1636: The Viennese Waltz

By: Eric Flint, Gorg Huff, Paula Goodlett

Narrated by: George Guidall

Book 18 in the multiple New York Times best-selling Ring of Fire series, and the team behind national best-seller 1635: The Kremlin Games.

After carving a free state for itself in war-torn 17th century Europe, citizens of the modern town of Grantville, West Virginia, contend with aristocratic forces determined to keep their grip on power whatever it takes.

When Grantville, West Virginia, was transported back to the year 1631 - in the middle of the Thirty Years' War, no less - many things happened. Many opportunities arose. It's said that a rising tide lifts all boats. Perhaps not quite as high as the Barbie Consortium rose, however .A cabal of 10- to 12-year-old girls? They aren't 12 anymore. And they gave up playing with dolls some years ago, when they sold them all and started an investment consortium. A consortium that did quite well.

The Barbie Consortium hits Vienna. In several different ways. The princes and princesses, dukes and duchesses, the common men and women on the street have no idea what's about to happen. Neither do the girls, but they're determined it'll happen their way.

©2014 Eric Flint, Paula Goodlet & Gorg Huff (P)2014 Recorded Books

Again, you want more of the never ending story

Good characters by both author and narrator. Trials and tribulations, misdirection, wry humor ("von Uptime") and a happy ending, that you know is only a pause in the grand March of the new history.

good book terrible place for new readers

the book was good but is confusing if you have not read all of the short stories in this series

Great addition to the 163xverse!

This book helps set up the next major struggle on the horizon, the Ottoman Empire. Will be great to see Europe rise up and defend them themselves against the onslaught.

Great addition to the series.

I was skeptical about the storyline. But as an overall addition to the series, it was highly enjoyable. I liked it more than I thought I would. I recommend it.

great book with a insightful story

Really enjoyed the book I thought it was well Don and provided a great story within the 1632 universe. Would highly recommend it to anyone interested in the series and it is a pretty good story stand-alone also.

Great story - abrupt ending

Very finance heavy. Enjoyable read. Abrupt ending. As always the narration is great.

You may want to read the Barbie consortium before this, it has heavy references to that story.

Worth it

Ok first the complaints- the narrator isn't bad but really doesn't fit this particular story very well. The pluses- great plot, a return of some of my favorite characters from the Gazette.

The rise of the Barbies

I wasn't expecting to enjoy this particular story as much as others in the series, but I wad pleasantly surprised. I also learned a little bit about"high finance" and monetary theory. Always nice to bed entertained as you learn!

I love the reader, by the way. He really knows how to bring the many distinct characters alive with the smallest inflection of his voice. Very well done!

Interesting but it's time to move forward

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I do. Though not my favorite by far it was interesting.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

The events surrounding the ending were a bit rushed. They seemed to start very late in the story

Have you listened to any of George Guidall’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Excellent as always. It would be a real challenge for me to listen to this series being read by anyone else.

Do you think 1636: The Viennese Waltz needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. At least not this branch of the story line. Much of the book fell like I was sitting through an economics class. We've been exposed to several books that talk about the financial systems of various countries now. From Spain to Russia and several points between. I think we can skip this subject line. If the story line in the last few chapters had taken up more of the book I might feel differently.

Any additional comments?

It's time to move the universe forward. The last of the "main line" stories, 1636 The Saxon Uprising, was published over 3 years ago. It's been 7 since we heard from several prominent characters who stayed in England an Scotland. Put simply the characters that drew me into the series have been neglected or sidelined for quite some time now. And telling stories of different people over the same 4-5 year period can be interesting but I know that no matter what happens that there will be no new developments.

Not vital to the series

This book is strong on exposition, weak on plot. Lots of economics, little action. I read it out of sequence (due to the negative reviews), and would encourage the casual Ring of Fire reader to give it a miss.