Author: Eric Flint

This is the beginning of a series of books, the first one written by Eric Flint, others written with David Weber and assorted collaborators.

The idea explored in Island in the Sea of Time is recreated here with a seven mile circle of land in West Virginia transported back in time to the year 1632. The piece of land is not just transported temporally however, it is also transported geographically to a place in Germany. What this sets up is all kinds of very cool stuff--first there are the problems in being suddenly cut off from 20th century technology, having only what was brought with them during the event. Second, they are dropped into the middle of the Thirty Year's War.

The issues of changing the future, trying to establish the idea of democracy in a world made up of kings, how to keep parts of your culture when you are in the minority...all of these enter into the story. There are some very good characters in these books, likable and well-meaning. One thing I like about this book as opposed to Stirling's books is that the villains in these books are historical figures, rather than having the main villain be one of the people who were transported. For instance, Richelieu is a big player in causing trouble for the new United States. Due to more knowledge of what actually transpired historically in 1632, as opposed to Stirling's books in 1250 B.C., there is a lot more in Eric Flint's books about the historical figures of the times.

The first book, 1632, was a very up and optimistic book--almost too light-hearted in its treatment of the subject. The second book, 1633 was more complex and deeper in thought. The second book also spends most of its time setting up the events for the third book which is supposed to be 1634, the Baltic War, but I'm not sure when it will be published--2004 or 2005. But even with the need to establish a lot, the second book was highly enjoyable and I recommend this series. I am sure I will read it again and again.

Added March 2004:
In 2004, the book Ring of Fire was added to the series. It is a collection of stories all set in the 1632 universe, written by a number of authors. The stories are well-done and help to tell more about different characters that we only got a glimpse of in 1632 or 1633.

Another novel should be coming out in April 2004, called 1634: The Galileo Affair. According to Eric Flint's web site, the novel 1634: The Baltic War probably won't get written until the end of 2004 at the earliest, so don't expect that before 2005.

Series:

1632
1633
Ring of Fire
1634: The Galileo Affair