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Quantum Touch #1
Storm Portal
Time travel is real, of that, Fritz was certain. He’d just done it. Meeting Robert E. Lee was fascinating, especially the way he got along with the kids. But witnessing the Triangle Fire with his class was scary. As a history teacher, his job was to teach, not participate, in events long past. And what if they hadn’t been able to get home?
Fritz Russell, an experienced and well-liked teacher at Riverboro High School, has found a portal to the past, his classroom door. But his trips didn’t happen every time. To make matters worse, he and his principal, George McAllister, walked in on the President of the United States. The portal was also a tunnel in the present. And he had no idea how it happened, how to control it, or what damage he was causing, in the future.
With his wife, Linda, and his friends, Fritz investigates the mysteries of time travel, of the portal itself, while the nation’s security apparatus gears up. Can the President help them?
Can they find the answers in time?
Fritz Russell, an experienced and well-liked teacher at Riverboro High School, has found a portal to the past, his classroom door. But his trips didn’t happen every time. To make matters worse, he and his principal, George McAllister, walked in on the President of the United States. The portal was also a tunnel in the present. And he had no idea how it happened, how to control it, or what damage he was causing, in the future.
With his wife, Linda, and his friends, Fritz investigates the mysteries of time travel, of the portal itself, while the nation’s security apparatus gears up. Can the President help them?
Can they find the answers in time?
208 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2014
257 people are currently reading
515 people want to read
About the author
Michael R. Stern
28 books69 followersMichael R. Stern is the Amazon best selling author of "Reflections on a Generous Generation", and "Storm Portal."
His newest release, Shadow Storm, book 3 of the Quantum Touch series, tells the story of a history teacher, whose classroom door is a portal to the past and a tunnel through the present.
Michael is a history lover. His future writing, both non-fiction and fiction, will offer perspectives on the way the past threads to the present and future, and why our past provides the guidance to understand and plan for the world we inhabit together.
Michael grew up in Garden City, New York, is a graduate of Cornell University, and now lives outside Philadelphia with his family. After a long career in business, he has begun a writing adventure.
His newest release, Shadow Storm, book 3 of the Quantum Touch series, tells the story of a history teacher, whose classroom door is a portal to the past and a tunnel through the present.
Michael is a history lover. His future writing, both non-fiction and fiction, will offer perspectives on the way the past threads to the present and future, and why our past provides the guidance to understand and plan for the world we inhabit together.
Michael grew up in Garden City, New York, is a graduate of Cornell University, and now lives outside Philadelphia with his family. After a long career in business, he has begun a writing adventure.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 31, 2020
I'd read a few reviews and seen some promos for Michael R. Stern's books in the past, but with a TBR toppling over and this being a genre I don't often read, it never made the climb to the top... until this week. I decided it was time to read the first book, Storm Portal, in his Quantum Touch series. Now I could kick myself for waiting so long. This series isn't just a science-fiction / time travel story; it has mystery, suspense, drama, intrigue, and wit, and characters I really like.
Fritz, our protagonist, is a history teacher in New Jersey. He's married, trying to motivate his students, building new friendships, and then boom... his life changes. To find out the specifics, you'll have to read the book since I am not going to spoil anything. It's fair to tell you there is a lightning storm, and he's electrocuted, but from there on... it's quite a journey. He visits several important moments in history, including a candid discussion with General Robert E. Lee near the end of the Civil War, the actual Triangle fire that changed labor laws, and then... he enters the office of a US President. Fritz's time travel discovery is no longer secret, and now he needs to figure out whether anyone believes him or is on his side.
At first, the book takes us through a teacher's journey. Several chapters set the stage, clearly showing the author's love of history and knowledge of critical events in our past. Meshed with some science and technology overviews, we come to learn what happened when lightning struck. Stern doesn't get into nitty gritty details; he offers a fine balance of "just go with what I'm saying here" and "here's the basics of how it works." It captivated my attention immediately. In all the time travel stories I've read before, it was often about where and when the traveler went, or what problem they were trying to fix. Storm Portal takes a totally different stance: how does this work and why might someone try to kill me because of it!
The pages flew by. I read it in two sections, mostly because I had to meet friends for dinner and couldn't keep reading the first day. The characters are tightly knit, and they ask good questions. Sometimes a scene is just witty and clever, others there is a bit of emotion attached to make us wonder -- how would we handle the situation? Our protagonist knows nothing about time travel. He just got tossed back 150 years... and when the President and Secret Service are involved, you have to include some levity or it will be angsty and unbelievable. Stern balances all of this adeptly and kept me fully fascinated.
When I hit the 90% mark, I really kept wondering... he's playing us. Stern is leading us down a path but really, there will be a secret soon that totally changes the game. Someone knows something, and we don't know which character is actually being two-faced or double-crossing someone. Is it one of Fritz's friends? The Secret Service? The National Security Adviser? I mean... come on... there are so many black SUVs following him, then a few shots are taken. We get glimpses of scenes with a vague speaker. And then boom, the book comes to a screeching halt. It was powerful and simply tons of fun to read.
