- Mass Market Paperback
- Publisher: Del Rey (12 July 1979)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 034528285X
- ISBN-13: 978-0345282859
- Product Dimensions: 17 x 10.2 x 1.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,275,664 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
What would you do if you were suddenly transported in time? This is the adventure thrust upon Martin Padway, an American archaeologist in 1938 Rome who is struck by a lightning bolt sends him over 1400 years in the past. Stuck in a city and an Italy that had seen better days and equipped with little more than his wits, he struggles at first to survive and then to prevent the onset of the 'Dark Ages' by using his knowledge of history to change events. Before long he finds himself drawn into Italian politics and facing a war that threatens both Italy's future and his own.
Such is the scenario of L. Sprague de Camp's novel, a classic of science fiction and one of the seminal works of the alternate history genre. That it has attained this status is due to de Camp's skills as an author. Once he moves from the premise he constructs a plausible scenario with many believable characters. Unlike all too many other authors working within the genre, he does not overwhelm the reader with trivial details designed to show off how much research he has done. Instead he wears his knowledge lightly, using it to give the reader just enough to set the scene and move the plot but keeping the focus on the story and the characters.
Yet perhaps the greatest factor in the novel's success is de Camp's sense of fun. Rather than burdening his protagonist with a pretentious sense of responsibility to the past, he lets his central character run wild. Once he fixes upon his goal of remaking 6th century Rome into 20th century America, Padway has no qualms with trampling upon the past, using his foreknowledge and technical skills to change dramatically the course of history. Dramatic, even seismic shifts, are accomplished with the stroke of a pen, and he even goes so far as to initiate European contact with America solely for the purpose of acquiring tobacco. This light-hearted approach makes the book a pleasure to read, and one that continues to overshadow so many of the works that have followed in its path.
Such is the scenario of L. Sprague de Camp's novel, a classic of science fiction and one of the seminal works of the alternate history genre. That it has attained this status is due to de Camp's skills as an author. Once he moves from the premise he constructs a plausible scenario with many believable characters. Unlike all too many other authors working within the genre, he does not overwhelm the reader with trivial details designed to show off how much research he has done. Instead he wears his knowledge lightly, using it to give the reader just enough to set the scene and move the plot but keeping the focus on the story and the characters.
Yet perhaps the greatest factor in the novel's success is de Camp's sense of fun. Rather than burdening his protagonist with a pretentious sense of responsibility to the past, he lets his central character run wild. Once he fixes upon his goal of remaking 6th century Rome into 20th century America, Padway has no qualms with trampling upon the past, using his foreknowledge and technical skills to change dramatically the course of history. Dramatic, even seismic shifts, are accomplished with the stroke of a pen, and he even goes so far as to initiate European contact with America solely for the purpose of acquiring tobacco. This light-hearted approach makes the book a pleasure to read, and one that continues to overshadow so many of the works that have followed in its path.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
My absolute favourite of L. Sprague de Camp's books. The modern hero finds himself (never mind how!) transported back into Roman times and the book deals with his attempts to cope. He introduces many innovations into that society (telegraphs, double-entry bookkeeping) and eventually becomes a very big wheel in his new milieu.
Well-written and nicely thought out the book cannot fail to satisfy those who have even a passing interest in this sort of 'what if?' fiction.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
16 reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
An enjoyable read; great for History buffs; easy read
23 Mar 2001
Format:Mass Market Paperback
CONCEPT: A History professor is whisked back in time to Rome; only a few years before it's about to fall; with his foresight he attempts to not only create a living for himself but, at a later point, to stop the fall of Rome
HISTORY SETTING: 6th century Italy; very interesting setup. I didn't know much about it and rarely is it covered except in passing as they focus on other parts of the world. DeCamp knows his material.
PACING: The story is only 260 pages long which is small for today's fantasy novels which go from 600 to 1000 pages. No particular story lasted a long time. Decamp would jump from conflict to conflict. In essence, it began with little problems, moving its way up and up to the bigger and more political ones. And, there are plenty. In fact, there are so many plots and intrigues and obstacles and conflicts, that it keeps moving along. Padway will solve one problem but then pick up at least one problem or more.
CONTEXT: Sprague knew his Roman History. There were several Historical points he factored into the story that allowed him to outthink his opponents. Moreover, I got a feel for the setting with the incense wafting out of a door, the togas, the smell of manure, the louse coming out of the maid's armpit . . . etc etc. Unlike some people, one felt they were truly living in this era. Sprague hit you with all of the senses: sight, smell, touch, sound.
OVERALL STRUCTURE: DeCamp is really good at his structure and surprises and pacing. Basically, I would divide this book up into three sections. The first part is laying down the ground work as Padway tries to figure out what has happened, to justify it, to make a living with the help of a merchant and open up a brandy sill. As high reps demand bribes, he begins to get involved in politics to a lesser extent. From there, he starts to expand his business and make friends. In the last third, which is probably half of the novel, he starts to run Rome. Puts the old emperor back on and uses him as sort of a puppet. Moves the capitol to Ravenna since that's one of the few spots which wasn't attacked by Goths. He wins the love of a Goth princess, dumps her to another man and then gets ready for several attacks upon Rome. Leads forces twice against Belisarius and then Bloody John.
