Sections Of The Technic History

Poul Anderson's History of Technic Civilization includes:

12 pre-Earth Book instalments;

12 Earth Book instalments;

12 instalments about Dominic Flandry's advance from Ensign to Vice Admiral.

But that is 36 of the 43 Technic History instalments so what are the remaining seven? Commander Flandry is quoted in one, Fleet Admiral Flandry cameos in another and yet another is set during Flandry's lifetime. Thus, the total number of Flandry Period instalments becomes 15. That leaves just four about post-Imperial periods. We would have liked it if that that fourth, post-Imperial, section of the History could have been as long as the previous three but, in any case, because this section does exist, we are shown not only Flandry fighting to delay the Long Night but also the Long Night itself and its longer aftermath. History, indeed.

Although unplanned, the Technic History, when analysed, seems very schematic. For example, the 12 pre-Earth Book and 12 Earth Book instalments each include eight Polesotechnic League instalments. Thus, the PL has sixteen instalments, just one less than the Flandry Period and that leaves twelve instalments that neither PL nor Flandry Period.