Worlds

by Eric Flint

Welcome to the many worlds of Eric Flint. Known for his New York Times best-selling alternate history novels, Flint is equally a master of shorter forms, and this large volume gathers the best of Flint's shorter works.

This generous selection includes: several stories and short novels set in Flint's celebrated Ring of Fire alternate history series; two stories from Flint's Joe's World humorous fantasy series; a story with Dave Freer, set in their popular rats, bats and vats series; a short novel set in Flint and David Drake's Belisarius series; and several shared-universe stories set in David Drake's Foreign Legions universe, and a story set in David Weber's best-selling Honor Harrington universe.

In addition to the fiction, Eric Flint has written an overall introduction, plus an introduction for each story, telling how it came to be written, which will make this an irresistible book for the thousands of Eric Flint fans.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Short Stories, Alternate History, Science Fiction Fantasy, Ebooks, Fiction

576 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2009

About the author

Eric Flint was a New York Times bestselling American author, editor, and e-publisher. The majority of his main works were alternate history science fiction, but he also wrote humorous fantasy adventures.

Reviews

[Peter Tillman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this collection when it was published, but had forgotten that "Islands," the opening novella, was so fine. This is an entirely splendid piece of work, easily one of the author's very best. Set in the Belisaurius altiverse of David Drake but far finer than anything there, that I've seen anyway. And with his strongest woman character since... well, ever, I think. A 5-star story, most highly recommended.

Made me cry at least twice. Wonderful story. Terrific story. Fabulous story .... well, you get the idea. It does open a little slowly, but by chapter 2, it's well underway.

Available free online at http://www.baen.com/Chapters/14165914...

Here’s what the author wrote about his story:
“It's probably the best piece of short fiction I've ever written—certainly in some respects—and it's one of the best things I've ever written in any length.”

[Mark Smiley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the several books of the Ring of Fire series which I have read. I enjoyed the alternate history and how modern man changed the world of the past this collection contains several stories in that universe as well as other stories set in other series. Not being familiar with them, I did not get the tie-ins as much and merely read through what was there.
This was my car book...the book I knelt in the car to read while out on errands or otherwise waiting. As such, it being a paperback, has sadly come apart. I guess I should only keep hardbound books to read in the vehicle.
Mr Flint writes very well, is knowledgeable about history and brings the two together well.

[Andy Zach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Flint has a delightful collection of his shorter fiction in this book. He has novella-sized works from the Bellisarius series, the 1632 series, the Philosophical Stranger series. and the Rats, Vats, and Bats series. Each one shows his writing chops and quirky sense of humor.

Required for all Eric Flint fans.

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Found out I had read many parts of this volume in other books. The new items filled in many little gaps in various series from this author. His notes also added a bit of history to his work. A nice collecton for fans of Eric Flint.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

Wonderful writer who knows how to write engaging stories in exciting worlds. Fun to read with interesting characters. Absolutely fantastic.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but I probably won't keep it. On the good side are the incredible knowledge and width of the author. The book was well-edited to keep the stories complete while giving a glimpse of much greater universes Mr. Flint has conceived. If you enjoy history, you will want to work to find the references. It was a hard book to put down.

On the bad side, there is too often a class warfare shadow, a hint at populism, and the wonder if he writes to stick it to leadership. The dust jacket back flap reveals he is a union organizer, and this is telling. We have way too much left in American society to have it snuck into literature as additional insult.

Besides, on a funny note, I wouldn't have chosen Carthago Delenda Est. I would have chosen Alea Iacta Est.

[Tim Hicks · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me.
Flint has a smooth enough writing style, and does decent characters, but overall the material is all Heinlein and testosterone. Ten percent of the aliens and humans are smart, jolly fellows who recognize our hero's sterling qualities. The other ninety percent are stupid, to be scorned and manipulated and slaughtered, and I mean slaughtered in the best yee-ha, let's kick some butt manner. Anything goes if you're on OUR side.

I'm sure there's a large audience for this, but I am not among them.

[Howard Brazee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has novelettes from various series that Eric Flint writes. As such it gives readers an excellent chance to try his writing.

Personally, I am very much sold on his historical SF, not at all sold on his comic fantasy, and OK with his other stuff. If your tastes are the opposite, you will still find it as useful as I did.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read as usual, loved the excerpts from the Grantville Gazettes and the story about how Jim Baen would give the artist an imaginative idea and then Eric Flint would have to write his story around the cover art. Hilarious stories from other worlds too.

[Kevin Connery · Rating 3 out of 5]

He really is better at the longer forms.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eric Flint is very hit or miss with me.

Having said that , I really enjoy his books set in 'Joe's Universe'.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Includes a story set in the Honor Harrington universe--one of my favorite places to visit.

[Kenneth Flusche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good short story's some better than others, for those new to Eric they are an intro to his worlds and characters.

[Howard]

2

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Surprising. Seldom is a long winded story teller also able to do brevity. The only bad thing about this book is that it runs out all too soon.

[Steven Minniear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable catching up old friends.