AN EXTENDED JOURNEY (September 2013

[Amy, Queen of Time]

This month, we'll be reading An Extended Journey
by our very own Paul Sherman. Our theme this month is "not quite time travel", and our nominators think it fits the theme, so I'm anticipating some sort of twist. It sounds like your typical time travel novel to Colonial Williamsburg. But we do have an atypical traveling group. Rather than the standard single man or scientific team, we have a married couple and their 2 young children doing the traveling. That's certainly a different twist for those of us who wouldn't want to time travel without our families. Paul imagines for us a world in which (his?) family shows up in Colonial Williamsburg wearing Mickey Mouse rain ponchos. His writing style is very contemporary and personal, so I think you'll enjoy the read.

You can find the book for $3.99 on Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/An-Extended-Jou....

Reading Period: September 15th - October 15th, 2013.

In the meantime, I have a few out-of-the-ordinary pre-reading questions for you to answer and elaborate upon:

PRE-READING DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you see a ringing telephone as something that must be answered no matter who or what it is interrupting?
2. Have you ever been in a long-term relationship in which there were never any arguments?
3. What are your sentiments about time traveling with your family? Answer this to include either your significant other (+ child/ren) OR to include your parental unit/s (+ sibling/s) as applicable.
4. If you were able to choose a place and time (before your lifetime) to get stuck for an unknown and probably long period of time (possibly forever) where and when would you like it to be?

READING DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Chapters 1-30:
1. What is your guess as to why Dave in particular was chosen for this "extended journey"?

After Reading Chapter 32:
2.(view spoiler)[Harriet says that she's not old anymore because she's so young that she hasn't been born yet. Based on this statement, what do you think she is and what method of time travel do you think our journeyers are employing? (hide spoiler)]

After Reading Chapter 33:
3.(view spoiler)[What do you think about Harriet's plan for David to convince Thomas Jefferson to free the slaves? Is this an impossible plan? How would you go about convincing a future president to change a worldview like this? (hide spoiler)]
4.(view spoiler)[What would the USA be like if the US Constitution had abolished slavery? (hide spoiler)]

POST-READING QUESTIONS
1. What did you think of the ending?
2. What do you think (view spoiler)[will be the future results of ending slavery early? (hide spoiler)]

[John, Moderator in Memory]

Well, I started the book today, and I'm glad to be back among the group. To answer your questions:

1) I never answer my phone for a number I don't recognize. I have also been known not to answer on occassion if I'm just not in the mood to talk to the person calling. In both cases, I figure they can leave me a message and if it's important I can call them back at my convenience.

2) As for argue-free relationships, I think they would be extremely boring. If you don't argue, you never have the opportunity to make up. Ironically, I have been in relationships in which my significant other argued both sides, and I never had to get involved.

3) Hmmmm... Will have to ponder this further.

[Vickie]

My responses to the questions:

1. Mostly, yes, although caller ID has helped me overcome the compulsion to some extent.

2. I don't argue. That doesn't mean that we can't have disagreements, which we can discuss like adults and on which we can reach agreement or mutually unsatisfactory compromise. But arguing? No. I sull up and walk away if you start yelling at me.

3. I can happily go on vacation with family, so I suppose I could time travel with family.

[Paul]

Thanks for introducing "An Extended Journey," Amy, and for the opportunity to be the Time Travel Group Selection for September. I'm looking forward to some lively discussion. Thank you all for reading.

And John! So great to hear from you here. I hope you're enjoying the read. I do wonder about your answer to Amy's relationship question, though. If your significant other handles both sides of the argument and saves you the trouble -- do you still get to make up? Seems like a good deal to me.

But I'm with Vickie on preferring the argument-free relationship. Disagree all you want, but skip the negative emotions if possible. I thought that might work well for our Time Traveling family. They already have enough to worry about!

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

So I failed to find the Clip from Wings...Roy's phone rings and rings and rings...Roy is making a point not to answer. Finally Roy's phone stops ringing and Fay's starts to ring across from Roy not ten feet away. Fay answers her phone...Fay yells to Roy "Its the fire department, your garage is on fire"

Comedic genius.

