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The Edge of the Knife
This book was converted from its physical edition to the digital format by a community of volunteers. You may find it for free on the web. Purchase of the Kindle edition includes wireless delivery.
48 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1957
15 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
H. Beam Piper
304 books243 followersHenry Beam Piper was an American science fiction author. He wrote many short stories and several novels. He is best known for his extensive Terro-Human Future History series of stories and a shorter series of "Paratime" alternate history tales.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 2, 2016
In the distant future of 1973, Professor Chalmers of Blanley University is having a little trouble with his history class. He knows the subject and all his facts are true, the only problem is none of them have happened yet. After a disastrous lesson where he accidently revealed foreknowledge of an assassination yet to happen, Professor Chalmers has to face down against a dean threatening to fire him in spite of tenure.
This story was odd. I can’t decide if I actually liked it or not, although I do know I hated that ending because Chalmers decided to act like a bonehead for no real reason. The concept is interesting, but the bulk of this story is tangled up in tenure politics and unrealistic stupidity. I just didn’t get why half the people reacted the way they did. This was not helped by the bizarre 70s future speak that it is written in, almost like a whole other language at times.
Good concept, questionable execution.
Read as part of The Time Travel Megapack: 26 Modern and Classic Science Fiction Stories.
This story was odd. I can’t decide if I actually liked it or not, although I do know I hated that ending because Chalmers decided to act like a bonehead for no real reason. The concept is interesting, but the bulk of this story is tangled up in tenure politics and unrealistic stupidity. I just didn’t get why half the people reacted the way they did. This was not helped by the bizarre 70s future speak that it is written in, almost like a whole other language at times.
Good concept, questionable execution.
Read as part of The Time Travel Megapack: 26 Modern and Classic Science Fiction Stories.
March 2, 2014
Part of this prolific author's popular Terra-Human Future History series, the tale "The Edge of the Knife" takes place just prior to the devastating world war that occurs in 1973, wiping out much of humanity and leading to the ascendance of a new world order. The story focuses on a protagonist who is plagued by brief glimpses of the future. Many fans regard this story as a thematic touchstone that yokes together much of Piper's oeuvre.
March 5, 2017
If you started 'remembering' things that will happen in the future, would people call you crazy? What if something you 'remembered' out loud hadn't happened yet, but then actually came true? How would people react? Would you doubt your own sanity? If you 'remembered' that something bad was about to happen, would you act on it?
An interesting story, very dated (written in '57 and takes place in a 1973 that never happened), that has some subtle critical overtones of negativity toward the tow-the-line cold war era attitudes.
An interesting read that makes you want to know more about the 'future' of this world. You'll just have to pretend it's a parallel universe... or are you just 'remembering' things wrong? 3.5 stars and a Good Read.
An interesting story, very dated (written in '57 and takes place in a 1973 that never happened), that has some subtle critical overtones of negativity toward the tow-the-line cold war era attitudes.
An interesting read that makes you want to know more about the 'future' of this world. You'll just have to pretend it's a parallel universe... or are you just 'remembering' things wrong? 3.5 stars and a Good Read.
September 18, 2018
1983 grade C-
2018 grade B+
A short story fleshed out enough to give it a satisfactory beginning, middle, conclusion, and about two hours worth of reading. Piper is quite different and rather entertaining when you get out of the Little Fuzzie stories. This one is strictly adult and deals with a character who sees future events in an unusual way. It has a fabulous twist ending. It is a bit out of date since his predicted future history is now rather off. According to the note at the beginning, it was "too hot to handle" for two publishers who refused it. I thought it was great fun. It was free on Kindle when I obtained it.
2018 grade B+
A short story fleshed out enough to give it a satisfactory beginning, middle, conclusion, and about two hours worth of reading. Piper is quite different and rather entertaining when you get out of the Little Fuzzie stories. This one is strictly adult and deals with a character who sees future events in an unusual way. It has a fabulous twist ending. It is a bit out of date since his predicted future history is now rather off. According to the note at the beginning, it was "too hot to handle" for two publishers who refused it. I thought it was great fun. It was free on Kindle when I obtained it.
September 16, 2011
This is probably my least favorite of Piper’s works. I felt that it was disjointed. Ended to soon. It lacked the normal wit of Piper, or the drive. The basic premise is that a professor can see the future, and he tries to convince those around him about their impending doom. How far would you go to save everyone? I just feel that there was way more story here. I liked the way it ended, I just wished there was more lead up to it.
February 20, 2011
I've only just started reading Piper's works, and it does seem to be character based sci-fi, with characters that are realistic, flawed and have stood the test of time. An interesting look at someone given powers to see into the future, and their passive response to it.
July 29, 2016
A great story
I just love to read dated science fiction and Piper is one of the best from this time period ,this story is about being able to see the future and the trouble you can get into because of it.
I just love to read dated science fiction and Piper is one of the best from this time period ,this story is about being able to see the future and the trouble you can get into because of it.
