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The Skull (1952)

by Philip K. Dick

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1528181,458 (3.67)3
Fiction. Science Fiction. Short Stories. HTML:

Travel backward and forward in time??literally??in this thought-provoking tale from science fiction master Philip K. Dick. A prisoner is given the opportunity to regain his freedom if he accepts a dangerous mission that could change the course of history. He accepts??but has no idea how profound the consequences of his decision will… (more)

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» See also 3 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 8 (next | show all)
No big surprises here, but I'm glad that it ended how it did. Fairly tightly wound time travel story, well thought-out and executed. A bit cliched now, maybe, but solid enough. Deos a good job in particular with both the satirical/anti-war piece and the religious piece. ( )
  alatar224 | May 31, 2024 |
After releasing a murderer name Conger from prison, government agents steal the skeletal remains of the long-dead founder of a pacifist religion. Providing Conger with a time machine and the man's skull for identification, the agents order him to travel back two centuries and kill the enigmatic founder before he starts his pacifist movement. ( )
  pgiunta | Jan 28, 2022 |
I love a good short story and this is a really fine one by a great short story writer. I just love this quote from the story "Those who take lives will lose their own. Those who kill, will die. But he who gives his own life away will live again!" ( )
  kevn57 | Dec 8, 2021 |
The Skull is a short story with a simple premise, as told in the first few pages: send a convict back in time to assassinate the progenitor of a cult named the First Church. The story follows Conger, our convict, through time as he tracks down his target.

The plot develops quickly without sacrificing pertinent details. Time travel is known for its mind-bending qualities, and this story is no exception, which uses those qualities to good effect.

Recommended if you enjoy speculative fiction with a hint of paradoxes. ( )
  wez | Sep 15, 2021 |
Not one of Philip K. Dicks best stories but it keeps your attention and manages to seem fresh rather than old. ( )
  Arkrayder | Nov 7, 2017 |
Showing 1-5 of 8 (next | show all)
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» Add other authors (4 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Philip K. Dickprimary authorall editionscalculated
Margarite, GreggNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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"What is this opportunity?" Conger asked.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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Fiction. Science Fiction. Short Stories. HTML:

Travel backward and forward in time??literally??in this thought-provoking tale from science fiction master Philip K. Dick. A prisoner is given the opportunity to regain his freedom if he accepts a dangerous mission that could change the course of history. He accepts??but has no idea how profound the consequences of his decision will

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First appeared in If.
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