Who Would Like This Book:
If you've ever wondered what happens when gun-toting, resourceful modern Americans are dropped into the chaos of 17th-century Europe, this book is your jam! "1632" is an electrifying blend of alternate history, action, and a bit of "what if?" wish fulfillment. You’ll love it if you dig military sci-fi, alt-history, or stories about ordinary people forced to adapt and become extraordinary. The culture clashes, inventive problem-solving, and historical figures brought to life make for a compulsive, fast-paced read. History buffs, fans of big ensemble casts, and anyone curious about society under pressure will find a lot to love here.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found Flint’s writing style a bit clunky and the characters too idealized - think lots of "good guys versus bad guys" without much moral ambiguity. If you're looking for gritty realism or deeply nuanced character arcs, you might be frustrated by how easily the protagonists adapt and overcome historical challenges. The heavy dose of American optimism and the at-times simplistic handling of complex history and politics can feel over-the-top or even implausible. And if you prefer stories that linger on emotional or philosophical struggles, this action-forward approach might leave you wanting more.
About:
1632 by Eric Flint is an alternative history novel that explores the premise of a small mining town from West Virginia being transported back in time to the midst of the Thirty Years War in Germany. The book delves into the challenges faced by the townspeople as they navigate this new reality, introducing concepts of democracy, religious freedom, and modern technology to a historical setting. The plot follows individual characters as they adapt to their surroundings and make decisions that impact the course of history. The writing style blends elements of military science fiction, alternate history, and fantasy, creating an engaging and action-packed narrative.
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Has Romance?
The book features several romantic subplots among the main characters, which add depth to their relationships and motivations.
From The Publisher:
FREEDOM AND JUSTICE - AMERICAN STYLE
1632 And in northern Germany things couldn't get much worse. Famine. Disease. Religous war laying waste the cities. Only the aristocrats remained relatively unscathed; for the peasants, death was a mercy.
2000 Things are going OK in Grantville, West Virginia, and everybody attending the wedding of Mike Stearn's sister (including the entire local chapter of the United Mine Workers of America, which Mike leads) is having a good time.
THEN, EVERYTHING CHANGED....
When the dust settles, Mike leads a group of armed miners to find out what happened and finds the road into town is cut, as with a sword. On the other side, a scene out of Hell: a man nailed to a farmhouse door, his wife and daughter attacked by men in steel vests. Faced with this, Mike and his friends don't have to ask who to shoot. At that moment Freedom and Justice, American style, are introduced to the middle of the Thirty Years' War.
Comprehensive Teacher's Guide available.
Ratings (18)
Incredible (4) | |
Loved It (8) | |
Liked It (3) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (51):
Read It (19) | |
Want To Read (18) | |
Not Interested (14) |
1 comment(s)
Loved the pro union slant
What can you read after
1632?
About the Author:
Eric Flint is a modern master of alternate history fiction, with three million books in print. He's the author/creator of the multiple New York Times best-selling Ring of Fire series, starting with first novel 1632. With David Drake he has written six popular novels in the "Belisarius" alternate Roman history series, and with David Weber he has collaborated on 1633 and 1634: The Baltic War, as well as four novels in Weber's Honorverse series. Flint was for many years a labor union activist. He lives near Chicago, Illinois.
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