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The Theta Timeline

(The Theta Timeline)

Chris Dietzel (Goodreads Author)

3.49 · Rating details · 129 ratings · 22 reviews

Leaders who rely on war and fear. The men and women who refuse to accept a tyrannical government. And an unreliable means of time travel in which most people don’t survive. Welcome to the nightmarish future of The Theta Timeline.

Freedom was not stolen overnight, but gradually chipped away through a campaign of war and terror. People were told new laws and restrictions we ...more

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Paperback, 338 pages

Published December 2nd 2014 by Watch The World End Publications (first published November 30th 2014)

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Mar 02, 2016 Matt rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Hey, Mr. Oliver: This is the principal idea behind the Theta Timeline!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

...more

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Oct 13, 2019 Papaphilly rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopia, fiction, science-fiction, time-travel

The Theta Timeline is one incredible read. Part dystopia and part time travel novel, Chris Dietzel has written one hell of deep thought adventure. He rides a delicate balance of action combined with intellectual discussion of how the world went wrong. The Theta Timeline bounces between the present and everything that led up to actions taken by the protagonists to set the world right. It is a nifty trick that both gives the back story its due and to give the main story the gravitas it deserves.

A ...more

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Nov 22, 2014 Hillary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: owned-books, 2014, favorites

This is without doubt the best book I've read all year. It's intelligent, satirical, clever, and so, so important to our society. Everyone should read this book.

Its importance lies not only with the smart way time travel was handled and understood in the book, but in the world that was left behind, full of pain and stress and vengeful, fearful governments. Like said in V for Vendetta, people should not be afraid of their governments-- governments should be afraid of their people. That's the most ...more

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Nov 21, 2014 Ronel van Tonder rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-fiction

The Theta Timeline is the fourth book from sci-fi author Chris Dietzel. The preceding three books are already on my TBR list.

This novel has all the elements of a classic dystopian: corrupt overlords, oppressed civilians, and the revolutionaries who want to put an end to the system of tyranny - once and for all.

But the element that sets this book apart from the rest? Time travel. I must admit, this was what made me hesitate to read the book. Most time-travel theories are either implausible or g ...more

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Dec 04, 2014 Sarah Brillinger rated it really liked it

I read this book, then came across this quote afterwards.... this about sums up what's going on in this story:

"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country" - Herman Goering, Hitler's Reichsmarschall

Ain't that the truth? Looking at our history here in North America, we ...more

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Nov 21, 2014 Barracuda rated it it was amazing

This was one of the most imaginative and piercing books I've ever read. And that’s coming from someone who didn’t care for “1984.” This book has shades of that story, but is so much more accessible, interesting and faster moving.

This is the story of a man who risks his life, via a very unsafe and untested form of time travel, in order to prevent a tyranny from forming. Along the way, you find out what happened to other time travellers who tried the same thing and you get a clearer picture of j ...more

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Dec 12, 2014 Fran rated it it was amazing

The Theta Timeline: Chris Dietzel

Creating fear when people are weak and are easily convinced of a specific idea or mindset is part of the primary focus of issue in The Theta Timeline. What happens when the public falls prey to the ideals, mores, thoughts and manipulations of a small group of people that slowly infiltrated their government, took over in a subtle manner and managed to convince some or most of the population that what they were doing was for their own good and safety. Thinking is b ...more

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Oct 02, 2016 Paul rated it liked it

Trust me. I'm from the government....

...well we all know how that usually ends.

THE GOOD: Chris's writing style is good and refreshingly typo and grammo (my new word) free. I liked that the time travel aspect was dealt with in a very pragmatic, well thought out way, which is often lacking in this genre. Also, there was a rational explanation of the time travel paradox (you know - travelling backwards in time and knocking your granddad off his perch).

THE JUST OK: In fact, every second chapter for ...more

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Nov 08, 2014 Becky rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: science-fiction, favorites, time-travel

The world of the Theta Timeline is an interesting departure from Dietzel's previous work. Where the De-evolution featured individuals struggling to accept the end of the world, Timeline focuses on those struggling desperately to change a world gone horribly wrong in ways that will be chillingly familiar to many readers.

As with previous works, Dietzel's style heavily relies on the thoughts and actions of his characters with minimal dialogue. However, the tone so neatly fits into the world he has ...more

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Nov 23, 2014 Marcia Russell rated it it was amazing

Democracy is dying. The human race is being suffocated by crippling restrictions. Everyone is under the ever watchful eye of cameras and informants. A brave group must think of a way to change the course of history but how, when every move, every word, every reaction is weighed and judged harshly.
This offering from Chris Dietzel is exceptional. In a world where many are already complaining of an infringement of privacy due to cameras and wire taps the author has jumped ahead to a society not unl ...more

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Dec 02, 2014 Annie Mahn rated it it was amazing

A punch in the gut, that's what it feels like to read this book. But it'll be the best gut punch you've ever had. This is a powerful story that will leave you dizzy at what you just read.

