1637: Dr. Gribbleflotz and the Soul of Stoner

Ring of Fire, Book 33

By: Kerryn Offord, Rick Boatright

Narrated by: George Guidall

A 17th-century alchemist confronts modern science with unintended and amusing results. Another sparkling addition to the multiple New York Times best-selling Ring of Fire alternate history series created by Eric Flint.

SCIENCE AND MEDICINE VS. FLIM-FLAMMERY

Thomas "the Great Stoner" Stone once performed miraculous surgery upon Phillip Theophrastus Gribbleflotz, the World’s Greatest Alchemist, using his bare hands, no anesthesia, producing no pain, and leaving no scar. It would have been wonderful if it was real.

But Dr. Tom Stone, the face of modern medicine, has been engaging in fake treatments—bringing all modern medicine into question. Phillip, who has learned a thing or two about actual science from those up-time elopers from Grantville, West Virginia, decides to go to Padua and turn his problems into Tom Stone's problems.

Meanwhile, the wily Bernardo Ponzi has assembled a team to support his evangelical touring roadshow featuring a light show, faith healing and yet more psychic surgery. Now Gribbleflotz and Stone are on a collision course with the Magnificent Ponzi, who has moved beyond showman-like fakery to causing actual harm to many people. It’s time for Gribbleflotz and Stone to resolve their differences, debunk one of history’s greatest bunko artists, and save the reputation of modern science and medicine from ruin!

©2021 Kerryn Offord and Rick Boatright (P)2023 Recorded Books

Dr. Gribbleflotz is like many unsung heroes !

The story line does credit to the men and women who struggle for recognition in are world where we restrict access unless academics acknowledge their skills . I also extend my condolences to the families and many others who have known a major contributor to this series . Rick Boatright and Eric Flint are a tragic loss to are literary World .

Gribbleflotz is a pillar of the 1632 series

When I read the first book introducing doctor Gribbleflotz I was skeptical how a mad alchemist would contribute to the 1632 series. Now I see that we needed a, need I say, cliché showdown between science and alchemy. There’s been a little development to this point of Stoner developing the trade necessary for the pharmaceutical industry in Venice. Add in a few comical elements regarding chakras and you get this funny story. On a separate matter I would like to give my condolences to the family of one of the authors who passed away in the spring of 2023. I have really enjoyed the technical expertise that they brought to the 1632 universe.