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prof_pelon's review
5.0
Brain Food: Spaghetti and Meatballs with a little salad on the side... but tasty salad
Scandal Level: deep pink
Violence: 5 muskets and a few sexual assaults
Must be ___ old to read:
Read if you liked: The later season of the Tudors
Re-readability: I probably wont read this book again, but I will read the sequels.
Thoughts: So I went into this book with a lot of skepticism. I got it for free on Amazon (red flag 1), it is the start of a super crazy long series (red flag 2), and it is "alternative history" (red flag 3). I ended up loving it!
I know very little about the 30 years war and the king of Germany and the nordic states so learning about their history was fascinating. I also loved how the American's address issues, it's realistic and yet inspiring. Well worth the read.
It does get violent, there are battles and roaming mercenaries who rape, pillage, and burn as they go. It is difficult to read but honest and I think tastefully done. There are also some sex scenes, but they are easily skipped.
Scandal Level: deep pink
Violence: 5 muskets and a few sexual assaults
Must be ___ old to read:
Read if you liked: The later season of the Tudors
Re-readability: I probably wont read this book again, but I will read the sequels.
Thoughts: So I went into this book with a lot of skepticism. I got it for free on Amazon (red flag 1), it is the start of a super crazy long series (red flag 2), and it is "alternative history" (red flag 3). I ended up loving it!
I know very little about the 30 years war and the king of Germany and the nordic states so learning about their history was fascinating. I also loved how the American's address issues, it's realistic and yet inspiring. Well worth the read.
It does get violent, there are battles and roaming mercenaries who rape, pillage, and burn as they go. It is difficult to read but honest and I think tastefully done. There are also some sex scenes, but they are easily skipped.
nwhyte's review
3.0
http://nwhyte.livejournal.com/2100081.html[return][return]This is the story of a coal-mining West Virginia community which finds itself transported back in time to 1632 (actually 1631 but it's the following year before the action starts) in the middle of Germany during the Thirty Years War. Using good old 'Murrican know-how, the townsfolk develop representative democracy, religious freedom and cheap banking, and use their locally available arsenal to ally with Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden to help him win the war (and avoid death) fifteen years early. There is much loving description of a cute girl who blows people's heads off (finishing with Wallenstein), and similar battle scenes; the transported Americans make it through almost 600 pages of fighting without suffering a major casualty. Flint's protagonists never lose an argument or a battle. There is only one black guy in town and he happens to be the doctor, so that means that any discussion of racism is largely confined to the Americans bringing enlightenment to the anti-Semites of central Europe. People who like that sort of thing will like this, but I am not really sure that I am one of them.
absentminded_reader's review
3.0
This was a good read. I mostly enjoyed myself.
There was a great deal of historical data to supply context for the story as the town of 20th Century Grantville, WV was dropped into the middle of medieval Germany during the 30 Year War. I cannot verify the accuracy of that data, but it worked for the tale. I have to admit that I found some of the historical details something of an info dump at times. I skipped a lot, though my friends who recommended the book claimed they ate up every letter. I do not doubt them. Different strokes and all that…
Low points for me were the vulgar miner speech (accurate, but not my cup of tea), pages and pages of therapeutic sex as a camp whore discovered the pleasures of sex with a caring, if clumsy, husband while children listened through the thin walls, and the chapter where the Spanish were subjected to an aural onslaught of modern music (I found it an odd blend between silly and shocking). High points for me were the strong characters, the very witty dialog, a fabulous sense of humor, and the indomitable American spirit. How refreshing to read a book that celebrated the cultural aspects of America that make it stand out in a good way from other nations. It may have been a bit self-aggrandizing from time to time, but it was all in good fun and an enjoyable read nonetheless.
There was a great deal of historical data to supply context for the story as the town of 20th Century Grantville, WV was dropped into the middle of medieval Germany during the 30 Year War. I cannot verify the accuracy of that data, but it worked for the tale. I have to admit that I found some of the historical details something of an info dump at times. I skipped a lot, though my friends who recommended the book claimed they ate up every letter. I do not doubt them. Different strokes and all that…
Low points for me were the vulgar miner speech (accurate, but not my cup of tea), pages and pages of therapeutic sex as a camp whore discovered the pleasures of sex with a caring, if clumsy, husband while children listened through the thin walls, and the chapter where the Spanish were subjected to an aural onslaught of modern music (I found it an odd blend between silly and shocking). High points for me were the strong characters, the very witty dialog, a fabulous sense of humor, and the indomitable American spirit. How refreshing to read a book that celebrated the cultural aspects of America that make it stand out in a good way from other nations. It may have been a bit self-aggrandizing from time to time, but it was all in good fun and an enjoyable read nonetheless.
meganz's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
crafalsk264's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
While everyone is enjoying themselves at a wedding reception in a small town in West Virginia, a horrendous sound, blazing light, ripping of the earth is followed by a series of traffic accidents, injuries and panic. When the dust settles, the residents of Grantville find that they have been been moved from the year 2000 and set down in 1632 Germany. I have several alternate histories that I have enjoyed and I will be adding this series to it. This book follows the Grantville residents after they discover that they now live in 1632 and begin adjust their daily lives to take into that all they have is all there is. The small town mostly made up of miners, farmers, power plant employees, teachers, doctor, nurses, merchants and others in your typical small town.
