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Earth Jumped Back
“A wonderfully weird adventure through time, disaster, and youthfulness. Philip Reari weaves an energetic story that, at its core, probes our connection and responsibility to our environment and to each other.” –Irina Zhorov, author of Lost Believers
College junior Ethan Trousock has his own professor Bourman's history exam, parental aging, dating dry spells. The devastating oil spill that blanketed his university's coastline half a century before and led to the birth of the modern environmental movement is ancient history. Until one night when an ocean portal transports him back to 1969.
Denise Pirouet, an overwhelmed student reporter, has a front row seat to the ominous undercurrent unleashed by the inky, oil-laden ocean, including a pernicious bombing at the Faculty Club. Ethan befriends Denise and her boyfriend, whom he suspects he recognizes from the future. As campus unrest mounts, culminating in a bank burning and a violent standoff with the national guard, Ethan and Denise become linked in unexpected ways that will only become clear 50 years later.
Earth Jumped Back is a historical, time-bending novel based on events in Santa Barbara, CA, that occurred during the same period of generational upheaval as the Manson murders. Philip Reari is an environmental reporter and editor whose first novel was shortlisted for the Santa Fe Literary Awards. Read this book for an entertaining, probing peek into the recent past that will make you think differently about today.
College junior Ethan Trousock has his own professor Bourman's history exam, parental aging, dating dry spells. The devastating oil spill that blanketed his university's coastline half a century before and led to the birth of the modern environmental movement is ancient history. Until one night when an ocean portal transports him back to 1969.
Denise Pirouet, an overwhelmed student reporter, has a front row seat to the ominous undercurrent unleashed by the inky, oil-laden ocean, including a pernicious bombing at the Faculty Club. Ethan befriends Denise and her boyfriend, whom he suspects he recognizes from the future. As campus unrest mounts, culminating in a bank burning and a violent standoff with the national guard, Ethan and Denise become linked in unexpected ways that will only become clear 50 years later.
Earth Jumped Back is a historical, time-bending novel based on events in Santa Barbara, CA, that occurred during the same period of generational upheaval as the Manson murders. Philip Reari is an environmental reporter and editor whose first novel was shortlisted for the Santa Fe Literary Awards. Read this book for an entertaining, probing peek into the recent past that will make you think differently about today.
- GenresTime TravelFiction
281 pages, Paperback
Published July 17, 2024
About the author
Philip Reari
7 books36 followersI’m based in Washington, DC, and work for an organization trying to reduce industrial pollution and improve public health. I used to cover the environment for a number of news outlets.
I’ve published two novels under the pen name Philip Reari, Eat Your Damn Vegetables, shortlisted for Santa Fe Writers Project Literary Award, and Earth Jumped Back. My latest novel, Grow Old and Don't Die, drops the pen name and goes for it.
I’ve published two novels under the pen name Philip Reari, Eat Your Damn Vegetables, shortlisted for Santa Fe Writers Project Literary Award, and Earth Jumped Back. My latest novel, Grow Old and Don't Die, drops the pen name and goes for it.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 6, 2024
In his book Earth Jumped Back, Philip Reari relates a story of long-lost love, tragedy, and coming to terms with oneself amidst the tumult of both Vietnam-era and modern-day Santa Barbara, California.
In January and February 1969, a blowout in oil wells caused a massive spill off the city's coast. On April 11, a blast from a bomb tore through the Faculty Club at the University of California, Santa Barbara (USBC), fatally injuring the building's caretaker. Anti-war and environmental safety sentiments suffused the USBC campus, leading to an increased police presence. Conflicts and tensions rose, culminating in riots and the bombing of the Bank of America Building in February 1970. Amidst all this, university students lived and thrived.
In 2023, two UCSB students, Ethan and Paul, find themselves mysteriously transported back to 1969. They find themselves enmeshed in the lives and events of 1960s Santa Barbara in light of a time of generational upheaval. Where they contended with parents, homework, and overactive libidos in the present, they now experience a very different reality.
In the 1960s, the student newspaper El Gaucho captured the stories and sentiments of war-era student life. From faculty firings and the oil spill to the escalating tensions between students and police, students Denise, Becca, and Steven are in the midst of it all as reporters and editors. Leroy - Denise’s boyfriend - views the happenings with skepticism while Leroy's neighbors are involved in nefarious happenings, some of which remain unsolved years later.
The interactions between all of these characters - past and present, good and ill - intertwine in unexpected ways, both in 1969 and more than 50 years later.
Earth Jumped Back offers a vivid depiction of a halcyonic and volatile time in American history. Santa Barbara serves as an excellent microcosm of this chaotic time, granting readers keen insight into this fascinating historical period.
Reari’s experience as an environmental journalist, grounded in his own education at USBC, lends incredible authenticity to the story. The author further heightens the novel’s plausibility through his deep research into the El Gaucho archives - entries of which Reari peppers through Earth Jumped Back. As a result, his reimagined characters, places, and events feel tangible and familiar.
Through a masterful combination of historical research and authenticity and a dash of “weird”, Reari crafts an enjoyable and informative time-bending jaunt with underlying messages about social and environmental responsibility, connection, and, above all, the generational reverberation of our actions.
Those interested in student life on American campuses, the 1960s, fiction with light time travel mechanics (without a heavy emphasis on the exact nature of time travel), or general historical fiction would enjoy this story!
Thank you to Philip for a copy of this novel!
In January and February 1969, a blowout in oil wells caused a massive spill off the city's coast. On April 11, a blast from a bomb tore through the Faculty Club at the University of California, Santa Barbara (USBC), fatally injuring the building's caretaker. Anti-war and environmental safety sentiments suffused the USBC campus, leading to an increased police presence. Conflicts and tensions rose, culminating in riots and the bombing of the Bank of America Building in February 1970. Amidst all this, university students lived and thrived.
In 2023, two UCSB students, Ethan and Paul, find themselves mysteriously transported back to 1969. They find themselves enmeshed in the lives and events of 1960s Santa Barbara in light of a time of generational upheaval. Where they contended with parents, homework, and overactive libidos in the present, they now experience a very different reality.
In the 1960s, the student newspaper El Gaucho captured the stories and sentiments of war-era student life. From faculty firings and the oil spill to the escalating tensions between students and police, students Denise, Becca, and Steven are in the midst of it all as reporters and editors. Leroy - Denise’s boyfriend - views the happenings with skepticism while Leroy's neighbors are involved in nefarious happenings, some of which remain unsolved years later.
The interactions between all of these characters - past and present, good and ill - intertwine in unexpected ways, both in 1969 and more than 50 years later.
Earth Jumped Back offers a vivid depiction of a halcyonic and volatile time in American history. Santa Barbara serves as an excellent microcosm of this chaotic time, granting readers keen insight into this fascinating historical period.
Reari’s experience as an environmental journalist, grounded in his own education at USBC, lends incredible authenticity to the story. The author further heightens the novel’s plausibility through his deep research into the El Gaucho archives - entries of which Reari peppers through Earth Jumped Back. As a result, his reimagined characters, places, and events feel tangible and familiar.
Through a masterful combination of historical research and authenticity and a dash of “weird”, Reari crafts an enjoyable and informative time-bending jaunt with underlying messages about social and environmental responsibility, connection, and, above all, the generational reverberation of our actions.
Those interested in student life on American campuses, the 1960s, fiction with light time travel mechanics (without a heavy emphasis on the exact nature of time travel), or general historical fiction would enjoy this story!
Thank you to Philip for a copy of this novel!
October 19, 2024
I like historical fiction, so I liked the storyline of what happened at UCSB in 1969. As a Boomer, I identified with the campus unrest, which we saw on the evening news as reported by Cronkite, Huntley, Brinkley, and other journalists from the era. This unrest continued for years later on campuses larger and small throughout America.
I liked the fictional storyline of two 2023 college students time-traveling from their UCSB area to 1969 Isla Vista. I loved the accuracy of what was happening on the UCSB campus. I liked their noticing the differences and being willing to watch, witness, and take part in the campus unrest. Mostly, I enjoyed why they returned several times, although I'm unsure how Ethan passed his classes that semester.
But I didn't like several untied threads. What happened to Becca, the editor, and the obsequious student reporter Stephen? What happened to the dude Lonnie was trying to distance himself from, especially since that dude had some serious anger and bullying issues in their friendships? (He just disappeared.) Why were Lonnie and 'friend' time-jumping to the future? (Okay, I think I know, but yet it was never fully addressed.) Why did Leland become such a crotchety old man, although he exhibited tendencies in his youth? And why the hell did Denise bother to marry Lonnie? What did she do in the decades after breaking up with Leland and during her marriage to Lonnie?
I'll reread it in a few months to see what I must have missed.
I liked the fictional storyline of two 2023 college students time-traveling from their UCSB area to 1969 Isla Vista. I loved the accuracy of what was happening on the UCSB campus. I liked their noticing the differences and being willing to watch, witness, and take part in the campus unrest. Mostly, I enjoyed why they returned several times, although I'm unsure how Ethan passed his classes that semester.
But I didn't like several untied threads. What happened to Becca, the editor, and the obsequious student reporter Stephen? What happened to the dude Lonnie was trying to distance himself from, especially since that dude had some serious anger and bullying issues in their friendships? (He just disappeared.) Why were Lonnie and 'friend' time-jumping to the future? (Okay, I think I know, but yet it was never fully addressed.) Why did Leland become such a crotchety old man, although he exhibited tendencies in his youth? And why the hell did Denise bother to marry Lonnie? What did she do in the decades after breaking up with Leland and during her marriage to Lonnie?
I'll reread it in a few months to see what I must have missed.
June 15, 2024
The best book I’ve ever written.
December 22, 2024
Philip Reari’s Earth Jumped Back takes us on a unique time-traveling trip through unexpected events in the past. With thought-provoking details, elements of many genres, and rich language, buckle up for a quirky, historical, time-travel tale about relationships, our environment, and a commentary that makes us reflect on politics today.
October 17, 2024
'Now he feels the acute pain of losing intimacy with friends and family, at the way time wears away at relationships much like it does the human body. Of the way time and space keep pulling the centre of the universe apart.'
The author has worked as an environmental journalist and that shows in this novel of climate concerns, the tangled lives of human relationships and time travel.
Two timelines over 50 years apart. Santa Barbara, California. In the modern day, University student Ethan unexpectedly drifts through a portal while out on a raft and finds himself in 1969.
Lives start becoming linked in strange ways as he meets a few students including Leroy who he knows as an old professor in his own time.
Journalism is a big element of the story as the students working on the university newspaper find themselves covering huge events.
Early in 1969 there was a big oil spill and the coastline around Santa Barbara saw the horrifying effects of this pollution. It was instrumental in the climate activism we see today and the reason for the start of Earth Day.
Between this and student riots in 1970 it's a time of big change and the author weaves these real world events into the characters lives. The sci-fi/time travel element while integral to the plot is downplayed as the focus is on the differences in the student lives in the time periods, the changes wrought by climate change & the mysteries, romances and lives of the interesting cast of characters.
Well written & realistically portrayed.
An interesting read.
Thank you to Henry Roi PR for the ebook for review.
The author has worked as an environmental journalist and that shows in this novel of climate concerns, the tangled lives of human relationships and time travel.
Two timelines over 50 years apart. Santa Barbara, California. In the modern day, University student Ethan unexpectedly drifts through a portal while out on a raft and finds himself in 1969.
Lives start becoming linked in strange ways as he meets a few students including Leroy who he knows as an old professor in his own time.
Journalism is a big element of the story as the students working on the university newspaper find themselves covering huge events.
Early in 1969 there was a big oil spill and the coastline around Santa Barbara saw the horrifying effects of this pollution. It was instrumental in the climate activism we see today and the reason for the start of Earth Day.
Between this and student riots in 1970 it's a time of big change and the author weaves these real world events into the characters lives. The sci-fi/time travel element while integral to the plot is downplayed as the focus is on the differences in the student lives in the time periods, the changes wrought by climate change & the mysteries, romances and lives of the interesting cast of characters.
Well written & realistically portrayed.
An interesting read.
Thank you to Henry Roi PR for the ebook for review.
May 16, 2024
Earth Jumped Back
By Philip Reari
Time Travel Ecotour
Earth Jumped Back by Philip Reari is much more than the usual time travel tale. The time travel trope provides a convenient way to contrast the events and student activism of 1969/70 with that of the current day. The cast consists of two jumpers from 2023, who experience life as young students today, and as interlopers in 1969, along with their friends as they were and as they have become in 2023. It’s set in Isla Vista, California, at the University of California, at the time and place of the Santa Barbara oil spill, arguably the first of the ecological disasters to grab national attention.
The book is a detailed examination of the culture and psychology of the youth of both times, how they react to the spill, and how naïve activism morphs into violence and death. It’s also a window into the impact of some of the changes, as the two struggle with life before the ubiquitous cell phone and quality coffee. For those of us who did live each period, it becomes a nostalgic journey into what if, the promise of a better world somehow lost. Don’t miss this one.
Bill Schweitzer, Author of Doves in a Tempest
By Philip Reari
Time Travel Ecotour
Earth Jumped Back by Philip Reari is much more than the usual time travel tale. The time travel trope provides a convenient way to contrast the events and student activism of 1969/70 with that of the current day. The cast consists of two jumpers from 2023, who experience life as young students today, and as interlopers in 1969, along with their friends as they were and as they have become in 2023. It’s set in Isla Vista, California, at the University of California, at the time and place of the Santa Barbara oil spill, arguably the first of the ecological disasters to grab national attention.
The book is a detailed examination of the culture and psychology of the youth of both times, how they react to the spill, and how naïve activism morphs into violence and death. It’s also a window into the impact of some of the changes, as the two struggle with life before the ubiquitous cell phone and quality coffee. For those of us who did live each period, it becomes a nostalgic journey into what if, the promise of a better world somehow lost. Don’t miss this one.
Bill Schweitzer, Author of Doves in a Tempest
October 17, 2024
Thank you to Henry Roi PR for giving me access to this title!
First and foremost, Reari is a very talented writer who clearly has a very creative mind which is exemplified greatly in this novel. Earth Jumped Back has a very unique plot with many intersecting character storylines. I enjoyed how all of the characters ended up coming back to each other by the end of the book. It made me feel like the jumping timeline was worth it in the end. I really enjoyed the character of Ethan most of all, he felt very fully formed, like he was having a great character arc from beginning to end.
As for my criticisms, I have an issue with storylines resolving out of what seems like thin air which is what happened here. Too many of these characters changed their concrete being to fit in to what the author clearly wanted to happen in the end. I also could have lived without hearing about porn and masturbation to the point it became nauseating and did not have any relevance to the plot.
Overall, a 3/5 for me but would try more from Reari in the future.
First and foremost, Reari is a very talented writer who clearly has a very creative mind which is exemplified greatly in this novel. Earth Jumped Back has a very unique plot with many intersecting character storylines. I enjoyed how all of the characters ended up coming back to each other by the end of the book. It made me feel like the jumping timeline was worth it in the end. I really enjoyed the character of Ethan most of all, he felt very fully formed, like he was having a great character arc from beginning to end.
As for my criticisms, I have an issue with storylines resolving out of what seems like thin air which is what happened here. Too many of these characters changed their concrete being to fit in to what the author clearly wanted to happen in the end. I also could have lived without hearing about porn and masturbation to the point it became nauseating and did not have any relevance to the plot.
Overall, a 3/5 for me but would try more from Reari in the future.
November 8, 2024
Earth Jumped Back delivers an unforgettable journey through time, landing readers in the vibrant yet tumultuous world of 1969 Santa Barbara. Philip Reari captures the era’s raw energy and tension through Ethan Trousock, a modern-day college junior who finds himself unexpectedly thrust into a past of oil spills, campus protests, and an awakening environmental consciousness.
Ethan’s connection with Denise Pirouet—a young reporter grappling with the challenges of her time—adds a personal and emotional dimension that grounds the broader historical events. Their budding friendship feels real and complex, bringing life to their struggles against the backdrop of escalating campus violence.
What stands out is Reari’s attention to the details of 1969 and activism of that period. Earth Jumped Back isn’t just a time-travel story; it’s a deep reflection on the lasting impacts of history and the echoes of past actions in our present day.
Ethan’s connection with Denise Pirouet—a young reporter grappling with the challenges of her time—adds a personal and emotional dimension that grounds the broader historical events. Their budding friendship feels real and complex, bringing life to their struggles against the backdrop of escalating campus violence.
What stands out is Reari’s attention to the details of 1969 and activism of that period. Earth Jumped Back isn’t just a time-travel story; it’s a deep reflection on the lasting impacts of history and the echoes of past actions in our present day.
January 12, 2025
"This is an excerpt of the full review shared on www.ginaraemitchell.com."
"Earth Jumped Back" is more than just a historical novel; it’s a poignant reminder of how past events shape our present and future. The unexpected twists, particularly the connections between Ethan, Denise, and her enigmatic boyfriend, kept me turning pages until the very end. This book offers a fascinating peek into a turbulent time and encourages readers to rethink their perspectives on today's environmental issues.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, time-travel tales, or just looking for a story that combines heart, history, and a dash of the fantastical, "Earth Jumped Back" is a must-read. Phillip Reari has crafted an entertaining and enlightening narrative, making us all reconsider the ripple effects of the past on our current world.
I received an ARC of the book. This review is my honest opinion.
"Earth Jumped Back" is more than just a historical novel; it’s a poignant reminder of how past events shape our present and future. The unexpected twists, particularly the connections between Ethan, Denise, and her enigmatic boyfriend, kept me turning pages until the very end. This book offers a fascinating peek into a turbulent time and encourages readers to rethink their perspectives on today's environmental issues.
If you're a fan of historical fiction, time-travel tales, or just looking for a story that combines heart, history, and a dash of the fantastical, "Earth Jumped Back" is a must-read. Phillip Reari has crafted an entertaining and enlightening narrative, making us all reconsider the ripple effects of the past on our current world.
I received an ARC of the book. This review is my honest opinion.
July 24, 2024
Philip Reari’s Earth Jumped Back is a clever and thought-provoking tale of time travel in Santa Barbara. Ethan and his pal, Paul, are typical UCSB students until Ethan discovers a portal that allows him to travel back and forth from 1969 to the present. While visiting the past, he finds himself enmeshed in the lives of Denise, Leroy (one of his professors in the current day), and others as they navigate the start of the environmental movement and civil unrest among the student population.
With equal parts historical, science, and environmental fiction, Earth Jumped Back romps across genres as easily as the characters pass from one era to another. Reari’s keen eye for historical details and strong character development make the novel an exceptional read.
With equal parts historical, science, and environmental fiction, Earth Jumped Back romps across genres as easily as the characters pass from one era to another. Reari’s keen eye for historical details and strong character development make the novel an exceptional read.
July 19, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book reads more like a short story than a novel in terms of plot progression and character development. Many times there are unexplained jumps in the story and you are left to fill in the blanks in terms of what happened or how much time has passed since the prior chapter. It's unclear why some of the characters are even introduced to the story as they don't advance the plot (Samantha), and some of the plot points seem disjointed from the rest of the story (Paul's obsession with masturbating, Ethan's apparent hypochondria).
This book reads more like a short story than a novel in terms of plot progression and character development. Many times there are unexplained jumps in the story and you are left to fill in the blanks in terms of what happened or how much time has passed since the prior chapter. It's unclear why some of the characters are even introduced to the story as they don't advance the plot (Samantha), and some of the plot points seem disjointed from the rest of the story (Paul's obsession with masturbating, Ethan's apparent hypochondria).
October 9, 2024
This book was not what I expected, but this might be the charm of such a twisty, concept-heavy novel. I don't love time travel narratives, but I gave this a shot. Mostly it works to show the differences within a culture that has both grown and devolved in roughly fifty years. The novel has a lot of dialogue, so much of the story is told through conversation. In this way, it reminded me of Roddy Doyle books and random moments and weirdness of A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. This could just be my take and mood, but there was something both profound and goofy at times. I would definitely recommend if you are looking for something off the beaten path!
October 18, 2024
Philip Reari brilliantly captures the spirit of activism and the intensity of college life, blending it all with an unexpected, thrilling twist of time travel. I was hooked from the start as Ethan's journey through the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill unfolded, drawing parallels between past and present environmental struggles.
The story felt so real, and the historical details were spot-on, which made everything even more immersive. This one will make you think about our world today while enjoying an exciting, nostalgic adventure. A five-star read for anyone who loves a mix of history, action, and a bit of magic!
