1633

Rating:
Summary: Essential reading (in the series)
Review: If you are hooked on what is now a series following on the deserved success of "1632," then you absolutely have to read this big book in order to know "why" the rest of this alternate history will happen, due to all the pre-positioning of characters and plot lines that goes on here (otherwise known as "loose ends"). If not yet hooked, then read Flint's remarkable "1632" first, or don't accept the preposterous premise at all. The premise here is the exact inverse of the Spanish conquest of the Americas. Instead, a small coterie of free Americans is conquering old Europe, how ironic (and how timely). This volume of the interesting saga is heavy on political and economic considerations for the nascent republic, industrial fiction in fact, for the first two-thirds of the text. This is not an easy genre in which to entertain readers, and is hard going for long stretches, aggravated by the authors' certainly workmanlike but not scintillating prose and dialogues. Nor is anything inconvenient or tense allowed: no spies, no infiltrators, no raids, no disloyalty. There is much more emphasis on talking about and preparation for the alternate future than present action (back in a divergent 17th century). More charitably, it is a thoughtful novel.

At base is the question, how can democracy emerge from ignorance. (Due to the structure of the novels the authors cannot discuss the historical question of why it only emerged a century later and in a country far, far away with American Indian models). American union democracy from-out-of-time continues to corrode the local aristocratic ways, even among enemies, who have now read selected chapters of its future history (what would have been as WE the reader know it,), a deliciously paradoxical literary conceit incorporated by the authors. The saga increasingly will become less intriguing alternate "history" than pure SF war fiction as it develops, thus changing its audience. I recommend you wait for the paperback of this particular novel (but I'll have a hard time taking my own advice when the next expensive novel is first published).

Rating:
Summary: Much less than it appears.
Review: If you're looking for a continuation of the well written, fast paced 1632, you won't find it here. Weber and Flint wrote 1633 like they are being paid by the word. The entire 600 page book could have been done in about 50 pages if all the history monologs and biographies were condensed. If you're looking for more of the exploits of Julie Mackay, you won't find it here either. She's been sent to Scotland and plays essentially no role in the book. Rebecca, Jeff and Gretchen are stranded in Amsterdam. Melissa, Rita and Tom are stuck in the Tower of London (along with Cromwell) and don't do much either. And in the afterword we find that four more books are planned.

One compliment I will pay is that I do like the fact that the history of this universe is diverging from that of our own.

Otherwise, I hope that the following books have considerably more substance than this one does.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating
Review: I'm surprised that I am the first person to review this book. As the above description says, this is the second in a series of books dealing with a West Virginia town transported in time and space to Germany in the year 1632. It's not really a historical alternate history, something to take seriously, but it is fun to read, and the characters are well-defined. Even if you didn't like the first book in the series, 1632, I would recommend that you read this one, as I thought in this one the characters' motivations were much better defined. The only issue I have with it is the political manuvering can get a little complex and difficult to understand, and is a little too deep for something thats supposed to be fun to read.

Rating:
Summary: Labor Unions go back in time to save the world
Review: I really loved 1632. So much so, that I couldn't wait for the sequel, 1633, to be released in paperback.

1633 really disappoints. Where 1632 was fast paced, interestingly detailing the quandry of modern day citizens being thrust back into another time. 1633 has about 10 pages of action, and several hundred pages of political and social preaching. Its' basic premise boils down to...what a much better world 1633 would be if our Labor Union movement could have run things. The politics of the writers could not, it seems, be contained, and just overwhelm any other aspect of the interesting dilemma the characters find themeselves in. I guess if your in agreement with the politics of the writers, you may enjoy the book for what it does try to portray. I guess sci-fi does include political speculation from both the left and right sides...it just didn't appeal to me in this book.

Of course, I'm not a lover of the modern day Labor movement, so this book really doesn't speak to me (I lump the modern day labor movement with politicians and lawyers, as being some of the most corrupt people around). I'm just a sci-fi fan, who loves interesting speculation and scenarios. 1632 really was fun...1633 was a chore to read. If I want to discuss Labor Unions and all the wonderful things they provide us...I'll give the Teamsters/AFL-CIO a call.

WARNING: Boring Political talk.

I don't understand the appeal the left has with "Squares." The former USSR had "Red" square...Communist China has "Tianamin" (sp?) square...and near the end of this book, our hero proclaims "the rulers can have the streets, but we now own this Square," complete with an obligatory statue of a "workers hero." Hell, this book even has "Gretchen", a "larger than life" blonde, braided haired, nordic woman, who is leading the labor movement. The type of woman, sickle in one hand, rifle in the other...that the former USSR and German governments tried to portray as the ultimate ideal for womanhood. I know, I may have been over-reacting, but thats the feel I had for her and the book in general. The typical American values of "individual" liberty and freedoms are not really mentioned or supported at all. The authors look at all production and business from a "workers" veiwpoint and how it supports the state.

If this sounds like political rambling...well, I guess it is. It's the response the book seemed to pull from me. If your not a political type of person, you may be able to ignore it, or not even see it at all. But, the author definetely is making a political statement.

