The Argonaut Affair

TimeWars #7

by Simon Hawke

When a centaur appears in the twenty-seventh century, Delaney, Cross, and Steiger, three time commandos, are sent back to ancient Greece to correct the timeline

Genres: Science Fiction, Time Travel, Fantasy, Fiction, Adventure, Alternate History, Science Fiction Fantasy

195 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1987

About the author

Also published as J.D. Masters.

He was born Nicholas Valentin Yermakov, but began writing as Simon Hawke in 1984 and later changed his legal name to Hawke. He has also written near future adventure novels under the penname "J. D. Masters" and mystery novels.

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book I guess will always be an uncomfortable second - not really because of any failure of this book or the author - but to me because of one simple fact - it followed on the The Kyber Connection which to me was such a great book - yes shocking but great all the same. The story here takes a step in to the fantastical - yes I know that the whole series (more some that others) is a step in that direction - however this goes head first diving in. I have read unto and past this point in the series so its hard not to comment with hindsight but still this book is like all of the series great fun but better is yet to come

[Michel Siskoid Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Argonaut Affair (Book 7 of the TimeWars) is a step into the series' new direction. We now have a "congruent" universe opposed to ours, and either it's closer to our mythological past than our proper history, or someone out there is creating creatures OUT OF mythology. And we have a new member of the team who has to prove himself. So we're on a trip with Jason and his Argonauts, wondering if we have to interfere or help, and Hawke's weaknesses have plenty of space to shine (as it were) - plenty of repetitive conversations about what's going on, things told second-hand, etc. But it's still a quick read, with lots of action in the Harryhausen style, and there's some fun to be had with "humanized" versions of mythological heroes.. Looks like the back half of the TimeWars is going to go into even crazier literary concepts and indulge in the fantastical, but the given reasoning works better than that of the cosmic space opera stuff suddenly introduced in previous chapters.

[GreyIC · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you've made it this far through the series, you know the deal - Time Commandos (with even higher stakes after The Khyber Connection), a setting blending the history with fiction, and a recurring arch-nemesis.

This one is fascinating as it really takes the conceit of history-but-not-as-you-know-it to the next level, which future titles look to capitalize on.

Rich, pulpy goodness!

This is the last book in this series I read back when I was a kid. The next novel will be all new for me. Can't wait!

[David]

An excellent read!

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book, but has several glaring historical errors. Why set it in 219 B.C. when it should have been in 1219 B.C. or earlier? Lacks characterization, as the people are cardboard, but the action and plot twists are good.

[Andy]

EX-LIB. 1ST EDITION (BRITISH). OTHERS IN SERIES INCLUDE: 1: THE IVANHOE GAMBIT 2: THE TIMEKEEPER CONSPIRACY 3: THE PIMPERNEL PLOT 4: THE ZENDA VENDETTA 5: THE NAUTILUS SANCTION 6: THE KHYBER CONNECTION

[Jonathan Palfrey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought and read this in January 1988, and remember it only as boring. I started rereading it in 2011 but read only the beginning and the end. I’m sorry I can’t give a proper review, but I’m not motivated to read it now. Some books in this series are good, and most are readable, but this one isn’t (at least as far as I remember).

[Jim Razinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd only read this once before (I like the series enough to reread multiple times every ten years or so)and long enough ago that I'd forgotten some elements. Enjoyable, and given that I have no desire to read Greek mythology any time soon, the reminders of a loosely fitted to the Time Wars saga Jason is just fine for me.

[Gerry Felipe]

The Greek Myth "Jason & the Argonauts" comes to life