The Thirty Years War continues to ravage 17th century Europe, but a new force is gathering power and influence: the Confederated Principalities of Europe, an alliance between Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, and the West Virginians from the 20th century led by Mike Stearns who were hurled centuries into the past by a mysterious cosmic accident.
While the old entrenched rulers and manipulators continue to plot against this new upstart nation, everyday life goes on in Grantville, the town lost in time, with librarians, firefighters, and garbage collectors trying to make do under unusual circumstances. And what better place for an undercover spy from France than working with the garbage collectors, examining 20th century machines that others throw out and copying the technology (though he wishes one device—the paper shredder—had been left behind in the future).
There are more sinister agents at work, however. One of them, Ducos, almost succeeded in assassinating the Pope, but his plan was ruined by quick action by a few Americans. Now, the would-be assassin not only has a score to settle, but has also decided on two excellent targets: Grantville's leader Mike Stearns and his wife Rebecca. . . .
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slowdrags on word by word. not fast moving like earlier books in this series. I should have read the reviews first; but it is part of the collection now. Won't reread like others in the series.
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Product ReviewWish I had paid more attention to the previous reviews. Book is terrible. There are about 3 chapters that feed the series that were obviously written by Flint, the rest by the other author who write droning, boring drivel. I skipped entire chapters toward the end. What a waist of money. Shame on you Mr. Flint for letting someone else ruin Webber's great idea.
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Product ReviewThis book blows. It is almost physically painful to try working your way through.
Page after page of minutiae about family relations and things that have nothing much to do with anything. I find myself skipping 5-10 pages at a time. Usually I blow through books in this series in a few days. After something like 3 weeks I've only made it through about half of it.
I have enjoyed most of the books in this series a lot but this one is a reeking pile of fecal matter that's been left in the hot sun several hoursPosted on
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Product ReviewReading this now. Its a tough read. Painful to try and follow whats going on here. Like others have said. skip it
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Product ReviewWhat SLOG. Horrible people doing horrible things and on top of that we have INTERMINABLE passages about who is related to whom and NO ONE CARES.
Honestly, there are some good passages in this book, undoubtedly those written by Eric Flint, but most of the book is just too boring and painful for words. I've forced myself through it, to fill in some timeline gaps, but having done so, I do NOT recommend it to others. Just skip over this one and go straight to The Eastern Front.Posted on
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Product ReviewParts of this book are very good and worthy of reading in carrying on the storyline. Unfortunately too much of it is spent dwelling on some truly horrible people who are getting away with being stupid/evil which is painful to read. Should you read it, probably not missing anything if you don't. You'll be a bit confused on The Eastern Front if you skip it, but not horribly so.
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