If you like political sci-fi, from a leftist point of view...coupled with good historical political personalities from that time...you may like this book. Being an Evil Right Wing Zealot Business owner myself, uh...I don't think I am the target audience :)

SouthernFried

Rating:
Summary: Strong follow-up to 1632--West VA coal miners in 30 year war
Review: The West Virginia natives transplanted into the 30 years war in the 1600s have weathered the first storm, but now the Cardinal Richelieu has decided to put his own weight, and that of France behind the Hapsburg monarchies that wish to stomp out the republican threat that ex-union boss and current United States President Mike Stearns represents. The wealth of France and the armed might of Spain make the military genius of Augustus Adolphus and the limited technology possessed by the Americans seem small indeed. Worse, Richelieu. the Spanish, and Charles of England have gotten their hands on American history books. They know the consequences of their mistakes and are resolved not to make them.

Authors Eric Flint and David Weber personalize this alternative history telling the stories of Stearns, of his political opponent and now Admiral Simpson, of Stearns' wife and sister as each battles to transform the brutal history of our own world and to survive the reaction. The story flips from central Germany to the courts of Paris to the Tower of London to the Amsterdam of Rembrant and the Prince of Orange.

Although much of their 21st century technology is depleted, Stearns and his United States (now largely made up of Germans) are gradually rebuilding an appropriate technology base. They have had the advantage of tolerance, accepting help from Jews, Catholics, and Protestants when each is an oppressed group somewhere, and of their libraries. Yet tolerance is one lesson that Richelieu is quick to learn. He won't force his enemies to unite--rather, he will welcome them with open arms--if doing so allows him to eliminate the Swedish threat and carve out a place for his beloved France.

So much for the plot--how did it work. 1633 spent way too much time (perhaps the first 200 pages in the hardback version) setting the stage and managing the transition from the single novel 1632 to the larger series that is to follow. Frankly, some of this was grim reading with characters lecturing one another at great length about history, politics, modern medicine, and the importance of not being biggotted. Once Flint and Weber finally got through this stage setting, however, the novel definitely took shape. Even more so than in 1632, Fint and Weber personalized the battles and made the reader feel the sacrifices that the Americans and their German friends were making. Like any 'middle book' in a series, 1633 left many ends unraveled and opened a number of plot devices that are almost certainly intended for use in future novels. Still, the 400 pages were fast reading and emotionally compelling.

Rating:
Summary: Changing History
Review: What good are history books if history got changed? The rulers of Europe should ponder this question since they got a lot of Grantville's history books but their reaction varies a lot: Richelieu understands the future importance of colonial possessions in America and shifts France's quest for expansion there - but also makes sure that the other European powers get even more occupied in European wars.

In England Charles I tries to avoid the revolution and goes by the book by incarcerating (the still unknown) Cromwell, maintaining good advisers and not pursuing alienating religious policies. But the man's character remains as it is: his policies create new problems and he is astonished that they were not in the book ...

This is a totally different book than "1632" - that was a classic time-traveler tale with lots of battles decided by modern weapons and modern ideals descending from the future on a world that needed them. "1632" was a nicely crafted tale of that kind with blue-collar heroes and ethics trying to save Germany from the hell of the 30years War.

But what happens to the angels after the descend from heaven? Or rather, what happens after the modern weapons are spent and the ideas confront the realities of totally different circumstances? Well, in this book Eric Flint and ( I guess to a larger degree ) David Weber try to find answers and rebuild from the scratch: a storyline and civilization.

The result is a remarkable book that will be capable to support lots of sequels and byline stories from different authors. This book can and hopefully will be the beginning of a great series.

Some reviewers criticized that there is not enough action, that some characters don't get as much attention as in "1632" - so what? A world was built here where there is a lot of space for many action-packed battle stories and really good alternative history as well.

I am glad that I bought the book after all even though I had my doubts after Flint's "Tyrant", but a few of the reviews made me curious. Now I want sequels. Many and soon.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Review: This is an excellent sequal to 1632. The characters have a demension to them that you only find with the very best writers. In the 1st book a small town in modern day West Virgina is hit by a bit of cosmic trash and sent to the year 1632 during the 30 Years War. 1633 continues the line with our modern Americans turing the entire continent on its head causing some very odd changes in the history of North America. Let's just say I have no clue what Louisiana is going to be called because France named Virgina, Louisiana when the bought it from England. Is very odd trying to wrap your mind around. :) I highly recomend both books.

