The Big Time

The Big Time is a short science fiction novel by American writer Fritz Leiber. Awarded the Hugo Award for Best Novel or Novelette in 1958, The Big Time was published originally in two parts in Galaxy Magazine's March and April 1958 issues, illustrated by Virgil Finlay. It was subsequently reprinted in book form several times. The Big Time is a story involving only a few characters, but with a vast, cosmic backstory.

Plot summary

Premise

Two factions, the Spiders and the Snakes, are both capable of time travel. They are engaged in a long-term conflict called "The Change War". Their method of battle involves changing the outcomes of events throughout history (temporal war). The true forms or identities of the Spiders and the Snakes, how those nicknames were chosen, or whether they are in any way descriptive are all unknown.

New Spiders and Snakes are recruited from various places and times to become participants in the Change War. Characters include: Cretan Amazons, Roman legionnaires, Hussars, Wehrmacht Landsers, American GIs, and Space Commandos. Non-human participants include Lunans and Venusians, recruited from billions of years in the past and future....