Title attributed to Andre Norton

The Crossroads of Time / Mankind on the Run

& ACE Double Book containing The Crossroads of Time by Andre Norton & Mankind on the Run by Gordon R. Dickson

Bibliography -

¯ (1956) * Published by ACE Double, PB, # D-164, $0.35, 169+151pg ~ cover of The Crossroads of Time by Schultz ~ cover of Mankind on the Run by Edward Valigursky

Synopsis for The Crossroads of Time ~

Blake has a premonition that something dangerous is about to occur in his vicinity and, when it peaks, he is drawn to the corridor. After easing the door open, he finds a man holding a gun on another man who is unlocking the room across the way. Blake grabs the gunman's throat and yanks his head back, providing the other man with an opportunity to knock the gunman unconscious. The rescued man introduces himself as Kittson, an FBI agent. Soon, two of Kittson's associates come and take away the gunman. Shortly thereafter, someone identifying himself as a hotel security officer knocks on Blake's door, but Kittson tells Blake to say that he is going to check with the desk and the stranger goes away. Since someone is obviously curious about the recent events, Kittson takes Blake with him when he leaves. They travel to a loft apartment atop a warehouse, where Blake finds three other men in addition to Mark Kittson. Apparently, these men are doing a great deal of reading, for piles of books, with numerous bookmarks, are all around the living room. One of the men, Jason Saxton, claims that the books are part of his hobby, the study of history, and turns the conversation to the subject of decision points in history causing diverging timelines. Later, Blake is awakened to find Kittson injured and being helped into another bedroom. The next day that bedroom is locked and then someone or something comes up the elevator to the outside door and sends a mental presence into the room, attacking Blake. Although Blake holds out for a while, he collapses after the attacking presence is scared off by the returning agents. When the others learn of the intrusion, they prepare to more their operation elsewhere. However, they tell Blake a little more about the crosstime secret and their mission to catch a power-mad renegade. Blake learns just enough to pretend to be totally ignorant of the true mission when he later falls into the hands of the opposition.

Synopsis for Mankind on the Run is unavailable at this time.

(Click on image to enlarge)

© 2010 Jay Watts – All Rights Reserved

Email me with suggestions or additional data at lotsawatts@live.com - Please reference this site in the subject line.