1636: The China Venture

VENTURE TO SAVE ANEMPIREThe newly formed United Statesof Europe sends an embassy to the Chinese Empire to open trade talks forall-important, critical resources. Granted, they are ones no one has ever neededbefore, but that was before the town of Grantville, West Virginia, showed upfrom 300 years in thefuture.There’s even an ally togain along the way: Zheng Zhilong is a former pirate, now an admiral for theMing navy, and the head of a wealthy and powerful Fujian province tradingfamily. More impressively, he has read the Grantville history books given to himby his Jesuit missionary connections. He knows the Ming dynasty is about to behit with famine, bandit armies, and barbarian invaders. He is determined thathis family will survive.It may be toolate. Official China is famously suspicious of foreigners. Can the up-timers andtheir friends persuade the mandarins to establish trade and diplomatic relationswith the young United States of Europe? Their greatest asset is also theirgreatest curse: knowledge that China is due for decades of mass suffering andcivil war. Changes must come, but changes also bring their own deadlyconsequences!  About 1636:The China Venture:"Anentertaining read."—The Galveston County DailyNewsAbout 1636: Seasof Fortune by Iver P.Cooper:". . . expand[s] the Ringof Fire universe into new or previously limited geography and culture.''Stretching Out'' includes seven excellent entries mostly in South Americaand the Caribbean built on real events but with a nice Grantville twist. ''RisingSun'' contains five terrific tales . . . also built on real events enhancedby historical speculation but with a nice Grantville twist."—AlternateWorldsAbout 1635: AParcel of Rogues:"The 20th volumein this popular, fast-paced alternative history series follows close on theheels of the events in The Baltic War, picking up with theprotagonists in London, including sharpshooter Julie Sims. This time the20th-century transplants are determined to prevent the rise of Oliver Cromwelland even have the support of King Charles."—LibraryJournalAbout 1634: TheGalileo Affair:"A rich, complexalternate history with great characters and vivid action. A great read and anexcellent book."—DavidDrake"Gripping . . . depictedwith power!"—PublishersWeeklyAbout Eric Flint''s Ringof Fire series:“Thisalternate history series is . . . a landmark . . .”—Booklist“[Eric]Flint''s 1632 universe seems to be inspiring a whole new crop of gifted alternatehistorians.”—Booklist“. . . reads like a technothriller set in the age of the Medicis . .. ”—Publishers Weekly