Multiple Viewpoints

We value a future history series because it shows us characters leading often ordinary lives in different periods. Poul Anderson's History of Technic Civilization does this but also presents multiple perspectives even within a single period.

In Nicholas van Rijn's time:

students hoping to join the Polesotechnic League;
some of van Rijn's employees;
other planetary explorers.

In Dominic Flandry's time:

Ensign Flandry gives us Hauksberg, Brechdan and Abrams before its title character;

John Ridenour meets Flandry on Starkad, then later is seen, with several others, on Freehold;

A Circus Of Hells gives us the viewpoint of its heroine, Djana;

the Didonians share memories of human beings long after Flandry's visit to their planet;

the entire population of Aeneas recovers and adjusts after Flandry has defeated their rebellion;

Kossara Vymezal prays for her fiancee, Flandry;

ychan steadcaptains on the Obala see a tall man in their mootroom;

we know some of the thoughts of Yewwl, Miriam Abrams, Diana Crowfeather, Admiral Olaf Magnusson, Fodaich Eidhafor the Bold, Ensign Helen Kittredge, Afal Uroch and Targovi.

It would be a mistake to focus on van Rijn and Flandry to the detriment of all the other characters in the History.