From Publishers Weekly
In this worthy sequel to the well-received 1632 (2000), about a small West Virginia coal-mining town transported back in time to the Germany of the Thirty Years War, original author Flint and coauthor Weber resist the temptation to use modern technology to impose a Pax Americana, instead allowing their transportees just enough high tech to prevail if they can win allies like Sweden's King Gustavus Adolphus. Most of the current book deals with coalition building, as the visitors from the future attempt to remake their new world into one safe for democracy despite opposition from such as Cardinal Richelieu. History books from a now-hypothetical future and antibiotics prove to be more potent than their limited supply of modern firearms, but the most powerful weapons of the new "United States" are its ideas, which now infect the millions of Germans ground under the heels of their princes. Ordinary Germans develop a new faith in themselves and their future when the Americans show them that they can do anything, even fly. Flint, a former union organizer, is particularly skilled at showing how the new converts can make even the "old Americans" uncomfortable in their zeal to achieve the blessings of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," while Weber helps smooth out characters who were stereotypes in the first book. This is a thoughtful and exciting look at just how powerful are the ideals we sometimes take for granted, and is highly recommended as a reminder of how we can look to others when at our best. (Aug.) FYI: Weber is also the coauthor with Steve White of The Shiva Option (Forecasts, Jan. 28), while Flint is also the coauthor with David Drake of The Tyrant (Forecasts, Mar. 25). Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From School Library Journal
Adult/High School-A sequel to 1632 (Baen, 2000), this book continues the saga of a West Virginia town hurled by a mysterious time vortex into the middle of Germany during the Thirty Years' War. The residents, led by Mike Stearns and his 17th-century wife Rebecca, attempt to introduce modern American values like freedom of speech to the people. The story recounts their attempts to build an air force (with biplanes powered by automobile motors) and a navy (which includes a few speedboats that happened to have been in town) to challenge the machinations of Cardinal Richelieu and the armed forces of France, Spain, and England, but the end result has as much to do with individual heroism as technology. Cleanly written, with an enormous cast of interesting characters, this novel is panoramic in scope. The contrast between the societies of Grantville and Europe allows the authors to examine the virtues of American values and show how the Bill of Rights, though closer to their time than ours, is the most revolutionary difference between the two societies. The ways in which modern knowledge is used without a technological base are fascinating and well researched, as is the real historical information that helps create the background world. Throughout, there is constant action and the hint of danger to characters readers care about.Paul Brink, Fairfax County Public Library System, VACopyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
When a cosmic accident transports the city of Grantville from 20th-century West Virginia to the German province of Thuringia in 1632, the population quickly adjusted to its new surroundings and began the American Revolution more than a century before its actual time. A year later, the small but powerful country plunges into European politics with aplomb, armed with a knowledge of "history," a host of keen and imaginative minds, and a spectacular array of 20th-century weapons. Collaborators Weber (the Honor Harrington series) and Flint (1632, The Philosophical Strangler) take historic speculation to a new level in a tale that combines accurate historical research with bold leaps of the imagination. Fans of alternate history and military sf should enjoy this rousing tale of adventure and intrigue.Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Veterans of Flint's 1632 (2000) will see its strengths in its sequel right from the beginning, in which Rebecca Sterns charms Cardinal Richelieu with the gift of a Siamese kitten. The same formidable historiography, wit, balance (there are few stupid bad guys--well, England's Charles I), intelligently ferocious women, and mouth-watering displays of alternate technology are again on view in the context of showing a time-displaced U.S. fighting to survive. Being a democracy trying to spread the concept when half your allies and most of your enemies are monarchies, and even the allies look askance at freedom of religion, can be ulcer-producing. Once the princely counteroffensive is well begun, though, even former crabbed elitist James Simpson's naval background can be relied on. What wonders an Annapolis grad, a German mercenary in an ultralight, and volunteers with speedboats and limpet mines can perform against opponents who have barely imagined such things! If it takes too many pages for some, others will turn every one and cry for more, which the authors intend to provide. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM THE PUBLISHER

AMERICAN FREEDOM AND JUSTICE VS. SEVENTEENTH CENTURY TYRANNY

The new Confederate Principalities of Europe-an alliance between Gustavus, King of Sweden, and the West Virginia town, led by Mike Stearns, which was hurled back through time to the Thirty Years War-has big problems. As the greatest naval war in European history erupts, Cardinal Richelieu has created an alliance to destroy the CPE, and only American technology can save Gustavus from ruin.

Meanwhile Mike's wife Rebecca is trapped in war-torn Amsterdam, and his sister Rita is imprisoned in the Tower of London. And much as Mike wants to reform tyrannical 17th century Europe by Sweet Reason, he finds comfort in the fact that Julie, who trained as an Olympic marksman, still has her rifle￯﾿ﾽ

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

In this worthy sequel to the well-received 1632 (2000), about a small West Virginia coal-mining town transported back in time to the Germany of the Thirty Years War, original author Flint and coauthor Weber resist the temptation to use modern technology to impose a Pax Americana, instead allowing their transportees just enough high tech to prevail if they can win allies like Sweden's King Gustavus Adolphus. Most of the current book deals with coalition building, as the visitors from the future attempt to remake their new world into one safe for democracy despite opposition from such as Cardinal Richelieu. History books from a now-hypothetical future and antibiotics prove to be more potent than their limited supply of modern firearms, but the most powerful weapons of the new "United States" are its ideas, which now infect the millions of Germans ground under the heels of their princes. Ordinary Germans develop a new faith in themselves and their future when the Americans show them that they can do anything, even fly. Flint, a former union organizer, is particularly skilled at showing how the new converts can make even the "old Americans" uncomfortable in their zeal to achieve the blessings of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness," while Weber helps smooth out characters who were stereotypes in the first book. This is a thoughtful and exciting look at just how powerful are the ideals we sometimes take for granted, and is highly recommended as a reminder of how we can look to others when at our best. (Aug.) FYI: Weber is also the coauthor with Steve White of The Shiva Option (Forecasts, Jan. 28), while Flint is also the coauthor with David Drake of The Tyrant (Forecasts, Mar. 25). Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

VOYA - Marsha Valance

Weber and Flint coauthor the sequel to 1632 (Baen, 2000/VOYA August 2000), Flint's thought-provoking alternate universe novel about a twenty-first-century West Virginia town transported by a passing alien ship to war-torn seventeenth-century Germany where the local United Mine Workers union allies with Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus to end the Thirty Years' War and unite the German principalities. The immediate popularity of 1632 inspired Internet discussion groups, e-books of fan stories set in the new universe, and a projected series. Flint's attention to detail is meticulous; the books are well-researched, and the plots well-conceived. The series theme has become, rather than the effect of technology, the consequence of American values upon oppressed people worn down by war and the demands of tyrannical overlords. Mike Stearns, local UMWA chapter president and now President of the Confederated Principalities of Europe; other Grantsville residents new and old; and Gustavus Adolphus and his Garbo-like daughter, Christina, represent all those affected by the cosmic accident. Mike, a natural politician, is an American patriot; his core values become the heart of the new reform movement. When the new air force of two biplanes powered by VW engines along with three twenty-first-century speedboats is called upon to protect the new CPE capital and its ironclad-building shipyards from a Danish fleet, the reader appreciates, with heart-rending effect, how much American values are embraced by the formerly downtrodden Germans, now equal citizens of the CPE. 1633 is an action-packed novel, with a fast-moving plot that both involves the reader and provokes lots of thought. It is recommended forevery high school library, and if the library does not have the first book, it should. VOYA Codes 4Q 4P S A/YA (Better than most, marred only by occasional lapses; Broad general YA appeal; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12; Adult-marketed book recommended for Young Adults). 2003, Baen, 673p., pb. Ages 15 to Adult.

Library Journal

When a cosmic accident transports the city of Grantville from 20th-century West Virginia to the German province of Thuringia in 1632, the population quickly adjusted to its new surroundings and began the American Revolution more than a century before its actual time. A year later, the small but powerful country plunges into European politics with aplomb, armed with a knowledge of "history," a host of keen and imaginative minds, and a spectacular array of 20th-century weapons. Collaborators Weber (the Honor Harrington series) and Flint (1632, The Philosophical Strangler) take historic speculation to a new level in a tale that combines accurate historical research with bold leaps of the imagination. Fans of alternate history and military sf should enjoy this rousing tale of adventure and intrigue. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

School Library Journal