Historical Processes

Poul Anderson wrote about historical processes:

in the past, e.g., 1307;

in the middle ages as they might have been if they had perpetuated themselves into the twentieth century, i.e., the alpha and beta timelines;

the future, e.g., the Psychotechnic History -

There are economic reasons to build bases on the Trojan asteroids where one bar has three ecdysiasts. One spaceman is from Luna City, a place name that we recognize from Robert Heinlein's Future History. One space transport company is called "Fireball," a name that we now recognize from Anderson's own much later Harvest Of Stars future history.

There are Lunarites, violent Venusian clansmen, stiffly correct Martians, asteroid rockhounds and mysterious Jovians. Earth has survived three World Wars but now has machines, automation, new food sources and socioeconomic planning that works at least for a while. However, there is also mass dislocation and alienation and fanatical conspirators plan the Humanist Revolution.

Thus, in Anderson's works, we read about historical processes whether in the past, the future or an alternative present.