For the most part I enjoy getting phone calls its usually friends or family informing me of some gathering or activity. I understand in the world of cell phones being always in contact is a blessing but can also be a curse. So I would say I answer my phone almost always...but having a break from everyone can be relaxing at times.

Answer to question 2 is no. Can a long term relationship exist without argument? I am not saying yelling, just disagreement.

As fascinating as time travel might be, I think having those you love with you would be a comfort as you adjust to the differences in society/culture technology in whatever time period you land. I also see the need to protect the ones we love and take time travel and its perils upon ourselves and not risk others...but I think I would love to take family with me into the future or the past.

[Amy, Queen of Time]

1. It was a revelation the day that I first saw my college roommate ignore a ringing telephone because she was otherwise engaged. Since then, I've abandoned the need to answer at any cost. I particularly don't like to answer the phone if I'm already engaged in conversation with someone. It seems unfair that the person on the phone should receive priority when they were not "first in line". Mainly, though, I'm just not a phone person. I'm an email person.

2. I never argued with my 1st husband. I think it was a combination of us agreeing to disagree about things we had opposing viewpoints about and having personalities that didn't interact that way. But just because you don't argue doesn't mean that there aren't problems.

3. Time traveling with a significant other is one thing, but I'd be afraid to add a child into the mix for the possible peril involved.

[Tej]

1. Ringing telephones. For me its the sound of suspense and in fact, if I was a horror movie director, I would feature ringing telephones as darkly sinister, foreboding and even as "jump" moments.

See, I actually have a phobia for landline telephones ringing since I was around 13 years old, something I have not shaken off to this day. The moment the phone rings always instil a chill in me. Why? You're probably going to guess because once upon a time, I had a notification of a family death...but no, its not that, nothing as grievious, although we have had family death calls via telephone, it was never the reason for my phobia. I have no explanation for it but I do have an origin. My father decided not to work for his company anymore but didnt tell them, so we were getting calls from them and we had to lie that he was not there, or was unwell. Its very mundane but the lying frightened me, made my mum very anxious too. My father would get angry if we didnt help, accusing us of not caring etc. So everytime the phone rang, I shivered. Now those days are long gone but I still get shivers when my home phone rings. I hate answering telephone calls or my mobile phone even though I know it might be friends or work. I just let most of my calls go to voicemail and then I will call back on my own terms. I might need the couch to figure out why I am like that.

So the answer to the question. Absolutely not. If it is urgent, the voicemail message will refelect that and I will respond. But I imagine if I become a father and have a son/daughter on holiday somewhere then perhaps that attitute will switch right round to me staring at the telephone waiting for it to ring!

2. Isnt that impossible? My longest relationship was seven years, we argued plenty of times in the early days...a sign of being a true item. But then we never argued in the last couple of years. And in those couple of years, it was quite obvious we no longer sparked, our relationship dissipated into gradual parting. No arguments, not even much disagreements...just a realisation that we are not really meant for each other.

So the answer to that question is, arguments are essential to keeping true to each other. In my opinion, something is wrong if you dont have arguments in a relationship as long as love/affection shines in between. If a relationship is consistently argumentative with no expressions of affection in between, then there is a problem. Just my opinion from experience.

3. I am not a family excursion person full stop. I love excursions with social groups...sometimes with groups I dont know very well but share a common interest with andmake new friends. That I enjoy. So if I became a time traveller, I would not want to go with family. But I am not married with kids so perhaps I may have a different answer if I was.

I would rather go with a companion/friend when I time travel. I certainly wont take kids, surely they're a burden!?

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Chapters 10 and 11

(view spoiler)[James is he a friend or a foe? Was chapter 10 a setup to gain trust from the family? Does monument avenue really exist as described in the book? Aunt Harriett? Could that be a reference to Tubman?

So far there is a lot more going on in this book than meets the eye...enjoying it immensely so far, and as for me I do not trust James quite yet. I suspect he is working for someone with sinister intentions.

Paul...I am hooked man. The "adventure" has not begun and I am questioning every turn. Relationships with Larry...relationship with the company in general...relationship of his "competitors" all of it is very intriguing. (hide spoiler)]

[Amy, Queen of Time]

Tej wrote: "...But then we never argued in the last couple of years. And in those couple of years, it was quite obvious we no longer sparked, our relationship dissipated into gradual parting. No arguments, not even much disagreements...just a realisation that we are not really meant for each other...."

