1635: The Dreeson Incident

I've followed this series since it began and this book has been added to my shelf beside all the others. In the most part, the action moves right along and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

This is another great book from the ring of fire series. Not as much action as other ones, this book is more leading up to more action. If you like the series this book is well worth your money.

This isn't a simple book. It's a book which mirrors the complexity of real history, complex interpersonal relationships, things that happen for weird, or even silly reasons, history turning because someone didn't like someone elses aunt. If you're not willing to give in and play with the complexity, then waiting for the next book, which will be an Eric Flint solo novel might be worth it. Come back and pick this one up later. If you LIKE complexity, if you are fascinated by how a staple here and a ribbon there and the mimeo machine breaking down _just then_ effects how history turns, then this is a fun book. It's clearly not for everyone. The sequel to Baltic War and Galileo Affair will be along soon. The Pope being chased out of Rome, the defense of Vienna, the war against the Poles... all those things will come. Grantville has turned into a side story, and this novel follows those side paths in their wonderous interweaving. For folks like me, who have read all 3 million words in print in the series, and who participate on [...], and who read the Grantville Gazette on line, this is a fun book. But it's not the place to START in the series. But for all that, I loved it. Rick Boatright (member of the Grantville Gazette editorial Board)

This book is primarily for those who are already familiar with the 1632 universe. If you are starting the series with this book, stop now and go pick up 1632. You won't be able to understand it otherwise. If you are familiar with it however, it advances the universe quite well and is thoroughly enjoyable. Eric's trademark humor is apparent throughout the book as well.

The Dreeson Incident (2008) is the eighth alternate history novel in the Assiti Shards series, following 1634: The Bavarian Crisis. Within the internal chronology, it takes place shortly after 1635: The Cannon Law. In that volume, Michel Ducos came close to assassinating the Pope. The French Huguenot was foiled by the Stone boys and had to flee from Rome. Tom Stone and his wife Magda were staying in Italy. Frank Stone had married Giovanna and returned to Venice, but Ron and Gerry were coming back to Grantville. Ron was taking charge of the family industries there and Gerry intended to enroll in the boy's school at Rodolstadt. In this novel, the leaders of the French Huguenot group under Michel Ducos are in Scotland making plans to embarrass Richelieu. Michel has left strict instructions for the group in Frankfurt to do nothing until he gives them new orders. Guillaume Locquifier is standing pat while the others are urging him to do something. He doesn't want Ducos to again call him stupid. Duke Henri de Rohan is the highest ranking Huguenot and has his own group of agents monitoring events throughout Europe. He also would like to see Richelieu removed from office, but he views the radical actions of Ducos as self-defeating. He has been gathering information about the events in Rome. Rohan writes a letter to his brother Benjamin -- the Duke of Soubise -- explaining the incident in Rome. He also writes letters to his agents in Grantville, Frankfurt and elsewhere warning of the escape of Ducos and ordering them to notify him if Ducos appears. Rohan has two double agents working within the Ducos operation. Jacques-Pierre Dumais is one of the double agents working for the Duke. He has a job in Grantville as a garbage man. Amazingly, he is making many contacts among the uptimers just by being impressed at their knowledge. He also uses his French Huguenot origins to bypass their anti-kraut sentiments. Francisco Nasi has also been trying to track down Ducos. His agents and others have been sending reports on activities in Grantville and elsewhere within the State of Thuringia-Franconia. He is slowly beginning to understand the pattern of Huguenot actions within his jurisdiction. Henry Dreeson is the Mayor of Grantville. He goes on a grand progress toward Fulda to meet his wife Veronica upon her return from the trip to the Upper Palantine. He motors through Thuringia stopping at every small village, showing the ATVs to the residents and allowing the children to sit in the vehicles. He occasionally gives a speech to the local mayors and councilmen. Denise Beasley starts giving Missy Jenkins and Pam Hardesty lessons on her motorcycle, but Buster takes over after he audits a lesson. He states that she is doing fairly well and is a fine rider herself, but she does not have enough experience in teaching to give the girls a thorough introduction to the sport. Denise understands his point and the girls profit from his instruction.