Long-time Eric Flint collaborator and Stanford-educated historian Virginia DeMarce delivers an intricate web of interrelated adventures in alternate history master Eric Flint's hugely popular “Ring of Fire” series. A cosmic accident sets the modern town of Grantville, West Virginia, down in war-torn seventeenth century Europe and a new nation is forged. <P>Now bewildered down-timers and freedom-loving future folk who lived near the “displaced” form the future must learn to weave their lives together.  21st century ideals run head-on into medieval skullduggery – along with a few admirable ancient customs that aren't going to crumble overnight.  Or ever. Up-timer and down-timer alike fight it out, strike deals, and forge a new nation.  To do so, both sides must break a few mind-forged manacles in the process.<b> </b><P><b>About </b><b><I>1634: The Bavarian Crisis</i></b><b> by Eric Flint and Virginia DeMarce:</b><P>“. . . fascinating reading. . .  . It is especially refreshing to read…how modern ideas of human rights, education…and law might have affected the Europe of the 30 Years War.” —<I>Publishers Weekly</i> <P><b>About Eric Flint's “Ring of Fire” series:</b><P>“This alternate history series is…a landmark…” – <I>Booklist</i><P>“[Eric] Flint's <I>1632</i> universe seems to be inspiring a whole new crop of gifted alternate historians.”–<I>Booklist</i><P>“…reads like a technothriller set in the age of the Medicis…”– <I>Publishers Weekly</i><P>“…each new entry appears better than the previous one, a seemingly impossible feat…terrific.” – <I>Midwest Book Review</i>