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darylnash's review
3.0
The good guys are easy to cheer for, and it's fun to imagine that American democracy and ingenuity could triumph in such a setting.
After reading some of President Mike's concerns for their nascent nation, I was interested to discover that this was written before 9/11. I wonder if that lens would have changed the novel. It certainly makes this reader wonder if a bunch of isolated, scared Americans could choose freedom over defense. I hope so.
After reading some of President Mike's concerns for their nascent nation, I was interested to discover that this was written before 9/11. I wonder if that lens would have changed the novel. It certainly makes this reader wonder if a bunch of isolated, scared Americans could choose freedom over defense. I hope so.
sblackone's review
4.0
As some reviewers noted there is a bit too much of "America, f*ck yeah!" and completely over the top patriotism without looking at the dark sides of American society. But if you can look past that and suspend disbelief somewhat it's a very enjoyable time travel story with a lot of historical detail
carolynf's review
5.0
I avoided this book for too long due to its ridiculous premise - a whole town (and natural resources underneath) is plucked up from West Virginia in the year 2000 and dropped into the German province of Thuringia in 1632. Why this happened doesn't matter - the story isn't about that. It is about this town of 3K or so inhabitants, mostly United Mine Workers and their families, forming a new United States of America in the middle of the 30 Years War. They have to figure out protection, resources, trade, and most of all, a new Constitution. The tone of this novel is perfectly balanced, moving easily from suspenseful battles to political wrangling to jokes about the quality of American beer. One of the most interesting aspects of the book for me was the women's lib angle. There is a lot of debate about equal rights and the concept of sexual consent and how much of these ideas can even be communicated to people who live in rigidly hierarchical society.
The one criticism I have is that the characters don't have a whole lot of moral ambiguity. Both the Americans and the Europeans are overwhelmingly portrayed as good guys, even when they disagree about the best way to go about doing things. The only bad guys in the story are REALLY bad - mustache-twirling mercenary leaders who exploit others for sex, money, power, and plain bloodlust. These guys are few and far between. Most of the mercenaries are shown as simple folk who have been forced to serve and are just as happy to go back to blacksmithing or farming or whatever once their leader/captor has been killed off. But that aspect is not brought up in the scenes where Americans are using 20th century weaponry and tactics to slaughter the mercenaries in numbers that terrify their European allies.
This is a very fun read, a little heavy on the melodrama but with lots of interesting survivalist stuff thrown in. I'm curious whether the later books in the series show these characters becoming more complicated.
The one criticism I have is that the characters don't have a whole lot of moral ambiguity. Both the Americans and the Europeans are overwhelmingly portrayed as good guys, even when they disagree about the best way to go about doing things. The only bad guys in the story are REALLY bad - mustache-twirling mercenary leaders who exploit others for sex, money, power, and plain bloodlust. These guys are few and far between. Most of the mercenaries are shown as simple folk who have been forced to serve and are just as happy to go back to blacksmithing or farming or whatever once their leader/captor has been killed off. But that aspect is not brought up in the scenes where Americans are using 20th century weaponry and tactics to slaughter the mercenaries in numbers that terrify their European allies.
This is a very fun read, a little heavy on the melodrama but with lots of interesting survivalist stuff thrown in. I'm curious whether the later books in the series show these characters becoming more complicated.
thinde's review
5.0
"1632" is one of my favorite books to re-read. It may not be as complex as later novels in the series but it hits the mark with a great deal of force. This book could be used in a writer's masterclass to illustrate character development, emotionally impactful prose and how to string set-pieces together to create a driven plot.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:-
Alternate history ideas can be as subtle as one man making a different decision sometime in the past. "1632" is a little more dramatic. An entire mining town in West Virginia is sucked back in time and dropped in Northern Germany during a time of war, disease, and starvation. There are similarities between this book and the Nantucket series written by S M Stirling but "1632" is more in the adventure mold.
The narrative tends to focus on Mike Stearns, the mine's union leader, who seems to have more of what their new situation needs than most. Their survival hinges on making friends and allies as fast as possible.