There had to be a setup for future books in the series, and let me tell you... I've bought into it. I can't wait to pick up the next book to find out what's going on behind the scenes. Great book. Highly recommend. Easy to read, minimal complexity in terms of how time travel works, but full of education on history. A perfect combo for me.
Fritz, our protagonist, is a history teacher in New Jersey. He's married, trying to motivate his students, building new friendships, and then boom... his life changes. To find out the specifics, you'll have to read the book since I am not going to spoil anything. It's fair to tell you there is a lightning storm, and he's electrocuted, but from there on... it's quite a journey. He visits several important moments in history, including a candid discussion with General Robert E. Lee near the end of the Civil War, the actual Triangle fire that changed labor laws, and then... he enters the office of a US President. Fritz's time travel discovery is no longer secret, and now he needs to figure out whether anyone believes him or is on his side.
At first, the book takes us through a teacher's journey. Several chapters set the stage, clearly showing the author's love of history and knowledge of critical events in our past. Meshed with some science and technology overviews, we come to learn what happened when lightning struck. Stern doesn't get into nitty gritty details; he offers a fine balance of "just go with what I'm saying here" and "here's the basics of how it works." It captivated my attention immediately. In all the time travel stories I've read before, it was often about where and when the traveler went, or what problem they were trying to fix. Storm Portal takes a totally different stance: how does this work and why might someone try to kill me because of it!
The pages flew by. I read it in two sections, mostly because I had to meet friends for dinner and couldn't keep reading the first day. The characters are tightly knit, and they ask good questions. Sometimes a scene is just witty and clever, others there is a bit of emotion attached to make us wonder -- how would we handle the situation? Our protagonist knows nothing about time travel. He just got tossed back 150 years... and when the President and Secret Service are involved, you have to include some levity or it will be angsty and unbelievable. Stern balances all of this adeptly and kept me fully fascinated.
When I hit the 90% mark, I really kept wondering... he's playing us. Stern is leading us down a path but really, there will be a secret soon that totally changes the game. Someone knows something, and we don't know which character is actually being two-faced or double-crossing someone. Is it one of Fritz's friends? The Secret Service? The National Security Adviser? I mean... come on... there are so many black SUVs following him, then a few shots are taken. We get glimpses of scenes with a vague speaker. And then boom, the book comes to a screeching halt. It was powerful and simply tons of fun to read.
There had to be a setup for future books in the series, and let me tell you... I've bought into it. I can't wait to pick up the next book to find out what's going on behind the scenes. Great book. Highly recommend. Easy to read, minimal complexity in terms of how time travel works, but full of education on history. A perfect combo for me.
June 27, 2016
This was a little different than I had expected, having read many time travel stories in the past. It was almost more of a mystery, and I found the tale quite enjoyable. The author has a great way with storytelling and kept the pace moving along nicely. Suspense was doled out very expertly, and it kept me reading and wanting to know what would happen next. All in all, a very good story and enjoyable read.
The only problem I really had was when the author transitioned from First Person to Third Person, or basically when scenes within the story changed. Without any visual indication, I found several times that I had to go back and read again, because the next paragraph was a complete change of scene and perspective. This was a bit confusing, but once I got used to how the author was writing, it became less of a problem. Still, from my personal point of view, a visual indication of a such a change would have been more helpful, but that is my personal opinion. Something like a line of asterisks or some kind of representation that the scene was changing.
Even with that, this is a great story, and I am looking forward to the next installment of the series. I also enjoyed the historical aspect, bringing up details one does not normally find in textbooks or school classes. I found the historical elements quite fascinating. I recommend this book to any mystery or time-travel readers. It is a great read and definitely worth the cost. You can't go wrong.
The only problem I really had was when the author transitioned from First Person to Third Person, or basically when scenes within the story changed. Without any visual indication, I found several times that I had to go back and read again, because the next paragraph was a complete change of scene and perspective. This was a bit confusing, but once I got used to how the author was writing, it became less of a problem. Still, from my personal point of view, a visual indication of a such a change would have been more helpful, but that is my personal opinion. Something like a line of asterisks or some kind of representation that the scene was changing.
Even with that, this is a great story, and I am looking forward to the next installment of the series. I also enjoyed the historical aspect, bringing up details one does not normally find in textbooks or school classes. I found the historical elements quite fascinating. I recommend this book to any mystery or time-travel readers. It is a great read and definitely worth the cost. You can't go wrong.
February 4, 2019
An interesting tale
An interesting tale of time travel by a normal citizen. History buffs will love the classroom lessons and historical locations that our hero, Fritz, witnessed. I certainly enjoyed taking the trip and rooting for Fritz to come back in one piece, and stay out of trouble with the White House.
An interesting tale of time travel by a normal citizen. History buffs will love the classroom lessons and historical locations that our hero, Fritz, witnessed. I certainly enjoyed taking the trip and rooting for Fritz to come back in one piece, and stay out of trouble with the White House.
