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Back to the Stone Age #1
The Door to September
When office manager John Summers falls through a portal, he lands in an alternate universe that resembles prehistoric Earth. Beside him is Liz from Accounting. The sun sets, and the temperature plummets. Unwittingly, the pair take refuge in the empty lair of a predator with long fangs and an even longer memory.
Armed with nothing but a blunt cutlery knife and paperclips, John and Liz struggle to survive in the wilderness. But hunger, cold, and vicious animals are the least of their problems. Just wait till they meet the natives.
Armed with nothing but a blunt cutlery knife and paperclips, John and Liz struggle to survive in the wilderness. But hunger, cold, and vicious animals are the least of their problems. Just wait till they meet the natives.
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 14, 2020
437 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
R. Magnusholm
6 books28 followersRon Magnusholm is a futurist and AI researcher. His interests include Natural Language Processing, artificial emotions, and empathy emulation in software.
He is married with two children and has degrees in medicine and environmental management. In his youth, he spent some time in the military where he specialized in wilderness survival.
He believes that by mid-21 century, robots and AI would far exceed human capacity, leading to radical and unprecedented changes.
Military conflict, medical advances, human enhancement, and artificial intelligence are recurrent themes in his writing.
Magnusholm wrote House of Cain over several years in the late nineties while studying at a London university. It is a dark war novel, inspired by stories heard around the camp-fires as an officer-cadet in his youth and fuelled by an over-active imagination. House of Cain is not suitable for young readers.
Roula is suitable for all ages. The storyline explores a potential way in which a benign Artificial Intelligence can take over the world, despite any prohibitions and barriers put in its way.
His third novel, Galatea, is about Artificial Intelligence taking over the world, but it's also a love story between a geeky programmer and his creation.
His Back to the Stone Age trilogy has sold many thousands of copies worldwide.
His sixth novel, Stormshadow is out now.
He is married with two children and has degrees in medicine and environmental management. In his youth, he spent some time in the military where he specialized in wilderness survival.
He believes that by mid-21 century, robots and AI would far exceed human capacity, leading to radical and unprecedented changes.
Military conflict, medical advances, human enhancement, and artificial intelligence are recurrent themes in his writing.
Magnusholm wrote House of Cain over several years in the late nineties while studying at a London university. It is a dark war novel, inspired by stories heard around the camp-fires as an officer-cadet in his youth and fuelled by an over-active imagination. House of Cain is not suitable for young readers.
Roula is suitable for all ages. The storyline explores a potential way in which a benign Artificial Intelligence can take over the world, despite any prohibitions and barriers put in its way.
His third novel, Galatea, is about Artificial Intelligence taking over the world, but it's also a love story between a geeky programmer and his creation.
His Back to the Stone Age trilogy has sold many thousands of copies worldwide.
His sixth novel, Stormshadow is out now.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 21, 2020
Really hope there is a sequel
Loved this book! I know the author said he doesn't write sequels, but I'm hoping he'll make an exception for this one! Indeed to know what happens when George gets older, is that the end of humanity? And can John find some wolf puppies to raise? Great few and well worth the time and money spent!
Loved this book! I know the author said he doesn't write sequels, but I'm hoping he'll make an exception for this one! Indeed to know what happens when George gets older, is that the end of humanity? And can John find some wolf puppies to raise? Great few and well worth the time and money spent!
October 6, 2020
This was an unexpected pleasure in all ways. Very believable, detailed, and exciting survival scenarios, great chemistry between the main characters, and absolutely dangerous while alternately hilarious representation of an alternate sentient species which I won't say what it is to spoil the surprise. But the interactions and thoughts of the leader with the rest of the group and its reactions are priceless. It's a back in time adventure with many tweaks on traditional story lines, making it familiar but also uniquely its own!
August 22, 2020
A great survival story, powerfully written
I like how these two very ordinary office workers are suddenly thrust into a very extraordinary situation. The quality of writing is second to none. It really feels like being there. Beautiful nature. Great action scenes. And a slowly growing love between John and Liz.
What's not to like?
I like how these two very ordinary office workers are suddenly thrust into a very extraordinary situation. The quality of writing is second to none. It really feels like being there. Beautiful nature. Great action scenes. And a slowly growing love between John and Liz.
What's not to like?
