The Time Traders

TheTime Traders Andre Norton (1958) is the first novel in the Time Traders series. In this original version, Ross Murdock is a young man with a bad record who is given a choice by a judge, to volunteer for a secret Operation or go to jail/prison. (A personal note: I was a company commander of a Basic Combat Training (BCT) company at Fort Knox, Kentucky during a part of the Viet Nam War). I kept running into Trainees with a RA service number prefix with lousy attitudes. A RA service number prefix meant that you were a volunteer; a US service number prefix meant that you were drafted. Come to find out that there was some judge who was giving the local miscreants a choice of going to prison or joining the Army. Gee thanks Judge, give me all your problems without even a warning. A number of these ended up in the stockade (the Army equivalent to jail). The premise of how Ross Murtock came to "volunteer" for Operation Retrograde is straight out of my own experiences. I wonder how long Judges have been doing this?) Back to the review. After Ross Murdock is imprisoned he is given a battery of psychological test and a Major offers him an alternative to prison. He can join up or go to prison. Of course Murtock volunteers, but he plans to escape from the Major at the first opportunity. You will learn about: Major Kelgarries Operation Retrograde The Game Hardy Ashe The white Wolf Lurgha and the Wrath of Lurgha The Mother Lal, and Deus Ex Machina,(Apparently Norton had the Greeks in the back of her mind because she uses Deus Ex Machina in her plot, but, to be fair, they were searching for the machina in the story (you just don't expect a plot device from the Greeks to be in a Science Fiction story) at least I didn't.)The next book in this series ia Galactic Derelict (Ross Murdock/Time Traders, 2) Andre Norton dabbles in Psionics for the first time; I believe (other than telepathy, which is in her Star Man's Son). I highly recommend this book to fans of Andre Norton; I don't know why I waited so long to read it, just busy doing other things I guess. Gunner August, 2009

The Time Traders (1958) is the first novel in the Time Traders series. In this original version, Ross Murdock is a young man with a bad record. While in detention, he is subjected to a series of psychological tests and, when called back into the courtroom for sentencing, he is offered a chance to volunteer for an unidentified government project as an alternative to Rehabilitation. Ross chooses to volunteer and is turned over to someone called Major. He plans to run at the first opportunity, but the Major takes him up to the roof of the building where they are picked up by a helicopter. They land on an airfield, change to flying suits, and leave in a sleek flying machine that departs straight up. By the time that they reach their destination, Ross has learned that the Major is named Kelgarries, but has no idea where they are, except that it is thoroughly covered in snow. Within the base, Ross is subjected to a series of tests, including a full day of physical examination. The rest of the time he spends in a cell-like room by himself on a very comfortable bunk. After the speaker in his room brays an announcement in the Major's voice, Ross is startled to see the opposite wall disappear, revealing an outdoor scene with mountains and fir trees, the scent of pine trees, and the moaning of the wind. He hears a wolf howl, senses gray shadows in the trees, and sees a wolf come toward him, hears it growl and then sees it crouches down to leap. A bow twangs and the animal leaps into the air, then falls and bites at an arrow in its side. By this time, Ross has the blanket wrapped around his arm and is crouched down himself, waiting for the wolf's leap. Puzzled, he carefully walks to where the wall had been and discovered an unseen but solid surface at that location. He assumes that something new in image viewing has been developed and lies down to enjoy the remainder of the show. Suddenly, all lights go out, leaving him in complete darkness. He feels his way to the door and finds it open. As he explores the corridors, he hears something crawling toward him, with frequent pauses and heavy breathing. Now the lights all come back on, temporarily blinding him, but soon revealing someone wrapped in bandages over his entire body. Before he can move, Major Kelgarries comes running up and kneels besides the figure, calling him "Hardy". The Major reassures Hardy that he is safe and then tells Ross to go to the end room and call a "Dr. Farrell". Hardy is carried away by the doctor and two attendants, with the Major walking alongside holding Hardy's hand. Ross realizes that the project is important and has suspected that it is dangerous; now he is certain of that danger. As he is contemplating the group around Hardy, his name is called by a dark stranger who identifies himself as Ashe and says that they have been partnered. Ashe states that the project is Operation Retrograde and then takes him to mess call. There Ross discovers ten men, wit

one of the first books that I read as a young man which was so well thought out and understandable, when it came to science fiction. the only regret that I have is that she waited so long to contine the serries. Lost in the distant Past, the hero of the novel must use his wits and endure great phyiscal pain to defeat the enemy.

This was the first Sci Fi book I read 35 odd years ago. And it launched me into reading all her other stories and the other great Sci Fi authors too. It is fun to reread this book now for it takes place late in the 20th century. The Cold War fears of that time (remember it was written in the 50's) are all thru the book and very familiar to one who grew up then. This book and the following three are still very good reads. They are full of adventure and bold ideas and you do wnat them to end, And now I see where Ms Norton and another author are writing new Time Trader books. I cannot wait!!!

One of my all-time favorite Andre Norton books. Ross Murdock goes from criminal misfit to hero, and shows the evil aliens what we humans are made of! Great, great fun. Pulls you into the world as only Norton seems to do.