December 31, 2015
Time Travel is my favorite sub-genre in the realm of science fiction and Stern puts an interesting twist (which was a new one to me) on the vehicle used to transport someone to a different time. Fritz Russell, a public school teacher of 9th through 12th graders, survives a lightning strike which (along with other key ingredients discovered along the way) allows him to step through a portal (wormhole?) to another time. The initial experience is a visit with Robert E. Lee shortly after his surrender to Union forces. Fritz takes an entire classroom of students along for an in-depth history lesson (serendipitously unplanned). A second trip puts another class in danger as they pop into the 1911 Triangle Fire. This particular incident escaped my history education, perhaps because I grew up in the Midwest. The third trip through the portal (wormhole?) did not take us to the past, but delivered us into the (present day) Oval Office much to the surprise of the president. Perhaps I'm a little too cynical regarding how the government works, but I think in real life, the Secret Service would have gunned Fritz down and asked questions later.
From the description of the classroom and mannerisms of the teachers portrayed, I assumed that Stern had been a high school teacher, but when I read his biography, there was no mention of that as a vocation. I thought the classroom scenes were very rich in detail and very believable. As a Time Travel fan, I also found the Robert E. Lee portrayal very believable. I had more trouble suspending disbelief with all of the comings and goings involving the president and first lady.
I suspect the president will be back in the second book, Sand Storm, and I imagine the government will be attempting to manipulate Fritz to assist with foreign policy. I'm looking forward to reading the second story, already purchased and sitting in my reading queue.
If you're a Time Travel fan, I think you'll like Storm Portal
From the description of the classroom and mannerisms of the teachers portrayed, I assumed that Stern had been a high school teacher, but when I read his biography, there was no mention of that as a vocation. I thought the classroom scenes were very rich in detail and very believable. As a Time Travel fan, I also found the Robert E. Lee portrayal very believable. I had more trouble suspending disbelief with all of the comings and goings involving the president and first lady.
I suspect the president will be back in the second book, Sand Storm, and I imagine the government will be attempting to manipulate Fritz to assist with foreign policy. I'm looking forward to reading the second story, already purchased and sitting in my reading queue.
If you're a Time Travel fan, I think you'll like Storm Portal
October 23, 2015
A FUN, FAST-MOVING TIME TRAVEL ADVENTURE
Thunderstorms, a work desktop, paperclips... I love that the time travel elements in Michael R. Sterns's marvellous and racy book Storm Portal is hinged on everyday objects and occurrences. That much of the book is set in a school classroom is also very appealing.
Fritz, Ash and Linda investigate why Fritz is the conduit of unknown, perhaps electromagnetic, forces that propel him to seemingly random events in the past. I enjoyed their journey and that the president of the United States gets mixed up in the whole affair.
There's some wonderful imagery within the scenes set in the past, perhaps the most vivid being the women - marionette-like, skirts billowing - throwing themselves out of the windows of a burning building. All of the writing is top notch, however, and you'll be drawn into the scenes featuring General Lee and dinner parties alike.
In fact, I loved the scenes with General Lee because it featured one of my favourite aspects of any time travel adventure: convincing someone from the past that you're from the future. Here is it wonderful and highly entertaining.
Clever, well-written, funny yet not without its genuinely thought-provoking moments, Storm Portal is just so much fun. You can also tell the author loves their History because the book is full of trivia and fun facts - another brilliant element to a novel you'll be glad you read.
Thunderstorms, a work desktop, paperclips... I love that the time travel elements in Michael R. Sterns's marvellous and racy book Storm Portal is hinged on everyday objects and occurrences. That much of the book is set in a school classroom is also very appealing.
Fritz, Ash and Linda investigate why Fritz is the conduit of unknown, perhaps electromagnetic, forces that propel him to seemingly random events in the past. I enjoyed their journey and that the president of the United States gets mixed up in the whole affair.
There's some wonderful imagery within the scenes set in the past, perhaps the most vivid being the women - marionette-like, skirts billowing - throwing themselves out of the windows of a burning building. All of the writing is top notch, however, and you'll be drawn into the scenes featuring General Lee and dinner parties alike.
In fact, I loved the scenes with General Lee because it featured one of my favourite aspects of any time travel adventure: convincing someone from the past that you're from the future. Here is it wonderful and highly entertaining.
Clever, well-written, funny yet not without its genuinely thought-provoking moments, Storm Portal is just so much fun. You can also tell the author loves their History because the book is full of trivia and fun facts - another brilliant element to a novel you'll be glad you read.
January 2, 2015
Storm Portal was a fascinating read with an interesting premise. The idea of time travel has, of course, been used many times before, but Storm Portal offered a new twist on the concept. The portal allows the protagonist, Fritz, to journey to significant times in America’s history and speak with important people such as Robert E Lee. As a teacher, he uses this to educate the children about history, before things start to get out of hand. Being from the UK myself, I have a very limited knowledge of US history and this book taught me a great deal!
I finished this book quickly because the tone of the novel, and the quality of grammar made it accessible and easy to read. One criticism of the book would be that I felt certain events could have been described in more detail. There were a few anticlimactic moments when a truly exciting scene could have taken place, but it was quickly brushed over. As this is book one of a series, I am hoping that this type of moment will be elaborated upon in later books.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next from this author.
