Rating: 
Summary: Read it, read it, read it!
Review: Another alternative history? Yes, and more like them, please. A brief explanation of what happens to plunge a chunk of West Virginia into 1632 and we're off and running. I know enough about history to truly enjoy the characters and the period. I throughly enjoy the thought of what changes would take place in Germany and the rest of Europe in their future. I hope there is a follow-up to show a world without the Franco-Prussian War, Bismarck, the Wilhelms, Hitler, etc. More please.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book That I have Ever Read!
Review: Read it, and you'll know. The best character development, the best plot, not quite the best historical background, but you can't have everything. Believe me, you'll thank me once you've read this!
Rating: 
Summary: He Knows Some of His Stuff
Review: I like Eric Flint. He has some understanding of history and the fact that people in the past were as smart as we are. Better, he recognizes, and emphasizes, that just because someone is illiterate doesn't mean that person is stupid. Flint does tend to write in editorial voice, and I don't mind that. There's a feeling of "summing up" and it gives away who's going to make it and who isn't, which reduces plot tension. There are times when I get a little tired of his italicized remarks. I may notice it since I read 1632 at one gulp. Mind candy for me, and a chance to notice things that, had I read it with breaks I might not have cared about. Gustavus Adolphus is all too often overlooked by people who don't study military history, and he shouldn't be. My admiration for the man is a little more reserved that Flint's, but hey. This is a messy period and anyone who studies it is going to have different views of who was great and why. I can't, and won't, dispute Flint about Jewish history. I only have the outlines, there. But, and this is a serious complaint, he over-emphasizes the Inquisition in the Germanies during the 30 Years' War, and what they were looking for. Washing too much leading to suspicion of being a hidden Jew? Er...well, the fastest and easiest way to end up burned at the stake was to get caught in a witch-hunt, and there were lots of those. They were as much Protestant as Catholic, and just as gruesome. Curiously, two European countries got off rather lightly on the witchcraft hysteria -- Italy and Spain. I guess there's only room for one sort of hysteria at a time. I had fun with this; the grammar didn't drive me nuts; and the manuscript has been proofread. If Flint can find it in his heart to ease up on the editorial give-aways, I'd be pleased, but he's the writer. It won't prevent me from buying his books and giving them an ok.
Rating:
Summary: I Could Have Loved This Book
Review: The only thing that I found wrong about this book is that it was too short. I would have loved to have read a more richly developed description of the seventeenth century characters' response to twentieth century technology. It was difficult for me to believe that people of that era would blithely accept all of the 20th century inventions without giving it more thought. I know I still am frequently amazed that a 747 can fly in the air.I would think that automated vehicles, televion, telephones, etc. would take quite a bit of getting used to. I guess this is a situation of too little of a good thing.
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Summary: Not at all what you might expect
Review: Don't be fooled. Despite the vivid battle scenes, this is not a war novel. Despite the excruciating accuracy and cameo (and starring)appearances by historic figures, this is not a history lesson. Don't be sidetracked by the political theory or by the discussions of 17th-20th century technology. The story isn't about civilization and savages. I thought at first that this was a well-disguised romance novel set in a small town in crisis. But I've been reading it over (and over) and I've come to a different conclusion. 1632 is a novel about humanity at its worst and at its best. The story challenges the reader to recognize that the best people are ordinary folks. And that we can be the best, too.
Rating: 
Summary: A HIGHLY ENJOYABLE TIME TRAVEL TALE
Review: 1632 was a true joy to read. While not as wildly inventive as some tales, such as LORD KALVAN, it was still quite fun. The author displays a fine knowledge of the chaotic period of the 30YRs War and presents wonderful character studies of some of the historical figures. The novel also celebrates the value and applicability of good old fashioned American values. Flint rightly shows that IDEAS have a much greater and long lasting impact than technology. Thus the most powerful tool the Americans weild in the 17th Century is the American ideal of freedom and justice for all people. A fun and thoughtful book.
Rating:
Summary: Good "displaced in time" story. Not wonderful
Review: Basically, this book is about a coal-mining town in West Virginia which is mysteriously transported to Germany at the time of the Thirty Years War. This theme has been developed before, going back to Mark Twain (or maybe further). To my knowledge, S.M. Stirling was the first major writer to move a whole community back to another time, with his Nantucket Series, and now Eric Flint seeks to get his version in. I am a fan of this genre, so I expected to enjoy this book, and I did. One way that it is different from most of these stories is that it focuses on the "little people"--The movers and shakers of this book are not professors or military officers or big-time politicians. The hero is a failed boxer who is a minor union official. On the other hand, the book is filled with affectionate praise for King Gustavus Adolphus. Gustavus Adolphus was a real historical figure, and if you don't know who he is, don't worry, you will know when you finish the book! I enjoyed the book, think most who are interested by this idea will enjoy it. Only criticism I have are that too much time is spent with the time travellers offstage, describing the Battle of Breitenfield, a real historical battle. Some may be disappointed that a minimum of time is spent describing clever technological improvisations--These seem to be a staple of this genre, but there isn't much of it here. If you enjoyed this book, I'd look up H. Beam Piper's LORD KALVAN OF OTHERWHEN, S.M. Stirling's ISLAND IN THE SEA OF TIME, and L. Sprague deCamp's LEST DARKNESS FALL.
Rating:
Summary: Rave
Review: This book is bound to set de-constructionists and apologists squirming in ther seats. It is full of "rank" ethno-centrism and unabashed cultural "arrogance" of the worst kind. How dare these transplanted Americans pre-judge all those poor suffering German princes and leaders. Where is the sensitivity and respect due to primitave cultures? Those people had to live with in the 17th cent. their whole lives, while the meddling Americans just got there. For Mr. Flint to even insinuate that a few modern "culturally elite" Americans could improve things in the slightest, why, Its...its... Wonderful. Bravo to Eric Flint. This book rates very well the best Alternate History out there including those by both S.M. Stirling and Harry Turtledove. Hopefully We'll see more of this type of work from Flint in the future.
Rating:
Summary: UMW im Pomeran
Review: I first noticed 1632 in Baen's publishing schedule. Usually, this kind of genre involves one person being moved to a alternate universe or another time. Moving an entire town, and it's surrounding environs made things much nicer. Now the hero, (even though he still married a local), has people from his own time and place to connect with. I thought it was a well-done book; with few noticeable historical boo-boo's. I look forward to reading more of Eric Flint's works.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!
Review: This book was great! I couldn't put it down and I'm not normally much of a sci fi reader. It has been a while since I have read a book that I could get this excited about. My brother and I talked about it so much the rest of the family is waiting in line to read it.
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