Shadow

Rating:
Summary: What a great ride!
Review: I just finished reading 1633, I got such a kick out of 1632 that I thought that 1633 would be too good to be true! Sure it bogged down every now and then, but over all the story and action was great. I look forward to reading 1634, 1635, 1636, so on and so forth. The story was bang on, you could see it, you could feel it, and you could place yourself right there in the thick of it. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next and all future installments.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read, With One Flaw
Review: Almost by reflex, I would give David Weber a 5 star on every book he has written; I have read all of them and enjoyed all of them, especially his Honor Harrington series. I read and enjoyed the previous book in this series, "1632", and although I didn't review it, I had the same reservation. But let's talk about the "good stuff" first: Flint and Weber have as the device to create their "world" of the 17th Century, a mysterious event that sends a section of West Virginia back in time, to the era of The Thirty Years War. It was a vicious time of intense religious and political conflict which seriously depopulated Central Europe. The conflict between modern man and 17th Century civilization comes off superbly, and the authors have captured the era almost perfectly. While military action occurs, this book is more than traditional military sci-fi, and as such, it is as near great work of fiction, as is "1632", and if you decide, as I hope you do, to try this book, you should read "1632" first. This is a stand alone book, to be sure, but it is a continuation of the earlier work in which nearly all of the characters in "1633" first appear. Which leads me to my only reservation about these books. Eric Flint's bio tells us that he is a labor organizer, and his belief in the superiority of the blue collar guy and his disdain for the "suits" becomes almost preachy. And ,please don't e-mail me as anti-labor; I ain't. I just don't like to have a ripping good yarn interrupted by statements about the writer's socio-political beliefs. I don't like it when Tom Clancy does it and I don't like it when Flint does it; it disrupts the story and contributes nothing to the plot (By the way, I enjoy e-mail from folks who agree or disagree with a review; I just want to be clear on this criticism). Despite my single reservation about these books, they still represent a very high level of adventure fiction, and I look forward to "1634".

Rating:
Summary: Flawed sequel to a pretty good story
Review: 1633 is the sequel to a very fun book, titled 1632 (full text available online for free). In that book, an unexplained phenomenon known as the "Ring of Fire" transports a modern West Virginia mining town into the middle of 1632 Germany. The Americans have to figure out how to survive and thrive in their new surroundings.

This book continues the tale, but nowhere near as well. There are so many characters (from the first book, historical figures, and new ones) and so many simultaneous stories he wants to tell, that everything gets short shrift. It reads like an outline rather than a fleshed out novel.

There's too much lecturing in this book; too much telling rather than showing. A large portion of the book is told in flashback. For example, in Chapter 28 (16 pages), the only action is someone delivering a message to someone else -- without even revealing the content of the message. Most of the chapter involves the messenger reminiscing about ship and weapon design meetings as he passes a ship and armed men. And that's typical of the kind of backstory they keep throwing at the reader.

One character, who undergoes a fascinating transformation in the first book, is sent to Scotland. She appears three or four times, each scene about ten chapters apart, and you get the beginning, middle, and end of what sounds like a dramatic, emotional story. But instead of telling us that story, the authors provide just enough of the plotline to make it impossible for others to cover this ground, yet not enough to provide any characterization. That's true for many characters -- and there's so much going on, that it's hard to remember who people are when their appearances are that far apart. Plus, it's wasted potential.

Since "our world's" history books have gotten out, people spend chapters explaining who they were in our history and what they did, before taking actions that ensure those events never happen as described. Bo-ring. I really don't care who Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp was -- certainly not enough to have to wade through an entire chapter about him -- just get on with the story. It's like explaining a joke: those who get it, will just be annoyed at the repetition, and it doesn't add that much to those who didn't. Those who recognize the historical characters can go "oh, cool! it's so- and-so" and won't need the explanation. Those who don't will be more interested in the plot anyway.

Finally, I don't think Mike (the lead character) has made any mistakes where it counts. Nor has his wife. Nor has the doctor. Nor has the head of the Navy (once he switched from bad guy in the last book to good guy in this). Nor has King Gustav. You get the idea. While the challenges they face are intersting, the sheer perfection of the protagonists makes this boring, too.

I can't help comparing this book to Melissa Scott's Armor of Light, a book I love and have reread many times. It too involves an alternate history and includes many actual historical figures. It doesn't provide much explanation of who people are. It can be confusing, and I know people who have given up on the book for that reason. But the more I've studied the Elizabethan period, the more I discover each rereading. Most recently I discovered that Madox, a minor character who is Philip Sidney's steward in the book, really was Philip Sidney's steward historically. But she doesn't hit readers over the head with her research the way this does. Comparing this with van Tromp in 1633, lacking that historic knowledge of Sidney didn't detract from my enjoyment when I first read the book (in fact, this book was an impetus for me to learn more about the figures within), but as I've learned more, it's enriched each subsequent rereading.

At the end of the book, Flint announces that he's 'open sourcing' the setting and inviting other writers into this playground. And that may be the reason why this book is so flawed. An important message of this book (and I know it's important, because it's said at least twice by different characters in different settings) is to believe in character, not predestination. In other words, the historical record of any person isn't so relevant. That makes it very important for the Eric Flint to preemptively define as many historical characters as he can. Which is precicely what happens here.

In short, a very disappointing sequel to a pretty good first book. This reads more like it should be a GURPS supplement than a novel. And I think it would make a fine RPG setting. I'll still keep an eye out for future books in the series (I forgot to mention that it ends unresolved) but I don't recommend it except hardcore historical "what-if" wargamers.