1636: The China Venture: Volume 27(Ring of Fire)

THE RING OF FIRE SERIES TAKES TO THE FAR EAST! The United States of Europe finds itself embroiled in international intrigue as the up-timers attempt to establish an embassy in Ming dynasty–era China.  VENTURE TO SAVE AN EMPIRE The newly formed United States of Europe sends an embassy to the Chinese Empire to open trade talks for all-important, critical resources. Granted, they are ones no one has ever needed before, but that was before the town of Grantville, West Virginia, showed up from 300 years in the future. There’s even an ally to gain along the way: Zheng Zhilong is a former pirate, now an admiral for the Ming navy, and the head of a wealthy and powerful Fujian province trading family. More impressively, he has read the Grantville history books given to him by his Jesuit missionary connections. He knows the Ming dynasty is about to be hit with famine, bandit armies, and barbarian invaders. He is determined that his family will survive. It may be too late. Official China is famously suspicious of foreigners. Can the up-timers and their friends persuade the mandarins to establish trade and diplomatic relations with the young United States of Europe? Their greatest asset is also their greatest curse: knowledge that China is due for decades of mass suffering and civil war. Changes must come, but changes also bring their own deadly consequences!   About 1636: The China Venture: "An entertaining read."—The Galveston County Daily News About 1636: Seas of Fortune by Iver P. Cooper: ". . . expand[s] the Ring of Fire universe into new or previously limited geography and culture. 'Stretching Out' includes seven excellent entries mostly in South America and the Caribbean built on real events but with a nice Grantville twist. 'Rising Sun' contains five terrific tales . . . also built on real events enhanced by historical speculation but with a nice Grantville twist."—Alternate Worlds About 1635: A Parcel of Rogues: "The 20th volume in this popular, fast-paced alternative history series follows close on the heels of the events in The Baltic War, picking up with the protagonists in London, including sharpshooter Julie Sims. This time the 20th-century transplants are determined to prevent the rise of Oliver Cromwell and even have the support of King Charles."—Library Journal About 1634: The Galileo Affair: "A rich, complex alternate history with great characters and vivid action. A great read and an excellent book."—David Drake "Gripping . . . depicted with power!"—Publishers Weekly About Eric Flint's Ring of Fire series: “This alternate history series is . . . a landmark . . . ”—Booklist “[Eric] Flint's 1632 universe seems to be inspiring a whole new crop of gifted alternate historians.”—Booklist “ . . . reads like a technothriller set in the age of the Medicis . . . ”—Publishers Weekly

About the Author :
Eric Flint was the creator of the New York Times best-selling Ring of Fire series, the best-selling alternate history series of all time. Beginning with 1632, Flint—along with dozens of cowriters—chronicled what happened when the 20th-century town of Grantville, West Virginia, was transported through time and space to 17th-century Europe. In addition, Flint was the author, with New York Times best seller David Weber, of the Crown of Slaves Saga, as well as the Belisarius series with best-selling author David Drake. Flint was the editor of Jim Baen’s Universe, as well as numerous short story anthologies. Before becoming a writer, Flint worked as a trade union organizer, longshoreman, truck driver, auto worker, steel worker, oil worker, meatpacker, glassblower, and machinist. Eric Flint passed away in 2022. Iver P. Cooper has been an active contributor to Eric Flint’s Ring of Fire universe, with short stories and articles published in the online Grantville Gazette and in the hardcover anthology Ring of Fire II. He is the author of 1636: Seas of Fortune. Cooper is an intellectual property law attorney with Browdy & Neimark, Washington DC. He has received legal writing awards from the American Patent Law Association, the U.S. Trademark Association, and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, and is the sole author of Biotechnology and the Law, now in its twenty-somethingth edition. In his spare time, he teaches swing and folk dancing, and participates in local photo club competitions. Cooper is married with a son and daughter.