The earth of Svetz's time seems like a horrible place. It has no plants or animals; everything is artificial. People eat a liquid microbial gook to survive. During the Atomic era the earth was severely polluted. The result was the extermination of nearly all life. Human beings managed to adapt to the poisoned land and air. In fact, they adapted so much that unpolluted air is poisonous for Svetz. There is popular interest in extinct animal forms, although people tend to be afraid of anything living besides themselves. Even the dogs displayed at Svetz's museum must be kept behind glass, though they can breathe the poisoned air, because people fear contact with them.

In "There Is a Wolf in My Time Machine," Svetz ends up on an earth that will be familiar to fans of gothic horror tales.

Werewolves, the monsters of many a frightening tale, are the...