Eric Flint's "Ring of Fire" Series Quiz

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. While this series of novels and short stories is often referred to as the "Ring of Fire", another common name for the series references the title of the first novel. Which year provides the title of that novel?

Answer: 1632

"1632" was published in 2000. While some of the novel is set in 1631, the climatic scenes of the novel are set in 1632. The second novel, "1633", was published in 2002. Several novels in the series include 1634 as part of their titles. "1633" is clearly a sequel to "1632", but after that there are several story threads that run at the same time and overlap each other in novels as well as the short stories and novellas in the "Ring of Fire" books (actually named "Ring of Fire," "Ring of Fire II", etc.) as well as the "Grantville Gazettes" (both in-print and on-line).

The basic premise of the series is that the neglectful action of a group of aliens created a beam of energy (known as the Ring of Fire) that transported a spherical area centered on Grantville from the present back to the past.

2. The town of Grantville--including the high school cafeteria where a wedding reception was occurring-- was transported from the year 2000 back to the seventeenth century. Which real life town was Eric Flint's basis for Grantville?

Answer: Mannington, WV

Mannington, like Grantville, is located in Marion County, WV. Mannington experienced a boom in the early 20th century with the development of the oil and gas industries in the town, but by the 2000 census (the year when "1632" begins) the population had declined to about 2,100 people. Grantville's high school is based on North Marion High School, which is located about four miles north of Mannington in Farmington, WV. Eric Flint has stated that he wrote "1632" in part for two reasons. First, he wanted to present a positive portrayal of people in a rural community (in comparison to some situations where they are presented as ignorant yokels). Second, he wanted to promote the idea that historical change occurs because of the actions of many regular people rather than a few great men or women.

3. Grantville has been transported back to the seventeenth century by the Ring of Fire, but not to North America. Where in Europe has Grantville been relocated?

Answer: Holy Roman Empire

Grantville was transported to Thuringia, in the southern part of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy Roman Empire, covering a large portion of Central Europe including much of modern Germany, was the site of much of the fighting during the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). Over time, in the later books, a hybrid language called AmiDeutsch (a mix of 20th century American English and 17th century German) becomes a common langauge in the area.

A theme in the series is the gradual replacement of the Holy Roman Empire with the Confederate Principalities of Europe and an earlier establishment of an Austrian Empire separate from the Holy Roman Empire.

4. Once in the seventeenth century, the people of Grantville agree to help the people of Badenberg defend their town from attackers. During this "Battle of Badenberg", Jeff Higgins discovers Gretchen Richter and other women near which building?

Answer: Latrine

The significance of the latrine gives the battle the less dignified name "Battle of the Crapper". Grantville had agreed to help defend the nearby town of Badenberg from attack. During the battle, Jeff Higgins and other teenagers who had been serving as bicycle messengers during the battle discover Gretchen and some other women standing near the latrine.

Inside the latrine was Gretchen's young son in the company of Gretchen's younger sister. This moment brought together an important duo in the story line, as Gretchen would soon become involved with the Committees of Correspondence that play a role in several novels of the series and Jeff would become a significant figure in the military of Grantville and its successor states.

5. The people of Grantville soon realize that their current government is not sufficient to the current crisis. Miner Mike Stearns wins election as chairman of the Grantville Emergency Committee and then names several other people who will serve with him. Which of the following is not named?

Answer: Buster Beasley

Buster Beasley was a biker, bike gang member, welder, and self-storage lot owner. A physically large and powerful man, Buster was probably involved in some illegal or at least questionable activities over the years. Not a main character, he does appear in supporting roles in several of the novels.

A positive side of his personality is shown in his interactions with his wife Kristin and daughter Denise. Melissa Mailey was a social studies teacher at the town high school who provided much needed advice on history, politics, and economics. Quentin Underwood was the manager of the local mine. James Nichols was a medical doctor and father of Sharon, who was a friend of the bride whose wedding reception began "1632".

6. The first novel ends with Mike Stearns concluding a treaty with a real-life seventeenth century European monarch to create the Confederated Principalities of Europe. With which monarch does he make this treaty?

