Review: Thought-Provoking and Entertaining at the Same Time
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 17, 2014
This is a provocative, suspenseful novel that centers on a visionary scientist's dream journeys into other worlds and times.  Shunned in the U.S., scientist Roy Swenson goes to Europe to research alternate forms of energy.  While there he discovers an ability to travel in time while in a dreamlike state: to ancient Egypt under Roman rule, where he becomes Marcus Agrippa, general and counselor to the Emperor Augustus.The book draws parallels between the forces of entrenched power in the time of Agrippa and the same forces in ours.  Within the twists and turns of the story, it explores the methods that those in power use to hang onto it and how, in any time period, the powerful become threatened by change. Roy/Agrippa represents innovation, and the powerful in both of the times he travels between see him as a threat...and make him pay.  I am not generally a fan of reading anything with a technological bent and I don't read much science fiction, but I do love ancient history and I was intrigued by the "war on innovation" aspect of this novel.  The book doesn't disappoint: it is very well-researched and historically accurate, but never gets mired in too much historical detail or minutia. It deals with metaphysical subjects like time and space but doesn't read like a treatise on philosophy. It's fast moving, entertaining and thought-provoking all at the same time, which is a rare combination. I'm looking forward to the next installment!