I finished this book quickly because the tone of the novel, and the quality of grammar made it accessible and easy to read. One criticism of the book would be that I felt certain events could have been described in more detail. There were a few anticlimactic moments when a truly exciting scene could have taken place, but it was quickly brushed over. As this is book one of a series, I am hoping that this type of moment will be elaborated upon in later books.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next from this author.
September 8, 2015
Michael R. Stern brings a new twist to the concept of time travel in this fun, fast-paced and inventive read.
The quality of his writing makes it easy and exciting to read. It's a real page-turner, with a new surprise or twist with each turn of the page.
The captivating plot isn't overloaded with science, but takes you on a wild ride into the past and back to the present day, bringing history to life on the way.
All the characters, past and present, are fleshed out and have their own personalities. Fritz is a down to earth, nice guy who cares for his wife and his friends, is committed to his students, and struggling to understand the circumstances he has found himself in. The President is tactful and poised and responds with confidence to the unique situation, as befitting his position. Ash is intriguing, and I think there may be more to him than meets the eye.
Storm Portal is a wonderful start to the series and I am eager to read book 2, Sand Storm
The quality of his writing makes it easy and exciting to read. It's a real page-turner, with a new surprise or twist with each turn of the page.
The captivating plot isn't overloaded with science, but takes you on a wild ride into the past and back to the present day, bringing history to life on the way.
All the characters, past and present, are fleshed out and have their own personalities. Fritz is a down to earth, nice guy who cares for his wife and his friends, is committed to his students, and struggling to understand the circumstances he has found himself in. The President is tactful and poised and responds with confidence to the unique situation, as befitting his position. Ash is intriguing, and I think there may be more to him than meets the eye.
Storm Portal is a wonderful start to the series and I am eager to read book 2, Sand Storm
February 2, 2020
Storm portal (Quantum Touch Book 1) By Michael R Stern
When teacher Fritz Russell walks into his classroom and finds himself and his students in a forest, in the past, talking to Robert E Lee, to say I was hooked would be an understatment!
Although he has yet to discover the reasons behind this strange phenomenon or how to control it, his time travelling adventures continue.
When the American President becomes involved, Fritz´s search for answers becomes more urgent and desperate.
I read on, willing the good hearted History teacher and his band of friends to be able to find the answers he seeks. Would he succeed in closing the portal before he becomes a threat to national security and disappears by sinister means?
This book kept me enthralled from start to finish and definitely merits the five stars.
Don´t miss out on this great read!
When teacher Fritz Russell walks into his classroom and finds himself and his students in a forest, in the past, talking to Robert E Lee, to say I was hooked would be an understatment!
Although he has yet to discover the reasons behind this strange phenomenon or how to control it, his time travelling adventures continue.
When the American President becomes involved, Fritz´s search for answers becomes more urgent and desperate.
I read on, willing the good hearted History teacher and his band of friends to be able to find the answers he seeks. Would he succeed in closing the portal before he becomes a threat to national security and disappears by sinister means?
This book kept me enthralled from start to finish and definitely merits the five stars.
Don´t miss out on this great read!
September 29, 2015
I'm not really a historical fiction reader. But this book intrigued me since I have a daughter who is considering being a history teacher. Storm Portal held my attention from the very beginning! Action-packed with a bit of thrill and a lot of mystery. I didn't figure it out until the characters did and I was just as surprised as they were! I really recommend this book and I'm looking forward to more from these characters. I have a feeling there are more adventures awaiting them!
September 27, 2015
Oh what a fantastic story
I absolutely love it this story, so well written. My former husband was a history teacher and what a fabulous teaching tool this would actually make . I think this series is going to be a great look at time travel, history, politics, and interpersonal relationships all commingled into one . Off to the next book
I absolutely love it this story, so well written. My former husband was a history teacher and what a fabulous teaching tool this would actually make . I think this series is going to be a great look at time travel, history, politics, and interpersonal relationships all commingled into one . Off to the next book
July 1, 2015
Fun read, fast paced and very clever. Each page turn a surprise. Hard book to put down. Looking forward to V2.
November 27, 2019
History Comes Alive in NJ
I have always loved historical fiction, and this was a nice break from the romances I normally find it in.
On the surface, this light read is filled with interesting facts and locations. The research compiled for this book alone must have been exhaustive. A quick trip to visit Gen Lee can be highly educational but it depends on the timing. How are these unscheduled field trips possible? Can the destination be controlled?
Under the surface, however, we find the federal government reacting with different levels of concern. The President may hold the power, but the First Lady is not to be ignored. And of course there’s the head of security... assassins can be found hiding in any shadow wearing any mask.
The ending answered some important questions while creating a natural segway for the next book in the series. I look forward to seeing which direction each character decides to take.
I have always loved historical fiction, and this was a nice break from the romances I normally find it in.
On the surface, this light read is filled with interesting facts and locations. The research compiled for this book alone must have been exhaustive. A quick trip to visit Gen Lee can be highly educational but it depends on the timing. How are these unscheduled field trips possible? Can the destination be controlled?
Under the surface, however, we find the federal government reacting with different levels of concern. The President may hold the power, but the First Lady is not to be ignored. And of course there’s the head of security... assassins can be found hiding in any shadow wearing any mask.