I think you're on to something there. Sometimes you don't argue because you've given up. Why bother? The funny thing is that I think I gave up in year 1 of 7 without letting myself acknowledge that I had. In the end, I didn't even care if he was was with other girls. Didn't bother me any. Nope. Not a bit.

I understand the phone fear. There are several phobias I have lingering around from decades- gone events. Too bad there's not a reboot and wipe feature on some parts of our brain.

[Amy, Queen of Time]

Lincoln wrote: "Chapters 10 and 11

James is he a friend or a foe? Was chapter 10 a setup to gain trust from the family? Does monument avenue really exist as described in the book? Aunt Harriett? Could that be ..."

Oh, that Harriett? Interesting. I wonder. Well, there's an obvious setup going on it really does seem. Although, I'm not sure why David is the one being set up. I'm in chapter 26 , and nothing's clear yet. It's not like they need to get David out of the way since he's a top salesman, so why him? What makes him special?

[Rysa]

1) I'm with Tej on the ringing phone. I avoid them. In fact, I don't much care for phones in general, even if I'm the one dialing. I think it's from the horrible week that I spent in a job that said it was "secretarial" but turned out to be mostly telephone solicitation. Give me email any day--I prefer time to think out my responses. My family knows that if they need to reach me, email will be answered before the phone. I consider the blinking red light on the answering maching to be a cautionary light warning me to stay away. :)
2) I currently in a long term relationship where we *almost* never argue. There've been maybe three or four in 20 years. But if there are *never* arguments, somebody is caving all the time and we're both too stubborn for that to happen.
3) I think time traveling with my family would be fun, but we'd have to limit our travels to the months where there is no football of any sort, including the draft, because the kids would go into cardiac arrest if they couldn't follow play-by-play and blog about it. Although, after today's game, I'm pretty sure they'd be in favor of going back to 1962 right now and ensuring that Panthers' coach Ron Rivera is never born.

[Amy, Queen of Time]

Anybody watch " Orange is the New Black"? I can't help but see Gibbs as Pornstache: http://www.google.com/search?q=pornst...

[Paul]

Amy wrote: "Anybody watch " Orange is the New Black"? I can't help but see Gibbs as Pornstache: http://www.google.com/search?q=pornst......"

Hah! Haven't seen the show, but this guy looks like he could have the attitude and mean streak. Add a few pounds and bloodshot eyes, and we're there!

[Paul]

Lincoln wrote: "Chapters 10 and 11

Paul...I am hooked man. The "adventure" has not begun and I am questioning every turn. Relationships with Larry...relationship with the company in general...relationship of his "competitors" all of it is very intriguing..."

I appreciate your comments, Lincoln. You, and Amy, are certainly onto the right questions! But let me answer just one now. Monument Avenue in Richmond is very real; I went there to see it for myself. Quite a sight in an otherwise residential neighborhood, as described. Took a while for it to sink in. Thanks for reading AEJ!

[Amy, Queen of Time]

So... Peter's Bake Shop... Does such a place exist on Duke of Gloucester Avenue? I can't seem to find it.

[Amy, Queen of Time]

PRE-READING QUESTION 4:
If you were able to choose a place and time (before your lifetime) to get stuck for an unknown and probably long period of time (possibly forever) where and when would you like it to be?

[Juli Pennock]

Answers to the pre-reading questions:

1. I answer a business phone aaaaaaaaaaalllllllll day at work and many of the conversations are long and convoluted, so when mine rings? Ya...nope! Unless it's my mom or work, I am 'deny/ignore' girl. Honestly, most of the time it's off or mouldering with a WAY dead battery in the bottom of my purse.

2. Anything's possible and relationships, like the people in them, are as varied as stereotypical snowflakes. Too many variables, I can't answer with any authority. For myself, I hate to argue unless it's a philosophical debate, so a relationship with a lot of arguing wouldn't work for me.

3. If she were 20 years younger, I'd totally take my mom time traveling with me. She's too fragile right now, so that's a huge no. I'd be too worried about her all the time.

4. As a kid I wanted to live inside Little House on the Prairie. Actually, Little House in the Big Woods. It's one of the first books I can remember reading and I was enchanted. These days, I'd choose the 20's. I'd make a helluva flapper!