The book is told in parallel storylines. In addition to the Grantville story, there is the Sweden-German storyline, the country’s are involved in the Baltic Wars. The residents of Grantville have started to prepare for the long haul. They have elected a temporary governing council and established a constitutional committee to draft a new constitution. Since they are most familiar with the U.S. constitution, the one for the United States of Europe looks a lot like it. The sweeping number of characters and the amazing (too amazing?) skills of some of the residents in different specialties (a 17 year old sharpshooter/ cheerleader) are dazzling. So there is a substantial amount of disbelief needed to enjoy the story. However it is an entertaining book. I have to admit that I didn’t particularly like the Swedish/German war. I’m afraid I skimmed through those sections to get back to the Grantville story.
rajathon's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
So I have wanted to read this book for a long time. I should not have waited. I see these books at the library and they always draw my eye. Don't be like me and read it.
So the book starts with a wedding in a small town of West Virgina, then all of a sudden the town was transported to Germany in 1632. Which would normally be a problem but add the fact that the country is in the middle of the bloody 30 years war.
Now these Americans work to set up a tolerant government with American values in the short time before they get included in this war. They have modern tech but it will run out.
So my thoughts, fast paced plot, cool characters, good battles, and some touching love stories. I listened to this whole book in two days while painting my house. I could not stop reading it. These good hearted blue collar people really shine through with hard work and compassion. You should read this I mean it. It's great.
So the book starts with a wedding in a small town of West Virgina, then all of a sudden the town was transported to Germany in 1632. Which would normally be a problem but add the fact that the country is in the middle of the bloody 30 years war.
Now these Americans work to set up a tolerant government with American values in the short time before they get included in this war. They have modern tech but it will run out.
So my thoughts, fast paced plot, cool characters, good battles, and some touching love stories. I listened to this whole book in two days while painting my house. I could not stop reading it. These good hearted blue collar people really shine through with hard work and compassion. You should read this I mean it. It's great.
toastx2's review
4.0
1632 is part of the “Alternative History” genre of Fantasy/Science Fiction.
A flash of light kicks off the plot in this novel. In what is initially interpreted by everyone as a nuclear blast, light blinds the residents of Grantsville, West Virginia. When they realize they have not all been reduced to ash, they step outside and determine that something very wrong has happened, their town is no longer on the east coast of North America. Grantsville is now in the year 1632, residing in the Black Forest (what will later become Germany). They are smack dab in the middle of the 30 years war.
As readers, we all have the same paradox questions. The characters also recognized these potential issues, and they are addressed very quickly (first or second chapter). They came to the conclusion early on that there are only two real theories to work with.
- Time travel Paradox =”The world ends”
- Time Travel Paradox = “Multiple time streams make paradox irrelevant”
As they are all still breathing, they logically conclude that they are in a tangential stream. They have limited supplies, and no guarantee that they will ever return to normal, they could be screwed if they do not act fast. They have an unknown belief/system for the region/era. They do not know the local languages. If they are going to survive, they need to get moving asap.
If they are not going to destroy the future and they will only affect their new time stream, there is no reason they should not fight for survival and the American way of life… Early in the book, it is decided with a vote that the best way to survive is to recreate something that has worked in the the past (the future). They will start the American Revolution early, in Europe instead of the Americas.
Flint does not spoon feed you with information. There is some theory and some wavy inundation of “how are we going to survive” conversation, but overall, Flint recognizes that the reader doesn’t need everything spelled out for them. The exception is when it comes to history. Most people are not fluent in the methodologies or details of key battles in the 30 years war. Neither are they familiar with the political flow and relationships of those in power. These are laid out fairly well for the layman.
Most of the key characters are part of the West Virginian coal miners union, so theory and plans are things are broken down as they would be explained for the common man. Essentially, you do not get too little info, leaving you upset, but neither are you treated like a 5 year old.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
A flash of light kicks off the plot in this novel. In what is initially interpreted by everyone as a nuclear blast, light blinds the residents of Grantsville, West Virginia. When they realize they have not all been reduced to ash, they step outside and determine that something very wrong has happened, their town is no longer on the east coast of North America. Grantsville is now in the year 1632, residing in the Black Forest (what will later become Germany). They are smack dab in the middle of the 30 years war.
As readers, we all have the same paradox questions. The characters also recognized these potential issues, and they are addressed very quickly (first or second chapter). They came to the conclusion early on that there are only two real theories to work with.
- Time travel Paradox =”The world ends”
- Time Travel Paradox = “Multiple time streams make paradox irrelevant”
As they are all still breathing, they logically conclude that they are in a tangential stream. They have limited supplies, and no guarantee that they will ever return to normal, they could be screwed if they do not act fast. They have an unknown belief/system for the region/era. They do not know the local languages. If they are going to survive, they need to get moving asap.
If they are not going to destroy the future and they will only affect their new time stream, there is no reason they should not fight for survival and the American way of life… Early in the book, it is decided with a vote that the best way to survive is to recreate something that has worked in the the past (the future). They will start the American Revolution early, in Europe instead of the Americas.
Flint does not spoon feed you with information. There is some theory and some wavy inundation of “how are we going to survive” conversation, but overall, Flint recognizes that the reader doesn’t need everything spelled out for them. The exception is when it comes to history. Most people are not fluent in the methodologies or details of key battles in the 30 years war. Neither are they familiar with the political flow and relationships of those in power. These are laid out fairly well for the layman.
Most of the key characters are part of the West Virginian coal miners union, so theory and plans are things are broken down as they would be explained for the common man. Essentially, you do not get too little info, leaving you upset, but neither are you treated like a 5 year old.
--
xpost RawBlurb.com
gretel7's review
2.0
Hands are up in the air. 50% into the book, I give up! I was going to use this as a serial Challenge, but I've changed my mind. The plot was (is) interesting. West Virginian land and its people are ripped out of the 21st century and plopped back 400 years, with all its problems and wars intact.
Well, what's wrong with that? I'll tell you what's wrong. It reads like a 9th grade history book. Dry as dust, page after page, chapter after chapter, of historical dry dust. There just wasn't enough fiction in this historical fiction novel.
Well, what's wrong with that? I'll tell you what's wrong. It reads like a 9th grade history book. Dry as dust, page after page, chapter after chapter, of historical dry dust. There just wasn't enough fiction in this historical fiction novel.
julis's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
[this review was also written for 1633 and 1634: The Baltic Front]
1632 opens with a small West Virginia mining town being transplanted to 1631 (oops) Germany, and if you’re still interested you’ll get along just fine with the book.
1632 opens with a small West Virginia mining town being transplanted to 1631 (oops) Germany, and if you’re still interested you’ll get along just fine with the book.
In a lot of ways it’s a pretty mediochre series, except for the fact that it is excruciatingly well researched, contains the sort of worldbuilding I personally would die for, and is one of the few series that actually works as an open-world-anyone-can-write-in-this. Mostly by having loads and loads of characters.
Otherwise, good points tend to be balanced by bad points and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have such a thing for European history. Female characters are great and well rounded–but there aren’t nearly enough of them, nor are enough of them movers and shakers. One of the MCs (such as they exist) is a Sephardic Jew–who isn’t a practicing Jew, leaving the whole thing feeling like a cop-out. Weapons and military tactics are thoroughly researched and grounded in real abilities, swords aren’t made of lead, armor can be moved around in–and somehow the Americans implausibly keep winning. The “we win if our legacy survives” strategy really starts to grate on me after a few books, and so does “everyone is complex and flawed except for Mike Sterns, who Can Do No Wrong even when his entire cast of allies disagrees with him–or maybe especially when they disagree with him”. And the America uber alles holy fuck you can say that’s not what you’re going for all you want, and yet that’s what keeps happening. Also I know there’s a lot of Republicans in West Virginia, and this is the price I pay for wanting to read about ISOT stories without, you know, actually reading ISoT because holy crap Stirling actually has more problems than you guys have but also, like, you could make it less obvious that you’re Republicans from time to time.
… And yet here I am, and in a couple days I’ll have another post to make for this series, so. The writing isn’t stellar but it isn’t shit, and the authors remember that everyone has to have motives and in the end the plot usually kicks along without any too obvious pushes from the writers (or when they’re obvious they tend to become recurring themes).
Also dear Baen Books ilu but fix the cover art, holy cow, you need a new pack of cover artists this should not be a running joke
larsdhhedbor's review
4.0
While the writing isn't always the most artful you'll ever experience, the storyline in this novel is excellent, and the historical detail is first-rate. Based on the premise of a coal-mining town in the modern-day United States being dropped entire into 17th-century Germany, 1632 does an excellent job of imagining how the "uptimers" and the original 17th-century denizens might come to forge a new history....