it is possible to conquer space, then perhaps it is also possible to conquer time. At least that was the theory American scientists were exploring in an effort to explain the new sources of knowledge the Russians possessed. Perhaps Russian scientists had discovered how to transport themselves back in time in order to learn long-forgotten secrets of the past.
That was why young Ross Murdock, above average in intelligence but a belligerently independent nonconformist, found himself on a “hush-hush” government project at a secret base in the Arctic. The very qualities that made him a menace in civilized society were valuable traits in a man who must successfully act the part of a merchant trader of the Beaker people during the Bronze Age.
For once they were transferred by time machine to the remote Baltic region where the Russian post was located, Ross and his partner Ashe were swept into a fantastic action-filled adventure involving Russians, superstitious prehistoric men, and the aliens of a lost galactic civilization that demanded every ounce of courage the Americans possessed.
(P)2009 Audible, Inc.
"Start of a wonderful series"
This is the first book in a great series by Norton. I read all these book when I was in high school and was very pleased to find this one on audible.
This story does have a few old ideas, like the Russians as enemies etc., but it is classic Andre Norton.
The way the author immerses you in a long past world and bring the highly advanced forerunners into the story make this a wonderful way to spend a long car trip.
I look forward to more of the books in this series.
"Surprisingly enjoyable"
I must have missed this book years ago when reading Andre Norton's works, so I read this with a reasonable familiarity with Andre's works. I enjoyed it immensely. While the Cold War backdrop is quite understandable to someone of my generation, it may be somewhat confusing to younger folks as knowledge of it is assumed.
But having said that, I really enjoyed the plot and the development of the main character. I particularly enjoyed the immersion in the world in the past. You can almost smell the woodsmoke.
I was very sorry when the book ended. It provided hours of enjoyable commuting.
I am a retired Credit Union Examiner who loves baseball and reading sfi-fi and true books about our history. I strongly believe in our constitution and what our founders fathers were trying to do.
"If you Andre Norton's books, you will love this"
If you Andre Norton's books, you will love this as well.
Allowed me read the book as well as listen to it. Very enjoyable.
No
No.
None
"Very Disappointing"
I think this is the first of Norton's books I've plowed through. I'd try something else, but this story was a disappointment. A lot happened in the story, but it seemed very contrived. It sort of felt like a poorly conceived first person shooter. There was a lot of action but little satisfaction. I really didn't care about the main character and Norton made time travel about as interesting as driving to Buffalo. It isn't that the story was written in the 50s. I've enjoyed well written SF that was written in the 30s. The "Red Menace" theme is not overplayed or particularily anachronistic. It just wasn't interesting. I recommend taking a pass on this and trying another of Norton's works.