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Quantum Leap #4
Quantum Leap: The Beginning
In 1993, at a New Mexico research laboratory, Dr. Sam Beckett and Admiral Al Calavicci embark on an experiment in time travel called Project Quantum Leap and find themselves battling a determined foe out to stop the project.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 9, 2014
OK I will admit with many of the other TV shows I have watched over the years Quantum Leap was probably the most original and one of the most cleverly written plus it has the support of some very gifted actors. Ok thats my opinion but it did make me come back week in and week out to watch it - or at least try to with all the scheduling changes done by good ole' BBC2 scheduling changes.
Anyway the book. I came across the series and decided to give it a go - after all how would it be written let alone how well would it be written. Well I must admit as a first person storyline it certainly held the confusion of Sam Beckett and the situation he first finds himself in. It also is a pretty good representation of the story so all in all a great start to the series and certainly one that didnt let itself down - however it is basically the novelisation of the first leap - the challenge now is to look at others in the series and see how they fair.
Anyway the book. I came across the series and decided to give it a go - after all how would it be written let alone how well would it be written. Well I must admit as a first person storyline it certainly held the confusion of Sam Beckett and the situation he first finds himself in. It also is a pretty good representation of the story so all in all a great start to the series and certainly one that didnt let itself down - however it is basically the novelisation of the first leap - the challenge now is to look at others in the series and see how they fair.
June 18, 2019
This book is incorrectly titled
It actually is PRELUDE which is actually the third book in the read order series
THE BEGINING is the first episode pilot of the TV SERIES called Genesis where we first meet Sam as a test Pilot for the X2 plane
He has no idea who he is or why he is there
He has to fly a plane and has no idea how to fly it
After flying the plane he has to save the wife of the man he has kept into who is going into premature labor
The description as said above relates to how the Quantum Leap project came into being and should be read only AFTER reading the book THE BEGINNING and TWO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Reading THE BEGINNING introduces the reader to the series
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT introduces how Al got involved with the QUANTAM LEAP PROJECT and it continues into this book actually called PRELUDE
Trying to read this book first will only confuse the reader because everything that has lead up to this book is detailed in TO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
The book is very interesting and one can find out how close QUANTUM LEAP was nearly high jacked from criminal elements
I am re reading the book again while watching the TV series
From my last encounter with the book I only had one disappointment
It is a bit of a cliff hanger ending which was not resolved at the end
Certain things happened - in finished business that should have been resolved back at the imaging chamber that was left unsaid
I have not found the sequel to this book which would close the lose ends
It would be great if the author Ashley McConnel (incorrectly credited as Julie Robertalle) would conclude this book properly
It is possible that in different countries the names of the books have been stopped around but it would be good if the description and the authors were correctly addressed
I have all the Quantam Leap books as well as the Making of and synopsis of the all the episodes
It actually is PRELUDE which is actually the third book in the read order series
THE BEGINING is the first episode pilot of the TV SERIES called Genesis where we first meet Sam as a test Pilot for the X2 plane
He has no idea who he is or why he is there
He has to fly a plane and has no idea how to fly it
After flying the plane he has to save the wife of the man he has kept into who is going into premature labor
The description as said above relates to how the Quantum Leap project came into being and should be read only AFTER reading the book THE BEGINNING and TWO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
Reading THE BEGINNING introduces the reader to the series
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT introduces how Al got involved with the QUANTAM LEAP PROJECT and it continues into this book actually called PRELUDE
Trying to read this book first will only confuse the reader because everything that has lead up to this book is detailed in TO CLOSE FOR COMFORT
The book is very interesting and one can find out how close QUANTUM LEAP was nearly high jacked from criminal elements
I am re reading the book again while watching the TV series
From my last encounter with the book I only had one disappointment
It is a bit of a cliff hanger ending which was not resolved at the end
Certain things happened - in finished business that should have been resolved back at the imaging chamber that was left unsaid
I have not found the sequel to this book which would close the lose ends
It would be great if the author Ashley McConnel (incorrectly credited as Julie Robertalle) would conclude this book properly
It is possible that in different countries the names of the books have been stopped around but it would be good if the description and the authors were correctly addressed
I have all the Quantam Leap books as well as the Making of and synopsis of the all the episodes
September 4, 2025
I was a fan of Quantum Leap back when it was aired on TV and so saved this from the recycling bin for a nostalgic re-read. My memories likely enhanced the book, it definitely felt the characters from the TV programme were experiencing the events.
Sam's confusion, fear and powerlessness came across well. The other characters in the book lack development and suffer from stereotpying. I remembered Al being a horndog but I was disappointed to discover than Sam was rather misogynstic.
Fine for a nostalgic re-read but not a book I shall be keeping on my shelves.
Sam's confusion, fear and powerlessness came across well. The other characters in the book lack development and suffer from stereotpying. I remembered Al being a horndog but I was disappointed to discover than Sam was rather misogynstic.
Fine for a nostalgic re-read but not a book I shall be keeping on my shelves.
July 26, 2018
Very enjoyable read. I watched the series growing up and it's nice to go back to it in novel form. I was instantly transported with Sam and could understand his confusion as to where he was and why he was there. I couldn't wait to see how he would work things out in order to leap home and how much if his memory would return.
Al is such a character too, a lovable rogue!
Al is such a character too, a lovable rogue!
January 2, 2019
Good read. Saw the tv episode, "Genesis". This novelization gave a bit more insight into the leap from Sam's point of view. The only thing I could have done without was the profanity; it seemed that the author would put out swear words just for the sake of it. But other than that, I enjoyed it
February 20, 2020
A really enjoyable and quick read that took me right back to the 1990s when the show was on TV. Very nostalgic.
January 25, 2008
This is based on the first episode of the TV series 'Quantum Leap'. Well-written, and interesting to see into the mind of 'Sam', the guy who leaps around time putting things right, on his very first leap when he has NO idea what's going on. Probably not worth reading except for those who enjoy the TV show, however.
(Note that my edition is called 'Quantum Leap: The Beginning', with author Julie Robitaille)
(Note that my edition is called 'Quantum Leap: The Beginning', with author Julie Robitaille)
July 12, 2015
Basically this is a fleshed out adaptation of the pilot episode of the popular TV series, and it manages to increase the appeal of the show by giving us more insight into the lead characters and more depth to the project itself, something the TV show could never really do successfully.
February 4, 2015
Since Netflix missed this episode, I am happy to read about it. Learned a lot that I could only guess at before. Plus it was written pretty well. Great show.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews