That Was Now, This Is Then

Long Time, Book 2

By: Michael Z. Williamson

Narrated by: Dennis Holland

In a follow-up to groundbreaking A Long Time Until Now, master of military SF Michael Z. Williamson sends epoch-displaced soldier Sean Elliott and his crew on a rescue mission within the folds of time itself

Soldiers out of time

Then: First Lieutenant Sean Elliott and nine other mixed-service US soldiers on a convoy in Afghanistan suddenly found themselves and their MRAP vehicle thrown back to Earth’s Paleolithic Age. And they were not alone. Displaced Romans, Neolithic Europeans, and more showed up as well. Some would be allies. Some became deadly foes.

Now: Scientists from an almost unimaginably far future need the survivors’ advice and support to reconnoiter and ultimately recover other groups displaced in time. There's just one problem. Not all of those other groups want to be recovered or even understand where they are. Prehistory is an ugly place, fascinating to visit, but no place for a civilized person to live. But the future, gorgeous as it is, has a darker side that dampens the appeal. In the end, only inventiveness, grit, and a thirst for freedom from the fickle tides of time can keep Sean and the displaced Americans alive and on a path to finally find a place—and a time—to call home.

At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).

©2021 Michael Z. Williamson (P)2022 Audible, Inc.

eagerly waiting

I've become attached to the squad .. and can't wait for the next in the series.

Plot twist

Don't want to give it away but I have to type more characters to g

Great book. Needs a sequel

Loved this book, great series, definitely needs a sequel. Fingers crossed and looking forward to it

Not bad except for...

I have enjoyed these books for the most part. This last one had a graphic and unnecessary interracial sex scene that was disgusting. Except for that and the heavy focus on sex I enjoyed the story.

Outstanding

While not quite to same level as the first, this is an outstanding book and if the author continues to put the depth into the character and story without compromising to the masses
this could become a great series.

obsessed with breakfast

I really enjoyed the story but dude was obsessed with breakfast the detailed description of what everyone was eating just made me hungry you can take that as a positive or A negative it's just a thing

Torn on this one.

The first book was better, but story line is still interesting.

I don't recall the repeated remarks on women's physical attributes in the first book. The sex scene was totally unnecessary and tg for double time. Set up for next book. I will probably read the next book, just might not wait a year for the audiobook and get an ebook from overdrive.

The fascinating story and the exceptional characters. Narrator is excellent

I liked every element of the story. I look forward to book III hopefully in the near future.

the second book is even better than the first.

the time traveling adventures continue in new and unpredictable encounters with both those lost in time and their time traveling hosts who may or may not be what they seem.

An Atheist, Feminist, and Creationist Enter a Bar

If the title sounds more like a joke than a book, you'd be surprised. That Was Now, This Is Then manages to put together one of the most diverse casts of people I've seen in a book. Not by numbers, but by beliefs and backgrounds. And it works.

In broad strokes, That Was Now, This Is Then picks up a bit after the events of A Long Time Until Now (at least as far as there can be an "after" involving time travel). The reasons for parts of the previous cast returning are a little contrived, but it's window dressing for the rest of the plot. We see more of the future, and how things aren't all sunshine and flying cars. Very good stuff.

The cast has been pared down a bit, and the size was one of my complaints in the first book. A few of the characters kind of bled together, but now only the stand out ones are involved. Enough for complex relationships, but not enough to be overwhelming. Those relationships are definitely stars of the show. You're guaranteed to encounter a character with beliefs or ideals you don't personally agree with, but you can almost always understand their points, even if you disagree. They're people, not caricatures to act as magnets for love or hate.

If you're expecting closure, sorry to disappoint. There's a very clear sequel written in, and plenty of mysteries to be unraveled. Hopefully it comes out soon, and the audio doubly so. The wait for Dennis Holland to finish was disappointing, even if he's a perfect fit for this book.