20th Century American Spirit Meets Seductive and Dangerous Vienna of the
1600s!
The United States of Europe, the new nation formed by an alliance between the
Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus and the West Virginians hurled back in time
by a cosmic accident, is beset by enemies on all sides. But now, as a young new
emperor comes to the throne in Austria, an opening has developed for making
peace with at least one branch of the farflung and mighty Habsburg dynasty.
This is no job for diplomats or generals, however. The recently formed Austro-
Hungarian empire is teetering on the brink of economic collapse. So, the USE
sends auto mechanics and financiers to the rescue. But the mechanics are
West Virginia hillbillies and the financiers are mostly teenage American girls,
risen to wealth by taking advantage of the new opportunities created by the
Ring of Fire.
Ready to greet them upon their arrival in Vienna is an emperor uncertain of
his goals, common folk desperate for work, noblemen with intentions both fair
and foul, priests plotting on all sides—and a prince unclear on the distinction
between passion and lechery.
To put it mildly, a culture clash is in the making here. What better way to
bridge the gap than to create a race track for the emperor’s new muscle car?
And so the dance begins.
Listen to the author discuss the book here on the Baen Free Radio Hour.
20th Century American Spirit Meets Seductive and Dangerous Vienna of the
1600s!
The United States of Europe, the new nation formed by an alliance between the
Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus and the West Virginians hurled back in time
by a cosmic accident, is beset by enemies on all sides. But now, as a young new
emperor comes to the throne in Austria, an opening has developed for making
peace with at least one branch of the farflung and mighty Habsburg dynasty.
This is no job for diplomats or generals, however. The recently formed Austro-
Hungarian empire is teetering on the brink of economic collapse. So, the USE
sends auto mechanics and financiers to the rescue. But the mechanics are
West Virginia hillbillies and the financiers are mostly teenage American girls,
risen to wealth by taking advantage of the new opportunities created by the
Ring of Fire.
Ready to greet them upon their arrival in Vienna is an emperor uncertain of
his goals, common folk desperate for work, noblemen with intentions both fair
and foul, priests plotting on all sides—and a prince unclear on the distinction
between passion and lechery.
To put it mildly, a culture clash is in the making here. What better way to
bridge the gap than to create a race track for the emperor’s new muscle car?
And so the dance begins.
Listen to the author discuss the book here on the Baen Free Radio Hour.
20th Century American Spirit Meets Seductive and Dangerous Vienna of the
1600s!
The United States of Europe, the new nation formed by an alliance between the
Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus and the West Virginians hurled back in time
by a cosmic accident, is beset by enemies on all sides. But now, as a young new
emperor comes to the throne in Austria, an opening has developed for making
peace with at least one branch of the farflung and mighty Habsburg dynasty.
This is no job for diplomats or generals, however. The recently formed Austro-
Hungarian empire is teetering on the brink of economic collapse. So, the USE
sends auto mechanics and financiers to the rescue. But the mechanics are
West Virginia hillbillies and the financiers are mostly teenage American girls,
risen to wealth by taking advantage of the new opportunities created by the
Ring of Fire.
Ready to greet them upon their arrival in Vienna is an emperor uncertain of
his goals, common folk desperate for work, noblemen with intentions both fair
and foul, priests plotting on all sides—and a prince unclear on the distinction
between passion and lechery.
To put it mildly, a culture clash is in the making here. What better way to
bridge the gap than to create a race track for the emperor’s new muscle car?
And so the dance begins.
Listen to the author discuss the book here on the Baen Free Radio Hour.
