Mission in Time

by Richard Scott

A time-travel adventure that just might make you a believer. The Time Machine by H. G. Wells was fun, as was the enjoyable A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle and Jack Finney's delightful Time and Again. If you enjoyed these books, you’ll definitely want to read Mission in Time. However, after reading Mission in Time, this might be the first time you actually find yourself believing in time travel. Imagine being sent on a time-travel mission expecting to arrive in a certain period of time and finding yourself in a very different era—a major period in the history of the United States. Imagine finding yourself with people totally unfamiliar with things you’ve been accustomed to all your your skills, foods, views on sanitation, means of travel, kinds of recreation and even your vocabulary. Imagine, too, that despite your advantage over the people you meet in history, you find yourself learning as much from them as they learn from you. Whether you’re a time-travel aficionado or a lover of historic novels, you won’t be disappointed with Mission in Time.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Richard Scott is a retired editor, writer, and publisher, having been president and publisher of the David McKay Company and president and publisher of Fodor's Travel Publications. He's also been managing editor of American Bookseller and Bookselling this Week. Mr. Scott was co-host with Isaac Asimov, Brendan Gill and Nat Hentoff of a talk show called In Conversation. The show was nationally syndicated in the U.S. He lives in Salem, Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Henry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

Let me start by saying that time travel novels are one of my favorite genres. However, this book disappointed on so many levels. The science is terrible. That would be okay. Jack Finney 's Time and Again and Stephen King's 11-22-63, two of the best time travel novels, have virtually no science and need none. But if you are going to offer a scientific explanation, make it credible, as in Blake Crouch's Recursion. The science here is juvenile at best. More importantly however is what makes time travel novels interesting is the time paradox. This novel obliquely refers to it but does nothing with it. Moreover, 99% of the book has nothing to do with time travel, but is just a poorly written history of revolutionary era Massachusetts. There are much better books on that subject. Finally the writing is young adult. That's generous -- more like for 10 to twelve year olds. It ends with the hint of a sequel which I will certainly not be reading.

[Allen Hyre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing

This book was disappointing in many ways. The cursory explanations of the scientific theories involved are completely incorrect, and illogical. The story goes nowhere, and ends with no real resolution. The editing was ok, but not perfect. Look elsewhere for a good time travel story.

[Gay Evangelista · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too many errors

Nevada and New Mexico have no common borders. A two hole privy would have to be bigger than a phone booth. People in Massachusetts would not keep leaves outside the privy to be rained too snowed on. I did not verify the battle details.
Editing is poor. Grammatical errors, repetition and misspelling.
Theme is interesting but poorly executed. The amateur writing could be polished for a young adult historical novel about the beginning of the American Revolution.
I completed this volume but won't read the rest of the series.

[LNANDRON · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is just ok.

I almost stopped reading it many times during the first half. He found ways to say the same thing over and over and over again. Filling pages (?) or he needs a better editor.

[Nicholas Wishek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gave it four stars, but just barely, and only because you can't give half stars. The characters were interesting, but somewhat unrealistic. Their choices would not have been what I think most people would make. Time travel stories are always tough. This author didn't use the alternate time lines theory which is more popular these days. Instead he opted for you're not changing history, because the changes were already part of history theory. I did care for the too convenient way in which the evidence of the time traveling ship was erased. And, as an armchair historian myself also didn't find the character's knowledge of history too pat. For instance, I knew that Lexington and Concord happened in 1175, but I couldn't have given you the month, let alone the day it happened.

[April Prosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

American History for Fun and Profit

Okay, here’s some American history the kiddies (not to mention their parents and teachers) will actually enjoy...and remember. Gil and Tom are on a timeship out of (where else?) Area 51 that at the hands of a Hal-like computer deposits them 200 years in the past rather than the experimental two years in the future they had planned on. Just in time for the Revolutionary War—the two tourists from 2015 join the Patriot cause and we see the human side of the times: their way of life, the viewpoints of Whigs and Tories. Well, it’s light, fun, and painless. Recommended.

