description Sidewise in Time Overview
Sidewise in Time is a science fiction short story by Murray Leinster (pen name of William Fitzgerald Jenkins), first published in Astounding Science Fiction magazine in 1934. The narrative depicts Earth experiencing zones where different parallel timelines intersect, creating temporal anomalies where regions transform into alternate versions of reality. The story is considered one of the earliest examples of alternate history in science fiction literature and helped establish concepts of parallel universes and timeline divergence that would become staples of the genre.
help Sidewise in Time FAQ
Is 'Sidewise in Time' really the first alternate-history story, or just an early example?
It is generally cited as one of the earliest modern alternate-history stories in science fiction, published in the June 1934 issue of Astounding Stories under editor F. Orlin Tremaine. Murray Leinster's conceit of overlapping parallel realities influenced later writers, but scholars point to earlier precursors going back to the 19th century and beyond.
Is the Sidewise Award for alternate-history fiction named after this story?
Yes — the Sidewise Award for Alternate History, established in 1995, takes its name directly from Leinster's 'Sidewise in Time.' The award is presented annually at the World Science Fiction Convention in long-form and short-form categories.
What is the actual premise of 'Sidewise in Time'?
In the story, patches of Earth's surface begin swapping with their counterparts in alternate timelines: a Roman legion appears in the American Midwest, a section of Kentucky is replaced by a version in which the American Revolution failed, and a Victorian English village replaces a Midwestern town. The phenomenon is explained as a kind of sideways slippage between parallel universes.
Who was Murray Leinster, and was 'Sidewise in Time' typical of his work?
Murray Leinster was the pen name of William Fitzgerald Jenkins (1896–1975), a prolific pulp writer who published over 1,500 stories and novels across western, mystery, and science fiction. 'Sidewise in Time' is among his best-remembered works, along with 'A Logic Named Joe' (1946), which anticipated the personal computer.
explore Explore More
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
