Premise: But such things have been.

Hypothesis: Things aren't this way.
Answer: no

Premise: The best book review section in an American paper at the moment--the Los Angeles Times Book Review --is much closer to this variety model.

Hypothesis: The Los Angeles times has never published book reviews.
Answer: no

Premise: Founded in 641 and expanded by the Fatimids in the mid-ninth century, Cairo Al-Qahira or the Cityof Victory became one of the most powerful Islamic cities in the world during the Medieval era, marking a rebirth in Egypt's fortunes.

Hypothesis: Cairo was one of the most powerful Islamic cities in the Medieval era.
Answer: yes

Premise: It's as if Hickman and Sunraider have an independent existence of which Ellison offers glimpses and glances in the various pieces he never assembled into a single structure.

Hypothesis: Hickman and Sunraider lived lives as secret agents according to hints in Ellison's writing.
Answer: it is not possible to tell