Read Darkness Fall
| Read Darkness Fall | |
|---|---|
| author | Lyon's Sprague de Camp |
| language | English |
| genre | Alternate world history |
| Original title | Read Darkness Fall |
| publishing company | Herny Holt and Company |
| Release Date | 1941 |
Lest Darkness Fall is a 1941 novel by Lyon Sprague de Camp from the field of alternative world history , which is considered to be one of the earliest and most influential works in this genre. He tells the story of an American archaeologist who was transported back to the year 535 by a weather anomaly and who changed the course of history significantly through his actions.
In German, the novel was published in 1965 as Terra special volume no. 97 under the title The Middle Ages Does Not Take Place by Moewig , then for the first time in full by Ullstein in 1973 under the title Anticipation of the Past .
content
The American archaeologist Martin Padway visited the Roman pantheon in 1938 when he suddenly found himself in Rome in 535 after being struck by lightning during a severe storm . At this time the city was part of the Ostrogoth Empire and was heading towards the beginning of the Second Gothic War . Thanks to his excellent knowledge of Latin and history, Padway was able to adapt to the new environment almost without any problems and, as Martinus Paduei, he quickly became a successful businessman, anticipating later inventions such as the printing press and telegraphy .
When the Byzantines in Italy come, Paduei is also involved in the political events. After he saved the life of the Gothic king Theodahad , he became his most important advisor and, thanks to his knowledge of military history, also revolutionized warfare. As a military leader, Paduei can defeat the Belisarius army and, after Theodahad's drift into senility, place one of his own followers on the throne of the Ostrogoths. After John's army inflicts a severe defeat on the Gothic army, Paduei proclaims the end of serfdom and puts together a new force which ultimately defeats the Byzantines. Paduei's intervention in history stabilizes the Ostrogoth Empire, unites the Goths, and the Dark Age never occurs.
reception
Lest Darkness Fall was received with great enthusiasm in the science fiction scene and popularized the genre of alternate world history. Marked P. Schuyler Miller 's novel alongside The Time Machine by HG Wells as the best time travel story ever. Harry Turtledove repeatedly emphasized the great impact that reading Lest Darkness Fall had on his life. Over the years several story-based short stories and anthologies have appeared , most recently in 2011 Lest Darkness Fall and Related Stories .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Entry Read Darkness Fall (incl. Translations) in the Internet Speculative Fiction Database (ISFDB)
- ↑ Interview with Harry Turtledove on Youtube (English)