The Thirty Years War continues to ravage 17th century
Europe, but a new force is gathering power and influence:
the Confederated Principalities of Europe, an alliance
between Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, and the West
Virginians from the 20th century led by Mike Stearns who
were hurled centuries into the past by a mysterious cosmic
accident. The democratic ideals of the CPE have aroused
the implacable hostility of Cardinal Richelieu, effective
ruler of France, who has moved behind the scenes, making
common cause with old enemies to stop this new threat to
the privileged and powerful. But the CPE is also working
in secret. A group of West Virginians have secretly
traveled to Venice where their advanced medical knowledge
may prevent the recurrence of the terrible plague which
recently killed a third of the city-state's population. At
the same time, the group hopes to establish commercial
ties with Turkey's Ottoman Empire, then at the height of
its power. And, most important, they hope to establish
private diplomatic ties with the Vatican, exploiting Pope
Urban VIII's misgivings about the actions of Richelieu and
the Hapsburgs. But a Venetian artisan involved with the
West Virginians may cause all their plans to come to
naught. Having read 20th century history books of the
period, he has become determined to rescue Galileo from
his trial for heresy. The Americans are divided on whether
to help him or stop him-and whether he succeeds or fails,
the results may be catastrophic for the CPE.
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