Analyzing the Growth of Key Figures in the 1632 Universe

As expected from a massive alternate history book series containing dozens of volumes, the 1632 universe features a massive number of characters, both completely fictional and loosely based on actual historical figures.

Most of the main fictional characters are from Grantville, a small town in West Virginia, which gets transported back to 17th century Thuringian Forest in Central German as the country is fighting the Thirty Years’ War. The sudden and unexpected involvement of a small group of 21st century Americans, with all their knowledge of modern technology, medical skills, and weapon-building capabilities, will change the course of history. They’re not your typical superheroes with magical powers and fantastical swords, but regular yet resourceful ordinary people trying to make the best of the circumstances. Some of the key figures in the plight of Grantville during the bloody war are as follows.

Mike Stearns

He used to be the President of the United Mine Workers in the modern Grantville. For much of his adult life, Mike has been a union organizer for the coal miners in town. His political skills are put to a much higher stake in the time of war, as he is tasked with re-organizing the residents in their new reality.

Rita Simpson (née Stearns)

Mike’s sister and wife of Tom Simpson. Rita actually is having her wedding ceremony when the Ring of Fire – the strange incident that teleports Grantville to 17th century Thuringia – happens. She is educated as a nurse at the University of West Virginia. Rita becomes one of the first female members of the Grantville Army and part of the American delegation sent to the court of King Charles I in England.

Tom Simpson

Rita’s husband and the son of John and Mary Simpson. For much of his life in modern Grantville, many people see him as a source of disappointment to his parents. For instance, he attends school for football at the arguably less prestigious University of West Virginia, and he marries Rita, seen by his parents as a less than ideal (wealthy) daughter-in-law. In the new Grantville, however, Tom is the head of security for the American embassy and accompanies his wife to England.

John Chandler Simpson

Tom’s father and the CEO of a petrochemical corporation. John attempts to be considered a serious figure in the new Grantville, to no avail. He initially is nothing but a foil to Mike Stearns, but finally makes a name for himself when Mike picks him as the head of the New United States Navy.

James Nichols

A doctor who is a guest at Rita and Tom’s wedding, and is therefore sent back to the past along with the rest of the town. James uses his knowledge and skills as a doctor to train physicians in the new Grantville. He also is a former Marine, making him a truly valuable asset in town.

Sharon Nichols

Daughter of James Nichols, a nurse, and a Doctor-in-Training in modern Grantville. Sharon is the maid of honor at Rita and Tom’s wedding. Of all the American characters in the main thread series, she actually has one of the most consequential storylines to affect the course of the war from the new Grantville. Sharon is sent to Italy to establish a trade network with the Venetians. While on the mission, she attempts to share her medical knowledge with some prestigious universities in Italy as well.

In Venice, Sharon bumps into some local merchants who mention something about a secret radio used by the American embassy and proposes a shady deal that should provide her with enough funds to buy everything she needs. The local merchants are not entirely wrong; using the radio, they contact some embassies in the Baltic to get updates about which trade ships are coming and those that have sunk en route. Based on the information, they can buy futures for the arriving ships ahead of everybody else. Sharon knows that this would amount to insider trading, but such a thing is not against the law in the 17th century. She takes the deal, and within just a month, Grantville is loaded with money and supplies.

Tom Stone

Prior to the Ring of Fire incident, Tom Stone is the hippie guy in town, supporting his small family with small-scale farming and some weed gardening on the side. It turns out that his skill in chemistry, especially marijuana cultivation, is a valued asset that makes him even richer than an entire nation. In the new Grantville, he’s a priceless pharmacist and chemist. While he’s now wealthier than most kings, Tom never abandons his ideals of love, understanding, peace, and good weed.

Rebecca Stearns (née Abrabanel)

Upon realizing that Freedom of Religion can save her family from Christian persecution, Rebecca and her father are determined to bring the entire Abrabanel clan to the New United States. She’s there looking for some sort of asylum protection indeed, but she also brings valuable knowledge and mercantile connections to help Grantville thrive. Rebecca is one of the first “locals” to make direct contact with the people of Grantville. She speaks English well and is the one who explains where the Americans are at the moment. Mike relies on her knowledge and bilingual ability to deal with international affairs.

We think the people of Grantville make for the most exciting characters to follow in the 1632 universe. As mentioned earlier, you’ll also come across real historical figures, but their stories will not be the same as what you will find in history texts. 1632 is an alternate history novel, and the American characters are supposed to play major roles in this fictional world. What they do and their interactions with other leaders and kings of nations are the catalysts for changes. While it’s exciting to see how Europe will be implicated in this fictional history, nothing will happen if not for modern Americans in the story.

Is there any alternate history novel about the American Civil War? Do you think the book should also include real historical figures from 17th century America? We’d love to hear from you.

Other Things You Might Want to Know

Who were the main combatants in the Thirty Years’ War?

The struggle was primarily between the Holy Roman Empire (Roman Catholic and Habsburg) and a network of Protestant principalities and towns (which depended on anti-Catholic powers of Sweden and the United Netherlands). There was also a parallel rivalry between France against the Habsburgs of Spain and the empire. Most of the major battles took place in the principalities of Germany.