Customer Reviews

Costigan's needle

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Costigan's Needle is a classic SF story from 1953, that while a little dated, remains an interesting story. Its strong point is a rebuilding of technology and society from scratch, working from the expertise, intelligence and drive of a small, random collection of less than 500 people that find themselves naked on a previously unpopulated alternate earth. A minor cliff-hanger at the end leaves room for a sequel, that apparently was never written, but doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the novel.

This is one of the all-time great sci-fi books, and especially relevant now with the rise of intolerant religious fanatics of all stripes and sorts.
A time machine is being built in the middle of Chicago, when a band of conservative religious zealots sabotages the machine (shades of tossing sabots into the looms!), and a chunk of busy workaday downtown Chicago is whisked into a primeval past (or perhaps post-apocalyptic future?). Nothing metallic survives, so there are no tooth fillings or belt buckles or weapons.
The cross-section of humanity thus transported needs to survive so they use all their skills to find resources and build a community.
Alas, the zealots are also transported and want no part of the rebuilding of a rational community, so create their own primitive and brutal theocracy just over the hill.
It's a wonderful contrast between the multi-skilled and multi-cultural community of disparate individuals tossed together, compared with the zealots whose religion suddenly must account for their transportation into the future -- a difficult thing for folks who don't believe in science.

Great read. Provocative story. My original long ago disappeared, and here I am over 30 years later happy to find a used copy and immerse myself in it again.

I read this story when I was a kid ... 50+ years ago. A few weeks ago I decided to find a copy and re-read Jerry Sohl's classic. It was still a fun read. The dealer I purchased this from was quick to send it out - I recommend both the book and the seller!

Great premise and excellent building of characters and the science to support the story. Thoroughly enjoyable without the gratuitous "monsters" and gore.