Historical Authenticity

 

At the mid-point of The Technic Civilization Saga, Volume III, Rise Of The Terran Empire -

"Rescue on Avalon" is:

about Jack Birnam;

narrated in the third person;

written by A.A. Craig in his Tales Of The Great Frontier;

introduced by Hloch in The Earth Book Of Stormgate -

 

"The Star Planderer" is:

about Manuel Argos;

narrated in the first person by John Henry Reeves;

written either by Reeves or by a historical novelist in a document entitled Reeves' Memoirs;

introduced by Donvar Ayeghen, President of the Galactic Archaeological Society.

When originally published, "Rescue on Avalon" was not accompanied by Hloch's introduction which is our only source of information about authorship whereas "The Star Plunderer" was always introduced by Ayeghen who also discusses authorship. Hloch assures us that, although Craig's account is fictionalized, it is substantially accurate. Ayeghen reminds us that, even if the Memoirs are historical fiction, their author lived through that period and tried to give a true picture of Argos.

These layers of interpretation generate the impression of reading an authentic history.