This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar Summary
Overview of This Is How You Lose the Time War
Two rival agents, Red and Blue, wage war across time through letters that spark forbidden love. This Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award-winning masterpiece emerged from a dinner conversation, captivating readers with its lyrical prose. Jack Edwards calls it "mesmerizing" - what secrets lie within their dangerous correspondence?
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Key takeaways
Letters Across Time: A Duel of Hearts and Minds
Across the infinite strands of time, two agents wage a secret war. Red serves the Agency-a technological civilization valuing efficiency and mechanical precision. Blue belongs to Garden-an organic collective that seeds its agents through history like plants in a vineyard. They are perfect enemies, until a taunt becomes a letter, and letters become something more. What begins as a simple message-"Burn before reading"-ignites a dangerous correspondence spanning centuries and countless realities. Their letters, hidden in tree rings, encoded in volcanic ash, or delivered through the stings of dying insects, evolve from competitive boasts into intimate confessions. Each message risks discovery by their superiors, yet neither can resist continuing this forbidden exchange. Their words create a space between worlds-a bridge across an impossible divide where two enemies might find something neither expected: understanding. This is not just a story about time travel. It's about how words can transform us, how connection can flourish in the most barren landscapes, and how love might bloom even between sworn enemies fighting on opposite sides of eternity.
The Art of Impossible Communication
Missions Across History's Tapestry
Vulnerability in an Endless War
The Language of Love and War
Discovery and Betrayal
A Bridge Between Worlds
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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