July 31, 2021
Survivalist Story
Fantasy Alternate Earth adult situations
There are only a handful of scenes with sex, and they are quite short. Both accept quite readily their old lives and their families are gone.
So, the two humans end up in a parallel timeline. The fact of Jupiter being a star lends strength to this to being an alternate reality. So, an alternate reality, in Earth's far distant future.
The fact that both are younger and in perfect health hints there may have been an intelligence behind their transit. Despite living on meat, nuts, berries, and mushrooms, they are healthy.
However, there is little time for them to ponder this as they must put their heads together to survive.
The story was absorbing, but I took off a star for at least three comments about how much better it was living without political correctness. I read fantasy to get away from the bitterness of political debate in these modern times. I am not interested in harkening back to a so-called Golden Age that never existed; people were talking about the Good Old Days back then, too. And, no doubt, so were their own forebears. Such comments reveal the author's conservative bias and don't let the story stand on its own. The author has indicated that he normally doesn't do sequels, but he might be persuaded to do one in this case.
The main problem with Adam and Eve stories are -- who do when the children procreate with? They seem to be the only humans around locally, but if this is an alternate reality, humans might be an invader species. Ah well. This could easily stand a sequel, there are a lot of unanswered questions, but those might never be answered. I liked the story even with its assumptions and Liz's survivalist background -- which is not the average middle-class background at all. Solid 4.
Fantasy Alternate Earth adult situations
There are only a handful of scenes with sex, and they are quite short. Both accept quite readily their old lives and their families are gone.
So, the two humans end up in a parallel timeline. The fact of Jupiter being a star lends strength to this to being an alternate reality. So, an alternate reality, in Earth's far distant future.
The fact that both are younger and in perfect health hints there may have been an intelligence behind their transit. Despite living on meat, nuts, berries, and mushrooms, they are healthy.
However, there is little time for them to ponder this as they must put their heads together to survive.
The story was absorbing, but I took off a star for at least three comments about how much better it was living without political correctness. I read fantasy to get away from the bitterness of political debate in these modern times. I am not interested in harkening back to a so-called Golden Age that never existed; people were talking about the Good Old Days back then, too. And, no doubt, so were their own forebears. Such comments reveal the author's conservative bias and don't let the story stand on its own. The author has indicated that he normally doesn't do sequels, but he might be persuaded to do one in this case.
The main problem with Adam and Eve stories are -- who do when the children procreate with? They seem to be the only humans around locally, but if this is an alternate reality, humans might be an invader species. Ah well. This could easily stand a sequel, there are a lot of unanswered questions, but those might never be answered. I liked the story even with its assumptions and Liz's survivalist background -- which is not the average middle-class background at all. Solid 4.
November 30, 2020
Highly recommend!
This was REALLY well written, felt realistic and was super interesting. There were 3 (short) sexy scenes that I think could have been even more glossed over, but they were short enough and the main of the book is so well written that... While it kind of broke up the flow of the story, it's not with skipping the book for. Besides an engaging story and really great characters and an empowering woman, the other great thing about this book is that it so easily made me think "what if?" And apply some of the more thoughtful times in the book to my own life. Really great!
This was REALLY well written, felt realistic and was super interesting. There were 3 (short) sexy scenes that I think could have been even more glossed over, but they were short enough and the main of the book is so well written that... While it kind of broke up the flow of the story, it's not with skipping the book for. Besides an engaging story and really great characters and an empowering woman, the other great thing about this book is that it so easily made me think "what if?" And apply some of the more thoughtful times in the book to my own life. Really great!
November 4, 2020
A unique story
I was hoping for book 2 because the introduction shows a “book 1” Darn Darn Darn! This book is teeming with perfect plot and dialogue . Spot is now a favorite character of mine. Not enough time for an extended review, but I highly recommend this entertaining and clever book on time travel! (Or an alternate universe)
I was hoping for book 2 because the introduction shows a “book 1” Darn Darn Darn! This book is teeming with perfect plot and dialogue . Spot is now a favorite character of mine. Not enough time for an extended review, but I highly recommend this entertaining and clever book on time travel! (Or an alternate universe)
August 16, 2020
Loved it
Great reading. Couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next book. Hoping it'll be just as exciting as this pne
Great reading. Couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next book. Hoping it'll be just as exciting as this pne
October 19, 2020
Great read
This was a surprising time travel story with a different and enjoyable twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who enjoys time travel adventures.
