The first of a series, Time Traders feels like two novellas forced into one package. The first "novella" features the protagonist's induction into a covert operation into humankind's early history in order to discover artifacts left by aliens in a van Daniken-like scenario. There is a cold war overtone to this time travel as, to use a cliche, the protagonist's group is not alone. The time travel aspects are similar to those in Clifford Simak's Mastodonia because time travel is limited to pre-history (neatly avoiding obvious time paradoxes). The conceit is interesting and seems logical. Once one was past the idea of traveling in time, there wasn't much need for suspension of disbelief. If time-travel existed, you'd think this was the way it would be done.The team of protagonists operates much like a traditional archaeological and anthropological expedition. Different players have different strengths and the methodology isn't too terribly off (with the exception of one portion of the latter "novella" where an archaeologist talks about creating a theory and finding the evidence to support it). The first "novella" moved pretty slowly for me, but kept me reading because it provided a nice foundation.The "second novella" was more interesting to me. It involved a certain amount of planetary exploration and the investigation of very alien cultures. It included some mysteries that weren't answered to my satisfaction. It had some combat to help the pacing. Alas, I felt the conclusion was anti-climactic, though perhaps sufficiently rich in verisimilitude.To be honest, my rating for this book is somewhat biased by the fact that, IF I had the ability to time-travel, I'm not interested in investigating pre-history. I would want to visit eras that have always fascinated me. But I don't regret reading the book. I probably won't follow up with the series.
This book is not set in the late 50s when it was written. Internal chronology places the starting date at 1982 (25 years after Sputnik).Anachronisms abound, unsurprisingly. The (anti?)hero expects to see black-and-white tv. The (vague and undefined) Soviet Union has changed, as has the West--but it's not really clear how. Attempts at space travel are defined as unsuccessful, after a promising (threatening?) start. No real ecological information is included (for example, a base under Arctic ice is likely to be underwater as well, since little of the Arctic icecap is on land).In earlier areas (reached by unexplained time travel), ecological information is more complete, and a little more accurate.Norton's xenophobic tendencies are more easily exposed in stories set on Earth. The aliens are not significantly more inexplicably hostile than the cardboard and undifferentiated 'Reds'. The assumption that humans a few thousand years ago (and not significantly different physically from present-day humans) would be 'simple', 'primitive', and (apparently) easily fooled is questioned a bit, but not much so. At least one character (better developed than most) is tricked into accepting the skin of a wolf in whelp, slaughtered while defending her lair. He is convinced that it would be an acceptable gift to the Goddess--but I seriously doubt this.A few of the characters who ARE better developed are women--but generally, this book falls into the 'another planet without women' category. Only two women are really described--others form part of the chorus, but are mentioned only in passing.
What do You think about The Time Traders (2012)?
In The Time Traders , Norton crafts a Cold War world in which both sides have discovered time travel. Somehow, the Russians have technology beyond their capabilities, and so it is Operation Retrograde's job to investigate. When Ross Murdock, ignorant of all of this, is given the option to either "volunteer" or be sent to a rehabilitation centre feared by all convicts, he choses the first one. Little does he know that the world as he knows it is about to be turned upside down... and backwords in time. He must take on the guise of a Beaker trader in his trial mission and try to blend in in a time that is not his own...but then his team discovers the biggest lead they've had ever on the Russians.This book was fantastic. The world is well-described, both in terms of setting and culture. The pacing is fast (my copy is only 220 pages, and so much happens!), and development happens at a believable rate. Murdock, a convict, has qualities that do not allow him to function in our world but assist him greatly with his assignment. Initially, he is selfish ((view spoiler)[ and even tries to escape! (hide spoiler)]
—Laura
Having no prior knowledge of this author and having chosen to download this book amongst several others, simply because of its title, I hadn't appreciated she was regarded as a writer of "young adult" fiction. It's an awful tag but I know what they meant after reading the first chapter. Nevertheless, I found it engaging enough to read on.It's a sci-fi action hero adventure, pure and simple. There is no philosophical message, no metaphorical devices - and, come to think of it, there isn't a lot of science, fictional or otherwise. What more can I say? The young guy gets into trouble and finds a way out of it. With regularly frequency and such a consistent amplitude that you soon conclude nothing really bad is ever going to happen. It's not really for adults of any description; I'd probably be happiest reading this at age ten or eleven. Still, it was an entertaining story.
—Ian Russell
This is the first book by Andre Norton that I've read. It is firmly in the category of classic adventure science fiction. It reminds me of the Murray Leinster & Keith Laumer stories I've come to like. It is a bit dated by the premise of the cold war competition with the Russians, but hey, that did happen, so I just accept it an move on. It was slow starting, and most of the initial adventure was of the blend into primitive society type. Once you throw the sort-of aliens and future tech into the mix, however, it begins to pick up. The plot carried out over a long trail of shifting scenes, only to be reversed in a there-and-back-again manner. I thought it was an enjoyable read, and I will be reading the next one in the series, Galactic Derelict, to see what happens. I give it 3-1/2 stars and call it a Really Good read.Read as part of the Baen Free Library omnibus edition Time Traders.
—J.D.
