Thrice Upon A Time

mass market paperback, 416 pages

English language

Published Oct. 31, 2000 by Baen.

ISBN:: 978-0-671-31948-9

(1 review)

When Murdoch was summoned to his grandfather's isolated Scottish castle, he had no idea of the old man's latest discovery -- nor where it would lead him. Sir Charles, a genius in far-out physics, had found a flew in the law of conservation of energy; in any process, an incredibly tiny increment of energy escaped -- back through time! Using this "tau" radiation, he could send messages into the past. But Murdoch discovered records of messages he knew he had never sent. Were many futures possible? Could a message from Future X alter the past -- and thus wipe out Future X? But who would be foolish enough to send a message that could eliminate his own existence? Then disaster struck. An advanced fusion reactor threatened to destroy all Earth. Grimly, Murdoch sat down to send back the words that would destroy everything he had learned to love. (description from …

When Murdoch was summoned to his grandfather's isolated Scottish castle, he had no idea of the old man's latest discovery -- nor where it would lead him. Sir Charles, a genius in far-out physics, had found a flew in the law of conservation of energy; in any process, an incredibly tiny increment of energy escaped -- back through time! Using this "tau" radiation, he could send messages into the past. But Murdoch discovered records of messages he knew he had never sent. Were many futures possible? Could a message from Future X alter the past -- and thus wipe out Future X? But who would be foolish enough to send a message that could eliminate his own existence? Then disaster struck. An advanced fusion reactor threatened to destroy all Earth. Grimly, Murdoch sat down to send back the words that would destroy everything he had learned to love. (description from Goodreads)

4 editions

Thom reviewed Thrice upon a time by James P. Hogan

Review of 'Thrice upon a time' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

This novel deals with time travel, but only of information. Mostly hard science, it also has a decent plot, good characters, and some humor. Though the author's vision of 2009 is a bit off (and check that cover computer!), it was still an enjoyable read - and a good fit for Leap Day.

I liked the characters; both male and female were different and solid. The mystery aspects of the plot were well done, though that takes a while to get rolling. The subsequent mystery felt tacked on, but the pandemic aspects ended up a good fit - and relevant today.

The author makes his case for information passing through time, though in a bit too much detail and for a few too many pages. The plot allows for it - characters explain to scientists, doctors, then government officials - but an infodump is still an infodump. Other aspects are …

This novel deals with time travel, but only of information. Mostly hard science, it also has a decent plot, good characters, and some humor. Though the author's vision of 2009 is a bit off (and check that cover computer!), it was still an enjoyable read - and a good fit for Leap Day.

I liked the characters; both male and female were different and solid. The mystery aspects of the plot were well done, though that takes a while to get rolling. The subsequent mystery felt tacked on, but the pandemic aspects ended up a good fit - and relevant today.

The author makes his case for information passing through time, though in a bit too much detail and for a few too many pages. The plot allows for it - characters explain to scientists, doctors, then government officials - but an infodump is still an infodump. Other aspects are left as just a mention - autonomous vehicles and vertical hop planes.

I would recommend this book. I believe I read one other James P Hogan book as a kid; will find out when I read it in the next few years.

Subjects

Science Fiction - Adventure
Fiction
Fiction - Science Fiction
Science Fiction - High Tech
Fiction / Science Fiction / General
Science Fiction
Science Fiction - General