One-time time travel into the past, the protagonist must survive and thrive - and his goal is to hold back the curtain of the dark ages.

Many of the characters are historical, and the author really brings personality to these folks. I especially love the bartering banter with the money lender and the constant predictions of an unmarked grave by his bodyguard. Fortunately the main character knows Latin and adapts well; the reader is blessed with common English.

The author has been described as a historian of technology, and his descriptions are excellent. I could well believe the impact of brandy, Arabic numerals and the printing press on this time period.

Both the book and the original short story are freely available, and I read both. The book expands on much of the back half of the story, including descriptions of war. I didn't enjoy these as much - the original story rates a 4 or 5 stars, but the longer novel rates somewhat less.