First Time in Paperback for This Exciting Installment in the New York
Times Best-Selling Ring of Fire Series--
The Most Popular and Best-Selling Alternate History Series.
The Thirty Years War continues to ravage 17th century Europe, but a new
force is gathering power and influence: the United States of Europe, a
new nation led by 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. . . .
