Conrad's Quest for Rubber

In Leo Frankowski's "Conrad's Quest for Rubber," the indomitable Conrad Stargard, a twentieth-century man thrust into the thirteenth, continues his remarkable transformation of Poland. Having already forged a military superpower through his anachronistic brilliance – introducing steam engines, machine guns, and radio to a medieval world – Conrad now faces a new challenge. With his kingdom secure and burgeoning with industry, his focus shifts to securing vital resources to fuel further progress. This necessitates the creation of the Explorer's Corps, an ambitious undertaking to map uncharted territories from the frozen Arctic to the vibrant Amazon, all in pursuit of raw materials only Conrad can envision the need for. The question remains: can even Conrad's advanced foresight equip him and his loyal subjects for the uncharted dangers and discoveries that await them beyond Poland's established borders? "Conrad's Quest for Rubber" rightfully earns its place among the best of Leo Frankowski's works for its masterful blend of historical re-imagining and speculative adventure. Frankowski excels at portraying the intellectual curiosity and practical application of future knowledge in a drastically different past, a hallmark of his writing. This installment further explores the complexities of industrialization and resource acquisition, adding a layer of pragmatic realism to the series' signature blend of action and innovation. For fans of Frankowski, this novel offers the same compelling narrative drive, the engaging character of Conrad, and the sheer delight of watching a technologically advanced protagonist navigate and reshape a medieval world, pushing the boundaries of what's possible.