*Timeline* is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that redefines the concept of power and ambition. When one audacious individual sets out to move the Greenwich Mean Timeline from London to New York City, the world is thrust into a whirlwind of financial and political upheaval. This bold manoeuvre is far more than a simple clocks shift—it's a seismic move to redirect global wealth and transform New York into the epicentre of world finance, upending centuries of tradition and influence.
As this groundbreaking idea takes shape, the mastermind navigates a treacherous web of political intrigue, clandestine deals, and powerful enemies determined to maintain the status quo. But even with ruthless ambition driving him, unexpected forces emerge, love, unforeseen risks, and the looming possibility of losing everything he holds dear.
With the London Stock Exchange as its historical and cultural backdrop, *Timeline* vividly portrays the relentless energy of global finance—the early morning battles fought in London before the world wakes, the high-octane decisions that ripple across continents, and the delicate dance of power that shapes economies. The novel unflinchingly examines the sacrifices made to pursue dominance and the razor-thin edge between triumph and catastrophe.
*Timeline* is a gripping, high-stakes thriller that redefines the concept of power and ambition. When one audacious individual sets out to move the Greenwich Mean Timeline from London to New York City, the world is thrust into a whirlwind of financial and political upheaval. This bold manoeuvre is far more than a simple clocks shift—it's a seismic move to redirect global wealth and transform New York into the epicentre of world finance, upending centuries of tradition and influence.
As this groundbreaking idea takes shape, the mastermind navigates a treacherous web of political intrigue, clandestine deals, and powerful enemies determined to maintain the status quo. But even with ruthless ambition driving him, unexpected forces emerge, love, unforeseen risks, and the looming possibility of losing everything he holds dear.
With the London Stock Exchange as its historical and cultural backdrop, *Timeline* vividly portrays the relentless energy of global finance—the early morning battles fought in London before the world wakes, the high-octane decisions that ripple across continents, and the delicate dance of power that shapes economies. The novel unflinchingly examines the sacrifices made to pursue dominance and the razor-thin edge between triumph and catastrophe.
In the sunbaked city of Lubbock, Texas, where the horizon seemed to stretch forever beneath a boundless blue sky, a young boy named Andy Steven Stuart found his universe expanding far beyond the dusty plains around him. The air in Lubbock was dry, the earth cracked, and the wind blew persistently across a seemingly endless expanse of flat land. But even in this desolate landscape, inspiration thrived. It was a town steeped in the legacy of music legends, where creativity had taken root despite the barren surroundings.
Growing up in a modest home, Andy's world was shaped by the tales of two local heroes who had transcended the borders of their small town to leave an indelible mark on the world: Buddy Holly, the rock 'n' roll pioneer who had revolutionised music in the 1950s, and Waylon Jennings, the country outlaw whose rugged voice had carved out a new path in country music. Their spirits seemed to linger in the hot Texas air as if whispering to Andy that greatness could be found even in the most unlikely places.
He was different from other kids who spent time kicking dust in the streets or chasing tumbleweeds. His curiosity was insatiable. While his friends played with their toy trucks or swung from tree branches, Andy was busy dismantling his, carefully unscrewing the parts, trying to decipher the mystery behind their mechanics. Old radios, broken appliances, and anything he could get his hands on became his playground. By the time he was ten, he could fix things that left adults scratching their heads, his tiny hands deftly navigating circuits and gears with the precision of a surgeon.
In his home, Andy's father, a hard-edged oilfield worker with calloused hands, and his mother, a gentle but no-nonsense schoolteacher, filled his world with two simple values: hard work and grit. His father's harsh, sunburned exterior masked a deep love for his family, a love expressed in long hours under the punishing Texas sun to ensure that his son had opportunities he never did. On the other hand, his mother filled their house with books and knowledge, drilling into his head that no dream was too big if he was willing to fight for it.
As Andy grew older, it became clear that he wasn't just a kid who could fix things. He was a kid with a mind that thrived on solving problems others couldn't. Science and technology became his world, and soon, his academic achievements outpaced his surroundings. While his peers were content with football games and Friday night lights, his mind was already elsewhere, envisioning a future where technology could reshape everything. His teachers marvelled at his talent, and before long, a scholarship from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology landed in his lap, offering him a one-way ticket out of Texas and into the halls of the most elite scientific institution in the world.