[Amy, Queen of Time]

Juli wrote: "Answers to the pre-reading questions

Oh, yay! Someone new reading with us!

I keep seeing Little House on the Prairie references this week. It was only a matter of time before the references made their way here. That would most definitely be an interesting time/place to get stuck for a while.

[Paul]

Amy wrote: "So... Peter's Bake Shop... Does such a place exist on Duke of Gloucester Avenue? I can't seem to find it."

It exists, but only in my imagination. Total fiction. But there have been working 18th century style bakeries on Duke of Gloucester Street in recent times, and I did visit one, but the bakery today seems to be included with the Raleigh Tavern. In any case, I decided that attributing Time Travel properties and events to a current, operating, business wouldn't be a good idea. They might not be prepared for the sudden surge in business from Time Travelers like ourselves.

[Amy, Queen of Time]

Paul wrote: "but the bakery today seems to be included with the Raleigh Tavern...."

Ah, the Raleigh Tavern Bake Shop was the place I thought the most likely candidate. And it has its own cookbook: Recipes from the Raleigh Tavern Bake Shop. Wonder if we can find anything from Monica in there (perhaps her yummy rich stew which made my mouth water just reading about it?).

[Paul]

Amy wrote: "Ah, the Raleigh Tavern Bake Shop was the place I thought the most likely candidate. And it has its own cookbook:..."

Wouldn't they be surprised to learn that their 230 year old recipe came from a 21st century Time Traveler? The fictional Peter's Bake Shop would be about two buildings east of the famous Raleigh, same side of the street, towards the Capitol.

Oh, and lemonade definitely was available there, a "citrus." But no Starbucks, a real concern.

[Paul]

Amy wrote: "PRE-READING QUESTION 4:
If you were able to choose a place and time (before your lifetime) to get stuck for an unknown and probably long period of time (possibly forever) where and when would you l..."

My initial reaction is, no way! (Not without family.) But that aside, how many people from other centuries would choose to come to the 21st? What's so great about sectarian religious wars, mass murderers, incredible traffic jams, and 450 TV channels? Well, there are smartphones. So I'll keep an open mind.

My current historical interests lie with the early 1970s, which doesn't qualify (within my lifetime), and the early 1930s. Whatever century, the first question is how to survive. Do we have transferable skills? So I'll go with the thirties, strange but familiar, a changing world, perhaps full of opportunities for Travelers from the future.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Chapter 18 6 Pence

(view spoiler)[ Using my high school cheer leading conversion method. "Two Pence, Four Pence, Six Pence, a Dollar...All for the Bobcats stand up and Holler!"

8 pence is a dollar so 6 pence is 75 cents. And Dave throws down 30 bucks of "Spanish Territory" cash...What was he thinking?! (hide spoiler)]

[Amy, Queen of Time]

READING QUESTION 1:
What is your guess as to why Dave in particular was chosen for this "extended journey"?

READING QUESTION 2
Do NOT read this question until immediately after you have finished Chapter 32. (view spoiler)[Harriet says that she's not old anymore because she's so young that she hasn't been born yet. Based on this statement, what do you think she is and what method of time travel do you think our journeyers are employing? (hide spoiler)]

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Chapter 24 and Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[
Monica had the three playmates pose on the grass among the wildflowers, where they soon commenced making funny faces and falling into fits of giggling. The "silly sisters," Monica called them, then snapped the shutter to catch a trio of bursting smiles,

Such a simplistic explanation of girls just posing for a photo...that struck me very emotionally Paul...The innocence of children in your very tension filled book.

Chapter 20

I watched in horror, a frame at a time it seemed, as Gibbs curled one big hand into a fist and rammed to my little girls ribs, sending her, too, sprawling in the dirt.

David's theory and rules regarding police and violence is never the answer is one we should all go by. However, there are deeper rules...A man must protect his family. I think you have alluded to this fact as Jason explains how he does not want to kill, but if he was not sold himself he would have killed his third master.

I also like that despite David's body not cooperating after seeing his little girl he some how finds the strength and ability to do what must be done. So much hatred burned through me for Gibbs when I read this.

