#27. TIMESCAPE By Gregory Benford

Published : 1980
Pages : 412
Overall Mark : 7/10

1962: A young Californian scientist finds his experiments spoiled by mysterious interference. Gradually his suspicions lead him to a shattering truth: scientists from the end of the century are using subatomic particles to send a message into the past, in the hope that history can be changed and a world-threatening catastrophe averted.

GREGORY BENFORD (1941-)
Born one of identical twins, Benford has pursued parallel careers in writing and science with equal success. He published his first novel in 1970; aside from Timescape, which won the Nebula Award for best novel, his works include Tides Of Light, Sailing Bright Eternity and Cosm. He is also Professor of Physics at the University of California.

VERDICT
This is an interesting idea, but the notion could have been explained in a more efficient way. Benford does an admirable job of describing the exact methods of scientists in all the time periods he describes, and keeps the story alive through its realism rather than using fantastic plot devices to further the story. Well worth reading, but only if you have the patients as the pacing is slow.