Tyrants of Time

by Stephen Marlowe

"Tyrants of Time" by Milton Lesser is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The narrative revolves around Tedor Barwan, a Time Agent entangled in a plot involving historical dictators and the manipulation of time itself. The book posits intriguing questions about control and dominance throughout human history, as Tedor seeks to uncover conspiracies that could alter the timeline of the 20th century. At the start of the story, we are introduced to Tedor Barwan as he navigates a bustling Eradrome, a place facilitating time travel. After receiving a distressed communication from his assistant Fornswitthe, Tedor rushes to find him but arrives only to discover that Fornswitthe has been fatally wounded by a mysterious assailant. Compelled by a mix of duty and personal responsibility, Tedor vows to find the woman connected to this tragedy, Laniq Hadrien. As he investigates, the narrative unfolds to reveal a broader conspiracy related to a "monopolist of despotism" and the significance of the year 1955 in relation to historical dictatorships. The gripping opening sets up a multi-layered quest involving time travel, intrigue, and the possibility of catastrophic changes to history itself.