A Different Kind of Time Travel Tale

Online, April 22, 2013 (Newswire.com) - BOOK TWO BLURB:

"Imagine that you are a time-traveler, Edwin Blair from the 24th Century BCE, who has partially accomplished his task to stop a future pestilence on earth, but your interference with the course of history is unpredictable and possibly paradoxical -- which would require that you start all over again with your mission. But could you remember what mistakes you made and how to correct them?"

A REVIEW:

By rmframe on Fantascize.com

"A New Birth of Freedom: The Translator by Robert Pielke was an exciting read that deals with complex issues. It is an excellent follow up to the first book that surpassed expectations.

The book follows the continued efforts of Edwin Blair to stop the world from being destroyed in the future by the Pests, some of whom are with him in the time of the Civil War. The events of history are now significantly altered due to the presence of Blair and the aliens, but Blair does believe that history will bounce back. Unfortunately due to both the changes and memory loss he doesn't know what is going on any longer.

There is a greater examination of Blair character and we learn more about the other characters that we met in the first book, such as Lincoln, John Hay, Cornelia Hancock, and the Pests themselves. We do not meet a great number of new characters, but we do get to meet Goyahkla and William Philo Clark whose translation ability is used in an interesting way.

The book delves further into the themes and plotlines brought up in the first book. Some of these include a more intense loss of memory and further loss of historical reference for the main character. Now Blair has only hints of stuff that he thinks he is supposed to remember, but he doesn't always know what or why.

It also deals more heavily with the theme of prejudice as Edwin Blair attempts to hold on to his hatred for the "Pests" as more and more evidence piles up that they are a whole lot more like humans than Blair is comfortable with. It also deals with the greater reaction of the world to the aliens, which vary from pointing out their intelligence and human-like characteristics, to arguing for immediate extermination. It is set against the race relation issues of the Civil War, and some "sectarians" equate the African-Americans with the Pests, which causes great unease for Blair.

It was fascinating to watch Blair attempt to hold on to both his mission and his identity as everything slipped away from him. The reactions of people around him were interesting as they react with amusement, irritation, and fear to the fact that he no longer has a plan to achieve his goal, although he is sure that he had one when he arrived. This is troubling not only because of Blair's own sense of self, but that he may no longer be able to stop Earth's destruction if he doesn't remember anything.

An interesting aspect to the plot line is that there was evidence that the future, past, and present were being tampered with, and not by directly Blair or the aliens, which lends a sense of mystery and urgency to the plot. It also dredges up the question for Blair as to whether he has been repeating the same actions over and over and may be thwarting or directing himself.

It was an excellent read and I look forward to reading more about Blair's journey in the final book. If you like exciting and intricate plot lines with interesting themes and a protagonist who is less than ideal, then I think you will highly enjoy this book."

TRILOGY EPIGRAPHS:

#1 - "It has taken centuries to recognize that all humans possess certain unalienable rights. There will come a time when we have to consider whether others deserve those rights as well. That time will come on July 3rd 1863 -- at Gettysburg."

#2 - "Noam Chomsky argues that communication with aliens would be impossible. Stephen Hawking argues that it would be extremely unwise even to try. What if it were absolutely necessary to do so? This question arises with extreme urgency at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863."

BOOK ONE BLURB:

"Imagine a time when a future generation of humans needs the help of a past generation in order to survive the threat of a planetary pestilence. Now, imagine further that what is needed is the combined forces of the Union Army of the Potomac and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia. Imagine more specifically that they need these two armies for one day, and that day is July 3rd, 1863 -- at the Battle of Gettysburg."

AUTHOR'S WEBSITES:

The Writings of Robert G Pielke

The Filmscript for A New Birth of Freedom: The Visitor

UPCOMING AUTHOR EVENTS

1. May 31: Book Expo America - Javits Center, NY [autograph area]
2. June 7: Adams County Wine Shop - Gettysburg, PA [book signing]
3. June 9: Ukazoo Books - Towson, MD [book signing]

PHOTOS BELOW:

Back cover for Book #2
Front cover for Book #1