The Pern series appears to have taken a major turn in its history; this seems an imperative in a science fiction series of such scope. In this sense, McCaffrey's Pern is comparable to J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-Earth, Frank Herbert's Dune, and Isaac Asimov's Foundation. All of these alternate worlds have been elaborately constructed, undergone many changes, and kept readers fascinated at every turn. This sweeping view of an entire world provides a perspective that is unique to science fiction readers, a perspective that offers insight into our own paradigm shifts.

All of these alternate worlds have been elaborately constructed, undergone many changes, and kept readers fascinated at every turn. This sweeping view of an entire world provides a perspective that is unique to science fiction readers. While history allows us to look back at paradigm shifts (drastic changes in world views of nations, cultures and...