1885, the North West Frontier. Rudyard Kipling is witness to a British army action to repress a local uprising. And to a terrifying intervention by a squadron of tanks from 2137. Before the full impact of this extraordinary event has even begun to sink in Kipling, his friends and the tanks are, themselves flung back to the 4th century and the midst of Alexander the Great’s army. Mankind’s time odyssey has begun. It is a journey that will see Alexander avoid his premature death and carve out an Empire that expands from Carthage to China. And it will present mankind with two devastating truths. Aliens are amongst us and have been manipulating our past and our future. And that future extends only as far as 2137 for that is the date Earth will be destroyed. This is SF that spans countless centuries and carries cutting edge ideas on time travel and alien intervention. It shows two of the genre’s masters at their groundbreaking best.
Prepare to embark on an epic journey through time and space with *Time's Eye*, a collaborative masterpiece from two titans of science fiction, Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter. This gripping novel plunges readers into a breathtaking narrative that seamlessly blends historical fiction with mind-bending science fiction concepts, offering an unforgettable reading experience. The story ignites in 1885 on the North West Frontier, where a young Rudyard Kipling, the celebrated author, finds himself an unwilling witness to a brutal British military action against a local uprising. But this is no ordinary historical account. In a shocking twist of fate, Kipling and his companions are confronted by an impossible sight: a squadron of tanks from the year 2137 materializing on the battlefield. The sheer audacity of this temporal intrusion is staggering, but the true odyssey is only just beginning. Before the echoes of this anachronistic encounter have even faded, Kipling, his newfound allies, and the futuristic tanks are violently ripped from their own time and flung back to the 4th century BC. They land directly in the heart of Alexander the Great's formidable army, forever altering the course of history. This is not merely a historical anomaly; it is the dawn of mankind's grand time odyssey. Under the influence of these temporal travelers, Alexander the Great is granted a reprieve from his fated premature death. His empire, already vast, expands exponentially, stretching from the ancient shores of Carthage to the distant lands of China. But this grand revision of history comes at a steep price, revealing two devastating truths that will shake humanity to its core. Firstly, humanity discovers irrefutable proof that aliens have not only been present throughout our history but have actively manipulated our past and our future. Secondly, the chilling revelation that mankind's future has a definitive expiration date: the year 2137, the very moment Earth is destined for annihilation. *Time's Eye* is a testament to the boundless imagination of Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter, showcasing their groundbreaking prowess in crafting complex narratives and exploring cutting-edge scientific ideas. This novel delves deep into the intricate mechanics of time travel, the profound implications of alien intervention, and the very nature of human existence across countless centuries. Its a sweeping saga that will captivate fans of epic storytelling, intricate world-building, and thought-provoking science fiction. With its compelling blend of historical intrigue, thrilling action, and mind-altering scientific speculation, *Time's Eye* is more than just a book; its an invitation to question everything you thought you knew about time, humanity, and our place in the cosmos. Discover the novel that brilliantly bridges the gap between historical epochs and propels readers into a future fraught with both wonder and peril. This edition, published by Gollancz, is a must-have for any discerning science fiction enthusiast.