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January 26, 2011The Edge of the Knife, by H. Beam Piper. A "pre-story" for his Terro-Human Future History stories.
July 10, 2013
Brilliant short story.
Loved every aspect of the story.
H. Beam Piper really does know how to write an interesting tale.
Loved every aspect of the story.
H. Beam Piper really does know how to write an interesting tale.
May 22, 2021
In 'The Edge of the Knife' Piper has an excellent, totally original idea and he tells the story brilliantly. Chalmers is a college lecturer in modern history. His problem is that his mind floats freely between past, present and future, so that he can never be sure what has already happened and what has still to happen. The confusion this generates is heightened for the reader because Piper (writing in 1957) sets his story in 1973. The 1973 he imagines for us is naturally very different from 1973 itself, so its world picture feels as unreal as the future events Chalmers somehow knows about.
The consequences for Chalmers of his 'flexible timeline' feel all too plausible. My only quibbles were the rather hokey ending (though it's an unexpected twist), and the author's relegation of women to the realm of nice-but-dim wives & secretaries. I do not want to judge him on that, though, because those were the times he lived in.
The consequences for Chalmers of his 'flexible timeline' feel all too plausible. My only quibbles were the rather hokey ending (though it's an unexpected twist), and the author's relegation of women to the realm of nice-but-dim wives & secretaries. I do not want to judge him on that, though, because those were the times he lived in.
July 19, 2020
There's a great twist towards the end, which makes this a satisfying read. It was slower and less interesting, in my opinion, than the other Piper works I've read.
This one deals with precognition - knowing the future. A history professor with precognition spills future history during one of his lectures. A month later, it happens. This attracts attention from various quarters, creating quite a conflict-filled situation for the professor.
Interesting enough story, but it wasn't what I was hoping for based on the title.
This one deals with precognition - knowing the future. A history professor with precognition spills future history during one of his lectures. A month later, it happens. This attracts attention from various quarters, creating quite a conflict-filled situation for the professor.
Interesting enough story, but it wasn't what I was hoping for based on the title.
April 11, 2021
Fantasy or future reading 📚
Due to eye issues Alexa reads to me, a will written fantasy Sci-Fi thriller novella or is this the future. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is very complicated fast moving, and full of deception racing to the conclusion. I would recommend to readers of fantasy Enjoy reading 🔰2021 👓🎓
Due to eye issues Alexa reads to me, a will written fantasy Sci-Fi thriller novella or is this the future. The characters are interesting and will developed. The story line is very complicated fast moving, and full of deception racing to the conclusion. I would recommend to readers of fantasy Enjoy reading 🔰2021 👓🎓
January 23, 2024
nice short story
Well written beginning to Piper’s sci-fi world. I read “Little Fuzzy” as a pre-teen, and I remembered it so many years later. I thought I’d pick it up at the start. Glad I did.
Well written beginning to Piper’s sci-fi world. I read “Little Fuzzy” as a pre-teen, and I remembered it so many years later. I thought I’d pick it up at the start. Glad I did.
August 4, 2025
A prequel to Piper's Terra series. A must-read? No, but it's kinda cool to see what someone foresees of the future. Vision of future history. Pretty cool but not essential. Now, if you're a completist like me, this is definitely for you.
August 23, 2018
Read on LibriVox (free audio books in the public domain).
June 4, 2020
This was a really good story. A great concept and well executed.
August 26, 2022
A great kick-off to Piper's ongoing future history. Very enjoyable.
November 4, 2011
The Science Fiction Novella, the Knife’s Edge, written by H. Beam Piper, formulated truth when truth was a risk to ones social well being. Piper hid his important message in the passages of Science Fiction Publications; “And I don't read inside-dope magazines, or science fiction. I read carefully substantiated facts. And I know when I'm talking to a sane and reasonable man.”* Truth could sentence you to the sanitarium, for delusional thinking.
1957 was a year in the height of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States of America. The Gaither Report alarmed the American people to the dangers of the Atomic Age. The report asked Good Citizens, to support the buildup of Atomic Power. The report also encouraged good citizens to go back to the shelter of the cave (fallout shelters). ***
The Knife’s Edge follows the trial of a Professor who can see the future before it actually occurs. He stands on the Knife’s Edge: “all… things … exist, in the past or in the future, and that the present is just a moving knife-edge that separates the two. You can't even indicate the present. By the time you make up your mind to say, 'Now!' and transmit the impulse to your vocal organs, and utter the word, the original present moment is part of the past. The knife-edge has gone over it. Most people think they know only the present; what they know is the past, which they have already experienced, or read about. The difference with me is that I can see what's on both sides of the knife-edge."**
When everyone has gone crazy with fear, what is the informed citizen to do? Should you stick to the proper form of speech, “Your business is with the past; stick to it."**** Or do you blow the whistle and tell of the harm down by the powerful.
The book was recommended by Good Reads. I totally loved it, and can’t believe that I had not heard of H. Beam Piper.