The story felt so real, and the historical details were spot-on, which made everything even more immersive. This one will make you think about our world today while enjoying an exciting, nostalgic adventure. A five-star read for anyone who loves a mix of history, action, and a bit of magic!
July 19, 2024
The title for this time-travel novel comes from an Abbie Hoffman quote and that’s fitting, because the story is a fast-paced description of the Sixties and how that era’s spirit once thrived and now—kind of—survives. Philip Reari takes us on a wild and entertaining ride that ties together California’s biggest oil spill, internet porn, dope-smoking students searching for life’s meaning, a young woman who flees a marriage proposal and has great sex with Edward Abbey, and a clueless terrorist who works in a donut shop when he’s not meditating. Buckle up and enjoy the trip.
October 16, 2024
Earth Jumped Back is a novel featuring the intertwined destinies of Santa Barbara students, all affected by an ecological disaster and social unrest, which takes place in both the 1960s and modern times.
Time travel, ecology , adventure, and romance? Quite possibly the strangest juxtaposition of genres one may ever encounter - but it works! I particularly enjoyed Philip Reari's ability to accurately portray the perspectives of both generations featured in this novel. The brief descriptions throughout the book of singular moments in nature, suspended in time, are brilliant.
Time travel, ecology , adventure, and romance? Quite possibly the strangest juxtaposition of genres one may ever encounter - but it works! I particularly enjoyed Philip Reari's ability to accurately portray the perspectives of both generations featured in this novel. The brief descriptions throughout the book of singular moments in nature, suspended in time, are brilliant.
June 9, 2024
The Earth Jumped Back is a deeply provocative story, rich in imagery and prose, that will make you wonder about what could have been and what will be—in the timespans of sixties-generation activists and the earth. For anyone who likes time travel plots, longs for meaning in the roots of environmentalist causes, or just wants to get lost in an implausible quest for love and meaning you’ll enjoy this unique book.
October 26, 2024
This was a thought-provoking one, and it mixed time travel with environmental activism in a way that feels incredibly relevant. As soon as I started reading, Ethan, a college student, was transported back to 1969. The author made me feel the energy of that time, with all the campus protests and environmental upheaval that felt so alive.
Five stars for this one; it’s a story that challenges you to think about the world differently.
Five stars for this one; it’s a story that challenges you to think about the world differently.
November 6, 2024
The writing in Earth Jumps Back is fresh, irreverent, and sure in this quirky, historical, time-travel tale about relationships, our environment and state of political discourse today. I love how the author trusts his readers, not over explaining, and the crispness of his descriptions. I read this in one sitting. Enjoy! -- Karen E Osborne, award-winning author of True Grace and Reckonings
August 8, 2024
loved and hated the characters, meaning I connected.
The way the author builds up the characters made me feel visceral,y for them. I couldn’t stand Leroy, felt for Lonnie’s insecurities, and was torn about Paul and Ethan’s behavior. This book sucked me in
The way the author builds up the characters made me feel visceral,y for them. I couldn’t stand Leroy, felt for Lonnie’s insecurities, and was torn about Paul and Ethan’s behavior. This book sucked me in
October 18, 2024
Time frames and history, environmental activism, and personal discovery in a fascinating way. Philip Reari brilliantly takes readers from the present day to the turbulent 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, where college life collides with environmental disaster. I loved how he wrote about real historical events with imaginative time travel, giving the story an authentic feeling.
August 9, 2026
Though written by an old friend, I didn't expect to enjoy this so much. Well done!
August 8, 2025
This book was okay I gave it two stars because I was able to get through it, the characters for me were really not relatable one only thinks about masturbating the whole book (not in the funny way) the other is a boomer suffering from old white man syndrome and the one that times travels no one really cares? What was his purpose what was calling him to go back what did he solve? Allof this just so all these odd people and be kind of acquaintances at the end? I received a free version of this book through good read and I gave it 2 stars
November 5, 2025
I’ll never think of Paul Parfitt the same.
It was fascinating.
Time travel was on point.
Definitely recommending it to anyone who went to State High in the early 2000’s. 🤣
It was fascinating.
Time travel was on point.
Definitely recommending it to anyone who went to State High in the early 2000’s. 🤣
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews