Customer Reviews

Against Time's Arrow: The High Crusade of Poul Anderson

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The (very brief) review already appearing with this title actually refers to "The High Crusade," a science fiction novel by (the late) Poul Anderson. "Against Time's Arrow: The High Crusade of Poul Anderson" is a critical survey of Poul Anderson's writings through the mid-1970s. The allusion in Miesel's title has obviously caused some confusion somewhere and Amazon may eventually straighten it out.

Although not nearly as much fun as Anderson's account of a medieval English lord's acquisition of an interstellar spaceship, "Against Time's Arrow" is a worthwhile review of Anderson's main themes and literary devices. Although the entertainment value of Anderson's fiction is always remembered, it is particularly good on the various moral dilemmas faced by characters. (Miesel who is also known for her critical studies of Gordon Dickson and Tolkien, and for several science fiction stories, may also be familiar to some readers as a Catholic journalist.)

This is NOT the book on Poul Anderson you were looking for. It's not Joshi on Lovecrqaft or Shippey on Tolkien. Anderson's life is only sketched in, and various of his major works not touched upon. (Despite the title, THE HIGH CRUSADE isn't mentioned, for instance.) It's more or less a pamphlet on Anderson's approach to stasis and entropy, which is not a bad way to seeing some of Anderson, but it's not his only theme. Slightly trimmed, I'd have been very pleased to see this in some larger anthology of Poul Anderson criticism.
But there is no such anthology. If this theme in early Poul Anderson intrigues you, grab this and wait for better times.

I found this book very fun to read. The basic premise of the story could happen. Although I found it stretching the limits a little. That aliens have massive technology, yet lack any real experience in warfare because of it being so long since they were opposed. The characters were entertaining, as was the plot line. The basic premise that a primitive, and superstitious people could take control of such a deep technology is a little absurd. But, it was fun all the same.Not a perfect book, but a very entertaining one at least.