The Time Ships

Baxter does an excellent job of blending current scientific and ecological theories with the look and feel of the original story of the Eloi and the Morlocks. Most importantly, he does this with the proper mood and writing style of the era of the original--a much more difficult feat than most people would think. He also does a good job of projecting the politics of Wells' characters. The only real drawback for me is that the main character is just insufficiently thoughtful and intelligent about a subject that he has devoted a good portion of his life to. While this provides an expedient way for his Morlock companion to explain many things to him, and thus the reader--a fine literary technique--the main character's rashness and simplicity is sometimes frustrating to an intelligent reader. While this precludes a five star rating, it should not prevent you from picking up and reading this strong novel. Donald J. Bingle, Author of Forced Conversion

This book is an excellent continuation of the renowned HG Well's classic THE TIME MACHINE. This book picks up immediately after the events in Well's novel.

At the end of Well's novel the Time Traveler leaves to journey once more into time (we still never learn the Time Traveler's name in Baxter's novel)....3 years later and there is no return for the Time Traveler. Where did he go? What happened to him? And what about Weena? These questions and more are all answered in THE TIME SHIPS.

I for one enjoyed the novel tremendously as the time traveler journeyed back and forth into the futurity and the distant past. The adventures that the Time Traveler undertook during his travels were well written and kept my suspense throughout. While the book is over 500 pages, there really was only one small part of the book that seemed to drag on. That was the Time Traveler's journey to the beginning of time. This was due to my failure to fully conceptualize the "optimal" universe in which Baxter was trying to describe. It was somewhat hard to figure out all that Baxter was attempting to convey.

For the most part Baxter did a wonderful job in conveying scientific and mathematical concepts in a way that most ordinary laymen would understand. Additionally, he made mention of many innovative theories such as alternate and multiple universes. He used these theories to help explain the paradoxes of time travel in which the Well's novel never delved into.

THE TIME SHIPS is really a brilliant piece of work and deserving of all the acclaim. It is a great tribute to the original sci-fi master. By the time one finishes the novel it will have you exploring your own existence and meaning.

Based upon H.G. Wells famous 19th century classic the Time Machine. Uses the same narrative style as the Time Machine. Grand in Scope, truly expands upon H.G. Wells' ideas of fragmented society including a privileged 'aristocratic' class and a worker class that resides underground. After this you might want to read the Time Machine again.
Why did i like this book so much? I felt that in this book Baxter not only expanded the scientific speculation, but his writing felt so more immersive. Wells' style (which was a product of his time) felt almost history book like and detached. Baxter made you feel the surroundings more. It was a great ride

It appears to me by reading this 535page novel... Baxter's whole intention was to close other minds to his philosophy of thinking... For instance, anyone who is an H.G. Wells, fan of THE TIME MACHINE... has always asked: "Where is the Time Traveller?" Baxter does give a clear cut account as to what happened. Many parts of this story tend to focus in on famous or just plain places of London... Descriptive locations in my opinion are not truly needed to tell a good story.
Another annoying thing was the way he opens and closes this novel... He opens it in a way which I felt closes the door for sequels on the original Time Machine Novel. I must say he was Clever.
The major turn off was the building of the story... Causality loops are good sci-fi yes... but to drag out such a loop for 535 pages... in clear description gave me a headache.
The whole intent of this novel in my opinion was to make it so that others who want to write about THE TIME MACHINE can't... because he tried to cover as many plot lines as possible with the Time Traveller. I am not saying Baxter is like Bill Gates... but to try to create a monopoly on H.G. Wells, original fiction is in my opinion bad taste.
The book starts out where Baxter himself... places himself in the novel briefly in the Author's note... He goes to a bookstore and his handed a few manuscripts of old writing. The Prologue starts right where Wells, novel ended with the young man watching the Time Traveller off. The Time Traveller's soul intent was to save Weena... Well he goes forward and notices that something is wrong... I won't give away much more other than... This... Look forward to intelligent Morlocks... Dyson Sphere... the years Moses... (Not Charlton Heston Moses...) Filby... Weena... Bond... (Not James Bond..) Ice planet... Pre-historic earth... War... 1938-1944... Future... a new race of beings called the Watchers...
I give this all a 2... only because of the lockout tone that Baxter tried to pull with this novel... I also didn't like the fact that it took 535 pages... just for him to state a point about causality loops.
If you're a TIME MACHINE, fan read this book... but take note... the intentions are well but Baxter in my opinion meant to make it very clear that he wanted his book to be the final and only sequel... to a classic which... Wells, in my opinion left open to the worlds of imagination and creativity... Baxter stops this with his closing.

Stephen Baxter's book "The Time Ships" is without a doubt my all-time most favorite book ever. I have always admired Baxter's ability to write. This book differs considerably from his other writings in the sense that Baxter places himself (quite well) in the shoes of The Time Traveler, a character we know well from H.G. Well's "The Time Machine." Since the first time I read "The Time Ships" back in 2001, I have always thought that Baxter did a flawless job of recreating Well's voice, and am quite sure that Wells himself would find great pride in the work.
"The Time Ships" will make you think. It helps to have an understanding of quantum physics before you read it. Like Baxter's other science-fiction, it is certainly "hard." But what you don't understand at first, you will begin to grasp as you move farther into the book. (This was perfect for me; I not only found myself engaged in the story line, but I was anxious to find out more about time travel and Baxter's theories.) If you are a fan of Well's "The Time Machine", and are ready to embark on a thought-provoking voyage across time and space, this book is for you!

Casey Sean Harmon

The Thousand Year Voyage

This was an excellent story. Although lengthy, I did not want the story to end. I've read complaints of this book being mainly for hard science fiction fans. This is the 21st century and I believe by now most readers that have studied anything about space and time could digest and enjoy this. I'm a bit shocked that this has not been turned into a movie, but Hollywood keeps spitting out retreads and prequels to movies without using the vast amount of great stories out there such as this one. This is the first Stephen Baxter book I have read and it won't be my last.

I made the mistake of reading this book by Stephen Baxter first and most of his other books after. This is by far his best work. His other novels I would give 1/2 out of five.
So why does this work and the others don't? Easy, this has characters, a comprehensible and interesting plot, is well written with some great descriptions and ideas.
It reminds me of a comic book in many ways (this is a good thing not an insult btw) in terms of the vivid images it gives of the Dome in London, of the Morlock's 'prison' and enormous places, of the Time Machine way back in the past.
Read this book and you will have fun, feel sad, weary and exhausted at the journey the character goes through. Read this Baxter book only and you will rate him highly. Read his other works and my opinion of him rapidly made me stop reading him any further which is a shame since this work was so enjoyable

Mr. Baxter's style appeals to me because he somehow manages to present a very hard scientific equation (one that baffles the mind!) while at the same time conveying a story that keeps you glued to each and every word--serenely. You're afraid to blink for fear of missing something vital, yet beyond the tense there is a calm, laid-back voice, simply telling you a story. He doesn't combine adjectives and verbs in an overly poetic sort of way, either, which I hate. His quality--or style--revolves simply around expressing the topic at hand and moving on, describing things just as they are and without exaggeration.

"The Time Ships" is one of the best-written, most interesting hard sci-fi books that I have ever read. I myself am fascinated with the thought of time travel and "The Time Ships" captivated my interest at the very beginning and kept it all the way to the last page. It is sort of a big little book; the first that I have read that really had me speculating, day and night, as to what would happen next. In truth: reading "The Time Ships" was like eating candy. When I finished it I was almost sad that there would be no more.

"The Time Ships" is a clean novel. Science-fiction, nowadays, is often regarded as "dirty" and "very sinful". However I wish to stress that indeed there is some good sci-fi out there, you just have to look. I don't think the entire book had over five cuss words; like I always say, it would be better if it had no cuss words. I don't recall any pornography. That's very rare, especially in a book that size and of that genre. I think H.G. Wells would be very proud of this book (even if it proved some of his ideas to be wrong). It carries Wells' style, the mood he expressed in "The Time Machine". And the spirit of the two books are the same: adventure, thought provoking, an incident or two spawning the equation of "where is this taking me?"

Stephen Baxter's "The Time Ships" sits at a designated spot on my bookshelf. Whenever I walk into my study there it is, beckoning to be lifted and read again for the hundredth time. It is indeed a rare book. A wonderful book. Although I oppose evolution, I admire the way "The Time Ships" forces me to consider that there is something more out there, beyond what we see. For, as we all must know, the sky is never the limit. Therefore we must never limit the possibilities of life and time.

C.S. Harmon, author, "To the Ends of the Earth".

Only recently did I learn of Stephen Baxter's authorized sequel to Wells' "The Time Machine", one of my favorite books. This is without a doubt the best sci-fi story I have ever read. Baxter's beginning blends beautifully with the ending of Wells' story and explains why the Time Traveller never returned to his home in 1897.
Baxter's creativity brings a sense of wonder to the reader that is pure joy and adventure. (While reading it, I even listened to the sound track from the original "Time Machine" movie and the Russell Garcia score just made the entire experience even better). The story's ending was very emotional and showed that, for all the Time Traveller had seen and experienced - from the beginning of time to the end of the world - it was his human feelings toward another that mattered the most.
One last observation - It was my thinking that Baxter left the story open ended for another possible sequel involving the Time Traveller's adventures with the Morlocks. I can only hope that is true, for he has all the time in the world...

I made the mistake of reading this book by Stephen Baxter first and most of his other books after. This is by far his best work. His other novels I would give 1/2 out of five.
So why does this work and the others don't? Easy, this has characters, a comprehensible and interesting plot, is well written with some great descriptions and ideas.
It reminds me of a comic book in many ways (this is a good thing not an insult btw) in terms of the vivid images it gives of the Dome in London, of the Morlock's 'prison' and enormous places, of the Time Machine way back in the past.
Read this book and you will have fun, feel sad, weary and exhausted at the journey the character goes through. Read this Baxter book only and you will rate him highly. Read his other works and my opinion of him rapidly made me stop reading him any further which is a shame since this work was so enjoyable

Mr. Baxter's style appeals to me because he somehow manages to present a very hard scientific equation (one that baffles the mind!) while at the same time conveying a story that keeps you glued to each and every word--serenely. You're afraid to blink for fear of missing something vital, yet beyond the tense there is a calm, laid-back voice, simply telling you a story. He doesn't combine adjectives and verbs in an overly poetic sort of way, either, which I hate. His quality--or style--revolves simply around expressing the topic at hand and moving on, describing things just as they are and without exaggeration.

"The Time Ships" is one of the best-written, most interesting hard sci-fi books that I have ever read. I myself am fascinated with the thought of time travel and "The Time Ships" captivated my interest at the very beginning and kept it all the way to the last page. It is sort of a big little book; the first that I have read that really had me speculating, day and night, as to what would happen next. In truth: reading "The Time Ships" was like eating candy. When I finished it I was almost sad that there would be no more.

"The Time Ships" is a clean novel. Science-fiction, nowadays, is often regarded as "dirty" and "very sinful". However I wish to stress that indeed there is some good sci-fi out there, you just have to look. I don't think the entire book had over five cuss words; like I always say, it would be better if it had no cuss words. I don't recall any pornography. That's very rare, especially in a book that size and of that genre. I think H.G. Wells would be very proud of this book (even if it proved some of his ideas to be wrong). It carries Wells' style, the mood he expressed in "The Time Machine". And the spirit of the two books are the same: adventure, thought provoking, an incident or two spawning the equation of "where is this taking me?"

Stephen Baxter's "The Time Ships" sits at a designated spot on my bookshelf. Whenever I walk into my study there it is, beckoning to be lifted and read again for the hundredth time. It is indeed a rare book. A wonderful book. Although I oppose evolution, I admire the way "The Time Ships" forces me to consider that there is something more out there, beyond what we see. For, as we all must know, the sky is never the limit. Therefore we must never limit the possibilities of life and time.

C.S. Harmon, author, "To the Ends of the Earth".

Only recently did I learn of Stephen Baxter's authorized sequel to Wells' "The Time Machine", one of my favorite books. This is without a doubt the best sci-fi story I have ever read. Baxter's beginning blends beautifully with the ending of Wells' story and explains why the Time Traveller never returned to his home in 1897.
Baxter's creativity brings a sense of wonder to the reader that is pure joy and adventure. (While reading it, I even listened to the sound track from the original "Time Machine" movie and the Russell Garcia score just made the entire experience even better). The story's ending was very emotional and showed that, for all the Time Traveller had seen and experienced - from the beginning of time to the end of the world - it was his human feelings toward another that mattered the most.
One last observation - It was my thinking that Baxter left the story open ended for another possible sequel involving the Time Traveller's adventures with the Morlocks. I can only hope that is true, for he has all the time in the world...

Like other scifi novels written by Stephen Baxter, this novel has great vision on the future of mankind and universe. The reader is taken across not only time, but also universes, so it's a wild ride indeed.

However, this volume also lacks the aspects that makes a novel engaging and interesting, so if the reader is not looking for a grand vision, it would be a dry read.

Baxter does several wonderful things in this book. First, he does a tremendous job of continuing the tone of Wells' book. Second, he uses all the old conventions of SF Time Travel, but adds new twists to keep them entertaining. Third, he brings the book to a truly "cosmic" perspective, and actually succeeds in satisfying the reader at the end, a difficult task when the writer is attempting to show the beginning and end of Time itself. This book is a grand adventure.

A sequel to "The Time Machine" - the first great science fiction novella ever written and still a classic all further works must be compared to - has often been tried. Usually without any success.
Not here. Baxter's romp through the Wellsian universe includes not only "The Time Machine" but other Wells short stories, such as his predictions of tank warfare, as well as modern physics and SF themes. Well written, imaginative, and with real characters. Baxter's best work.

Loved it! Just as I loved Wells' The Time Machine. True to the style of the original. The fact that the narrator tends to ramble is endearing ... it is just like the time traveler in Wells book. Loved the addition of the "Dysons Sphere". peg

This is my third SB novel, after 'Ring' and 'Titan' and I'm
truly sorry, but I don't know what all the fuss is about.
SB is heralded by New Scientist and no less than Arthur C Clarke
as the next new talent, but I'm at a loss to see why.
'Ring' was completely flat character-wise, 'Titan' a depressing
derge full of more science, descriptive dialog and little else,
and while 'The Time ships' may have been a valiant effort at a
tribute to H.G. why make a novel out of it?
The original story has it's place in SF history, and should be left there.
I don't see how anyone could possibly bring those old cardboard
characters and speculations about time-travel into the modern
era, and make a success of it. SB certainly didn't.
And ACC's quote...."The Time Ships is the most outstanding work of
imaginative fiction since Stapledon's 'Last and First Men'....."
(taken out of context) is just a complete joke !!
Probably the reason why SB gets such rave reviews from New Scientist,
is because he really knows his science, but that alone does not a novel make.

Be prepared to spend more than a few hours reading "The Time Ships", because you won't be able to put it down. Stephen Baxter writes in H.G Well's style that builds on the events found in the original book. The reader can effortlessly follow a seamless transition of the time traveler's adventure to save Weena from the Morlocks, with a few surprises.

I was impressed with this book. First off, I thought Baxter wouldn't be able to keep up the H. G. Wells writing style, but he deffinately pulled it off. Also, the demented plot takes the time traveler to fantastic places spaning epochs that are increadibly imaginitive. The main thing I found annoying was: Why the heck is this genius time traveller so DUMB?! I mean, I would have figured out some of the stuff that he was baffled by, and I don't think I could build a time machine if someone gave me some Plattnerite!

To Reviewer: SF Author (United States -

What part of STORY...Don't you get? Your entire response can be summarized as such "blah blah blah, I am jealous that I can't write this well...So I am going to tear the story apart and attempt to look smart." What you do accomplish is prove you are NOT smart, not tactful, and a horribly biased reviewer. Who gives a flying hell if its factual?! WE DON'T. We WANT to read the story, to MAKE BELIEVE. Is it believable that Superman can fly? NO. Is he one of the most popular super heroes ever created? YES.

My God man, all those words, you could have summed it all up by saying; "I like stories with a bit more hard science. If you like a bit more flamboyance in concern with true science, and a bit of flexibility, this book is for you." Simple concise, but you would probably try and make that run-on sentance of mine look more..."grammatically" correct.

Anyways, non-biased opinion, If you liked HG Wells, and were curious what happened to the Time Traveler, and like a bit of soft fictional science, this book is for you. If you like a little more hard science in your book, I suggest passing this over.

I began reading this novel with great expectations, largely because of the awards and reputation it had amassed since its initial publication. However, while the book is ambitious in its scope, it too often falls short in the most basic of ways.

I admire Baxter's duplication of Wells' writing style, and very much enjoyed the early pages inasmuch as they seemed to have been penned by Wells himself. But too often, as the story unfolded, Baxter fell into cliche and deux ex machina just to move the story forward. In one instance, the main character -- who to that point had been most deliberate and had considered the consequences of his every action -- suddenly, on a whim, chooses to return not to his own year of origin but to a point some twenty years before. Why would he fail to realize such a visitation would have a drastic effect on the 'history' he knew?

I have never been a fan of the whole 'Dyson sphere' concept, which is utilized repeatedly in this story and is a long-standing chestnut of the SF realm. It is simply impossible to construct a physical shell the diameter of 'the orbit of Venus,' thus fully enshrouding a star. Can't be done. The severe magnetic and gravitational forces of a star preclude the extraction of stellar material for such building purposes; no star system contains enough solid planetary matter to be cannibalized for such a structure; and no society, human or otherwise, will ever be cohesive enough and/or endure for long enough to spend the millions of years necessary for such a project. And what benefit could possibly make the herculean, eon-spanning effort of such a construction worthwhile?

From a pure story standpoint, the novel has no real cohesive action curve. Instead, it presents a series of tableaus set in different times, with no overarcing sense of rising action, rising drama or overall purpose. Given the nature of the story, perhaps this was unavoidable -- but some continuing thread, some overriding single goal should have been set in place in order to compensate. The main character's initial quest in resuming time travel, so heartfelt in the first chapter, is forgotten for the middle ninety percent of the book and recalled only in the final pages, almost as an afterthought.

And I would have enjoyed at least a little explanation of the nature of 'Plattnerite' which, as the operational secret of time travel, apparently is radioactive but not sufficiently so to be used as a weapon -- instead, in the story, something called 'Carolinium' was needed for that. I am unclear how the builder of the time machine could design -- let alone construct -- a device specifically intended to harness the unearthly physical properties of an element he did not at all understand.

In this novel's five-hundred-plus pages, there are too many unanswered questions, too many dramatic cliches, and far too much reliance on established SF notions. It is an ambitious novel to be sure, and I greatly enjoyed its Wellsian style. But ultimately, for me, 'The Time Ships' was an unsatisfying journey from one end of time to the other.

The Time Ships was the first Baxter book I picked up and boy was I in for a surprise. I can easily say it is one of the greastest books I have read (and I've read a lot of them). Anyone who loves time travel stories, or just wants to read a great book you must check this one out. Baxter's story telling power assisted by his scientific and mathematical knowlegde makes this a really great story. But that's all I'll say. Buy the book yourself and see what its all about.

No. If, "The Time Machine," was going to be sequelled, someone else should have done it. I think he's done the protagonist a grave injustice by making him SO violent and thoughtless ALL the time. Beating Morlocks to death? REALLY? Then never seeing Nebogipfel as anything but the enemy and lashing out violently yet again? Then, as Moses, foolishly going out and getting killed? I guess it makes the ending (destroying the time machine, throwing away the greatness of humanity to save Weena) more believable, but he's become such an unlikeable character. I don't think he's suppose to be an anti-hero.
No, I didn't like it.

Honest to a fault with the original, this book is still an outstanding work in it own right. Once underway, it is quite literally a "can't put down book", as the narrator becomes involved in numerous entanglements that offer much excitement. Of great value is the Morlock that comes to serve as the "explainer" of the many complex concepts that they experience. Highly recommend this book.

Baxter has managed to build on Wells' premise, a novel that has as its scope no less than the entirity of space and time! Back to--and through--the Big Bang to what lies beyond; into the future on fragmenting timelines to follow human evolution to its ultimate end and purposes. An excellent read!

Baxter not only introduces the notion of "alternate futures" to the fiction on time travel, but lets the reader discover the possibilities it carries on a vast and macro level. His choice and use of characters are at no means behind his theoretical contribution to the subject.