End of Chapter 20

Monica and I rarely speak of that day. We know what's in our hearts. She rescues me every day. I'd have no life without her.

This is another example of protecting your family this time its Monica who steps up, the expression of love was very emotional for me again Paul. (hide spoiler)]

Paul you are an excellent writer. I am drawn in so vividly and so completely invested in the welfare of the characters. I am uncertain if I can withstand the pain and hardship that might befall them later in the book.

[Amy, Queen of Time]

Lincoln wrote: "Chapter 24 and Chapter 20
Monica had the three playmates pose on the grass among the wildflowers, where they soon commenced making funny faces and falling into fits of giggling. The "silly sisters..."

I'm glad you mentioned this photo, Lincoln. When I read this photo description, I found myself wishing it had been the book cover. I think it would make a very striking cover as an actual photo with the girls all dressed in homespun, maybe with a Barbie doll in the slave girl's hand. The picture would have that dreamy photoshopped look. Big fluffy clouds would billow larger than life in the sky above them them.

[Peter]

Amy wrote: "PRE-READING QUESTION 4:
If you were able to choose a place and time (before your lifetime) to get stuck for an unknown and probably long period of time (possibly forever) where and when would you l..."

Definitely the 60s.. that is when I was born.
And, no doubt, I would go alone... no family! :)

[Peter]

Question for Paul:

Really curious to know where did you get the Italian recipe of the 'Rotolino di Zia Teresa' (btw, as I already told you some time ago, rotolino with on 'L', meaning 'small roll' :-) ).

And I am pleased to see that also in the States 'ricotta' and 'provolone' are well-known! Since they are part of our daily diet, it really warmed my heart to read these names in a time travel novel set in the US! :)

[Amy, Queen of Time]

READING QUESTION 3
Do NOT read this question until immediately after you have finished Chapter 33. (view spoiler)[What do you think about Harriet's plan for David to convince Thomas Jefferson to free the slaves? Is this an impossible plan? How would you go about convincing a future president to change a worldview like this? (hide spoiler)]

[Howard]

Lincoln wrote: 'Paul you are an excellent writer'

Lincoln, spot on comment, Paul’s prose was quite an unexpected journey, so to speak & one reason I recommended his book, I’m glad you concur.

There are others things I liked as well but I wasn't expecting the seamless flow, almost effortless to read & I really liked his vivid descriptions, something I don’t attempt to do & something he & I have discussed at length.

His use of ‘type’ is also flawless & this is a device I do employ & that’s another aspect we've both discussed.

For now, the largest issue I had must come later, after you guys (especially Amy) finish the piece, for it deals with method & its importance to the genre.

Glad you’re liking it though.

[Amy, Queen of Time]

READING QUESTION 4
After Chapter 33
(view spoiler)[What would the USA be like if the US Constitution had abolished slavery? (hide spoiler)]

[Amy, Queen of Time]

** DO NOT CLICK THE SPOILERS UNLESS YOU'VE FINISHED CHAPTER 33 **

Answer to Reading Question 1
I'm starting to get the idea that David was chosen for this journey into the past because of his networking and people skills and his salesmanship abilities. At least, this is my guess after reading Chapter 33: (view spoiler)[If someone is going to have to talk Thomas Jefferson into an early emancipation of slaves, who better than a person with such qualities? Perhaps the questions that the tour guide asked back in modern-day Williamsburg about slavery were part of a test to see where David stood on the issue. (hide spoiler)]

Answer to Reading Question 3:
(view spoiler)[Is this even possible? Can a person change their worldview so drastically? I think that the key here lies in offering a better plan to Jefferson who wanted abolition through the democratic process and with slave owners choosing emancipation. He tried to encourage crops that didn't require slave labor. But he never truly saw those of African decent and those of European decent as being created equal. Perhaps the plan should be to convince him of this so that he could advocate for them on that level. (hide spoiler)]

Answer to Reading Question 4:
(view spoiler)[The first thing that I'm wondering about Harriett's plan is why she would choose an emancipation of the slaves at this time period in history. Perhaps it is so that it would be included in the Constitution as a fresh start for the nation? However, I have to wonder if freeing the slaves with the Constitution would have caused the Civil War to happen directly on the tail end of the American Revolution. Could the nation thrive as it did under double wars? The face of America in the present would certainly be much different without an extra century-ish of slavery. But I wonder, too, if it would have softened the feelings of the descendents of slaves to have been emancipated without war. There would be 180,000ish less people to have experienced slavery. Would the civil rights movement of the 1960s have happened in the 1860s instead of the Civil War? Who would have led it? How would this affect current crime levels if all people had been integrated into society much earlier in our country's history without 2 centuries to stew and simmer and still be seen as "inferior"? (hide spoiler)]

[Howard]

Amy had a lot of spoilers:

Amy, most excellent observations & you've said before that you're lacking in History.