Having loved Dietzel's Great De-evolution books I had no idea what to expect from this. It's nothing at all like those books. Shockingly, I think it's even better. Instead of the end of the world and hopelessness, this story was about a tyranny that takes power not too far into the future and the book gave me a ...more

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Mar 30, 2016 Cass rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2016, books-i-own-ebook

Really interesting, but ends stupidly and I don't get why authors publish half a novel. Is this a serial? What was the point of it all? Great idea, great world building, but only half a plot.... What the heck, publish it anyway and see how many suckers pay for it. ...more

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Jul 02, 2017 Kevin rated it it was ok

The Theta Timeline, by Chris Deitzel, was a very disappointing read. I bought it based on some good reviews and because of a discount offer, and the description seemed very interesting as a sci-fi/political adventure. The book did not live up to either its reviews or its description. The base story seems worth while – a time traveler who is seeking to alter the historical time line that has produced a tyrannical and oppressive government. How will he do it? What moment in history (and this is wr The Theta Timeline, by Chris Deitzel, was a very disappointing read. I bought it based on some good reviews and because of a discount offer, and the description seemed very interesting as a sci-fi/political adventure. The book did not live up to either its reviews or its description. The base story seems worth while – a time traveler who is seeking to alter the historical time line that has produced a tyrannical and oppressive government. How will he do it? What moment in history (and this is written as if it is a potential version of US modern history) could be changed in order to prevent “The Tyranny” (as the author refers to the government) from forming? What adventures will the principle character, known as “Springfield” have along the way? Unfortunately, none of the questions get answered and there are no real adventures.
The author spends an inordinate amount of time expositing about the nature of the Tyranny and how it has oppressed its citizens through invasion of privacy, laws controlling behavior, Nazi police tactics, killings, secret prisons, and the like. It is Orwellian 1984 on steroids. In fact, the description of the Tyranny is so far down the rabbit hole that becomes comical, and the constant chapters explaining the latest increase in the excessiveness level get boring. Also boring are the chapters devoted to short explanations about how various events in our history are really the result of time travelers who were unsuccessful in changing the timeline to avoid the appearance of the Tyranny, but who otherwise impacted history in important ways (e.g., the Pyramids). These side roads have nothing to do with the story and are not interesting enough on their own to warrant attention. They are simply filler so that the book has enough length to be classified as a novel, when in fact the story is very thin.
The real story – the development of the character of “Springfield” (his code name among the radicals called “Thinkers” who are plotting to change history) has appeal in that Springfield is an ordinary man – not a trained soldier. He wants to change history, although he is not well equipped to actually accomplish his task. But, he has a moral code and he is determined to try. This is the central theme of the book – that one man can and should try until his death to make a difference in the world. A noble thought, but one that could be written into a much more interesting and meaningful story.
The book is written in a repetitive style that does not generate much suspense, nor any real feelings for the characters, who remain very two-dimensional. There is much “inside his head” narrative that waves the banner of the moral good that Springfield seeks, but in the end the story does not provide anything that was worth the time necessary to get there. It’s a journey without a destination.
...more

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Jan 04, 2015 Tanja rated it liked it

Shelves: 2015, sci-fi

Truth be told, I’m more or less tired of dystopian futures and this one would have been too over the top for me if it weren't for the time travel aspect.

And I loved what the author did with the time travel aspect here. I always like an infinite number of timelines, and everything is happening at the same time approach, but that in combination with timelines shifting if something in the past gets changed was something new for me and it took some time to get my head around this theory - in a good Truth be told, I’m more or less tired of dystopian futures and this one would have been too over the top for me if it weren't for the time travel aspect.

And I loved what the author did with the time travel aspect here. I always like an infinite number of timelines, and everything is happening at the same time approach, but that in combination with timelines shifting if something in the past gets changed was something new for me and it took some time to get my head around this theory - in a good way. The details taken into account, such as considering things like rotation of the earth and gradients, are a great touch, as well, which are not only interesting to read and think about but also give you a good impression of how risky the whole concept is.

I was worrying at first that all the explanations of both time travel and how things work in this particular dystopian world would be too much, but those chapters alternating with the ones about the story part was a pretty clever idea of including all this information.

So, great concept and everything, I think my problem is with the main character. It was a welcome change to see someone who wants to do what’s right and make the world a better place and is, at the same time, completely out of his depth when it comes to the reality of actually doing that (and while we all like to picture ourselves as the hero type, being scared and simply not able to function in a completely different time period is probably what would happen to most of us, let's be honest).

I just didn’t feel like I got to know him much apart from that. Same for the supposedly most important people in his life: Even though he talks about loving and missing his parents and girlfriend a lot, I didn’t really feel that, or understand what made his relationship with either of them so special to him.
(Which was especially sad with Jessica and his mother since they’re pretty much the only female characters that seem to exist in this world, minus some news reporters. I appreciate the chapter on "sexism and time travel" because it confirms what I’ve been figuring, too, but in other places the lack was still pretty persistent.)

Anyways, this book kept me very much awake on my way to work in the mornings, and that’s a compliment on its own. ...more

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Sep 26, 2016 Larry Murray rated it it was ok

I had to really push myself to finish this book. I picked up a copy because of the 'time travel' element. (I'm working on a story concept that has a time travel element and I've been reading everything I can find that deals with time travel as I try to consider as many theories as possible.) If I hadn't been reading this book for research, I probably would have given up within the first few chapters.

