Ring of Fire
 Ring of Fire is a collection of short stories set in the
‘Ring of Fire’ universe created by Eric Flint and introduced in ‘1632’.
They’re all short stories set between ‘1632’
and ‘1633’ and fill in gaps between the basic, local,
setting of 1632 and the international setting of 1633.
Like any collection of stories, some are good and others are mediocre.
Many of the stories are based round the reaction of the religious
establishment to the Ring of Fire.
Preface
: Eric Flint
This is just a short note on how the stories developed.
Interesting, but not fiction and not what we came to see.
<shouts> NEXT!
In the
Navy : David Weber
David Weber's story "In
the Navy" provides the background for the creation of the new American
navy, which was such a prominent part of 1633. The whole story is mainly about the strategic position
that the town is in and the need for a navy.
Unluckily for Eddie, who realizes that the city needs a navy, there’s
only one man in Grantville with the ability to build one – John Chandler
Simpson. This story adds a lot of
depth to Simpson, moving him from a caricature of a racist to a reasonable man
driven by his mind and intellect. The
single bad point about this story is that nothing big really happens.
We see how the republic’s become involved in the local area and hear
lots about the future, but there is no real action.
To Dye
For : Mercedes Lackey
The character of Tom Stoner
and his children, who appear in 1633 and will be major characters in the
upcoming novel 1634: The Galileo Affair, are first introduced into the
series by Mercedes Lackey in her story "To Dye For."
Cute and funny, particularly the names of the children.
One note, the method of social control mentioned by Stoner is
unrealistic, one false accusation and someone’s life will be ruined.
I see a Walker from ISLAND IN THE SEA OF TIME
in the making.
A
Lineman For the Country : Dave Freer
Definitely my favorite story in the collection.
Two people who are practically social outcasts get together with a Scots
trooper to form the first telephone in the area.
Between the Armies : Andrew Dennis
What happens when a priest from 2000 meets a priest from 1632?
Add in the fact that most priests in that time are about as unholy as the
British army in 1803 and you have an interesting development coming…
Biting Time : Virginia Easley DeMarce
Sweet story about the courtship of a German by a American and the foundation of
the first German school in Grantville.
Power to the People : Loren K. Jones
Short story about how the crew of the nearby power plant reacted to the Ring
of Fire and their arrival in 1632.
A Matter of Consultation : S.L. Viehl
20th century medicine is far better than the 16th, so
why is Doctor Harvey of England having such problems grasping that?
This story is largely important because of what else the doctor finds out
after realizing that the American medicine is far better than his talents –
the fate of his master, King Charles of England…
Family Faith : Anette M. Pedersen
Short story about a German family and the catholic priest from 2000.
When the Chips are Down : Jonathan Cresswell and Scott
Washburn
Funny story about an attempt to make potato chips in 1632.
American Past Time : Deann Allen and Mike Turner
A Baseball term in 1632?
Skeletons : Greg Donahue
A young recruit for the American army realizes that one of the worst people in
the German nation has also enlisted with an evil plan…
A Witch to Live : Walt Boyes
Short story about witchhunters and a collision between the modern religious
establishment and the one of 1632.
The Three R's : Jody Dorsett
A man comes to
grantville looking for help to keep his faith alive…
Here Comes Santa Claus : K.D. Wentworth
Julie, the sharpshooter, is determined that everyone will have a nice Christmas,
while a group of German assassins turn up looking for her, who shot out the
teeth of their master.
The Wallenstein Gambit : Eric Flint
Would you make a deal with one of the worst men in Europe to save the
members of your faith from a pogrom?
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