No sign of that in this discussion.

Keep reading, your ruminations aren't over yet.

[Amy, Queen of Time]

Howard wrote: "Amy had a lot of spoilers:

Amy, most excellent observations & you've said before that you're lacking in History.

No sign of that in this discussion.

Keep reading, your ruminations aren't over yet."

I don't think I said I'm lacking in history so much as that I'd prefer to imagine the future than to relive the past if I had my time travel 'druthers. Although, I'm not one to care about battle details, etc.

[Howard]

My mistake Amy; I think it was in the never-ending thread you'd mentioned this, but it was in connection with the Civil War.

I had issues though, History wise, with Paul's flow after the changes his characters made, that is, even if such changes were made I questioned his view of the outcome thereby.

Keep reading & we'll see if you agree.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Pre-reading question 4

If you were able to choose a place and time (before your lifetime) to get stuck for an unknown and probably long period of time (possibly forever) where and when would you like it to be?

I should ignore this question because I have thought about living in the past and I don't think I could...if I had to live "out of Time" I am going to cheat and say I choose the future.

Reading Question 1

Why was David chosen?

I am unclear about his whole life, his company, his relationship with Larry. Perhaps his whole company exists to prepare him for time travel or find out if he is eligible in some magical way. Perhaps Harriet has chosen him based on his political views and temperament.

Reading Question 2 chapter 32
(view spoiler)[[Harriet says that she's not old anymore because she's so young that she hasn't been born yet. Based on this statement, what do you think she is and what method of time travel do you think our journeyers are employing?

I believe Harriet to be a witch or magical in some ways. It could even go back to voodoo in its African origins not what its stereotypes are nowadays. The way she disappears and shows up again when they have shut her in the storage room.

As far as time travel is concerned I think Harriet can travel anytime the conditions are right...not sure what that means but I have a feeling that old Harriet can go back to young Harriett and tell her she is to old for 1780 and send her young self in her place.

Other theories might be that Harriet can shape shift and have control of her age that way...lots of unanswered questions regarding old/young Harriet. (hide spoiler)]

Reading Question 3 Chapter 33
(view spoiler)[What do you think about Harriet's plan for David to convince Thomas Jefferson to free the slaves? Is this an impossible plan? How would you go about convincing a future president to change a worldview like this?

Why not ask for miracles. Jefferson storms out of the bakery because he thought he could find some peace from attacks coming from everywhere else and David brings up the charges. I don't know my revolutionary war history as well as maybe I should but the fact that we won is a miracle unto its self. The British Army and Navy were the super power of its day and we had no business going to war with them.

So, to say when we beat the British in this war and truly have our own sovereignty lets make a statement and throw our economy on its head and free the slaves as well...Both things seem impossible...beat the best military in the world...and free the slaves all in one swoop.

Having said all that how glorious would it be to declare this nation from its founding that ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL

If I knew Jefferson personally perhaps through debate over time...to think I could debate Jefferson would be another miracle. (hide spoiler)]

Reading Question 4 Chapter 33
(view spoiler)[What would the USA be like if the US Constitution had abolished slavery?

The United States has always been a melting pot. And our diversity has made us unique and strong. Had the United States abolished slavery at the outset I believe the beacon of a free land would of been shining on a hill all the more sooner. (hide spoiler)]

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Random thought:

Despite anything that happens in this book...despite the fun...Mr. Paul can not change history for reals...fiction is fun for that reason.

Why publish a book in 2012 and set current day David's present day to be 2006?

Punch line...David can't free the slaves in 1780 but when he returns home in 2008 look who is president...

Just a thought.

