Two Institutes

Etienne Fourre is the viewpoint character in the opening instalment of Poul Anderson's Psychotechnic History, "Marius," and a walk-on character in the second instalment, "Un-Man," where he is the Un-mens' superior, therefore important, although no longer a central or viewpoint character. After that, there is no further character continuity in the first section of the Psychotechnic History. Stefan Rostomily appears in "Marius." Several of his clones appear in "Un-Man" and one more in "Brake." They provide future historical continuity although not character continuity. Rostomily's clones are not Rostomily.

Future historical continuity is mainly established when instalments refer to the events of earlier instalments. Thus, the Psychotechnic Institute is active in "The Sensitive Man" but has been suppressed in "Cold Victory" and this will have consequences in "The Snows of Ganymede." Therefore, we are surprised to read in "What Shall It Profit?," that Barwell has been let go by the Institute. However, this is the Institute of Human Biology which sounds as if it ought to complement the Psychotechnic Institute. In fact, they had been affiliated but then disassociated. The question before the investigative journalist, Radek, is whether the Institute of Human Biology is up to something nefarious as the Psychotechs had been. There is evidence of clandestine activities. We read on with increasing interest.