Ring of Fire (The Ring of Fire)

This is an absolutely must-read book for those who enjoy the 1632-ish universe created by Eric Flint. Anyone who likes great alternative history, or for that matter, likes history at all, will enjoy the stories of a group of Americans tossed back to 17th Century Europe and stranded there.The complexity and texture of the universe has been remarkable. In the first book, 1632, Flint brought in Gustavus Adolphus and his generals as major characters along with a raft of fictional characters from two different centuries. The 1633 collaboration with David Weber expanded the field to include Richelieu in France, Cromwell in England, and Frederick Wilhelm of Holland, as all of Europe became part of the changed history. Real and fictional characters met and blended well. Coming a bit later in 2004 is the the book entitled "1634: The Galileo Gambit" that will center on Venice and include many of the Church people of the time including Giului Mazarini, generally known to history for his life a bit later as Cardinal Mazarin.This book is a collection of stories that fills in gaps, that prepare the way for other books.Some of the stories are by well-known science fiction writers, others by amateurs who participated in a contest run by Flint and his publisher (at Baen.com).David Weber's "In the Navy" focuses on two characters who were center stage in "1633", John Simpson and Eddie Cantrell, as they create a new navy for the new nation, the United States of Europe. And it is a nice narrative tale, particularly fun for those who had previously read the book.Mercedes Lackey's "To Dye For" is a comedy focusing on a 60's "drug chemist" hippie who needs to find a way to make enough money to win over the father of the woman he loves. David Freer;s "A Lineman for the County" brings in a couple of characters who will be in other works, Dougal, Len, and Ellie who create the first "telephone" system. Andrew Dennis has a story "Between the Armies" that looks at the impact of religion as brought in by those from the 21st Century on those living in the 17th and is a key to the upcoming book. Virginia DeMarco has a cute story about getting dentures for a key character that is a lovely comedy of manners. S.L. Viehl brings in William Harvey as a character in a way that brings a thread from 1633 full circle. "The Three R's" by Jody Dorsett, "Here Comes Santa Claus" by K.D. Wentworth, and most particularly, "The Wallenstein Gambit " by Eric Flint move key components of a new major element into the whole tapestry.The first two stories combine with the third, in which the man who was the lead villain in 1632, Count Wallenstein, changes sides and is willing to work to prevent the largest porgrom in Eastern Europe that existed before the Holocaust (at Chmielnicki) if he gets support from the lead characters. The combination of fictional characters along with the historical ones (Wallenstein, Pappenheim, Comenius) is fascinating, along with a glimpse of life in East European ghettoes.The book, again, is a "must read" for fans of the series and alternative history. Also, not a bad way to get into this series. As a former history teacher I must also add that it is a fascinating glimpse into an era that is often never examined in schools.Bravo! to Flint (the "Wallenstein Gambit" is one of his best works) for putting together this group of stories and for including the work of non-professionals as well.

If you have read 1632 you really need to read this book before you dive into 1633 and beyondNice addition to this universe. The stories filled in a lot of gaps and I felt the quality of the writing was pretty uniform .I would suggest you read the last two stories (Here Comes Santa Claus & TRhe Wallenstein Gambit) last, as several of the earlier stories feed into these two.Very insightful look into the conditions of the early 17th centuryBelow is a reading order list taken from Eric Flint's website to help you navigate this universe.1632 Ring of Fire 1633 1634: The Baltic War(Somewhere along the way, after you’ve finished 1632, read the stories and articles in the first three paper edition volumes of the Gazette.)1634: The Ram Rebellion 1634: The Galileo Affair 1634: The Bavarian Crisis 1635: A Parcel of Rogues(Somewhere along the way, read the stories and articles in the fourth paper edition volume of the Gazette.)Ring of Fire II 1635: The Cannon Law 1635: The Dreeson Incident 1635: The Tangled Web (by Virginia DeMarce)(Somewhere along the way, read the stories in Gazette V.)1635: The Papal Stakes 1635: The Eastern Front 1636: The Saxon Uprising Ring of Fire III 1636: The Kremlin Games(Somewhere along the way, read the stories in Gazette VI.)1636: Commander Cantrell in the West Indies1636: The Cardinal Virtues1635: Music and Murder (by David Carrico—this is an e-book edition only)1636: The Devil’s Opera1636: Seas of Fortune (by Iver Cooper)1636: The Barbie Consortium (by Gorg Huff and Paula Goodlett—this is an e-book edition only)1636: The Viennese Waltz(Somewhere along the way, read the stories in Gazette VII.)Ring of Fire IV (forthcoming May, 2016)1636: The Chronicles of Dr. Gribbleflotz (forthcoming August, 2016)1636: The Ottoman Onslaught (forthcoming January, 2017)

Starting at (near?) the beginning, I'm rereading series, in "order," more or less. Probably less.It's a a good,relaxing thing to do. The short stories, novellas, all of it seems to flow better. Subtle (and not so subtle) details and cross links ( to other works) are making sense to me, now that I'm not sliding

If you have not read 1632 yet do: It's original, intelligent, well done, heavily populated with engaging 3-D characters and a great adventure.This book is meaningless without that context. You could read it anytime after getting into the series. And such a big series it is. This collection is vey well done, draws on the inspiration of Eric Flints work to benefit from the creativity of many other gifted writers to colour in more fully the many inhabitants of Grantville. And they are interesting people with VERY interesting challenges and some original solutions!RECOMMENDED

Good book with lots of shorter stories. Much needed to help make the future books make sense. Builds the characters up too

Most of the stories included hit the right note when one's looking for the whole 'modernity interacting with renaissance' aspect of the series. The Christmas story, while having a pretty good undercurrent, rather disappoints in its focus upon the urge of the 'up-time' characters to build a typical American Christmas.

Good additional stories to link between 1632 and 1633. Thoroughly enjoyed them.

Excellent book great price & delivery, whats not to like ? sci fi Manc