This is the best time travel series in a realistic timeline ever written. Before these books, L. Sprague De Camp had held that title for decades with his "Lest Darkness Fall", but it was too short. Mark Twain may be the most famous with his "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court", but that is more light hearted than serious, and disappointing at the end. The Conrad series delivers on all the promise, and even after 5 books, it still leaves you wanting more. (There is a sixth book now, but Conrad is a minor character, and I've reviewed it separately.)I say realistic timeline, because Conrad isn't really from our timeline. I was a little suspicious right from the start, but it wasn't until Conrad reminisced about the Mongols invading France that I thought "Hey, wait a minute". It turns out that it didn't happen to us (even without Conrad). But the historians I read agree that it would have, except the great Khan died and the Mongols had a war of succession which they never recovered from. This is often used as an example of the actions of one person changing history. I never even heard the story, until Conrad got me to look it up. Go figure.This is an action story, with fighting and sex, where Conrad overcomes insurmountable obstacles, and usually has a good time along the way. The author doesn't just ignore the time travel though. He writes a science fiction sub-plot about that too. In fact, the author is obviously an engineer, not just because it takes an engineer for Conrad to build the things he does, but also from the way the books were planned out and crafted. Obviously the author planned the Mongol invasion and built the series around it, but he also foreshadows romantic sub-plots 3 books in advance. I love these books, and share other reviewers disbelief that they haven't been reprinted since 1993. If you've already read them, and love them too, you might want to try "The Misplaced Legion (Videssos Cycle, Book 1)" by Harry Turtledove, about elements of one of Caesar's legions travelling into Rome's future of the Byzantine Empire. Only it's not the real Byzantine Empire, it's a parallel universe where magic works. Aside from that, it's Byzantium during the 1100's written by a Byzantine historian. And of course you'll want to read the "Island in the Sea of Time" series by S. M. Stirling, about modern day Nantucket going back in time to the Trojan War. These works are different, but also 5 stars.
A most fun read, Good characters and plot twists.
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
I have read all of the books in the series four times so far. Each time I find something new to enjoy. I would like to see more books in this series if the Author could be persuaded.
Almost the greatest series I have read!!! Fantastic reading
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 26 years ago
It took me 6 months to read book 1. I had it and didn't read it. But a boring plane ride forced me to read book 1 and i read it twice on that ride. I couldn't wait to get the other 4 books. Now i only hope that more are on the way. A fantastic read. Different characters are used in each book. Different and exciting. A MUST READ
One of my all-time favorites
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
If you can find it, GET IT! Well-written, thoughtful, and entertaining. Love and joy, sadness and pain, the adventure of time travel gets lost behind the story of the daily life of an ordinary person in extraordinary circumstances.
The book and series are excellent
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
I found the overall series on Conrad Stargard to be excellent. This final book was as good as the others. I wish Mr. Frankowski would continue the series.
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