1632

Ring of Fire, Book 1

By: Eric Flint

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 19 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling author Eric Flint has received glowing critical praise for his Ring of Fire alternate history series. In this first installment, a West Virginia town is transported from the year 2000 to 1631 Germany at the height of the Thirty Years’ War. Thrust into conflict, the town residents must also contend with moral issues, such as who should be considered a citizen.

©2000 Eric Flint (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Gripping and excellently detailed.... A treat!” ( Publishers Weekly)

Somewhat Interesting Book

quite boring and obviously unrealistic. it is actually a great story. I love when the reader changes his voice voice to a woman it's funny.

Absolutely Outstanding!

I love the way the author carefully blended the history of this turbulent time period with the social, political and economic changes caused by the town's appearance. The personal lives of the townsfolk and their relationships with their new neighbors adds a wonderful respite from the horror of the thirty years war. Mr. Guidall does a great job with both the male and female characters and adds the emotions to his voice that many other narrators lack. I am definitely hooked on this series!

Great book horrid reader.

I love this series, but the readers steadfast refusal to correctly pronounce words ruined it.

Favorite book

I absolutely love this book. Does an excellent job illustrating the perceptions of the past and how the people there perceive modern day values.

Entertaining but predictable

I have read other alternative history novels (Destroyermen, Lost Regiment). They all work the same way: a time/space tunnel sends our all-American-heros to a backward and cruel world, some times human (as in this case), other times alien. Our guys find some naive local friends, teach them modern technology and together they overcome great difficulties and enemies, albeit never completely so that a new book in the series can be written and purchased by the eager fans of the series. It would be entertaining to figure out the history of this type of book plot to understand who copied whom. This book is written and read competently, can be listen to with ease and provides good mindless entertainment. The bad guys get whipped mercilessly making the listener feel warm and cozy. The story smells of neocolonialism as we finally find a receptive foreign crowd that soaks up the American way. Of course, being post medieval mittel-Europe, most current cultures would have been a better way of life. In summary, I enjoyed listening to this book but did not get any smarter in the process. No way I am going to pick the next in the series.

Tedious, gory battle descriptions

It starts with an interesting concept, a modern American town somehow transplanted in 1600s Germany but mostly neglects a plausible description of how such a thing could even have occurred and dashes hopes that it can be rectified. Then it wastes most of the book showing how powerful and intelligent Americans are, especially with modern warfare, and drones on and on with detailed descriptions of gory battles of blood, entrails, brains and dismemberment. There's also implausible romance and the obligatory rape and sex scenes to boost sales percentages. Maybe I don't remember enough European history, but I found it hard to believe that all men were barbarians and women were only meant to be raped. I listened all the way to the end, but mostly because I had nothing better to do. I'll probably even forget I read it.

Bizarre

Could you see 1632 being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Maybe.

Any additional comments?

This story was um... interesting. If you like sci-fi, fiction, fantasy and history its probably pretty good. The only parts I could really keep up with were the modern, present time events. The idea of a segment of current society being teleported backwards in time and integrating with the older time period and sharing the knowledge and intelligence was very intriguing. The book jumps back and forth between solo stories and events from the past and solo events for the present. When the author tells the story in the past, it can be very difficult to keep track and stay focused.

Finally here!!!

Finally here!!!

I have waited for this book to be available on Audible from the very first day I joined the site. I love this book and can’t wait for the rest of the series.

BRING ON THE REST!!!! 1633, Ring of Fire, 1634 and so on…

Good Story

I recommend this book if you enjoy epic historical fiction. It's a good story, funny, and good characters.

Surprisingly good.

What did you love best about 1632?

Wasn't sure what to expect, but was really good. Excellent narration. And a unique story line. If you like the "Destroyer Men" series you'll love this.