There is a strong theme of American pride in this book. I'm not American so it might have been irritating. In the end, it comes across more as pride in modern man's culture, its achievements and the fiber of its people. Flint takes a long look at the moral differences that 450 years have made, just as much as he covers the technology gap. The locals take one look at these Americans, their confidence and their sense of freedom, and assume they are all aristocrats. For only princes could live a life without fear. It is this human element, that makes the novel so good.
As the series continues it becomes bogged down in the minutia of the setting and the action takes a back seat. Regardless, book one is a must-read.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:-
Alternate history ideas can be as subtle as one man making a different decision sometime in the past. "1632" is a little more dramatic. An entire mining town in West Virginia is sucked back in time and dropped in Northern Germany during a time of war, disease, and starvation. There are similarities between this book and the Nantucket series written by S M Stirling but "1632" is more in the adventure mold.
The narrative tends to focus on Mike Stearns, the mine's union leader, who seems to have more of what their new situation needs than most.
Spoiler
He reluctantly takes the reigns of a red-neck train that's on a collision course with the Holy Catholic Spanish army, amongst others. But the town has to take a few steps back in time themselves before they find a sustainable level of technology. In the meantime, some of their tricks are leaking to the enemy.There is a strong theme of American pride in this book. I'm not American so it might have been irritating. In the end, it comes across more as pride in modern man's culture, its achievements and the fiber of its people. Flint takes a long look at the moral differences that 450 years have made, just as much as he covers the technology gap. The locals take one look at these Americans, their confidence and their sense of freedom, and assume they are all aristocrats. For only princes could live a life without fear. It is this human element, that makes the novel so good.
As the series continues it becomes bogged down in the minutia of the setting and the action takes a back seat. Regardless, book one is a must-read.
markkaj's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
julieawallace's review
4.0
Have just gobbled up this time-travel novel. I'm not sure if I'll read through the series as -honestly- the blood and guts gets tiring. Still, an interesting concept, well-developed characters, historical accuracy, and darned fun read.
nicnactack's review
3.0
Started out on top, i mean as a Swede it's hard not not love the fact that Gustav II Adolf plays a important role in 1632.
But after a time the book turns into a tiersome explanation of weapons and in a good american way the solution and aswer to a strange situation is: WAR
But after a time the book turns into a tiersome explanation of weapons and in a good american way the solution and aswer to a strange situation is: WAR
arekasadara's review
4.0
Normally, the story of a bunch of Americans imposing their democratic values and love of guns on other people would bug me a lot. However, 1632 is so much fun I didn't even mind.
Deducting a star for too many drawn-out battle scenes.
First read April 21-23, 2015
Deducting a star for too many drawn-out battle scenes.
First read April 21-23, 2015
vaderetro's review
1.0
By God, this book made me write my first review ever here on Goodreads.
They tell that a good book will make you to want to live in it. To meet the heroes in flesh and bones. To laugh and cry with them.
Well, they are DEADLY wrong. A really terrible book like this one achieves the same. Only that you are crying in anguish and laughing at the author. Like a madman. Like a madman in awful pain.
And the characters....the characters really suck (yes, big time) you into the clumsily built and unresearched world. One really wants to be there. In truth, one NEEDS to be there. Because one wants to vanish each one and very last of them. Yes, the good, the bad, the ugly and every other stereotypical bastard one can find in this "novel".
They tell that a good book will make you to want to live in it. To meet the heroes in flesh and bones. To laugh and cry with them.
Well, they are DEADLY wrong. A really terrible book like this one achieves the same. Only that you are crying in anguish and laughing at the author. Like a madman. Like a madman in awful pain.
And the characters....the characters really suck (yes, big time) you into the clumsily built and unresearched world. One really wants to be there. In truth, one NEEDS to be there. Because one wants to vanish each one and very last of them. Yes, the good, the bad, the ugly and every other stereotypical bastard one can find in this "novel".
tarana's review
5.0
Despite some unlikely issues, I thought this was a great book. Eric Flint also did a good job. I'm looking forward to reading another in this series.