Time Traders by Andre Norton

Time Traders by Andre Norton

Science Fiction, Adventure

Age 11 and up

Grade 6 and up

219 pages, hardcover

c.1958

        

       Time Traders is a classic science fiction, adventure book. It was a favorite of my husband when he was in junior high. It was originally written in 1958 and that is the one I have just read. There is an updated version from 2000 which combines Time Traders with the second story in the series, Galactic Derelict. I plan on looking into that one soon.

Set during the time of the Cold War, American intelligence agents have discovered that the Russians have discovered a source for advanced technologies and weapons. It appears they have traveled back in time and found evidence of an advanced, possibly alien civilization. Operation Retrograde is the American’s effort to go back in time and find the Russian source of this technology without running into the Russians.

Ross Murdock, a young man in trouble too often with the law, is given the choice of “volunteering” for a secret mission, which he knowns nothing about, or going to a rehabilitation center feared by all convicts. He chooses the mission and finds himself going to Britain in the year 2000 BC as a Beaker Trader. The very traits that made it hard for Ross to function in his society help him survive in the Bronze Age in Britain. Soon he and his partner Ashe are drawn unto an action packed adventure involving Russian agents, superstitious prehistoric people, and the aliens of a lost galactic civilization.

This is classic space opera with lots of action. The plot, characters, and narration are pretty straightforward. The characters are not very complex but Ross does change as a result of his experiences. In the beginning he is pretty selfish but as time goes on he becomes friends with his two partners and does all he can to save them when things go very wrong. He also gains confidence in himself and an appreciation for his abilities in dealing successfully with a number of very challenging situations.
        Time Traders would make an exciting read aloud, even for adults who enjoy classic science fiction. My husband read it aloud to our son when he was in high school.