Some Personal Parallels

Never forget when a work of fiction was written or what else was happening in the world at the same time. Although a fictional narrative presents an alternative reality, its writing is embedded in our reality.

Poul Anderson's Psychotechnic History was published from 1949 to 1968, from a few years after World War II to the year before the first Moon landing. I was born in 1949 and, in 1968, finished first year and started second year at University. I did not suspect that Anderson's first future history series was being published in that period.

Anderson's Technic History was published from 1951 to 1985, from the beginning of the '50s to a few years before the fall of the Soviet Union. I was two years old in 1951 and a part time school teacher in the 1980s. I had not yet learned to appreciate Anderson's future histories as they deserved although I had always valued his Time Patrol.