*Piper, H. Beam (2011-03-24). The Edge of the Knife (Kindle Locations 523-524). Kindle Edition.
** Piper, H. Beam (2011-03-24). The Edge of the Knife (Kindle Locations 145-149). Kindle Edition.
***The year was also the first appearance of the Frisbee by Whamo, and the year that Elvis (age 22) bought his home, he called Graceland.
****Piper, H. Beam (2011-03-24). The Edge of the Knife (Kindle Location 176). Kindle Edition.
Listen to it on Libri Vox or read it for free on the Guttenberg.
1957 was a year in the height of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States of America. The Gaither Report alarmed the American people to the dangers of the Atomic Age. The report asked Good Citizens, to support the buildup of Atomic Power. The report also encouraged good citizens to go back to the shelter of the cave (fallout shelters). ***
The Knife’s Edge follows the trial of a Professor who can see the future before it actually occurs. He stands on the Knife’s Edge: “all… things … exist, in the past or in the future, and that the present is just a moving knife-edge that separates the two. You can't even indicate the present. By the time you make up your mind to say, 'Now!' and transmit the impulse to your vocal organs, and utter the word, the original present moment is part of the past. The knife-edge has gone over it. Most people think they know only the present; what they know is the past, which they have already experienced, or read about. The difference with me is that I can see what's on both sides of the knife-edge."**
When everyone has gone crazy with fear, what is the informed citizen to do? Should you stick to the proper form of speech, “Your business is with the past; stick to it."**** Or do you blow the whistle and tell of the harm down by the powerful.
The book was recommended by Good Reads. I totally loved it, and can’t believe that I had not heard of H. Beam Piper.
*Piper, H. Beam (2011-03-24). The Edge of the Knife (Kindle Locations 523-524). Kindle Edition.
** Piper, H. Beam (2011-03-24). The Edge of the Knife (Kindle Locations 145-149). Kindle Edition.
***The year was also the first appearance of the Frisbee by Whamo, and the year that Elvis (age 22) bought his home, he called Graceland.
****Piper, H. Beam (2011-03-24). The Edge of the Knife (Kindle Location 176). Kindle Edition.
Listen to it on Libri Vox or read it for free on the Guttenberg.
September 23, 2020
Edge of the Knife is about a university professor who "remembers" future events, which causes him a good amount of grief.
It's a decent, and early, H. Beam Piper story, and basically provides a blueprint for his "terro-human future history". And while I enjoyed the story for what it is, as a big fan of Piper's overall body of works, I thought the story held special interest because of that fact.
It should also be noted that the story is a bit dated because it predicted events for what is now our past, so it's effectively an alternate history novel. A common occurrence in science fiction, of course.
For a fellow Piper fan, this is highly recommended. For everybody else, this is a decent short story that's ultimately not really significant. Given that you can get it for free from Gutenberg and from Librivox (as an audiobook), you probably can't go wrong if you're into old-timey sci fi or are looking for something that could easily have beeen a Twilight Zone episode.
It's a decent, and early, H. Beam Piper story, and basically provides a blueprint for his "terro-human future history". And while I enjoyed the story for what it is, as a big fan of Piper's overall body of works, I thought the story held special interest because of that fact.
It should also be noted that the story is a bit dated because it predicted events for what is now our past, so it's effectively an alternate history novel. A common occurrence in science fiction, of course.
For a fellow Piper fan, this is highly recommended. For everybody else, this is a decent short story that's ultimately not really significant. Given that you can get it for free from Gutenberg and from Librivox (as an audiobook), you probably can't go wrong if you're into old-timey sci fi or are looking for something that could easily have beeen a Twilight Zone episode.
January 10, 2014
A very brief story about a history professor who has somehow acquired the ability to "remember" the future, but not, sadly, the wisdom to keep references to the same out of his class lectures.
Interesting predictions about the near future (thankfully now the past) as it appeared in the late 50's, complete with the inevitable home-soil nuclear catastrophe. Worth a read, although not quite enjoyable as "Lone Star Planet"
Interesting predictions about the near future (thankfully now the past) as it appeared in the late 50's, complete with the inevitable home-soil nuclear catastrophe. Worth a read, although not quite enjoyable as "Lone Star Planet"
June 6, 2021
This novelette from H. Beam Piper represents a piece of the Terran Federation history and also stands in juxtaposition to the Paratime series in the conception of time, by use of precognition instead of time travel. The characters are only a little stereotyped but the story kept my interest and was fast paced.
July 13, 2014
A professor of history, in a stodgy old collage, makes a slip that reveals he can see into the future. Things begin to go south for him after that, of course, since few believe him. That is, until the events he inadvertently confuses with past and future begin to come true.
April 27, 2013
I liked it. Interesting and original, even more so for its time.
May 4, 2014
Enjoyable timey-wimey premise. My only complaint is that it was too short; I would have liked to see what happened next.
September 30, 2016
Nice, quick short story from 1957. Definitely dated when talking about the events of far future 1973, but that's part of its charm.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews