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Summary: Absolutely Fantastic
Review: I first read this book 20 years ago and still believe it is one of the best works of science fiction I have ever written. It's certainly the most ingenious book on time travel ever written. Asimov's characters are richly drawn, and the story is fascinating. The social commentary is also intriguing; Asimov's potrayal of Eternity is a thinly veiled critique of the American corporate workplace, circa 1950, with its backstabbing, it's all-male culture and its crushing emphasis on conformity and careerism. "The End of Eternity" is a masterpiece that deserves wide exposure.
Rating:
Summary: A great book that deserves more attention
Review: I first read this book many, many years ago. It is still as enjoyable today as it was then. Although most of Asimov's other novels are better known than this one, it should definitely be on the "to read" list of any of his fans. Most others here have given a brief synopsis of the story line, so I will not repeat them. But do read this one; you won't be sorry!
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Summary: First Asimov book I thought was great
Review: I have never been that impressed with Issac Asimov. I know it may sound sacriligeous, but I was never very fond of the "Foundation" series. But, I found "End of Eternity" to be a wonderful book. In this book Asimov for once brings togehter his incredible imagination with believable and likable characters. This is the first one of his books where I actually felt like his characters were real people. I also liked the way he explored the morality of Eternity, he took the time to really consider the implications of what would happen if we always tried to take the safest, most conservative path through time.
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Summary: Simply the best time travel book ever
Review: I have read a good deal of time travel fiction and philosophical science fiction (Philip K. Dick) and this book is pure genius that works on so many levels. So few time travel books really work with the complexities of its implications, but this one does to the fullest. Moreover the story is very human. It isn't the sci-fi of robots and descriptions of non-existent technologies. Finally, its got a twist you wouldn't believe. Why hasn't Hollywood caught wind of this? The Matrix crowd would love this even though this isn't remotely like the matrix.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the best time travel book ever
Review: I have read a good deal of time travel fiction and philosophical science fiction (Philip K. Dick) and this book is pure genius that works on so many levels. So few time travel books really work with the complexities of its implications, but this one does to the fullest. Moreover the story is very human. It isn't the sci-fi of robots and descriptions of non-existent technologies. Finally, its got a twist you wouldn't believe. Why hasn't Hollywood caught wind of this? The Matrix crowd would love this even though this isn't remotely like the matrix.
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Summary: Never since found Sci-fi that lived up to this book
Review: I made the mistake of reading this book as my first ever Science Fiction novel - and I've never ever been able to find another as good - either by Asimov or anyone else. Brilliant treatment of some of the great time-travel paradox issues and an attempt at characterisation (which always makes for good reading) by an author whose other books feature quite wooden characters. I'm trying to find this book to read again and it appears to be out of print !! How can that happen when there is so much pulp out there ! ?
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Summary: The Master Addresses Time Travel
Review: I suppose that Asimov couldn't ignore the basic sci-fi themes of time travel and alternate realities and here he turns in a respectable novel that makes use of these themes. Not as good as some of other sci-fi works that he published around the same time, such as the robot novels and the (early) Foundation series, nevertheless 'End of Eternity' reflects the signature Asimov writing style: plot twists, scientist-as-hero characterization, and the 'let's stretch this sci-fi concept to it's logical conclusion' story-line (done in his usual playful, tongue in-cheek manner). In other words, it delivers the goods.
If you have enjoyed most of the other early works of Asimov, and tire quickly of his later, nostalgia-riding, buck-raking-in 'Foundation's Fridge' period, read this book. It will not disappoint.
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Summary: Best of Asimov
Review: I think that say that one specific book by genious Asimov is sort of a sacrilege, even more knowing that he's written wonderful stories such as the Foundation series, the Daneel series, and a whole pile of amazing tales. But in my opinion End of Eternity is unique. It's asimov at his best, a wonderful story, based on totally original facts, facts that haven't been thought by anyone else ion the world. It's wonderful. It's the very best of one of the best
Rating:
Summary: Asimov's under rated & by far the best novel he has written.
Review: I've always been intrigged with Science Fiction, and have read many SciFi books. I have not found an equal to Asimov's originallity and ingenuity, in any book written by any author. This book is to good to be forgotten. A must read for time travel/SciFi fanatics.
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Summary: Thought provoking look at the value of Change in human life
Review: I've long been of the slightly heterodox (though far from rare) opinion that The End of Eternity is Isaac Asimov's best novel. It benefits partly from being unconnected to his various series (though there are hints, both within this book and in some of the later books, that there could be a tenuous connection). In addition, Asimov is interested in a significant, and resonant, theme, in a way the central theme of 1950s SF: the human desire for exploration, and the concomitant link between risk-taking and expansion of the human spirit. This still works now, nearly at the turn of the millennium, though inevitably the theme needs to be viewed with a touch of irony. Finally, the story is cleverly constructed, and really quite well-written in spots, within the constraints of Asimov's goals and style. There are weaknesses, to be sure. The central love story is awkwardly handled, and the treatment of women in general is creaky, while the characterization of heroine Noys Lambent in particular is uneven. And as with almost any time travel story, the clever structure of the plot tends to wobble on close examination: but that is a fault endemic to the form, and, I think, excusable here. I was a bit concerned about rereading this book now, not having read it in 20 years, though I read it multiple times as a teen. Would it hold up? With the one caveat that I couldn't quite buy his portrayal of women and romance (which I think I did pretty much accept as a callow teen), I think the book holds up fine.The End of Eternity concerns Andrew Harlan, a Technician for the organization called Eternity. As a Technician, Harlan is an expert at determining and executing the Minimum Necessary Change in a timeline to attain a desired Change in history. For the Eternals, men who live "outside Time", monitor human history from the 27th Century to about the 70,000th Century, trying to maintain a stable society, with reasonable prosperity. Harlan, we soon learn, is ready to betray Eternity, for the love of a woman. But as his plot advances, he learns more and more about the true nature of his organization. Asimov resolves his story cleverly, in the process giving us a look at the creation of Eternity, and at the Hidden Centuries so far in the future that the Eternals can't penetrate, or aren't allowed to penetrate. He makes use of time paradoxes worthy of Charles Harness, but Asimov's presentation is so deadpan and rationalistic that he almost makes them believable. And in the end he asks whether stability and general happiness is the most worthwhile goal. His answer is the expected answer for a Campbell-nurtured writer of the 1950s, but it's still the answer I'd give, with modifications. I'd say that upon recently rereading The End of Eternity I'd still call it Asimov's best novel. If his picture of an all-male Eternity (admittedly given at least nominal justification in the book) seems risible from a contemporary perspective, so does much 1950s SF fail in treatment of women. So too his love scenes are awkward : but 1950s SF writers were rarely allowed much practice in that area. The ideas presented in the book are still compelling: the meta-society of Eternity is nicely worked out, with many cute details, and the overarching theme is well-argued, and still merits thought. And Asimov's prose, so often denigrated, is here, as ever, well-wielded in service of his goals. It's not beautiful, but it's well constructed, and the occasional telling line (as a character's soft sentence about a spaceport wiped out in a Change: "It had been very beautiful") really works. This is the kind of book that made me an SF fan, and it's still worth reading.
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