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Contents

BAEN BOOKS

TEACHER’S GUIDE TO 1636: THE KREMLIN GAMES

BY ERIC FLINT, GORG HUFF, AND PAULA GOODLETT




Contents:



Recommended reading levels:

Because of the mature nature of some of the material included in the book, included attempted rape, violence, and language, classroom use of this book is probably most appropriate for upper-level high school students. The book would be particularly effective for upper-level classes in European History, World History, or Western Civilization.



Biographical information on Eric Flint:

Eric Flint was born in Southern California in 1947 and graduated from high school in Los Angeles. After high school, Flint completed a B. A. from UCLA in 1968 and pursued a Ph. D. in Southern African History but left after three years of study to working as a political activist. Over the next thirty years, Flint made a living working a variety of jobs including truck driver, meatpacker, glass blower, and machinist. In 1992 Flint decided to return to writing after many years. Since then, Flint has authored or co-authored dozens of successful pieces, particularly in the area of alternate history, fantasy, and science fiction.

Biographical resources for Eric Flint on the web:


Gorg Huff is a Texan who has helped in researching the Ring of Fire series background, written numerous stories for the Grantville Gazette, and contributed both maps and drawings to 1634: The Bavarian Crisis. Gorg began as a solo writer, but now principally teams with Paula Goodlett.


Paula Goodlett started reading the 1632 series after a knee injury. Once a member of the military, Paula now works with Eric Flint and contributed key ideas to 1634: The Ram Rebellion. She also edits the Grantville Gazettes series and other e-books in the Ring of Fire series. She often writes with Gorg Huff. Together, they've written The Birdie Tales among other works. For more information about Paula Goodlett, please see http://ericflint.wikia.com/wiki/Paula_Goodlett.



Suggested class activity: Have your students read about Eric Flint and his coauthors from various sources, including Flint’s own site, before beginning the book. Based on what they learn, they can create predictions for what kind of ideas and themes may be present in 1636: The Kremlin Games with a follow-up reflection after reading.



Background to the Ring of Fire series:

Flint first published 1632 in 2000 with Baen books. Considered within the genre alternate history, the novel begins when the space/time continuum becomes disrupted and the citizens of Grantville find themselves in Germany in the year 1632. Since then, a number of sequels and spin-offs exist as well as a fan site where members can contribute to the 1632 universe. The fan site is located at http://1632.org and the e-zine, The Grantville Gazette, can be found at http://www.grantvillegazette.com/ . Students may enjoy exploring the sites to get a feel for the Ring of Fire universe and understand some of the terminology such as “up-timer” and main events.



Plot Summary:

Vladimir Gorchakov, a prince from Russia, arrives in Grantville with Boris Petrov, a bureaucrat, to determine whether or not the Ring of Fire happened or is a hoax. Once they discover that the Ring of Fire truly brought a town from the future into the region of Germany in their time period, Vladimir and Boris begin to see the opportunities to benefit Russia. The ties between Grantville and Russia strengthen throughout the book, including Vladimir’s wedding to a Grantville resident Brandy Bates and the relocation of some Grantville residents to Russia. The first Grantville resident to move to Russia, Bernie Zeppi, lives at a Dacha with Vladimir’s sister and Russia’s top minds to create a type of think tank that will produce the tools Russia needs to progress and flourish. Bernie’s presence changes Russia in many ways, and not all of them are expected. Bernie assists in the creation of updated weapons, road scrapers, and dirigibles, but he also helps lower the mortality rate during a typhoid epidemic and encourages Russians to rethink the practice of serfdom. Even the czar begins to reconsider serfdom and contemplates a constitutional monarchy. Not all of these changes are welcome, however, and some influential families attempt to take over the country. In the end, Bernie, Natasha, and others rescue the czar and head to the east of the country in hopes of starting a new kind of life for Russians, one that includes more equality.



Major Characters:




Guide to Part 1 - chapters 1-5




Guide to Part 2 - chapters 6-28




Guide to Part 3 - chapters 29-44




Guide to Part 4 - chapters 45-62




Guide to Part 5 - chapters 63-69




Guide to Part 6 - chapters 70-83


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