The Time Patrol by Poul Anderson

In "The Time Patrol," readers are introduced to a fascinating world where time travel has become a reality, leading to the formation of an organization dedicated to preserving history as it is known. The narrative follows the adventures of the Patrol's agents as they navigate various epochs, from ancient cities to future civilizations, to prevent temporal anomalies and ensure the integrity of the timeline. Through a series of interconnected stories, the book explores the complexities and ethical dilemmas of time travel, the intricacies of human history, and the unending quest to protect the past and future from those who seek to alter it for their own gain.

The 10024th greatest book of all time

Ranking Details:

Our ranking system awards points to books based on their appearance and position on curated lists. Here's how it works:

Unranked Lists: For lists without specific rankings, each book receives points equivalent to the list's weight. This approach recognizes the book's inclusion on prestigious lists.

Ranked Lists: Books on ranked lists receive points in two ways:

  • Base Points: Initially, every book is awarded points equal to the list's weight, acknowledging its significance.
  • Bonus Points: Additionally, books earn bonus points based on their ranking. The total bonus pool, equal to 100% of the list's weight, is distributed among the books, with higher-ranked books receiving more points.

Exponential Distribution: The distribution of bonus points follows an exponential model. This means the top-ranked book (#1) receives significantly more bonus points than those further down the list (e.g., #100). Our algorithm ensures that higher placements are rewarded more generously, reflecting the achievement of a top rank on any given list.

This scoring system ensures that each book's ranking reflects both its presence on multiple lists and its positions within those lists, providing a comprehensive measure of its acclaim and popularity.

Total Points: 27

Since this book was first published in 1991, there is a penalty of 27.2%. The age adjusted score is 19.66.

This is to prevent newer books from reaching super high on the ranked list of the greatest books of all time. The greatest books should also stand the test of time.