The ending answered some important questions while creating a natural segway for the next book in the series. I look forward to seeing which direction each character decides to take.
July 9, 2017
Do you remember that class in high school, the one that you just couldn't get into no matter how hard you tried? And you spent the entire 55 minutes trying your best not to fall asleep. That was history class for me.
But if I'd had a teacher like Mr. Fritz Russell, the main character in this book, I would have not only stayed awake, I would have passed that class with flying colors. Aside from bringing history to life through a secret time-travel portal, he truly cares about his students and encourages them to think of all possibilities. The teacher in me connected with that character quite well.
I was intrigued by the way the author incorporated everyday classroom items as keys for opening the portal, and the way it was discovered toward the end was quite creative. And the characters Fritz encounters in his time-travel adventures added even more excitement and uniqueness to the story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great sci-fi adventure. I will definitely be reading the other two books in this series to see what Fritz and his students get into next.
This is pretty much The Magic School Bus series for grownups :-)
But if I'd had a teacher like Mr. Fritz Russell, the main character in this book, I would have not only stayed awake, I would have passed that class with flying colors. Aside from bringing history to life through a secret time-travel portal, he truly cares about his students and encourages them to think of all possibilities. The teacher in me connected with that character quite well.
I was intrigued by the way the author incorporated everyday classroom items as keys for opening the portal, and the way it was discovered toward the end was quite creative. And the characters Fritz encounters in his time-travel adventures added even more excitement and uniqueness to the story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great sci-fi adventure. I will definitely be reading the other two books in this series to see what Fritz and his students get into next.
This is pretty much The Magic School Bus series for grownups :-)
June 21, 2019
What would you do if you inadvertently opened a time portal, stepped through it with a number of other people and then tried to figure out how to tamp down the experience, hide it from reality? Those are a couple of the dilemmas facing our hero in this interesting and enjoyable read. Others arise. On his third trip the hero steps into the office of the President of the U.S., then faces the difficulty of dealing with bureaucracy and bureaucratic dinosaurs. All these dilemmas are well presented by both the characters and the writer in his story line. The scenario of time travel and what one could do with it, if it could be controlled, is fascinating stuff. Mr. Stern makes it fun as well. The characters are well drawn, the story line is woven through with the lives of the characters. There is some political discussion. How could there not be? In our time, in any time in our history, politics would have to be involved in the life of a history teacher and particularly one whose use of a time travel portal might be used to benefit mankind. All in all this was a very enjoyable read. Five stars are well warranted.
February 21, 2018
Suppose you are a high school teacher. Your class is waiting to go into the room, but when you open the door, you and your students find yourself at Appomattox Court House, the day after Lee's Surrender, and that distinguished, yet tired, man facing you, certainly looks like General Robert E. Lee. Another class walks into the scene of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, and when you try to show your Prinicipal what has happened, the two of you walk into the Oval Office and face the President. If you thought you were in trouble before, just think that no one just walks in on the President. This novel is tightly written and well paced. Without a clue what is happening, or how, Fritz Russell must solve the enigma and fast if he is to control it and have any security in his own life. But what a temptation for a history teacher to be able to actually visit the history that he teaches. How does he keep himself and his students safe if he has no clue what is happening? I give this book my highest recommendation.
March 4, 2017
I am giving this first book in the series a four star, and am looking forward to reading more. This book is really a bit of an introduction to a strange happening and I think the next adventures will take readers on an amazing journey. The book is well written and I like this author's other stories as well.Meet Fritz Russell, a history teacher who through a strange phenomenon finds that not only he, but his history students with him, have traveled back in time. Readers learn a bit of history and a lot of what problems arrive if people, including the President find out about the traveling.
June 4, 2017
Time Travel adventure with much time spent trying to figure out how the accidental time travel happened and the fallout from surprise time travel. The dark, paranoid side of time travel events that could be dangerous to National Security are explored. This is a character driven story and it is the first of a series. This story can be considered a stand alone as everything is neatly wrapped up by the end.Storm Portal
August 18, 2018
Excellent writing for this style Science Fiction. I am a bit nostalgic for juvenile Science Fiction. This was written much like the books I can remember reading at about age 11 or 12, but with the intended audience at adult age. The story is fairly simplistic and vague in the "science", and fairly politically liberal viewpoint (why can't we get away from that sort of thing, even in Science Fiction), but the writing flows very well, and one cares for the characters immediately. I recommend this, just note that those with Conservative views will be slightly annoyed by some things.
May 5, 2019
I enjoyed this book a lot. Finding yourself in the past would be quite an eye opener and very confusing - and to be a history teacher and have your students with you would be.....................well, too many words to describe. I loved the development of the story, the way Fritz tried to find the answer, even the frustration of the government! I look forward to the next book in the series and what adventures may play out again.
June 1, 2017
A magical journey
This book reminds me of one that I read when I was a child. It combined reality and magic; together they make for a fun reading escape. Whether or not time travel is possible now or in the future, this book presents possibilities! And isn't this what science fiction is all about? Alternative realities, just like Arthur Clarke did with space. I loved it.
