Horn of Time

Back cover synopsis: `The 20th century played a game of nuclear Russian roulette. And lost. Man must escape his own dead world, raid hostile planets, subdue his human nature to survive in a strange cosmos. Poul Anderson explores the future of this blood-chilling narrative that spins from Earth to distant galaxies as he foretells the ultimate destiny of mankind.' The Horn of Time Hunter - 3/5 - Planetary explorers discover a seemingly hostile amphibious human-like intelligence. The aliens' reactions must be read carefully as to discern the nature of their being. 16 pages A Man to My Wounding - 4/5 - A counter-spy slinks around Chinatown looking for Chinese assassins in a government sanctioned assassination game. The evolution of war has come to this. 17 pages The High Ones - 4/5 - A non-native subterranean alien species is discovered on a planet but they react in a non-intelligent way. The divided explorers put themselves forward to understand the culture and technology of the aliens. 24 pages The Man Who Came Early - 3/5 - Unwilling time traveler is sent back to 11th century Iceland where he stays in a village though he has no skills to provide the township. A kind man takes him under his wing for better... but not for worse. 23 pages Matius - 2/5 - Coup-minded man confronts the chief to change leadership. When the chief waves the suggestion away, the real racket begins and choices must be made. 13 pages Progress - 5/5 - The seamen (or pirates or spies) approach the Bangladeshi/Indian coast in disrepair hoping for assistance. The tension between landlubbers and sailors is high as information to their origins and benevolence is questioned. 41 pages