1637: Dr. Gribbleflotz and the Soul of Stoner

by Kerryn Offord, Rick Boatright

A 17th-century alchemist confronts modern science with unintended and amusing results. Another sparkling addition to the multiple New York Times best-selling Ring of Fire alternate history series created by Eric Flint.SCIENCE AND MEDICINE VS. FLIM-FLAMMERYThomas the Great Stoner Stone once performed miraculous surgery upon Phillip Theophrastus Gribbleflotz, the World’s Greatest Alchemist, using his bare hands, no anesthesia, producing no pain, and leaving no scar. It would have been wonderful if it was real.But Dr. Tom Stone, the face of modern medicine, has been engaging in fake treatments—bringing all modern medicine into question. Phillip, who has learned a thing or two about actual science from those up-time elopers from Grantville, West Virginia, decides to go to Padua and turn his problems into Tom Stone's problems.Meanwhile, the wily Bernardo Ponzi has assembled a team to support his evangelical touring roadshow featuring a light show, faith healing and yet more psychic surgery. Now Gribbleflotz and Stone are on a collision course with the Magnificent Ponzi, who has moved beyond showman-like fakery to causing actual harm to many people. It’s time for Gribbleflotz and Stone to resolve their differences, debunk one of history’s greatest bunko artists, and save the reputation of modern science and medicine from ruin!At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Management).About Eric Flint’s Ring of Fire “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 WeeklyKerryn Offord stumbled onto the 1632 universe in the beginning of 2003 when his father asked him to look up when 1633 would be released in paperback. He discovered Baen's Bar and has been active in the 1632 conferences ever since. He has had more than 50 stories published in the Grantville Gazette and has plans for many more. Although Dr. Gribbleflotz is Rick Boatright's creation, Kerryn lays claim to creating Dr. Phil.Rick Boatright is exactly the same age as Bill Gates and, like Bill, has been a software developer since the early 1970s, but in Rick's case, a developer for not-for-profit social service agencies. He's been a moderator of online forums as long as online forums have existed. Since 2001 he's been a writer and editor, as well as the Head Geek, for Eric Flint's 1632 alternate history world. He also held the Head Geek title for Jim Baen's Universe magazine. He is the perpetrator of the annual "Weird Tech" lectures associated with the 1632 minicon and was the creator of Ring of Fire series character, Dr. Gribbleflotz, the world's greatest alchemist.

Genres: Alternate History, Fiction, Time Travel, Science Fiction

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 7, 2021

Reviews

[Allen McDonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bittersweet

Knowing that one of the authors who wrote this, Rick Boatright, just passed away made reading this a bittersweet experience for me.

This novel picks up where the short story Dr. Phil Rules the Waves from Grantville Gazette IX left off and fully develops the character of Diane Cheng, medical student and Nurse. This story was a long time coming and resolves events which were begun with the short story Dye Another Day in the Ring Of Fire III anthology published in 2011. In this case the resolution is very satisfactory and I recommend every reader of the 1632 universe of stories adds this to their own collection.

[Redsteve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This installment has a bit more action than the previous Dr. Gribbleflotz novel, what with the World's Greatest Alchemist and his (rival?) (enemy?) Dr. Stone (uptime scientist and chemical magnate) being kidnapped by Italian bandits. So, more crime and violence in this one. But still good amounts of modern and 17th Century medicine and science. Also a medium dive into the Venetian government and "police" procedure. 4 stars.

[Kevin K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over subsequent novels, I've really warmed to Gribbleflotz as a character. Sure, he's a bit of a weiner and all about those dollar bills, but his heart is generally in the right place, and he believes in science.

This was an entertaining book, and fleshing out what's going on in the Padua / Venice area is quite nice. I'm sure the ramifications of Stone's investment in the city (operating theater), and the results of iodized salt will do something to effect the Ottoman hoard that's likely coming.

All in all, I dug this.

[Htet Htet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a fan of Dr. Phillips Gribbleflotz and I have been thoroughly disgruntled that Dr. Stone and some looked at Dr. Phil as a charlatan! Finally, this book knocks the issue out of the park! Dr. Stone finally have to admit that Dr. Phil is a bona fide physician and alchemist! Hooray!!! I love the ending! The epilogue is about 4 lines but, gosh, makes me grin.

This is a zany and fun story. We have kidnapping, real charlatans (oxymoron!), show surgeries, and the making of a lot of money for Dr. Phil (as usual)!

All the more reason that I mourn the passing of Rick Boatright. There's chemistry and (science and facts) to the rescue! Dr. Phil shines with his characteristic showmanship and creativity! Love Diana (a real go-getter and model of competency), Stephen (absolute gem of competency!), Frau. Mittlehausen (Dr. Phil is so lucky to have her oversee his empire), and even Sebastian with his ever present camera. Tom Stone is of course as delightful as ever.

I really hope and wish there's more stories of Dr. Gribbleflotz (RB's absence will be keenly felt) but even if there isn't I feel like this closes the story arc very nicely. You don't have to be a fan of 1632 to enjoy Dr. Gribbleflotz stories but really should read the series and this duology.

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun thriller in the Dr. Gribbleflotz part of the Ring of Fire Books. Alchemy and Chemistry - which is the real science? Medicine - what is real science and real fake? What happens when you kidnap a chemist, an alchemist, a medically trained special forces type then give them a laboratory to work in? Read and find out. You will enjoy the drama and the fireworks. Human drama is thrown in for good measure. Recommended.

[Allen Mather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fools Me!

I wasn't a fan of the previous Dr. Gribbleflotz stories, so was surprised how much I enjoyed this one. Probably due to it having new characters and plot lines. I was caught up in the kidnapping, and the attempts to thwart the bad guys. Kudos to the authors for an engrossing tale!

[Stephen Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing Adventures of Gribbleflotz

The good doctor continues to learn modern science and sell it to the down time world. This edition has more thrills than usual: high crimes from low confidence men, illness of a king and pregnant wife.

As usual a lot of fun.

[Stan Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Homage to Rick Boatright

Well done. A fine readable story. Some people might quibble at the characterization of Dr. Gribbleflotz. He comes off quite differently than in the original stories.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dr. Gribbleflotz storyline is one of the best (IMHO) additions to the Ring of Fire series by Eric Flint. Great science with hilarious discussions while dealing with a crisis or 2 that could only come from the wonderful authors who came up with these ideas. Please tell more!

[LinHigley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh! What a fun time and the wonders of alchemy \oops chemistry

I can't tell you how fun this read was without spoilers. Any young person with a scientific bent will wonder if chemistry class will be a bit less "boring". Lol

[Michael Blevins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

It really helps if you are familiar with the characters in the1632 universe. Fun read.I will want to see more of these characters.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric Flint's collaborators in his ROF universe continue to turn out excellent stories (slightly off the main storylines) that add depth to that body of work.

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

More filler of previous events that add to the overall story and characters. Interaction in Venice opens a new plot area.

[Ken Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heavy on Technical Aspects

Good story, but gets weight down with technical explanations. It slow in development but good characters. Follows the main line of the series.

[Jim Purcell · Rating 2 out of 5]

A slow read because of all the "costume description iterations and reiterations" and other trivia. It would have been better stripped of these and other cutesy distractions.

[Joe Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drs. Stone and Gribbleflotz - a most interesting pair

Dr. Stone is caught in a web of Dr. G's alchemy. The results are a most interesting read. At times humorous, at times serious, always entertaining. The development of several "supporting cast" members certainly is enjoyable and sets the stage for more branches in the 1632 universe.

I certainly hope that there is more to follow.