While the writing was more narrative than what I personally prefer, that wasn't the biggest negat I had to really push myself to finish this book. I picked up a copy because of the 'time travel' element. (I'm working on a story concept that has a time travel element and I've been reading everything I can find that deals with time travel as I try to consider as many theories as possible.) If I hadn't been reading this book for research, I probably would have given up within the first few chapters.

While the writing was more narrative than what I personally prefer, that wasn't the biggest negative for me.

While I appreciate the purpose of the story seems to be to explore the problems with a despotic government, there is a lack of consistency in the presentation and conclusions that I couldn't get past. Perhaps I was taking the whole story too seriously, but frankly it is too close to my perception of where the United Stats is headed for me not to take it seriously. The Tyrrany, as the government is called, is presented as the eventual evolutionary form of the US government as it shreds the Constitution and eliminates more and more of the rights of its citizens. The "Thinkers" appear to be the equivalent of today's intellectuals. That being my assumption, it was hard for me to reconcile how their conclusions are totally at odds with what most current intellectuals espouse as their beliefs. Maybe Mr. Dietzel had something different in mind and the "Thinkers" aren't the equivalent of modern day intellectuals, but for me this incongruence was an irritant throughout the narrative.

I also struggled with how totally inept the "Thinker" was portrayed as being throughout the story. I can understand how an intellectual might have little real life experience, but for me it stretched believability that someone who had spent months or possibly years thinking about and discussing the minute details and consequences of traveling to pre-modern times wouldn't have at least learned how to start a fire.

I liked the concept of the story but for me the execution left the promise unfulfilled. ...more

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Jul 11, 2016 Norma rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2016, reviewed, s-f

"You are always flipping the same coin..."
A book so superb in many ways, sadly reduced by constant repetition as if the reader were too dumb to get the message the first (second, fifth and tenth) time. The commencing third or so of the book is terrific, setting up a very convincing description of the need for state escalation of war and homeland security measures to maintain the leadership powerbase to subdue, intimidate, and negate any concerns of it's citizens. By these measures of ever increa ...more

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Mar 01, 2015 Saz rated it really liked it

I loved the little details of the time travel experience in this story; the things you might not think of, they are clever, witty and well worth the read.
The premise of the world being literally scared stupid with fear mongering spin doctors and over controlling agencies- highlights todays current situation and delivers a compelling story about people trying to restore some freedom in particular one guy who while chosen isn't 'the chosen one' he's a regular guy with intelligence, common sense & ...more

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Aug 20, 2015 Chris rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: time-travel, science-fiction, dystopian-novels

While reading The Theta Timeline, I stop to check the Drudge Report for today's news...

ND First State to Legalize Armed Drones for Cops...

Free to fire tasers, tear gas from air...

Hmmm...now back to that book. Review to follow...

Wow. Chris Dietzel spells out in plain and clear language how a government can gradually turn tyrannical in his dystopian novel, The Theta Timeline, and although it's a work of fiction, it sounds eerily similar to the things that are happening in our nation today. Every ...more

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Jan 07, 2015 Kyle Austin rated it really liked it

Let's take the US's love of war and security state, throw in a little time travel and a lot of preaching, and write a novel. Ultimately a pretty fun experience, especially if you pay attention to politics and current events, but the characters take a backseat to the message and the plot can get somewhat repetitive. I'd still say definitely check it out though! ...more

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Jan 22, 2015 Rick Rider rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: not one single person

Shelves: 2015-books, mistakes

I can't believe how tedious this book is. I think I might like the story if it weren't surrounded by such over explained and dreary tedium.

I can't think of another book I refused to finish. This is a first. ...more

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Feb 25, 2016 MR A J CHALMERS rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Great read

Loved the way the narrative jumped between the main storyline and historical events. I am not a fan of time travel fiction but found this story fascinating.

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About Chris Dietzel

Chris Dietzel

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Chris graduated from Western Maryland College (McDaniel College). He currently lives in Florida. His dream is to write the same kind of stories that have inspired him over the years.

Sign up for his mailing list to receive updates on future projects and some neat freebies: http://chrisdietzel.com/mailing_list/

In his free time, Chris volunteers for a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) program for feral cats. ...more

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The Theta Timeline (3 books)

Books by Chris Dietzel

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Quotes from The Theta Timeline

“A government that trusts its people is powerful only if the people also trust their government. A government that does not trust its people is only powerful if it knows exactly what everyone is doing at all times.” — 5 likes

“At least in a casino, depending on the game, people have a slightly less than fifty percent chance of winning. In the long run, the house always wins, but a gambler can get lucky every once in a while. In the Tyranny’s elections, both options play for the house. If someone outside of Party A or B tries to run for office, it becomes the house’s mission to make sure everyone knows that only A and B are viable candidates. After being told this a hundred times, people believe it. After being told anything a hundred times, people will believe anything.” — 4 likes

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