1636

"A cosmic catastrophe, the Ring of Fire strands the West Virginia town of Grantville in the middle of Europe during the ... (more)

"A cosmic catastrophe, the Ring of Fire strands the West Virginia town of Grantville in the middle of Europe during the Thirty Years War. By 1636, it's impact is felt across two great oceans. The United States of Europe seeks out resources (oil, rubber and even aluminum) to help it wage war against the foes of freedom. Daring pioneers cross the Atlantic and found a new colony in South Africa hoping with up-time knowledge to prosper in the tropics and avoid Indian and African Slavery. In the west, the wave of change has reached Japan and intrigued the Shogun. But learning what fate has in store for them, Japan pulls back from a policy of isolation to stake its own claim in the new world"-- (less)

"Phillip Theophrastus Gribbleflotz, the world's greatest alchemist and a great grandson of Paracelsus was a man history ... (more)

"Phillip Theophrastus Gribbleflotz, the world's greatest alchemist and a great grandson of Paracelsus was a man history had forgotten. But when the town of Grantville was transported from modern West Virginia to central Germany in the early 17th century, he got a second chance at fame and fortune. With suitable enticements Gribbleflotz is persuaded to make baking soda and then baking powder so the time-displaced Americans can continue to enjoy their biscuits and gravy. Applying his superb grasp of the principles of alchemy to the muddled and confused notions the Americans have concerning what they call 'chemistry,' Gribbleflotz leaves obscurity behind"--Provided by publisher. (less)

Armed with new weapons inspired by the time-displaced Americans of Grantville, the Turks--led by the young, dynamic, and... (more)

Armed with new weapons inspired by the time-displaced Americans of Grantville, the Turks--led by the young, dynamic, and ruthless Murad IV--are determined to do what they were unable to do in the universe the Americans came from: capture Vienna. And this time they won't have to face massive reinforcements from Austria's allies, because the only army Emperor Gustav Adolf can send to Austria is under the command of Mike Stearns, and it's already engaged in a desperate struggle for Bavaria. Or so they think. -- (less)

"The newly formed United States of Europe, created by an alliance between the time-displaced Americans from the town of ... (more)

"The newly formed United States of Europe, created by an alliance between the time-displaced Americans from the town of Grantville and the Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus, decides to send an embassy to the Chinese empire. One of the main purposes of the embassy is to establish trade in order to gain access to critical resources. The mission is a gamble--some might say, a long shot. The Ming dynasty is on the verge of collapse and China's rulers are suspicious of foreigners. The mission experiences one setback after another, but presses on. And they gain an important ally along the way: Zheng Zhilong, a former pirate now an admiral for the Ming navy and the head of an extremely wealthy Fujian province trading family. He knows through his Jesuit missionary connections that according to Grantville's history books, the Ming dynasty is in danger, from famines, bandit armies and barbarian invaders. And he is determined that, one way or another, he and his family will survive and even prosper. The embassy is joined as well by a young scholar, who helps them make inroads into China's complex and often dangerous society. Can the up-timers and their friends persuade the imperial dynasty and its mandarins to establish trade and diplomatic relations with the USE? They have one great asset: their knowledge may be the key to saving China from decades of mass suffering and civil war."-- (less)

"Domingos Fernandes Calabar started out as a military advisor for the Portuguese in Brazil. But to his superiors, he was... (more)

"Domingos Fernandes Calabar started out as a military advisor for the Portuguese in Brazil. But to his superiors, he was still nothing more than a mameluco, a man of mixed blood. Until, that is, the Dutch arrived and he switched sides. Then the Portuguese had a new label for him: "traitorous dog." But when Dutch admiral Maarten Tromp arrives, having barely survived the disastrous Battle of Dunkirk, Calabar's job changes again. Now he has to help engineer a swift Dutch exodus to a safer place before word of Tromp's defeat reaches Spanish ears. Partnered with the Sephardic pirate Moses Cohen Henriques, the two aid the battered Dutch fleet by striking at the Portuguese and Spanish, both on land and sea. Until, that is, Calabar learns that bitter personal enemies have grabbed his family, put them in chains, and sold them to a slaveship bound for the Spanish Main. Calabar must now choose: continue to help the Dutch, or save his wife and children? Tromp and other strong allies want to put an end to slavery, too, but their strategies and timetable are measured in months and years. Calabar doesn't have that kind of time and can't rely on their methods. The struggle to recover his family, and to free the millions more suffering in shackles, is one he must win in his own way and on his own terms. Because ultimately, this is not just Calabar's fight. This is Calabar's war"--Provided by publisher. (less)