At MIT, surrounded by some of the brightest minds on the planet, Andy truly began to shine. The boy who once took apart radios in his parents' garage was now pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence. These developing algorithms left even his professors in awe. His research attracted attention from tech companies long before he graduated, and it wasn't just his intellect that drew people to him. Andy had a charm about him, a way of making others believe in the impossible. His peers called him a visionary, but those closest to him could see something else simmering beneath the surface: a hunger, an ambition bordering on obsession.
When Andy finally set foot in Silicon Valley, he entered a world that seemed made for him. The towering glass buildings and the unrelenting pursuit of innovation mirrored his restless energy. He was a young man in his prime, hungry to prove himself, eager to build something lasting. And build he did. One startup after another, each more audacious than the last. He seemed to have an almost supernatural ability to predict the next big trend and investors flocked to him, throwing millions at his ventures. His name became synonymous with success.
His rise was meteoric, but as with all meteors, the question was whether he would burn out. Beneath his brilliance and drive, darker currents swirled. His perfectionism, once a strength, became an all-consuming force. Failure was unacceptable. The people around him, his employees, and his partners, learned quickly that Andy's standards were impossible to meet, and those who couldn't keep up were swiftly cut from his inner circle. He demanded loyalty and pushed his team to heights they hadn't thought possible yet his relentless pursuit of perfection left casualties in its wake.
And there was more. Behind closed doors, his charm often veered into something more predatory. Rumours spread of his treatment of women and his charm in public, masking an arrogance that bordered on cruelty. His romantic entanglements, though mainly kept out of the public eye, were the stuff of whispered conversations in the tech world, where sexism still lurked in dark corners. Those who worked closest to him knew that the brilliance came with a cost, and the people around him often bore that cost.
But for all his flaws, Andy was undeniably brilliant. His ability to foster creativity, to see possibilities where others saw dead ends, was unmatched. He separated the dreamers from the doubters, creating environments where innovation wasn't just possible. It was inevitable. His ventures in artificial intelligence revolutionised the field, and as his influence grew, so did his reputation as the man who could change the world. Yet the question remained: would his insatiable drive lead him to greater heights, or would it be the thing that caused his downfall?
Andy Stuart was a man of contradictions, an enigma wrapped in brilliance and burdened by his dark tendencies. As his empire expanded and his ambition reached even further, it became clear that his story was far from over. He was destined to make a mark on the world. The only question was, would that mark be greatness or destruction?
Is it possible to move “ the Greenwich Mean Timeline from London to New York City”?
In Stephen Wilde’s novel, Timeline, we meet a rising star. Andy Steven Stuart is living the dream. Seeing him grow up gives you the certainty that this young man is headed to a bright invention-filled future, and Andy does exactly that later on. After he contemplates changing the timeline and weighs into his idea’s pros and cons, he seeks out his best friend, Ravi, and soon enough, they’re going through with it, aware of the insurmountable challenges ahead. They’re meticulous about who to bring to their corner and what to do to get their idea across. But even with their resourcefulness and determination, are they truly prepared for such a significant change?
In many ways, Timeline impressed me. In the beginning, Andy comes off well-polished; the focus stays on him as he grows up, bringing out his strength and what he wants. His weakness as well, especially the lack of romance in his life. After getting to know him enough, the craving for more kicked in, and so I paid closer attention to his big idea. I also like how Wilde introduces his characters. Ravi comes to the surface because Andy realizes he can’t do it alone, and when the need to antagonize Tom Dunnagan arises, Anna comes along, her services adequately needed. Aware of what’s at stake, Dunnagan also seeks out Kowalski, whom he tasks with managing his now sworn enemies. Beyond the character dynamics, Timeline delves into the heart of American politics, particularly the lobbying process within the Congress. The book reveals the frequent blackmail and threats that accompany political maneuvering; the objective is to uncover secrets about your enemies and leverage them to gain support for your agenda.
Even though Timeline is immersive and I’m looking forward to reading the next book, I find the plot to be so forward-driven that sometimes there’s hardly enough time to get to know the characters intimately. For instance, Dr. Emily Clark contributes immensely, yet I didn’t get access to her head to know her doubts and fear of failure. What’s her day like? What does her work actually entail? In addition, I would’ve loved to see Andy and his team figuring it out, drafting, filling the drawing board, and overworking themselves lame as most brilliant minds would. Instead, how to get political support and access to White House take most of the book.
In conclusion, Timeline starts in the United State of America — in the Sunbaked city of Lubbock, Texas— but its impact extends across the globe. It is an engaging read for readers who enjoy revolutionary technology and US politics.