End of an Era

by John Sergeant Wise

Book Overview

Archaeologist Brandon Thackery and his rival Miles 'Klicks' Jordan fulfill a dinosaur lover's dream with history's first time-travel jaunt to the late Mesozoic. Hoping to solve the extinction mystery, they find Earth's gravity is only half its 21st century value and dinosaurs that behave very strangely. Could the slimey blue creatures from Mars have something to do with both?

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312876939
• ISBN13: 9780312876937
• Release Date: October 2001
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 247 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Fantastic Science Fiction Novel!!!

The last book I read by Robert J. Sawyer was "Calculating God", which I think was a phenomenal book. Hoping for another book on the same level, I got "End of an Era". It's quite uncommon that an author writes two superb novels in a row - however, this time Robert J. Sawyer absolutely did it! "End of an Era" was a fantastic, fabulous story and I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it. It contains everything a good science fiction story should have: a great idea, great writing, face pace, hard science, and themes which remain with you long after you finish the book. And believe me, you won't forget this book for a while. As for the plot: Brandon Thackery, a Canadian Paleontologist (sounds familiar? his previous protagonist from "Calculating God" was also a Canadian Paleontologist) is being offered the chance of a life time: go back in time 65 million years, and actually witness the dinosaurs - and hopefully, see what killed them. Along with Brandon comes his best friend/nemesis (he stole Brandon's wife) Miles "Klicks" Jordan. Once they arrive to the past, they are surprised to find a few unexpected things.. First, Earth's gravity is about a 1/3 of what it should be. Second, there is a second moon to the Earth. Third, and most surprising, the earth is populated by enigmatic aliens, which apparently can control the dinosaurs. I am sure you're already intrigued, and trust me, this book promises AND delivers!In my opinion, this book would literally appeal to everyone: for those who like action and adventure, as well as those who love serious themes. The book continues the ideas started in "Calculating God", although is a bit lighter and less serious. To summarize: terrific book - can't wait for the next Robert J. Sawyer book who has already become one of my favorite authors.

How do I love thee, let me count the ways.

Very interesting book for a number of reasons:1. Rather like a short story in feeling, or perhaps 'novella' is a better name for it since it is 222 pages long2. Light style, humorous, but fundamentally serious in that the consequences of the decisions that the main character was forced to make were far-reaching and cataclysmic in nature; the motivations of the main character are crystal clear and perfectly logical3. The whole way through it was surprising and entertaining, and thought-provoking also (don't expect its extinction theory to be the answer to that particular question, though)-- and despite that fact that the reader knows that the dinosaurs are going to go extinct, the ending is unexpected4. Excellent story telling, good pacing, good vocabulary, good humor, real feelings, real reactions to relationships(And as a side note, if you haven't read 'Kirinyaga' by Mike Resnick, do. It is amazing.)

Dinosaurs and Fidelity ...

Once again, Sawyer brilliantly melds a sympathetic character with an intriguing scientific premise.If you love time travel and dinosaurs like I do, then read this book. But, more than that, if you're interested in the plight of a man who's been wronged by his wife and best friend, who is torn over the dreadful decision about a loved-one, then you really need to read this book.And Rob's idea for the dinosaur extinction has to be one of the most fascinating and unique that I have ever read.Unlike one of the other reviewers, I do not have a problem with the small amount of quantum mechanical "hand-waving" that occurs. After all, if you know anything about quantum entanglement or superposition, then you'll realize that quantum physics isn't very far from hand-waving itself.Every time I see a picture of a triceratops now, I chuckle ... and wonder.Pick up this novel. You're in for one hell of a ride.

Fantastic

I've now read every book of Rob's that's available in print, as well as having met him and interviewed him for my website. He's a phenomenal writer. Anyone interested in science fiction should read his books to see how it should be done.Most SF books have two or three innovative ideas. Rob's is full of them. For END OF AN ERA (the first book the wrote, but the second published) it's sort of like THE TIME MACHINE meets WAR OF THE WORLDS. How he can weave as many creative concepts together, while still giving a strong sense of character and plot, is amazing to me.The basic plot is about 2 paleontologists who go back in time, through a very intriguing process called the "Huang Effect," in an effort to learn what caused the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. They land, discovering all sorts of unexpected things... gravity is less, the Earth has 2 moons, and ... aliens are on the planet.

How does he do it?

This book was ingenius, easily outdoing any of Robert J. Sawyer's Quintaglio books (although not the trilogy as a whole). I was left in awe of the author's continuous demonstration of originality and imagination. The book is short but definitely very absorbing; if you love dinosaurs, time travel, or science-fiction in general, read it! (Also if you want to know what really happened to the dinosaurs, earth's second moon, why time travel is impossible in our universe, and where the future of the glass and steel industries lie.)