This was a surprising time travel story with a different and enjoyable twist. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone who enjoys time travel adventures.
December 6, 2020
A different take on time travel.
Overall it was ok. The world building was interesting and the characters are well thought out. The survival parts are pretty well thought out. Overall I give it a 3.5 out of 5 rounded up.
Overall it was ok. The world building was interesting and the characters are well thought out. The survival parts are pretty well thought out. Overall I give it a 3.5 out of 5 rounded up.
December 30, 2020
5 Stars
When John is fired from his job, he packs up his desk and heads for the door of his office building. His co-worker Liz opens the door for him and they both go through some kind of portal and end up thousands of years in the past. When they discover green squirrel's and stranger still green stripped saber tooth tigers they decide they must have been transported to an alternate prehistoric earth. When they meet the natives their troubles really begin. This was a long book but it kept my interest all the way definitely worth 5 Stars.
When John is fired from his job, he packs up his desk and heads for the door of his office building. His co-worker Liz opens the door for him and they both go through some kind of portal and end up thousands of years in the past. When they discover green squirrel's and stranger still green stripped saber tooth tigers they decide they must have been transported to an alternate prehistoric earth. When they meet the natives their troubles really begin. This was a long book but it kept my interest all the way definitely worth 5 Stars.
March 4, 2022
Adult content
Easy to read and entertaining. Would have given 5 star if not for the explicit description of sex. Would have prefered a warning before i bought the book.
Easy to read and entertaining. Would have given 5 star if not for the explicit description of sex. Would have prefered a warning before i bought the book.
December 9, 2020
I Really enjoyed the novelty.
Innovative and obviously written with a huge amount of background research that provides great authenticity. It's certainly worth your time.
Innovative and obviously written with a huge amount of background research that provides great authenticity. It's certainly worth your time.
December 21, 2020
I liked it
Spoiler alert, sort of----I'm sad about Spot but loved his addition to the book. This is not a typical book I would read and I really enjoyed it.
Spoiler alert, sort of----I'm sad about Spot but loved his addition to the book. This is not a typical book I would read and I really enjoyed it.
December 24, 2020
Great read
Loved this book. I wish there was book 2 coming. Taking over from when they landed on the island. Please less sex.
Loved this book. I wish there was book 2 coming. Taking over from when they landed on the island. Please less sex.
January 3, 2021
A great story
I will not hesitate to read the sequel that you are editing. Persevere, endure, continue the saga and let's see where the story goes.
I will not hesitate to read the sequel that you are editing. Persevere, endure, continue the saga and let's see where the story goes.
January 5, 2021
Great book
This is a good book. You shouldy read it. I like the story. The characters are fun. The book is a good read. i enjoyed it alot.. Download or buy it today. why not?
This is a good book. You shouldy read it. I like the story. The characters are fun. The book is a good read. i enjoyed it alot.. Download or buy it today. why not?
January 29, 2021
Fun and exciting.
I enjoyed this book. It was a good story, well written and exciting. I would like to have understood more of the logic behind some of the described traits of the native animals, but it doesn't take away from the story. I highly recommend it.
I enjoyed this book. It was a good story, well written and exciting. I would like to have understood more of the logic behind some of the described traits of the native animals, but it doesn't take away from the story. I highly recommend it.
February 2, 2021
Good story!
The main reason is that the survival stuff was reasonable. The bears were a fierce opponent, because some of them learned way to quickly. I would read the next book if it was available
The main reason is that the survival stuff was reasonable. The bears were a fierce opponent, because some of them learned way to quickly. I would read the next book if it was available
January 26, 2021
A time travel/alternative reality story, a bit confused in the beginning but soon catch a enjoyable pace. The information about survival elements are really interesting but the aspect regarding
the female character who is" only valuable and worth of love if is thin and hot, pissed me ... Liz is a great and intelligent woman,even when she was plumpy and saved John so many times,she is my favorite character.
But I still want read the next book though and to know about why and how they traveled to this place in the past...
the female character who is" only valuable and worth of love if is thin and hot, pissed me ... Liz is a great and intelligent woman,even when she was plumpy and saved John so many times,she is my favorite character.
But I still want read the next book though and to know about why and how they traveled to this place in the past...
February 11, 2021
Good Book
I will look for the next book in this series. This one is described as Back To The Stone age Book 1, so maybe there are books to follow the story.
