For two decades James Hogan has lived and written on the edge of scientific discovery. In contrast to popular fears of science and scientists, Hogan always has made heroes out of scientists, celebrating their actions and discoveries.

We have grown up in this century immersed and conditioned to the idea and reality of Big Science as much as Big Government to the point where science seems almost impossible without some form of government support. Where there is financial support it also follows that there is control. In such a controlled environment, pure scientific discovery (or at least, useful, profitable scientific discovery that will benefit mankind) falls prey to science for weapons, or political power.

Rather than simply castigate or dismiss government, Hogan strives more to realize a world where science and the free exchange of ideas are positive realities. His focus is on the individuals who create and deal with science, and the actual forms of science, theoretical and applied, with which they work.

Paths to Otherwhere examines the theories of parallel universes, or the multiverse. Hogan terms the multitude of parallel worlds that exist. Hogan employs an interesting twist to this travel. Rather than a physical transfer as seen in the Fox TV series, Sliders (which, incidentally, was novelized by Brad Linaweaver), the jump into alternate worlds in Hogan's book is mental. Individuals alone can one time-line jump into the body of their 'analog' in another time-line.

Such a body take-over in itself raises a multitude of questions and possibilities, some of which Hogan deals with in admirable fashion, but others that seem strangely unresolvable in a worldview that respects the individual's self-identity and self-ownership.

Otherwhere takes place against a backdrop of a near-future America, where a group of scientists are brought together by the US government to study the potentials of the multiverse in weapons and espionage. A group of these scientists strike out on their own to reach other worlds in the multiverse, first to test the scientific possibilities, and then later to think about actually moving to one of these worlds to escape the all–intrusiveness of their government employers and wrecked world in which they live. Interestingly, and perhaps sadly, all but one of the worlds they find turn out to be variants of their own nightmarish reality, or worse.

When they find a decent world, which they term Otherwhere because of its near perfect society, it is a world I believe Hogan himself finds dear to his heart. Otherwhere is a place where science is free and respected, though not idolized like some pro-science utopias. Government is of little concern in everyday life; individuals are more concerned about living and enjoying their lives, not ruling the lives of others. Of course, ambitious people from their own government try to take over this world for their own use and threaten the scientists/discoverers.

The books is a great read that raises more questions than it answers. Hogan's Otherwhere is a refreshing utopia with potential and hope.

A slightly different version of this review appeared in the Worldcon Daily Frefanzine, edited by Samuel Edward Konkin III, at LA CON III, the 1996 Worldcon.