[David Mc · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all, this was a fun and fast read. Overall, it was interesting to watch the protagonists adjust to the culture and mores of the 18th century; which included such things riding horses, using the outhouse, and being aware of changes in the English language. On the downside, there was something missing in the two protagonists; who were likable, but not well-rounded enough to be completely believable characters. Even more irritating was their need to share the fact that they were time travelers with others. While I would have liked to give this book 3 ½ stars, I’ve rounded it off to a 4-star rating.

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting premise marred by exceedingly academic writing

This book is more accurately classed as a Historical Fiction piece with a bonus time travel short story wrapped around it.

The time travel conceit is well thought out, and the book feels, very, well researched. It’s biggest flaws are the dialogue feels like someone attempted to break up a history lecture into a “conversation”, and the secondary premise requires multiple leaps of faith and a willful ignorance of human nature to be accepted as plausible in the slightest.

[alex faber · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre

Premise of lights peed being exceeded via propulsion is unrealistic. Stretches my suspention of disbelief to the limit. Coupled with linking it time travel breaks it. The opportunity really explore the nuances of people in the 17 hundreds is completely e explored if not ignored.

[Kenneth J · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if I was reading historical fiction or science fiction. Granted the modes was pure SF but then got bogged down in the history of 18th century on the verge of the American revolution. I can understand the problem that the time travelers faced -- do we tell anyone who we are and from when but then they just do!
I will say that the later sections of the story do develop very nicely but it was like reading s story developed by two different authors, one who wrote the initial part and one who finished it off.

[Rosebud · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great story teller

I was a bit nervous about where the book would go, once the time traveling was done, but Mr. Scott keep the great story going with taking twists and turns while not actually diverting from the true history.

[Bullman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb thought out storyline

Richard Scott did a fabulous job with historical fiction with Mission in Time. I wish there were 5 more books to make a series! Definitely worth reading.

[William N. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just couldn't take it.

I can suspend belief on many things, but that is NOT what happens in near-light-speed travel. Not even calling it fiction can excuse such blatant disregard for what the author proposes. Junk.

[Joe Covington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story line!

I really enjoyed this story! It had an interesting time travel component, along with a fair amount of historical events. But I don't think New Mexico and Nevada ever shared a border!

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read historically speaking!

Really facinating combination of the past brought to life with a bit of time travel to boot! I coulnt put it down so I tead straight through. Wish I could have been a fly on the wall during the 1700s

[Cliff Dalton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mission in Time Review

This book is more about history than the science of time travel. It is still a captivating story and includes a first-hand POV of battles of the beginning of the Revolutionary War in America . I'm going to read the second book in the series next.

[Del Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good historical fiction

I really enjoyed this story. Wasn't sure at first but kept going. By chapter 3 I was hooked. The time travel is a really good twist to the story. Can't wait to read the next one.

[Marko Kivijärvi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't finish it because I didn't like it. The writing felt very lazy, as if the author couldn't be bothered to put any effort into the logic behind it. It was like a high school essay.

[joan powers · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring

The most boring book I have read in years. Like someone copied passages from a history book. No adventure, no excitement. Nothing.

[john r. reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Johnboy

Great book. Not so much about time travel as it is about a specific time in history. However it gives a very personal insight into the beginning of the revolutionary war.

[kathy pittenger · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mission in time

The book was a hard one to read. Unless you are a historian It would be hard to read fully

[ROBERT M · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting story!

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing! This book bills itself as a time travel novel but spends the majority of it as a 1775 history novel. Overall, the book is written for a fifth or sixth grader. Do not waste your time on this so called time travel novel. Will not read this author again.

[robert r. mickelson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of time; A history lesson, very boring

[Van · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time moves forward with history

I would recommend this to Heather Hendges Garrison, she is a very beautiful bright librarian I hope she will enjoy the story.
I find it is very well written. I also think that Lennon Brollini would enjoy the book with the reason that the people in the story studied history.

[Frances]

The book didn't hold my interest. I constantly found myself looking for something else to read so I returned the book.