Download PDF A Long Time Until Now Audible Audio Edition Michael Z Williamson Dennis Holland Audible Studios Books
Download As PDF : A Long Time Until Now Audible Audio Edition Michael Z Williamson Dennis Holland Audible Studios Books
Book one in a new series from the creator of the best-selling Freehold Universe series.
A military unit is thrust back into Paleolithic times with only their guns and portable hardware. Ten soldiers on convoy in Afghanistan suddenly find themselves lost in time. Somehow they arrived in Earth's Paleolithic Asia. With no idea how they arrived or how to get back, the shock of the event is severe. They discover groups of the similarly displaced imperial Romans, Neolithic Europeans, and a small cadre of East Indian peasants.
Despite their technological advantage, the soldiers only have 10 people and know no way home. Then two more time travelers arrive from a future far beyond the present. These time travelers may have the means to get back, but they aren't giving it up. In fact they may have a treacherous agenda of their own, one that may very well lead to the death of the displaced in a harsh and dangerous era.
Download PDF A Long Time Until Now Audible Audio Edition Michael Z Williamson Dennis Holland Audible Studios Books
"A short squad (10 people) of US soldiers and support troops in Afghanistan find themselves translated back to 10,000 B.C. They encounter native people and groups of other transplants from other eras. How will they cope? Mr. Williamson does a magnificent job of describing the challenges they face, and how they overcome them.
Think about it: there are only ten of them. They know how to do a lot of things, but can only do those things they have the manpower for. Time travel stories are common, but it's rare for one to face up to the reality of resource management as thoroughly as "A Long Time Until Now" does.
In addition, the author works hard at making each of the characters three dimensional; before the book is half over, you realize that you understand each of the characters, and understand why and in most cases sympathize with how they react to the crises they face.
The book has its flaws. At times the pacing is un-even, and some of the action is forced. As important as the variety of skills the people in the process are, there are times when it's obvious that the author makes sure they have these skills because the plot demands them, too often breaking the fourth wall.
These flaws are outweighed by its strengths: good characters, a realistic appraisal of how mixed and varied a modern US Army unit is, and an all too uncommon realism in dealing with how real people would deal with a bizarre situation. I loved reading it, and look forward to more by the author."
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A Long Time Until Now Audible Audio Edition Michael Z Williamson Dennis Holland Audible Studios Books Reviews :
A Long Time Until Now Audible Audio Edition Michael Z Williamson Dennis Holland Audible Studios Books Reviews
- I am a big fan of the Time Travel genre, and I am convinced that this novel is the best time travel story I have ever read. This novel is fantastically realistic and plausible. The theme is as simple as it is ingenious. For unknown reasons small groups of soldiers (and sometimes non-soldiers) from future periods are transported to a location in what is now Afghanistan in the Old Stone Age era. A small detachment of US soldiers arrive first, and later meet up with both Stone Age humans as well as with other groups transported from various eras. The problem of survival is brutal, as ammunition, tools, medical supplies, and other 21st century necessities are very limited.
While this story does not move at a breakneck pace, it held my attention totally, and I enjoyed every second of this novel. The speculations as to how the various groups would interact crackles with authenticity and plausibility. There are other fascinating speculations contained in this story as well, but I shall eschew any spoilers. This is a really excellent story and novel. I will be eagerly awaiting Book Two in this series! - "A Long Time Until Now". In this book the squad that is transported through time is of mixed ages from late teen to very much older with a couple well into their 40s. They do not have overwhelming firepower, in fact, quite a few comments are made about needing to conserve their ammunition throughout the book. Yes, there are food animals but meat is not the only factor when it comes to living off the land and Mr.Williamson addresses those issues well. Native women falling over the soldiers? Not exactly. And Williamson also addresses the issue of possibly contaminating the native genetic pool and altering the future through such contamination. Lack of mishap, failure or setback? I recall instances of characters being injured, failed attempts and numerous setbacks throughout the story; it is NOT a tale of supermen and superwomen who find they are transported to an alien world and proceed to take over and create a utopia! This is basically a story of SURVIVAL. It is a tale of human condition and how this particular group learn to cope with their surroundings and the idea that they may never see home or their loved ones again. What is there to fear for the characters? Injury, death, misadventure, being stranded in the ancient past for the rest of their lives. I found this book to be VERY interesting, thought provoking, insightful in it's character building (among the moderns and the primitives and one non-human character). Mr.Williamson addresses very well the psychological issues and emotions of suddenly being whisked into a completely unknown situation, isolation, fear of the unknown and fear of never seeing home or those you love again. He addresses many survival issues and does so quite well through the voices of multiple characters. He includes elements of conflict and discord within the group as well as conflict from outside the group. There were elements of this novel that reminded me of 'Robinson Crusoe' as well as works by science fiction greats Heinlein, Asimov and Joe Haldeman. I found this book enjoyable, exciting, action packed and thought provoking. It was difficult to put down. I look forward to Mr. Williamson's next installment in this series.
- My first read by this military SF author. Not a fan of the genre but I really liked this book. Suddenly a 10 person 2 vehicle convoy in Iraq finds themselves cast back in time some 15,000 years or so. The encounter primitive tribesmen who are very welcoming to strangers, but they try to keep their distance for various reasons including fear of destroying their timeline, if possible. They build a camp and set out to fortify it against predators and humans, finding the task difficult because of their small number. Always hopeful that sometime, somehow the time anomaly the brought them here will reverse itself eventually. Soon they encounter other persons displaced in time, notably a large group of more advanced than the natives but warlike tribesmen, and then a hundred or so Roman Legionaires both of whom are troublesome. Modern weapons engaged, limited by ammo rationing.
Lots of angst by the 2 female soldiers concerned that their fellow soldiers will eventually break discipline and have their way with them. Interesting descriptions of how they make do upgrading their initially primitive camp and how thy interact with their neighbors. Good character delineation and development. The denouement does not disappoint. - A short squad (10 people) of US soldiers and support troops in Afghanistan find themselves translated back to 10,000 B.C. They encounter native people and groups of other transplants from other eras. How will they cope? Mr. Williamson does a magnificent job of describing the challenges they face, and how they overcome them.
Think about it there are only ten of them. They know how to do a lot of things, but can only do those things they have the manpower for. Time travel stories are common, but it's rare for one to face up to the reality of resource management as thoroughly as "A Long Time Until Now" does.
In addition, the author works hard at making each of the characters three dimensional; before the book is half over, you realize that you understand each of the characters, and understand why and in most cases sympathize with how they react to the crises they face.
The book has its flaws. At times the pacing is un-even, and some of the action is forced. As important as the variety of skills the people in the process are, there are times when it's obvious that the author makes sure they have these skills because the plot demands them, too often breaking the fourth wall.
These flaws are outweighed by its strengths good characters, a realistic appraisal of how mixed and varied a modern US Army unit is, and an all too uncommon realism in dealing with how real people would deal with a bizarre situation. I loved reading it, and look forward to more by the author.
