Book List
1. 1635: The Papal Stakes by Eric Flint and Charles Gannon.
This is the third volume in the Italian sub-series of Flint's 1632 alternate histories, a direct sequel to 1634: The Galileo Affair and 1635: The Cannon Law. With Cardinal Borja having usurped the papacy from Pope Urban, and taken hostage the up-timer Frank Stone and his pregnant down-timer wife Giovanna, their allies must attempt a daring rescue -- but it will be costlier than they can imagine. Meanwhile, Pope Urban, in hiding, must grapple with the theological consequences of the up-timers' arrival. If the popes from his future were really popes, and hence infallible about Catholic doctrine, then is future canon law, and its tolerance for other religions binding on the 17th century Church?
I was a little nervous going into this one, because the main author changed from the first two books (as usual with Baen novels, the primary author is the second, lesser-known name). Some of the 1632 co-authors have been decidedly weaker than others. On the whole though, the book works well. Its main weakness is that it feels overlong for the amount of plot it covers. There are a few set-piece action scenes against random pirates that seem to be there only to add more battles, and could have been safely cut, especially since the four major action scenes that do further the plot are well-done and would have been plenty.
Oddly (or perhaps not, since I'm so interested in religion), the strongest part for me were the occasional theological discussions.
Between this and The Kremlin Games, I'm now (finally) caught up on the series, minus some short stories which I'll get to eventually, and a couple of novels I've decided to skip because I've learned not to read from that co-author.
2. History of Ancient Egypt Audio course by Bob Brier.
This is the third volume in the Italian sub-series of Flint's 1632 alternate histories, a direct sequel to 1634: The Galileo Affair and 1635: The Cannon Law. With Cardinal Borja having usurped the papacy from Pope Urban, and taken hostage the up-timer Frank Stone and his pregnant down-timer wife Giovanna, their allies must attempt a daring rescue -- but it will be costlier than they can imagine. Meanwhile, Pope Urban, in hiding, must grapple with the theological consequences of the up-timers' arrival. If the popes from his future were really popes, and hence infallible about Catholic doctrine, then is future canon law, and its tolerance for other religions binding on the 17th century Church?
I was a little nervous going into this one, because the main author changed from the first two books (as usual with Baen novels, the primary author is the second, lesser-known name). Some of the 1632 co-authors have been decidedly weaker than others. On the whole though, the book works well. Its main weakness is that it feels overlong for the amount of plot it covers. There are a few set-piece action scenes against random pirates that seem to be there only to add more battles, and could have been safely cut, especially since the four major action scenes that do further the plot are well-done and would have been plenty.
Oddly (or perhaps not, since I'm so interested in religion), the strongest part for me were the occasional theological discussions.
Between this and The Kremlin Games, I'm now (finally) caught up on the series, minus some short stories which I'll get to eventually, and a couple of novels I've decided to skip because I've learned not to read from that co-author.
2. History of Ancient Egypt Audio course by Bob Brier.