Saturday, 2 September 2023

Histories Within Histories

Baen Books' seven-volume Poul Anderson, The Technic Civilization Saga, is a single long future history series.

Saga, Volume II, David Falkayn: Star Trader, is set entirely within the lifetimes of a single set of characters and therefore does not in itself constitute a future history. Volumes IV-VI, all with Flandry in their titles, are set entirely within Dominc Flandry's lifetime and therefore do not constitute a future history. Volumes I, III and VII are future histories. Vol. I begins long before van Rijn and Falkayn but ends in their period. Vol. III begins in that period but ends long after. Vol. VII begins with Flandry but ends a very long time after. The knowing reader discerns signs of "Flandry's Legacy" although his name is not remembered in the parts of space where the later instalments are set and Anglic, the language that he had spoken, is long dead.

3 comments:

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Paul!

And it was only that impulsive mentioning of a certain Polesotechnarch in THE PLAGUE OF MASTERS which linked up what were originally two separate series. Also, Anderson filled in some of the gaps with stories not featuring van Rijn, Falkayn, and Flandry. Such as "A Little Knowledge" or "Outpost of Empire."

Ad astra! Sean

S.M. Stirling said...

The covers are appalling, though. They've improved considerably since, which I'm glad of since I have a new book coming out from them next year.

Sean M. Brooks said...

Kaor, Mr. Stirling!

I strongly suspect some enemy of Anderson chose the awful covers for YOUNG FLANDRY, CAPTAIN FLANDRY, and SIR DOMINIC FLANDRY.

I look forward to reading WARLORD OF THE STEPPES and the final version of TO TURN THE TIDE!

Ad astra! Sean