Need recommendations for fictional time travel stories

[Fok]

As the title says, any good ones out there? I saw "the time traveller's wife" in the store but it looks too romantic?

[Joe Molotov]

As opposed to nonfictional time travel stories? ;)

"1632" was kinda fun.

[RevLiver]

Richard Matheson - Somewhere in Time

Though that might be too romantic for your taste.

How about Kurt Vonnegut - Slaughterhouse-Five. While not really about time travel, it's protagonist has become "unstuck" in time.

Martin Amis - Time's Arrow - about a man who is living his live in reverse, growing younger each day.

Pete Hamill - Forver - about a man who lives forever as long as he never leaves the island of Manhattan. Ranges from earliest colonial Manhattan up to shortly after 9/11

H.G. Wells - The Time Machine - this one's obvious

Michael Crichton - Timeline

As for non-fictional time travel "stories":

Paul Nahin - Time Machines: Time Travel in Physics, Metaphysics and Science Fiction

This should help:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/richpub/listmania/fullview/KEGKURLW6EQJ/104-3330525-3529542?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Darin

[Nuff]

Time Wars series by Simon Hawke, out of print but if you can find them pretty entertaining. (http://www.scn.org/~bk416/bshelf.html#TWbSH)

[benedict]

.... Howard Waldrop's "Them Bones" is a time-travel/alternate history that I've not read but have seen recommended.

[In a pre-Groundhog Day kind of way] I liked the late Ken Grimwood's "Recall".

[mgbfan]

The Light of Other Days by Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter is good. It's quasi-time-travel.

[Fok]

Thanks guys, will check some of these out

[tasha99]

The Light of Other Days by Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter is good. It's quasi-time-travel.

Huh. I read a short story with the same name by Bob Shaw. It featured "slow glass"--probably my favorite scifi "invention" ever.

Some not mentioned yet--

Connie Willis--The Doomsday Book and To Say Nothing of the Dog
Diana Gabaldon's Outlander books (though probably too romantic)

It's been a long time since I read them, but I enjoyed "All You Zombies" by Robert Heinlein, and "Paycheck" and "A Little Something for Us Tempunauts" by PKD.

[Booth]

The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold. Absolutely the best time travel book I've read.

[Ginwen]

My favorite book involving time travel (one of my favorite books ever actually) is Doomsday Book (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553562738/dvdtalk/dvdtalk/dvdtalk/dvdtalk/dvdtalk/qid=1136920466/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-0260565-2133537?n=507846&s=books&v=glance) by Connie Willis. She has other books in the same series, but this one is far and away the best. I suppose it might be too touchy-feely for you, but I think it's great.

Edit: OK, I missed the post two posts above mine somehow, but I still think it's great. In addition to "Say Nothing of the Dog" which I didn't like as much, and this one, Fire Watch is also in this series.

[brainee]

I'll third the recommendation of "Doomsday Book". Really powerful and memorable stuff. My only problem with it was the unfortunate inclusion of some screwball comedy moments. It seems Willis feels the need the shoehorn this stuff into books, even when its opposite to the tone of the rest of the best. But the plague stuff is some of the most harrowing stuff I've ever read.

I'd also like to recommend Tim Powers "The Anubis Gates". I also liked Gordon R. Dickson's "Time Storm", though I don't think its in print currently. I'm sure there's lots others, but that's all that comes to mind at the moment.

[Jason]

Replay, by Ken Grimwood. A man dies and wakes up in his 18-year-old body in 1963 with his memories of the next 25 years intact. Over and over again.

[Seeker]

Replay, by Ken Grimwood. A man dies and wakes up in his 18-year-old body in 1963 with his memories of the next 25 years intact. Over and over again.

Replay is a great book.

Let's see (top of my head)

Guardians of Time - Poul Anderson

The End of Eternity - Isaac Asimov

Up the Line - Robert Silverburg

I deliberately picked these because they are probably hard to find these days, but definitely classic time travel stories.

I love time travel stories!

[Seeker]

I also did like "The Time Traveller's Wife", but as you say, it's as much a romance as a time travel story.

[Seeker]

....
[In a pre-Groundhog Day kind of way] I liked the late Ken Grimwood's "Recall".


Me too.... though, it's Replay.... but close enough.

[benedict]

Replay, by Ken Grimwood. A man dies and wakes up in his 18-year-old body in 1963 with his memories of the next 25 years intact. Over and over again."Replay"! That's what I meant to say.Replay, by Ken Grimwood. A man dies and wakes up in his 18-year-old body in 1963 with his memories of the next 25 years intact. Over and over again."Replay"! That's what I meant to say.Replay, by Ken Grimwood. A man dies and wakes up in his 18-year-old body in 1963 with his memories of the next 25 years intact. Over and over again."Replay"! That's what I meant to say.Replay, by Ken Grimwood. A man dies and wakes up in his 18-year-old body in 1963 with his memories of the next 25 years intact. Over and over again."Replay"! That's what I meant to say.

;)

[benedict]

I've not read it, but I have seen good things written about "1632" by Eric Flint (mentioned in the first reply to this thread). I believe that there were several follow-ups; the first being "1633"!

Thematically similar - but you'll have to so your own research - is "Island in the Sea of Time" by S. M. Stirling. Looking through the Amazon reviews, its sequel was well-regarded but the third in the series was not.

[Josh-da-man]

I'll throw in a recommendation for Dan Simmons' "Hyperion" cycle: Hyperion, The Fall of Hyperion, Endymion, The Rise of Endymion.

It's not completely about time travel as such, time travel plays an important part in much of the plot. (It's also an excellent science fiction series, and some of the best space opera ever written.)

[mgbfan]

Hyperion is fantastic (as is the Fall of Hyperion ... but they're basically one book), but I highly doubt it was what the OP had in mind.

As for the last two ... they're good, but they're not nearly of the caliber of the first two.

[wendersfan]

Up the Line - Robert SilverburgFirst one I thought of.

[JANK]

"The Man Who Walked Home" .....James Tiptree, Jr. (Alice Sheldon)

mind-boggling!

[lucasorion]

This is a great thread. I've always wanted to find some books with a time travel theme - now I've got a list to check out. Thanks!

[Seeker]

Given the main character's name is the same as mine, I HAVE to mention

"The Door Into Summer" by Heinlein

[Nick Danger]

Short stories:

The Men Who Murdered Mohammed - Alfred Bester
Flight of the Unicorn (collection) - Larry Niven
Callahan's Crosstime Saloon (collection) - Spider Robinson
Time Travellers Strictly Cash (collection) - Spider Robinson

Another vote for The Anubis Gates. When Mrs Danger read my copy, she couldn't go to bed until she was finished.

[TimeandTide]

Add Ray Bradbury's "A Sound of Thunder" to the short story list.

[Ozzy's Bat Head]

I loved David Brin's The Practice Effect; this book turned me onto Brin, even though this book is really different from his other works. I found it very funny and loose, definitely a smart, easy read.

[Dmacsg1]

"The Proteus Operation" by James P. Hogan is a good one involving time travel and World War 2.

I will also second "The Man Who Folded Himself". Great read!!

Take care all!!

[GreenMonkey]

Given the main character's name is the same as mine, I HAVE to mention

"The Door Into Summer" by Heinlein

Seconded. This is my favorite Heinlein book for some reason. I read it once every year or two. I frickin' love this book and don't quite know why.

Also: I recommend "Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus" by Orson Scott Card. Another favorite. Kind of an alternate history book of sorts.

Also a second on Asimov's "The End of Eternity". Poorly developed characters IMO but a great time travel story.


I'm a sucker for a well written time travel book. You might also try "The Guns of the South" by Harry Turtledove (he writes many alternate history books). Imagine if neo-nazis went back in time and gave the south automatic weapons. :eek:

[movielib]

"The Proteus Operation" by James P. Hogan is a good one involving time travel and World War 2.

I was going to say that.

Another great Hogan time travel (more time messaging) book is the fascinating Thrice upon a Time. (Hogan is one of my favorite authors.)

[crazyronin]

Third for The Door into Summer by Heinlein

I also second The Guns of the South by Turtledove, particularly if you also like alternate history.

[dstrauss]

If you're into military SF as well as time travel, you might want to check out Weapons of Choice by John Birmingham. (The sequel, Designated Targets, just came out in paperback.) A 21st century military squadron fighting Islamic terrorists gets sent back to 1942 and totally changes the direction of World War II, especially when the Axis powers find out the original course of history. (i.e.: Russia and Germany sign a cease fire and Germany pulls out of Russia, allowing them to invade England, and Japan invades Australia.)

Another vote for Replay -- my favorite book of all time.

Besides the time travel, Turtledove does a lot of alternate history. Some of them are quite good.

[leestoo]

I also recommend Heinlein's The Door into Summer.

An old one that I like is Manly Wade Wellman's Twice in Time.

[Seeker]

Good ol' Daniel Boone Davis! (re Door Into Summer)

says 'good ol' Dan T. Davis'

[marty888]

One of my favorites is <b><i>TIME AND AGAIN</i></b> by Jack Finney (who also wrote the original <i>Invasion of the Body Snatchers</i>). Our hero is sent back to the New York City of the 1880's simply to test the theory of time travel, but .....

Great book!

[Dmacsg1]

If you're into military SF as well as time travel, you might want to check out Weapons of Choice by John Birmingham. (The sequel, Designated Targets, just came out in paperback.) A 21st century military squadron fighting Islamic terrorists gets sent back to 1942 and totally changes the direction of World War II, especially when the Axis powers find out the original course of history. (i.e.: Russia and Germany sign a cease fire and Germany pulls out of Russia, allowing them to invade England, and Japan invades Australia.)


Thank you!! I was wondering when this was coming out!
(puts it on the "to get" list)

Take care!!

[JANK]

I also enjoy those stores of encounters with beings who travel 'backwards' in time. Gene Wolfe in his superb "Book of the New Sun" had Severan have 3 meetings with a trio that met him 3 times in his travels. Needless to say, the conversations are quite intriguing and enigmatic.

There was also an excellent short story that I am trying to find the name of that had a scientist from the future in a lab experiment gone awry where he was slowly going back in time and going mad inside his capsule as the present people met him at his utmost degradation and denument and saw him slowly morph into a desparate man in a bubble to an intelligent guy trying to communicate with them. By the time, they figured it all out they they were at the point of his arrival where he was cluesless as to what was going on. Tragic and thought-provoking. At both ends of his visit there was an utter lack of communication and comprehesion. Very fascinating. I gotta find this story!

[naughty jonny]

Couple I'd recomment:

Time and Again, by Jack Finney
Replay, Ken Grimwood

Both are excellent books. The other one I'd like to read sometime is A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

All You Zombies (short story) by Robert Heinlein is good (but very strange).

[JANK]

All You Zombies (short story) by Robert Heinlein is good (but very strange).

Yes, strange. Heinlein is rather cryptic, if not obtuse, with his references to something that happened in 1974 and that everyone should not be here because of that ( I think ) . Maybe I just need to reread it a few more times (even though I have read it over 5+ times!) to Get It. Good story nevertheless.

Anyone out there Get It?

[movielib]

The other one I'd like to read sometime is A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court.

Excellent. By far my favorite Twain book.

[Fok]

I just finished "The man who folded himself", wow that took a turn that I did not expect. It had a planet of the apes thing to it. It was interesting, but can't say it's one of the best.

I also read replay, great story, but didn't quite get what the message was at the end.

I'm now reading "the best time travel stories of the 20th Century"

[JANK]

I just finished "The man who folded himself", wow that took a turn that I did not expect. It had a planet of the apes thing to it. It was interesting, but can't say it's one of the best.

I also read replay, great story, but didn't quite get what the message was at the end.

I'm now reading "the best time travel stories of the 20th Century"


er..... who wrote these stories? Perhaps you could share a bit more. wow, indeed.

[benedict]

er..... who wrote these stories? Perhaps you could share a bit more. wow, indeed.The author of "The Man Who Folded Himself" is divulged in <A HREF="http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showpost.php?p=6683562&postcount=9" target="_blank" style="Text-decoration:none">post 9</a> in this thread and <A HREF="http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showpost.php?p=6699748&postcount=12" target="_blank" style="Text-decoration:none">post 12</a> gives the author of "Replay".

As for "The Best Time Travel Stories of the 20th Century"....<blockquote>Yesterday was Monday by Theodore Sturgeon
Time Locker by Henry Kuttner
Time's Arrow by Arthur C. Clarke
I'm Scared by Jack Finney
A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury
Death Ship by Richard Matheson
A Gun for Dinosaur by L. Sprague de Camp
The Man Who Came Early by Poul Anderson
Rainbird by R. A. Lafferty
Leviathan! by Larry Niven
Anniversary Project by Joe Haldeman
Timetipping by Jack Dann
Fire Watch by Connie Willis
Sailing to Byzantium by Robert Silverberg
The Pure Product by John Kessel
Trapalanda by Charles Sheffield
The Price of Oranges by Nancy Kress
Another Story, or A Fisherman of the Inland Sea by Ursula K. Le Guin</blockquote>Hope this helps.

[Jon2]

Another vote for Heinlein's "Door into Summer." Someone should really make a movie of this.

If you don't mind libertarian oriented sf (IMHO, if you like Heinlein's stuff, that shouldn't be a problem), I suggest some of L. Neil Smith's novels. Most of are actually alternate universe stories with a common background with a focus on a variation of U.S. history, but some are also actual time travel stories.

[Seeker]

The author of "The Man Who Folded Himself" is divulged in <A HREF="http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showpost.php?p=6683562&postcount=9" target="_blank" style="Text-decoration:none">post 9</a> in this thread and <A HREF="http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showpost.php?p=6699748&postcount=12" target="_blank" style="Text-decoration:none">post 12</a> gives the author of "Replay".

As for "The Best Time Travel Stories of the 20th Century"....<blockquote>Yesterday was Monday by Theodore Sturgeon
Time Locker by Henry Kuttner
Time's Arrow by Arthur C. Clarke
I'm Scared by Jack Finney
A Sound of Thunder by Ray Bradbury
Death Ship by Richard Matheson
A Gun for Dinosaur by L. Sprague de Camp
The Man Who Came Early by Poul Anderson
Rainbird by R. A. Lafferty
Leviathan! by Larry Niven
Anniversary Project by Joe Haldeman
Timetipping by Jack Dann
Fire Watch by Connie Willis
Sailing to Byzantium by Robert Silverberg
The Pure Product by John Kessel
Trapalanda by Charles Sheffield
The Price of Oranges by Nancy Kress
Another Story, or A Fisherman of the Inland Sea by Ursula K. Le Guin</blockquote>Hope this helps.


Where does this list come from?

[benedict]

<a href="http://www.iblist.com/book29369.htm" TARGET="_BLANK"><IMG SRC="http://images.dvdtalk.com/images/smilies/tongueold.gif" alt="Click for book details" border=0></a>