Everyone would agree, I think, that the events in ["The Legion of Time"] are impossible. About that there can be no serious argument—nor that this does not rule the story out of serious consideration.

Such being the case, let us consider it seriously. In so doing, I want to bear in mind not only the virtues and faults of this particular story, but to examine it as a typical work of science fiction.

First to the storyline. This is of a singular and masterly neatness. It tells of a fight between good and evil, embodied in two cities and two women. It opens well, it unfolds steadily with surprises based on the integral time premise, it reaches a minor climax …, and a major climax that ties in the minor one neatly …, and it then concludes with a resolution that carries novelty….

It is difficult to think of...