Across A Billion Years
By Robert Silverberg
First Published in 1969
In the year 2375, Tom Rice is a young archaeologist attached to a two-year dig on Highby V. It is a search for artefacts belonging to a long-lost and ancient race known simply as The High Ones. Throughout known space, details of this billion-year old civilisation have been uncovered on many planets. What seems like a fairly straightforward expedition becomes a galactic odyssey when an artefact never seen before is uncovered. This device hints that perhaps the High Ones are not extinct at all. But, if they are not, then where are they? And will this lead to the culmination of Mankind’s greatest challenge or greatest disaster?
This is a simple and straightforward story of adventure in space. Despite being written so long ago, it is still enjoyable today. The tale is told from the First Person point of view by way of a series of recordings Tom sends to his bed-ridden sister, which gives it an easy-to-read and personal feel. Also, the position of the character (Tom) as a minor member of the archaeological group means that the reader does not get bogged down in technicalities and we learn what we need to learn along with Tom. At around 250 pages, this is a book that even the slowest of readers (and I include myself in this group) can get through reasonably quickly. A book not likely to change the world but certainly worth considering for anybody dipping their toe into the cold sea of Science Fiction for the first time. Quite simply, a damn good yarn.
Footnote: It seems that this book is out of print, but second hand copies seem to be available in abundance. I picked my copy up for a mere $3.99 and, even accounting for postage costs to the UK, this was worth every penny (cent?).
By Robert Silverberg
First Published in 1969
In the year 2375, Tom Rice is a young archaeologist attached to a two-year dig on Highby V. It is a search for artefacts belonging to a long-lost and ancient race known simply as The High Ones. Throughout known space, details of this billion-year old civilisation have been uncovered on many planets. What seems like a fairly straightforward expedition becomes a galactic odyssey when an artefact never seen before is uncovered. This device hints that perhaps the High Ones are not extinct at all. But, if they are not, then where are they? And will this lead to the culmination of Mankind’s greatest challenge or greatest disaster?
This is a simple and straightforward story of adventure in space. Despite being written so long ago, it is still enjoyable today. The tale is told from the First Person point of view by way of a series of recordings Tom sends to his bed-ridden sister, which gives it an easy-to-read and personal feel. Also, the position of the character (Tom) as a minor member of the archaeological group means that the reader does not get bogged down in technicalities and we learn what we need to learn along with Tom. At around 250 pages, this is a book that even the slowest of readers (and I include myself in this group) can get through reasonably quickly. A book not likely to change the world but certainly worth considering for anybody dipping their toe into the cold sea of Science Fiction for the first time. Quite simply, a damn good yarn.
Footnote: It seems that this book is out of print, but second hand copies seem to be available in abundance. I picked my copy up for a mere $3.99 and, even accounting for postage costs to the UK, this was worth every penny (cent?).