Answer: Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden

Gustavus Adolphus, or Gustav II Adolf (1594-1632), ruled Sweden from 1611 to 1532 and was a significant military commander in the first half of the Thirty Years War (1618-1648). Playing a significant role in several of the novels, Gustavus is presented in a generally positive light. One of the impacts of the Ring of Fire was Gustavus not being killed in battle in 1632, as happened in our timeline. Philip IV (1605-1665) became king of Spain in 1621 and makes some appearances in a few novels of the series, as does Louis XIII (1601-1643) of France (1610-1643)--who in the "Ring of Fire" series dies several years earlier than in our timeline--as well as Ferdinand III (1608-1657) of Austria (ascends 1634 in the "Ring of Fire") or of the Holy Roman Empire (reigns 1637-1657 in our time line).

7. As the series progresses, "downtimers" (people from the seventeenth century) begin to play important roles in addition to "uptimers". One such person was Hans Richter, brother of Gretchen Richter, who becomes a pilot and war hero. To which other character did Hans become engaged?

Answer: Sharon Nichols

Sharon Nichols, a trained nurse, was engaged to Hans Richter in 1633 and was quite saddened by his death. She is able to start a new chapter of her life when she becomes part of the "American" delegation traveling to the city of Venice. She and Anne Jefferson (another nurse) were friends and bridesmaids at the wedding of Rita Stearns (a third nurse) and Tom Simpson (a former college football standout who was almost good enough to go pro). Mary Simpson was not a nurse but instead a wealthy woman who had been involved in various charitable causes in and around Pittsburgh, PA, the mother of Tom and mother-in-law of Rita.

8. Before Grantville became part of the Confederated Principalities of Europe, it was part of the New United States (NUS). During the first elections of the NUS, exactly one senator is elected (since the NUS has a grand total of one state at that point). Which woman holds this unique distinction?

Answer: Rebecca Abrabanel

Rebecca, daughter of Balthazar, is like him a Sephardic Jew. During the course of "1632" Rebecca and Mike grow closer to each other and eventually are married. Early on, Mike recognizes Rebecca's intelligence and feels that she could be an important leader.

He wished to have their wedding after the election so that she could be elected at least once under her birth name. Rebecca continues to be an important character in several of the Ring of Fire novels. Julie Sims was a high school gymnast who is also a crack marksman. Marla Linder is a musician who is highly skilled vocally as well as with keyboard instruments. Noelle Murphy is a young woman who had considered becoming a nun before Grantville was thrown back into the seventeenth century.

9. In the "Ring of Fire Series", Mike Stearns wishes to "start the American Revolution early" and works for the creation of Committees of Correspondence to spread democratic ideals. Which fast-food restaurant is the inspiration for the meeting places of local Committees of Correspondence?

Answer: McDonald's

The meeting places are known as "Freedom Arches" even if the menu is somewhat different than McDonald's restaurants. They also each have a printing press onsite for printing leaflets and pamphlets. The first "Freedom Arches" was a converted McDonald's restaurant in Grantville that had been owned by town resident Andrew Yost.

In addition to democratic ideas, the Committees of Correspondence also promote modern technology and scientific ideas (including sanitation and health matters).

10. Eric Flint is known for frequently collaborating with other authors. Who co-wrote the second novel of the "Ring of Fire" series, named after just a year with no sub-title, with Eric Flint?

Answer: David Weber

David Weber (born 1952) is an author who, in addition to co-writing "1633" with Eric Flint, may be best known for his "Honor Harrington" series of books. Eric Flint (born 1947) is an author who in addition to creating the "Ring of Fire" or "1632" series has also written several other series of books, including one focusing on the Byzantine general Belisarius. Andrew Dennis co-wrote "1634: The Galileo Affair" and "1635: The Cannon Law" with Eric Flint. Virginia DeMarce (born 1940) is an author and historian who co-wrote "1634: The Bavarian Crisis" and "1635: The Dreeson Incident" with Eric Flint. Gorg Huff co-wrote "1636: The Kremlin Games" with Eric Flint and Paula Goodlett.

Source: Author bernie73

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor looney_tunes before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

This quiz is based on the first two novels from the "Ring of Fire" series created by Eric Flint.

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