WHY IT WORKED FOR ME: Other than the reasons stated above, I like Roman History and there were some very funny parts; especially in the dialogue!
FLAWS: Someone made the point that Padway was a little too ingenius at creating future inventions, as well as at maneuvering amongst all the political intrigues. There may be some validity to it but one who has studied such things wouldn't be hard pressed otherwise. It may have been a good idea to have shown that he knew of such things before since the typical professor wouldn't be able to make them nor perform political intrigues.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
One of my absolute favorites
4 Oct 1999
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I've lost count of how many times I've read this book and had to replace it at least once. De Camp's depiction of the life, events and people of post-Imperial Italy are dead on accurate as far as I can tell, and the fictional aspect of the work is highly engaging.
The book gives away its 1938 vintage, when the protagonist Martin Padway is able to exchange about $5.00 worth of modern Italian coins for 93 post-Imperial silver sesterces, enabling him to survive his first 72 hours in old Rome. He could do this, of course, because in 1938 Italy, like most countries, still circulated real silver coins. I can't help wondering how the protagonist would have fared if he only had today's inflated zinc and tin tokens?
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Exciting, if not Deep, Sci-fi Adventure Tale
30 Mar 2006
Format:Mass Market Paperback
While on an expedition to Mussolini's Italy, young American Martin Padway is struck by lightning. When he comes to, he discovers himself to have been inexplicably transported to the waning days of the Roman Empire. Quickly realizing that he has no hope of returning home, Padway resolves to prop up the flagging Western Empire and stave off the approaching dark ages. But is he politically astute enough to handle the destructive forces within and without Rome?
L. Sprague De Camp's "Lest Darkness Fall" is justly considered a classic of science fiction. It's a time travel story, but it is also cited by many as an early example of the alternate history genre. So its influence cannot be understated.
De Camp is not aiming for gravity, which is probably a good thing. The book is a breezy, plot-driven adventure, not a meditation on history. Padway is a well-developed character, if perhaps a little TOO competent and resourceful. Upon realizing his predicament, Padway hunts up the basics, including a dwelling and a source of income, first with brandy, and then with a newssheet. However, Padway makes a quick jump from brandy merchant and printer to power-broker with surprising speed and confidence. He manipulates royalty and leads battles, surprising himself with his ruthlessness. While De Camp's story flirts with implausibility, it never enters the realm of ridiculous.
The supporting characters are generally likeable archetypes, like the banker who speaks to God, the formerly-rich soldier who has been reduced to acting as Padway's bodyguard, the senile monarch, and so on. They serve the story and Padway's quest. Moreover, while De Camp knows the history of the era, he opts for broad strokes, acknowledging the fractured nature of Christianity, the tension between West and East, and the multi-cultural state of Rome at this time. It's probably for the best, as this isn't a treatise on the fall of Rome, but a story about Padway. Nonetheless, the reader may feel slightly adrift in generally unfamiliar era.
"Lest Darkness Falls" is a book that satisfies the reader's desire for a good adventure, if not the desire for brain-food. It's an entertaining tale, and is worth reading on its own merits, as well as an artifact of sci-fi.
L. Sprague De Camp's "Lest Darkness Fall" is justly considered a classic of science fiction. It's a time travel story, but it is also cited by many as an early example of the alternate history genre. So its influence cannot be understated.
De Camp is not aiming for gravity, which is probably a good thing. The book is a breezy, plot-driven adventure, not a meditation on history. Padway is a well-developed character, if perhaps a little TOO competent and resourceful. Upon realizing his predicament, Padway hunts up the basics, including a dwelling and a source of income, first with brandy, and then with a newssheet. However, Padway makes a quick jump from brandy merchant and printer to power-broker with surprising speed and confidence. He manipulates royalty and leads battles, surprising himself with his ruthlessness. While De Camp's story flirts with implausibility, it never enters the realm of ridiculous.
The supporting characters are generally likeable archetypes, like the banker who speaks to God, the formerly-rich soldier who has been reduced to acting as Padway's bodyguard, the senile monarch, and so on. They serve the story and Padway's quest. Moreover, while De Camp knows the history of the era, he opts for broad strokes, acknowledging the fractured nature of Christianity, the tension between West and East, and the multi-cultural state of Rome at this time. It's probably for the best, as this isn't a treatise on the fall of Rome, but a story about Padway. Nonetheless, the reader may feel slightly adrift in generally unfamiliar era.
"Lest Darkness Falls" is a book that satisfies the reader's desire for a good adventure, if not the desire for brain-food. It's an entertaining tale, and is worth reading on its own merits, as well as an artifact of sci-fi.
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