This book reminds me of one that I read when I was a child. It combined reality and magic; together they make for a fun reading escape. Whether or not time travel is possible now or in the future, this book presents possibilities! And isn't this what science fiction is all about? Alternative realities, just like Arthur Clarke did with space. I loved it.
October 12, 2018
If you like history this book is for you.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time? Fritz, a history teacher all of a sudden can. Not only does open the door him to visit historical events, it also opens a door to the Oval Office. Very interesting book.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel back in time? Fritz, a history teacher all of a sudden can. Not only does open the door him to visit historical events, it also opens a door to the Oval Office. Very interesting book.
August 29, 2018
Racist much
I stopped at page 55. The main character opens with a serious slavery related racist slant on history, waxes poetic about his "mostly" white upper class students and his idyllic suburban town.
The time travel in the book is history lite, at the level of TV portrayals of history going back to "Time Tunnel", only worse.
A history class session covers the civil rights movement and the class is transported to meet the care worn, defeated friendly, genteel General Lee. Does neither the writer nor the editor, see how grossly inappropriate that is??? The most famous general of the slave owners' armies dismisses slavery as their "peculiar institution", (the euphemism that made the South infamous) and makes it clear as do most popular histories that he was motivated by duty to his state?, not to defend the rights of slave owners to enforce their State laws North of the Mason- Dixon line -read the declarations of secession, sonetime. It will shock you.
His concern for the plight of slaves losing their free meals????? (the cheapest vegetables combined with meat scraps fed to dogs) and housing????? (has the writer ever seen a picture of a slave shack) was touching. "Marse" Lee's concern didn't carry over to the university he led, after the war but his dedication to "Southern Values", did. "Females as students at their age and of the right sort"! "A prank sir, I say! "Sharing the same room as boys and the oriental isn't a servant girl! You go too far, Sir!"
Far more realistic dialogue (off the top of my head) and it would get worse. This is happening on the general's worst day ever!!! If this glimpse into the writer's perspective on history and his writing skill, doesn't turn your stomach, don't read the rest of my review and by all means try the book. Otherwise read on.
The writer needs to mention that the students are "mostly" upper class white, in a little town in southern NJ. Translated the class includes one female, Asian student. Only in the movies are the idyllic suburban communities required to host one upper class black family (two, if a black student needs a prom date). For the writer to include that cute nod to the model of suburban racial exclusivity, after introducing the kindly slave master is overkill. I read on to get a sense of how bad the series might be.
The history episodes, are distortions of popular history with no context even. There is no horror that this writer can't minimize. It read like Glee, with a history teacher, who does the time travel thing.
The characters are barely two dimensional. The main character's wife goes to Wharton to learn how to sell bicycles? and works part time. Name dropping complete. School teacher salary pays for that. Best friend Ashley, is four inches taller, beats him at basketball but loses to him at golf. Is this writer trying to invent a past where he had a best black friend? Really Michael! May I call you, Michael? No? Fair Enough.
I don't know about the friend but I laughed at the last section (before I bailed), the history teacher has a fair notion of quantum physics (he barely understands history), the president chats up the intruder into the oval office???, knows what quantum physics roughly entails (only in 2 of the last 7 presidents is that plausible), and is brave enough to walk through the portal (2 of the last seven, maybe? -Carter and Clinton?). The presidential childlike wonder and his playful notion that maybe this power should be top secret is hilarious. I quit at that point.
It wasn't funny enough to subject yourself to the dialogue, interactions, flat characters and brutally obvious sexism and racism. That this writer thinks he's cosmopolitan is perhaps the worst part of this book. How connected is this writer?
I stopped at page 55. The main character opens with a serious slavery related racist slant on history, waxes poetic about his "mostly" white upper class students and his idyllic suburban town.
The time travel in the book is history lite, at the level of TV portrayals of history going back to "Time Tunnel", only worse.
A history class session covers the civil rights movement and the class is transported to meet the care worn, defeated friendly, genteel General Lee. Does neither the writer nor the editor, see how grossly inappropriate that is??? The most famous general of the slave owners' armies dismisses slavery as their "peculiar institution", (the euphemism that made the South infamous) and makes it clear as do most popular histories that he was motivated by duty to his state?, not to defend the rights of slave owners to enforce their State laws North of the Mason- Dixon line -read the declarations of secession, sonetime. It will shock you.
His concern for the plight of slaves losing their free meals????? (the cheapest vegetables combined with meat scraps fed to dogs) and housing????? (has the writer ever seen a picture of a slave shack) was touching. "Marse" Lee's concern didn't carry over to the university he led, after the war but his dedication to "Southern Values", did. "Females as students at their age and of the right sort"! "A prank sir, I say! "Sharing the same room as boys and the oriental isn't a servant girl! You go too far, Sir!"
Far more realistic dialogue (off the top of my head) and it would get worse. This is happening on the general's worst day ever!!! If this glimpse into the writer's perspective on history and his writing skill, doesn't turn your stomach, don't read the rest of my review and by all means try the book. Otherwise read on.
