Time's Last Gift

by Philip José Farmer

Book Overview

Ballantine, 1972. First edition of this title, wherein Farmer revisits the Tarzan theme, this time with time travel. Later revised and expanded - the new edition was published by Ballantine Del Rey in 1977.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345024680
• ISBN13: 9780345024688
• Release Date: January 1972
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 201 Pages

Customer Reviews

Great sci-fi read

Picked this book randomly in a "used sci-fi paperback" section of a bookstore. The cover had a futuristic guy shooting at a mammoth, of course I am going to pay $4 for that book. It was an amazing read. Kept me interested, and really made me feel for the characters. It is surprising shorter than you expect. I am excited to read the second book in this series.

Very good!

I've read this book often. I think it's great! It's an easy and quick read, yet very worthwhile. It's fun, it's exciting, and, I think, well written. I would recommend to anybody.

Plot-twists and surprises make this time travel novel a fun read.

When four elite scientists journey 14,000 years into the past, mysterious questions about the journey, one of the crew members, and the very nature of time threaten to destroy the landmark mission, and with it, the lives of the four scientists. Though Farmer's piece is packed with interesting questions and suprising answers about time travel, the novel actually starts out pretty slow. The first 60 pages mostly detail the group's encounters with prehistoric man and the prehistoric world in general. Though it is well written and features above-average character development, it did not grab my attention like the rest of book. Perhaps anthropology types would enjoy this part of the book more than I did. After getting acquainted with the four scientists, all highly regarded in their respective fields, Farmer picks up the pace. Marital problems between two of the scientists and the unusual habits of another raise some peculiar questions about the psychological effects of time travel and about the possibility that one of the travelers is a scientific anamoly. Throughout the book, there is action and gradual foreshadowing. The grand finale of the book is masterfully done and has a surprise that I won't give away. Though perhaps not the definitive time-travel novel, Time's Last Gift still has enough plot twists and suspense to be called a real page turner.

Excellent! One of the best books I've ever read!

This story takes place both in the future and our distant past, and binds them together through the incredible experiences of the main character. I've read it twice and will certainly read it again. A terrific story from beginning to end!