[fusion_builder_container backgroundcolor=”” backgroundimage=”” backgroundrepeat=”no-repeat” backgroundposition=”left top” backgroundattachment=”scroll” video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” bordersize=”0px” bordercolor=”” borderstyle=”” paddingtop=”20px” paddingbottom=”20px” paddingleft=”0px” paddingright=”0px” menu_anchor=”” equal_height_columns=”no” hundred_percent=”no” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]Small handheld devices can change an entire culture. Look at how differently most of us live now that we can carry around a tiny wireless computer in our pocket. But what would happen to our culture if there was a tiny wireless device that gave people endless chances to start over? Would it change our basic nature?

That’s exactly what Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter explore in the Long Earth series. The basic story begins when a man invents a stepper device with a little wire, a three-way switch, and a potato. The device allows most people to step through an endless series of parallel worlds. The first few worlds are the same as ours (which comes to be called The Datum), except all of man’s constructs have been removed, and nature is in a pristine state. But after a few hundred steps, random developmental variations begin to occur. Some worlds have giant plants and increasingly odd animal types; some have been hit by asteroids; others are deserts; some are water worlds.

People spread out from The Datum and establish colonies going both “east” and “west.” Airships are developed that can step/fly quickly through the Long Earth and native humanoid life forms are discovered. How do the colonists and explorers treat the indigenous life? The second book in the series is called the Long War, but I guarantee it will surprise you.

You may also be surprised with what happens when characters in the books come face to face with other versions of themselves, and you will be amazed at the creative use that is found for the “gap” in the chain of worlds. The possibilities for storylines in these books are endless, the characters are unusual, and the tone of the adventure is reminiscent of the original Star Trek series. I highly recommend you give the Long Earth series a try and “boldly go where no Datum cellphone has gone before.”

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