Michael Crichton the author of Jurassic Park, the Lost World, Congo, Rising Sun and the Great Train Robbery writes another spinning tale. This time he contemplates that time is constant and time travel impossible.
He puts forward an excellent theory with a very plausible explanation of the existence of the multiverse- a compilation of infinite and ever-increasing number of universes. According to this theory, every decision every individual takes or every action he does changes the course of history in a universe. So even though we cannot travel back in time, we can travel to another universe within the multiverse which is similar to what our world and universe would have been in that particular period of the past which we wish to visit. And as for the travel part itself it is done by a transcription process which is very much similar to faxing, only much more complex and possibly erroneous. It is based on the quantum technology and is known as quantum teleportation.
He very intelligently introduces this theory within a plot that will blow you out of your minds. An old man is found wandering in a desert miles away from human habitation. He has no memory as to how he got there. But he has the elaborate plan of an ancient French monastery in his pocket along with something made from ceramic.
Later as we come to know the man works in a company called ITC owned by a Bill Gates like person known as Robert Doniger. This company is clandestinely researching travels to the past. This same company is also involved in restoration of medieval structures for encouragement of tourism. At one of their sites the man in charge is Professor Edward Johnson. He has numerous assistants. He is actually trying to restore the very monastery whose map was with the old man. He and his assistants are all experts of the middle ages and know the language, dress and other traditions of the period. They have actually mapped the entire area. But the map that the old man carried is more elaborate. How can that be since nobody knew how the monastery was in the middle ages? This dilemma begins for the Professor when he receives a fax of the map from the cop who was investigating the old man’s mysterious death. The old man dies of very mysterious conditions, revealing them would be like giving you the thrill of the story. The mystery is compounded when it is known that the man is an ITC employee.
Now the Professor flies to the States to meet Doniger who as head of ITC is the financier of the Professor’s restoration project. Days pass by. His assistants do not receive a word about him. They get worried. They continue their excavation work and discover the Professor’s glasses and a message from him. It can’t be, coz it is buried in hundreds of pounds of mud. When they date the stuff, it is found to be dated in the middle ages. They are however brought to ITC and are explained everything.
ITC has invented the technology that enables travels to different universes. The Professor on being told this had pressurized ITC to send him into the medieval period. Now he had gone to the middle ages and for some reason had not been able to return back. ITC requires four of his assistants to travel there and get him back. They are chosen since they are most familiar with the customs and culture and one of them with the language of the period. They all are given earpieces which translate languages and a ceramic piece which has a ceramic switch which has to be used if you want to. This was the same thing that the old man had. However they are not allowed to carry any modern weapons because if they were lost or left behind they would be discovered in excavations hundreds of years later and be dated to before they were invented. Along with them two guides are sent.
Before being sent they are explained in detail the theory and working of the device. They are warned of all the perils of that travel. Within minutes of their reaching their destinations both their guides are killed and now the four are trapped. They have to first flee to safety. They are separated. They are bang in the middle of THE HUNDRED YEARS WAR.
Two chiefs, the English Oliver de Vannes and the Archpriest Arnaut de Cervole are fighting a bitter battle. How the assistants find the professor and come back forms the crux of the story. What happens in that world, how do they survive, how many near death-experiences they have, how many thrills, how many chills, what happens to Doniger, well for all that you will have to read the book.
But this travel of theirs has changed history, in what way. Have things changed for the worst? Well the book is 500 pages and my fingers are already aching typing this stuff.
Read the book. It is packed with complete descriptions in the Middle Ages, deceits, betrayals, disguises, great brutal battles and mind games, cannons and amazing science fiction. Do not miss it.