1636: Mission to the Mughals

By: Eric Flint, Griffin Barber

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

After carving a free state for itself in war-torn 17th-century Europe, citizens of the modern town of Grantville, West Virginia, go on a quest for the makings of medicines that have yet to be invented in 17th-century Europe. The United States of Europe, the new nation formed by an alliance between the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus and the West Virginians hurled back in time by a cosmic accident - the Ring of Fire - is beset by enemies on all sides. The USE needs a reliable source of opiates for those wounded in action as well as other goods not available in Europe. The Prime Minister of the USE, Mike Stearns, sends a mission to the Mughal Empire of India with the aim of securing a trade deal with the Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan.

The mission consists of a mixed group of up-timers and down-timers, including paramedics, a squad of soldiers with railroad-building experience, a spy, and a pair of swindlers. On reaching India the mission finds a grieving emperor obsessed with building the Taj Mahal, harem-bound princesses, warrior princes, and an Afghan adventurer embroiled in the many plots of the Mughal court. The emperor's sons are plotting against each other, and war is brewing with the newly risen Sikh faith. But in the midst of these intrigues, the USE mission finds an ally: the brilliant and beautiful Jahanara Begum, the eldest daughter of Shah Jahan. She is the mistress of her father's harem and a power in her own right who wishes to learn more of these women who are free in a way she can scarcely comprehend. When the emperor learns of what befalls his empire and children in the time that was, he makes every effort to change their fate. But emperors, princesses, and princes are no more immune to the inexorable waves of change created by the Ring of Fire than are the Americans themselves.

©2017 Eric Flint and Griffin Barber (P)2017 Recorded Books

Pretty good

Nice focus on a non European culture. Granville characters lack development. Most focus on local characters. Court intrigue interesting. Advantages of future tech and knowledge not as impactful. Hope for a sequel.

Well done

The 1632 series varies in quality. Happily this is near the top. It reminds me of Flint/Drake Belasarius series not just for the setting but the variety of viewpoints and characters.

Another Fine Addition!

Eric Flint brings us another corner of his world known as the Ring of Fire. This time we go to India and witness the political and social upheaval that surrounded the 1630's during the construction of the Taj Mahal. My only complaint with this book was that several of the character's names were similar enough that I was a little confused as to which character was doing what for a few moments till that chapter was fleshed out a little more and I was able to connect the character to another part of the story. This only happened a few times, but it was frustrating all the same. Flint and Barber have added another fine piece to the story of the Ring of Fire.

As always George Guidall does a fantastic job bringing the Ring of Fire to life. Guidall is a fantastic vocal thespian that is a master of his craft.

Another great story

Once more Eric Flint writes a great story and the audiobook is well performed. Can't wait for the next one.

Another great story

Another fantastic story in the Ring of Fire series! I look forward to the next story!

Court Intrigue In Mughal India!

I've read and listened to Mission to the Mughals--you can't go wrong either way. There are many, many books in the 1632 series, but as long as you know the basic premise behind 1632, this book can be read without having to read everything that came before.

Eric Flint chose such a fertile period of history to set his series in that it continues to spawn fascinating what-ifs all over the globe, and now we have Mughal India. The attention to detail is obvious from page 1!

This book would have been a great read if the authors only had downtimers (meaning, the people originally from 1632) from Mughal India, but when you add in downtimers from Grantville and uptimers (those from W. Virginia in the year 2000) it's magic! The machinations of Emperor Shah Jahan's offspring, intertwined with the rise of the Sikh faith and the Grantville mission to procure opiates for use in battle medicine makes for a powerful story. The Mughal characters are wonderfully done and I was so happy to see Bertram, Gervais, and Monique from Barber's Grantville Gazette stories--they are fun characters!

Even if you've only read the first couple of books in the series, this one can be picked up and enjoyed without having to read the rest (although I encourage you to read the entire series). I can't wait for the next book in the Mughal thread!

Slow start but

It was a little slow at the start but this story was very engaging after the first hour or so. Definitely recommend it!

Not one of the best.

What did you like best about 1636: Mission to the Mughals? What did you like least?

This story is DULL.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

George brings consistency to this story. He has been with the Ring of Fire series since the beginning. His skill at narration breaths some life into a story that is in desperate need of the help.

Was 1636: Mission to the Mughals worth the listening time?

For me,no. This story is one of those you should put down, but continue out of stubbornness.

Any additional comments?

Unless you are a hardcore fan of the Ring of Fire series you may want to skip this one.It brings nothing to the overall series. You will miss nothing by passing this one by.