[Paul]

I like how you think, Lincoln. :-) Thanks!

[Amy, Queen of Time]

Lincoln wrote: "Why publish a book in 2012 and set current day David's present day to be 2006?

Punch line...David can't free the slaves in 1780 but when he returns home in 2008 look who is president..."

Hmm ... I was wondering that myself. Why set it such that he couldn't report that there'd been a non-white president? That might just be your answer.

Interesting, though, that that president is not a descendent of slaves. I've never thought of that, but our president probably has a different worldview than a large proportion of people of African descent in the USA simply because he didn't descend from slaves. It's like my international students from Africa who bristle when people call them "African-American" since the label doesn't apply. Not all people in the USA with the same skin tone and ancestral heritage have the same ancestral experience commonality.

[Paul]

Lincoln wrote: "Chapter 18 6 Pence
Using my high school cheer leading conversion method. "Two Pence, Four Pence, Six Pence, a Dollar...! 8 pence is a dollar so 6 pence..."

Hey Lincoln, don't want you to think I forgot about your question . . . and this is one I can answer now. (Others later, of course.) What I tried to do here was have Big John ask for payment as he normally would in 1780, in English money at 1780 prices (6 pence), which I researched to get in the ballpark, pretty close I think. But David tries to pay him in modern American greenbacks at estimated 21st century prices plus tip just so they can get out of there! Confusion abounds. Minor details can be fun sometimes.

[Lincoln, Temporal Jester]

Paul wrote: "Lincoln wrote: "Chapter 18 6 Pence
Using my high school cheer leading conversion method. "Two Pence, Four Pence, Six Pence, a Dollar...! 8 pence is a dollar so 6 pence..."

Hey Lincoln, don't w..."

I loved the chapter and I know what you were doing, the general confusion as they are in 1780 but have failed to fully realize or grasp it. I was trying to be humorous with my comment.

[Paul]

Lincoln wrote: "Paul wrote: "Lincoln wrote: "Chapter 18 6 Pence
Using my high school cheer leading conversion method.."

I totally understood, but you got me thinking . . . . now where the hell did I come up with those numbers? Feel better now, memory refreshed. Now I have to remember where I came up with that Italian food that Piero is asking about. :-)

[Howard]

Paul, speaking of Italian food, Jefferson introduced macaroni and cheese, a dish he savored, to America.

He’d discovered it when Congress had sent him to France after the Revolution.

This fact was quite apropos, given the inherent, diverse nature of the new country.

After all, Jefferson was the very epitome of the well-educated and wealthy upper class landed gentry, and he had been given an essential task deemed vital to the nation’s future.

Yet from the very heart of France, this elegant gentleman had retrieved for the masses an imported Italian staple, tasty and cheaply made.

Thanks Tom.

[Peter]

Interesting, Howard!

Did not know that ...

[Howard]

Piero, strange but true.

[Peter]

Don't intend to go off topic ... But i am at a country restaurant, an old restored mill, having tagliatelle fresche with porcini (boletus mushrooms) ... A dish that Paul - or any of you - could include in his next novel! :)

...with double L :)

[Howard]

Piero, really getting off topic...as I've already told Paul, Jefferson is in my next Epic Fable.

Macaroni though, no tagliatelle.

But a lot about fossils, something else he was interested in.

Heh heh heh

[Paul]

Piero wrote: "Question for Paul:

Really curious to know where did you get the Italian recipe of the 'Rotolino di Zia Teresa'..."

I believe I borrowed that fine Italian dish from a restaurant in Sacramento (California). If I'd gone to Italy for it, they'd have gotten the number of Ls right! Apparently they had a visiting chef from a region of Italy where the recipe originated. Great Italian wine, too, all in the name of "Research." Next time I'm going with your tagliatelle. :-)

[Amy, Queen of Time]

Reading Question 2 Answer
(view spoiler)[My first inclination was to think she was a ghost, but now I'm realizing that she's just exhibiting characteristics of time travel: people seeing her both when she's young and old as she moves through time. (hide spoiler)]

[Paul]

Amy wrote: "Reading Question 2 Answer
[spoilers removed]"

I think you're on to something here! . . . partially. Lincoln, too. Harriet's definitely a Traveler, and she does try to explain. :-)