The Thirty Years War continues to ravage 17th century Europe, but a new
force is gathering power and influence: the United States of Europe, a new
nation led by 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. While the old entrenched rulers and manipulators
continue to plot against this new upstart nation, everyday life goes on in
Grantville, even under the shadow of war, as this lost outpost of American
freedom and justice must play David against a 17th Century Goliath of oppressive
feudalism.