I will look for the next book in this series. This one is described as Back To The Stone age Book 1, so maybe there are books to follow the story.
September 3, 2025
An office manager (John) and an accounting (Liz) fall through a portal. Sounds like the beginnings of a great joke. Instead they an alternate reality resembling prehistoric Earth. Its all about survival from the first moment in this alternate time line, seamlessly blending science fiction and wilderness survival skills.
Well this book just runs out of the gate and bam! You are back in time by a few million years. Question? Where is the character development? The world building of the prehistoric timeline is well done but there is absolutely zero attempt at character development past survival and surface level background info. There just is not enough info for me to build a connection with the characters. But remaining surface level does seem to be the process for the entire story. There never seems to be any real depth. Not even the characters seem to have any real emotional issues from the loss of their families and previous life. What I did think was successful was the world building. Where this story lacked character development it made up for in world creation. Though I could not get emotionally invested in the characters, the world was massive and diverse. If you enjoy fasted paced surface level adventure this is the story for you. I was just left wanting, wanting more development in the characters and more plot other then just survival. It began to feel drawn out and I found it harder and harder to push through.
Well this book just runs out of the gate and bam! You are back in time by a few million years. Question? Where is the character development? The world building of the prehistoric timeline is well done but there is absolutely zero attempt at character development past survival and surface level background info. There just is not enough info for me to build a connection with the characters. But remaining surface level does seem to be the process for the entire story. There never seems to be any real depth. Not even the characters seem to have any real emotional issues from the loss of their families and previous life. What I did think was successful was the world building. Where this story lacked character development it made up for in world creation. Though I could not get emotionally invested in the characters, the world was massive and diverse. If you enjoy fasted paced surface level adventure this is the story for you. I was just left wanting, wanting more development in the characters and more plot other then just survival. It began to feel drawn out and I found it harder and harder to push through.
August 4, 2022
Took a flyer on this one. What a surprisingly informative and entertaining read. A couple who hardly know each other fall through a portal together and find themselves in a type of stone age earth as the only humans. After existing here in a technological age, they have to learn to survive on nothing but what nature supplies and threatens them with. Great insights into what we're capable of without the desire for instant gratification.
July 8, 2021
Excellent story of survival
I was interested in the time travel portion of the story as a fan of that genre .
After the jump in time and space that segment became unimportant and I enjoyed the trial and errors in just surviving. Good story with a touch of romance. It could end up on a tv movie.
I was interested in the time travel portion of the story as a fan of that genre .
After the jump in time and space that segment became unimportant and I enjoyed the trial and errors in just surviving. Good story with a touch of romance. It could end up on a tv movie.
June 30, 2021
Fun and different
I'm an overly curious person. I like to know the source of phenomenon. There were a couple of things that happened in this story that fell into this category. But fortunately had no impact on the big picture.
Otherwise as an alternate world - the author did a great job. I loved that he put notes in a few places to explain things. Of course, I'm the kind of person who looks it up anyway. For example, the different types of wood used and the significance of a Yew tree. Good explanation, about that. And don't worry if you are a boring person who hates the detailed drudge...the author made them in footnotes so that you can blithely sail by without a second lost.
[Possible spoiler alert] I think the story would have ended better with a puppy in the picture. Everyone knows, a puppy makes even dictator hearts melt. I needed a puppy ending to make up for the loss of one of the "good ones". Just sayin'
I'm an overly curious person. I like to know the source of phenomenon. There were a couple of things that happened in this story that fell into this category. But fortunately had no impact on the big picture.
Otherwise as an alternate world - the author did a great job. I loved that he put notes in a few places to explain things. Of course, I'm the kind of person who looks it up anyway. For example, the different types of wood used and the significance of a Yew tree. Good explanation, about that. And don't worry if you are a boring person who hates the detailed drudge...the author made them in footnotes so that you can blithely sail by without a second lost.
[Possible spoiler alert] I think the story would have ended better with a puppy in the picture. Everyone knows, a puppy makes even dictator hearts melt. I needed a puppy ending to make up for the loss of one of the "good ones". Just sayin'
June 29, 2021
Glad there reality isn't my reality
A great read couldn't hardly put it down would recommend it to anyone that would like a little bit of escape from their everyday life
A great read couldn't hardly put it down would recommend it to anyone that would like a little bit of escape from their everyday life
April 5, 2021
Survival 101
Stumbled onto this by accident and really enjoyed it. I liked how the author did his research on the various survival techniques that both the characters used throughout the whole book. Have not seen that as much in other books I have read.
