1636

Commander Cantrell in the West Indies

By: Eric Flint, Charles E. Gannon

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 21 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Eddie Cantrell, now married to the king of Denmark’s daughter, is sent by Admiral Simpson to the Caribbean to secure access to the most valuable commodity on that continent - not the gold and silver which the Spanish treasure, but the oil which up-time machines and industry need. The admiral has also provided Eddie’s small task force with the new steam-powered frigates that have just come out of the navy’s shipyards. Even with the frigates, a giant obstacle stands in his way: the Gulf-girdling Spanish presence in the New World. So a diversion is needed, carried out by an up-time car mechanic and a down-time mercenary colonel who also happens to be the last earl of Ireland. Their mission: grab the oil fields on Trinidad, and so distract the attention of Spain’s New World governors. While the Spanish galleons and troops head for Trinidad, Commander Cantrell’s smallest and fastest steam sloop will make a run to the Louisiana coast. There, her crew will wind their way up the bayous to the real New World prize: the Jennings Oil Field. But Cantrell’s plans could be wrecked in a multitude of ways. He faces often-hostile natives, rambunctious Dutch ship captains, allied colonies on the brink of starvation, and vicious social infighting that can barely be contained by his capable and passionate new wife. When the galleons finally come out in force to engage his small flotilla, Eddie will discover that the Spanish aren’t the only enemies who will be coming against him in a fateful Caribbean show-down.

©2014 Eric Flint & Charles E. Gannon (P)2014 Recorded Books

enjoyable and fun

very good plot, wirth my time, but 20 word review requirements torks me off a bit

Great story!

I really liked this book. I found it as enjoyable as any Hornblower book I ever read. As always, the characters are multi-dimensional, and my favorite couple, Eddie Cantrell and his voluptuous bride, Anne Catherine, are always a delight. Highly recommended!

Heir to 1634

What made the experience of listening to 1636 the most enjoyable?

How the author tied in some of the characters and events from the Baltic War and some of the offshoots from the Italian series (love the Wild Geese). 1636 Kremlin Games was listed as the next Ring of Fire book after the Baltic War, but I'd say this one should be considered the logical book to fill that role, along with the three books in the Italian saga. I'd add I haven't read/listened to some other offshoots like the Ram Rebellion, Bavarian Gambit, Devil's Opera, etc.

What other book might you compare 1636 to and why?

Baltic War and the Galileo Affair, as it has some of those intrigues and characters brought together. Plus, some actual big battles.

What about George Guidall’s performance did you like?

Wonderful. One of my favorite narrators.

Any additional comments?

I don't know if the written version has maps and reference material, but half the time I listen to a Ring of Fire book I need one available to visualize a place, or a real person and their actual history, and the tech (such as the difference between Dutch and Spanish fighting ships of the 1600s).

great book to read loved every minute.

love the book would suggest it to anyone who is into alternative histories and adventure.

I'm a sucker for naval stories

Must be all the Star Trek I grew up on. The novel continues the promotion of ham radio, gun play and steampunkish goodness you'd expect from the 1632 series.

War in the new World

A great story in a amazing time. I loved it both reading it and as a audio book. Great narrator.

Great Addition To The Series

Being from the Caribbean(Trinidaf and Tobago). I was drawn to this interesting title right away.

More, and more detailed Grantville adventures

Any additional comments?

Found this a very satisfying read/escape. The amount of historical detail and sheer volume of historical, as well as foreign names forced me to absorb the book at a much higher level than is normal for me. This allowed for an enjoyably easy read and produced the much sought after "Zen" mode while listening. May be a bit much if you need to follow every plot twist and character, but it works great for me! Can see myself rereading this in the future, something I never do!

great book

This is on par with the first book 1632. Really well done you can't put it down. Can't say enough about it. Like I said my second favorite book in the series.

Very well narrated naval adventure

Commander Cantrell proves his mettle in battles on the Spanish Main. Definitely recommend this book to those looking got a rousing Ring of Fire story.