The writer needs to mention that the students are "mostly" upper class white, in a little town in southern NJ. Translated the class includes one female, Asian student. Only in the movies are the idyllic suburban communities required to host one upper class black family (two, if a black student needs a prom date). For the writer to include that cute nod to the model of suburban racial exclusivity, after introducing the kindly slave master is overkill. I read on to get a sense of how bad the series might be.
The history episodes, are distortions of popular history with no context even. There is no horror that this writer can't minimize. It read like Glee, with a history teacher, who does the time travel thing.
The characters are barely two dimensional. The main character's wife goes to Wharton to learn how to sell bicycles? and works part time. Name dropping complete. School teacher salary pays for that. Best friend Ashley, is four inches taller, beats him at basketball but loses to him at golf. Is this writer trying to invent a past where he had a best black friend? Really Michael! May I call you, Michael? No? Fair Enough.
I don't know about the friend but I laughed at the last section (before I bailed), the history teacher has a fair notion of quantum physics (he barely understands history), the president chats up the intruder into the oval office???, knows what quantum physics roughly entails (only in 2 of the last 7 presidents is that plausible), and is brave enough to walk through the portal (2 of the last seven, maybe? -Carter and Clinton?). The presidential childlike wonder and his playful notion that maybe this power should be top secret is hilarious. I quit at that point.
It wasn't funny enough to subject yourself to the dialogue, interactions, flat characters and brutally obvious sexism and racism. That this writer thinks he's cosmopolitan is perhaps the worst part of this book. How connected is this writer?
December 3, 2019
Fritz Russel is a history teacher at a local high school in New Jersey. A lightning bolt knocks him for a loop. When he opens the door into his classroom to admit the class they walk into a grassy area where the find Robert E. Lee. He has just signed the surrender at Appomattox. They have quite a conversation and a second class joins them before they walk back through the portal and into the high school. Before the day is over another class walks into the Triangle Fire scene in New York City in 1911. They see the young women on fire jumping from the windows and plunging to their deaths, and somehow wander into the morgue before walking back through the portal. The last class walks into the Oval Office and meets the President at the White House. He accompanies them back through the Portal while ordering someone to be at the high school to pick him up. Events accelerate after this. One security officer wants to eliminate Fritz. Fritz’s wife worries about him and the effect the Portal has had on him and the school. A wild tale of technology is concocted to explain what the students saw. The White House has the classroom and the Russel home bugged. They also use special electronics to examine the schoolroom and find ghostly images of all the events. Does this mean there is Time Travel, or is the past coming into the future, or even a parallel universe. No one knows and all search for the key to open the Portal again. They even use the Portal to rescue an ambassador’s wife and children, and then the Ambassador in a foreign country. All this time they are unsure of the actual Key that unlocks the Portal and its potential. The Key will be found, but how will it be used in the future? Will they discover it is really Time Travel or is the Past surging toward us? Perhaps a sequel will solve that question.
November 21, 2024
EXCITING TIME TRAVEL MYSTERY
Storm Portal is the first in a series of books by Michael R Stern. The storyline was brilliant: Set in New Jersey, America, It tells of a portal in a school classroom that enables people to travel through time. We go back to the Civil War and the Triangle Fire disaster, it also takes us to the President of The United States, who becomes embroiled in the mystery. What exactly is the portal and how does it work? A band of school staff and their families become involved in a race to answer these questions and restore safety to their school.
I loved the main character Fritz Russell - the fun and inspiring history teacher. The interaction between Fritz and his students was very well written and enjoyable to read. I also liked how the author implemented the character of the President and thought this made it even more intriguing.
This is a well researched story that weaves politics and history with modern day. There was lots of subterfuge which made this a riveting read.
An excellent read, highly recommended and will be looking out for the other books in this series.
Storm Portal is the first in a series of books by Michael R Stern. The storyline was brilliant: Set in New Jersey, America, It tells of a portal in a school classroom that enables people to travel through time. We go back to the Civil War and the Triangle Fire disaster, it also takes us to the President of The United States, who becomes embroiled in the mystery. What exactly is the portal and how does it work? A band of school staff and their families become involved in a race to answer these questions and restore safety to their school.
I loved the main character Fritz Russell - the fun and inspiring history teacher. The interaction between Fritz and his students was very well written and enjoyable to read. I also liked how the author implemented the character of the President and thought this made it even more intriguing.
This is a well researched story that weaves politics and history with modern day. There was lots of subterfuge which made this a riveting read.
An excellent read, highly recommended and will be looking out for the other books in this series.
April 7, 2021
Michael R. Stern conveys an original take on the notion of time travel wrapped up in this entertaining, innovative tale.
The portal allows the protagonist, Fritz, Russell, to journey to significant times in America’s history and speak with influential people such as Robert E Lee and even the president of the United States. The tale is advanced by the characters' hunt to discover how to replicate the technique for more journeying through time. The dilemma; Fritz must unravel the riddle quickly if he is to have even minor safety for his own life.
Author Michael R. Stern’s Storm Portal book 1 has terrific, relatable characters, is resolutely written, finely stridden, and highly creative. Past and present circumstances will engross you and keep you turning the pages.
If you like intrigue, action, mystery, authentic characters, and going into time portals, this book will be right up your alley.
The portal allows the protagonist, Fritz, Russell, to journey to significant times in America’s history and speak with influential people such as Robert E Lee and even the president of the United States. The tale is advanced by the characters' hunt to discover how to replicate the technique for more journeying through time. The dilemma; Fritz must unravel the riddle quickly if he is to have even minor safety for his own life.
Author Michael R. Stern’s Storm Portal book 1 has terrific, relatable characters, is resolutely written, finely stridden, and highly creative. Past and present circumstances will engross you and keep you turning the pages.
If you like intrigue, action, mystery, authentic characters, and going into time portals, this book will be right up your alley.
March 15, 2022
Stands Out Well In A Crowded Genre
So many aspects of this novel combine to make it a truly fresh concept, and stand out in the crowded time travel genre.
On the face of it, there's nothing unique about Michael R. Stern's travel device, which is a portal leading from one place and time to another. Numerous books and films have made use of something similar. But that's where similarities end, as our intrepid and accidental travellers here are a school teacher and his pupils. He simply opens his classroom door and walks through into another place or time.
The book opens at a cracking pace, with literally the first paragraph taking them from their school to a battlefield where they encounter General Robert E. Lee.
A later trip takes them not through time, but across the United States, straight into the Oval Office at the White House, where they meet the President. And that's when the trouble starts, because members of the White House staff are concerned that the portal could present a dangerous threat, especially as the teacher can't explain how it works, but he does come up with a way to successfully navigate where he wants to go with it.
This potential conflict becomes the main plotline throughout the story, while the teacher struggles to replicate the conditions to make the portal work.
Towards the end of the story there's a completely unexpected subplot adventure which sets the direction of how this exciting sci-fi series will develop.
Personally, I'd have liked a little more action in other places and times, but this intriguing book is well written and plotted, with the nicely rounded characters interacting perfectly. Overall, a great Five-Star beginning for what is now the author's renowned Quantum Touch series.
So many aspects of this novel combine to make it a truly fresh concept, and stand out in the crowded time travel genre.
On the face of it, there's nothing unique about Michael R. Stern's travel device, which is a portal leading from one place and time to another. Numerous books and films have made use of something similar. But that's where similarities end, as our intrepid and accidental travellers here are a school teacher and his pupils. He simply opens his classroom door and walks through into another place or time.
The book opens at a cracking pace, with literally the first paragraph taking them from their school to a battlefield where they encounter General Robert E. Lee.
A later trip takes them not through time, but across the United States, straight into the Oval Office at the White House, where they meet the President. And that's when the trouble starts, because members of the White House staff are concerned that the portal could present a dangerous threat, especially as the teacher can't explain how it works, but he does come up with a way to successfully navigate where he wants to go with it.
This potential conflict becomes the main plotline throughout the story, while the teacher struggles to replicate the conditions to make the portal work.
Towards the end of the story there's a completely unexpected subplot adventure which sets the direction of how this exciting sci-fi series will develop.
Personally, I'd have liked a little more action in other places and times, but this intriguing book is well written and plotted, with the nicely rounded characters interacting perfectly. Overall, a great Five-Star beginning for what is now the author's renowned Quantum Touch series.
July 1, 2022
Accidentally visiting the past
For a historian the chance of dreams; to visit figures from history and see world events unfold. The danger is not to mess with those events as Fritz is painfully aware. The portal though can reach current events, and at the request of the President, the ambassador and his family are rescued from a kidnap situation. The portal becomes a valued and secretive tool to be used for all manner of things.
A well thought out story which keeps you entertained and guessing just what it means for the the teachers caught up in the secrecy.
I received my copy as an author's ARC and willingly leave my review
For a historian the chance of dreams; to visit figures from history and see world events unfold. The danger is not to mess with those events as Fritz is painfully aware. The portal though can reach current events, and at the request of the President, the ambassador and his family are rescued from a kidnap situation. The portal becomes a valued and secretive tool to be used for all manner of things.
A well thought out story which keeps you entertained and guessing just what it means for the the teachers caught up in the secrecy.
I received my copy as an author's ARC and willingly leave my review
October 9, 2019
A very engaging and enjoyable story about a high school teacher who gets hit by lightning and becomes able to open a portal to other times and locations. Unsure how this occurs he actually takes some of his students to Lee's surrender at Appomatox and ultimately the oval office where the President crosses the portal into the school. The remainder of this first book n the series addresses how they figure out how this happened and how the government will react. I just started book two in the series.
January 19, 2025
DNF @ 43%. A teacher and his class having a conversation with General Lee about history and the future didn't appeal to me. I typically prefer to learn about history from non-fiction books or documentaries. I'm not too sure about accuracy as well... a student mentioned the Beatles being a big deal in America in 1963, and the teacher didn't correct him. I'm not sure why why this book is listed as having 437 pages - I'm at 43 % according to my Kindle but at location 539 and only on chapter 5.
January 13, 2025
One of the best free kindle books that I've ever read! A history teacher accidentally brings his class to the Civil War to visit Robert E Lee. And that's just the beginning. Time travel through a portal. The trick is to find out how and why there? So enjoyable. Some teachers really bring their subject to life!
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