Time and Again, By Jack Finney
(Reviewed by Dom)

Ever since H.G. Wells penned his classic, “The Time Machine,” we’ve been fascinated by the ideas contained in time travel novels. More than anything we’re intrigued by the idea of altering history, and how the ripple effects through time would distort our world today.

No doubt you’ve heard the classic time travel paradox: You go back in time and shoot your great-great-grandfather; but that means you’ll never be born, so how could you go back and shoot him, right?

Jack Finney took the concept and created an entertaining story that weaves the past, the present, and the ethical issues within that paradox, into a vivid account of one man’s journey through time. Si Morley is recruited by a shadowy government agency to step back in time to 1882 New York.

Morley could never imagine, however, that he would end up in the midst of a relationship with a woman from the past, and then find himself smack dab in middle of a blackmailing scheme that turns deadly. Throughout the story, you find yourself muttering, “Don’t do that, you’ll alter history!”

But does it? … (more…)