Stumbled onto this by accident and really enjoyed it. I liked how the author did his research on the various survival techniques that both the characters used throughout the whole book. Have not seen that as much in other books I have read.
April 24, 2021
Great read!
Wonderful time travel storyline with characters that survived almost insurmountable odds to find a very good future together even starting a family. Enjoyed that there wasn't anything really graphic. Would recommend this to at least try it!
Wonderful time travel storyline with characters that survived almost insurmountable odds to find a very good future together even starting a family. Enjoyed that there wasn't anything really graphic. Would recommend this to at least try it!
March 15, 2021
Write a second book pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
October 20, 2021
Honestly this is probably a four star book. It seemed like it lacked the polish of a professional author but was still very good. I bumped this book up to 5 stars for one very simple reason: It leaves out all the BS so common in today's world where anyone can self-publish. The best way to explain this comment is by comparison. I believe it is "The Crosstime Engineer" (I don't care enough to confirm my memory) where the MC finds himself in medieval Poland. Of course the MC faces a struggle just to survive but is fortunate enough to qualify as a knight and gain a somewhat powerful patron. However, the MC can't be bothered to actually learn about the world he is in and so reacts violently when confronted by slavery thereby setting a conflict with an powerful order of knights who should be able to kill the MC with little effort. I have no doubt that the MC survives but this conflict was so stupid and contrived and, most importantly, unnecessary that I stopped reading.
Here the MCs encounter conflict, first with a highly intelligent tiger and second with a local tribe. The MCs didn't bring this conflict unnecessarily on themselves, it arose naturally. Specifically, the MCs have no resources or knowledge when they land in the new land and so attempt to fortify rather than run away from the tiger. Later, the MCs don't know if local tribe is actaully a threat and have already fortified and still have limited resources for traveling so they risk staying put.
If I were to review my reading history I bet I could find 100 books where the authors bizarrely added confilct to story to futher ratchet up the drama. As a result I truly appreciate this author's intelligent story telling.
Here the MCs encounter conflict, first with a highly intelligent tiger and second with a local tribe. The MCs didn't bring this conflict unnecessarily on themselves, it arose naturally. Specifically, the MCs have no resources or knowledge when they land in the new land and so attempt to fortify rather than run away from the tiger. Later, the MCs don't know if local tribe is actaully a threat and have already fortified and still have limited resources for traveling so they risk staying put.
If I were to review my reading history I bet I could find 100 books where the authors bizarrely added confilct to story to futher ratchet up the drama. As a result I truly appreciate this author's intelligent story telling.
August 30, 2022
Decided on a whim to read this. To say I was pleasantly surprised would be an understatement.
The two characters [and there are only two for a while] Liz and John are rather normal people somewhat down on their luck. Both are 40 something and do nothing more then leave the building where they work and suddenly find themselves in the past. I'm guessing but I'd say about 10-20,000 BC in the past where survival is the only thing on their to-do list.
Oh yes, they maybe the only humans [at the moment] but there is another sentient species which isn't at all happy with the newcomers.
Liz and John have no choice but to adapt as best they can to avoid being eaten which is where their survival skills and ingenuity come into play.
Possibly more important though are some physical changes caused by going through the portal. Changes that are critical to their survival.
This is a fast moving story which is as it should be given dangers that surround them but far from superficial.
I'm already into the second book and it only gets better.
The two characters [and there are only two for a while] Liz and John are rather normal people somewhat down on their luck. Both are 40 something and do nothing more then leave the building where they work and suddenly find themselves in the past. I'm guessing but I'd say about 10-20,000 BC in the past where survival is the only thing on their to-do list.
Oh yes, they maybe the only humans [at the moment] but there is another sentient species which isn't at all happy with the newcomers.
Liz and John have no choice but to adapt as best they can to avoid being eaten which is where their survival skills and ingenuity come into play.
Possibly more important though are some physical changes caused by going through the portal. Changes that are critical to their survival.
This is a fast moving story which is as it should be given dangers that surround them but far from superficial.
I'm already into the second book and it only gets better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews