Chris Ryan
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The first hit was on Robert Maxwell - is that the watery bit in The Hit list?
I'm not keen on nautical themes, prefer terra firma.
The big boat on the front of Greed I suppose is the big clue ;-)
Am I among a load of cat lovers then - I know AIB is.
Beast of Bodmin among others yep. Ever seen one?
cheers, Nomad
>>By Nomad (Monday, 8 Dec 2003 12:42)
Double Figures!!!! My God, I never thought we'd make it.
Nomad, don't be put off by the boat, there's more bedroom action than naval antics!!!
>>By Bethan (Monday, 8 Dec 2003 14:54)
Sorry, Beth & Nomad, I got caught up in the Rugby revelry, earlier, so a bit slow on getting down to any semblence of fingers to keyboard...
Granted Beth, the greater majority of "The Hit List" is land based. However, the Prologue is essentially all about an imminent watery grave for a world renowned real-life figurehead...(a classic whodunnit with conspiratorial twist)
*
"The two surfaced noiselesly. Raising their diving masks they scanned the area around them. Nothing, only the pale bulk of the Lady Ghislaine and the soft lap of the sea against her hull. It was 4.30 am, and although no hint of dawn showed at the horizon both men knew that time was limited...
*
*
...In the water the men glanced at each other. The older of the two, his features streaked and obscured by camouflage cream, raised a hand above the surface and tapped the armoured glass face of his watch. The younger man nodded. As one, they moved towards the yacht's stern. Below them, motionless and invisible, waited the two-man Odyssea submarine in which, four hours earlier, they had commenced their silent journey..." *
It could be said the title "The Hit List" is, perhaps, not as far-fetched as some circles of deceit would have the more intelligent Joe Pub believing... I daresay many people read through action adventure books and never grasp underlying connotations, but that's not so unusual in that most people only see what their eyes see whilst neurologically sound asleep!!!
Who, here at Gnooks, said they didn't much like CR's "Tenth Man Down" ?
What's new, ha ha, that I'd disagree with that sentiment, strongly.
CR makes for a damn good thought-provoking read in his books, and although both CR and AM (Andy McNab) select real-life events/situations as part and parcel of their packaged books, for me CR cuts a tighter edge of daring with 'conspiracy theories' to great effect. And, I take my hat off to him for his selection of a character best able to play the lead role. (not necessarily based on himself or his own experiences)
As for AM's real-life backdrop subject matter, he tends to go for sensational headline grabbers (Firewall/Dark Winter etc), and points throughout to beneficial or destructive significance (as if book readers are stupid) and how the risk-all factor is vital to the life of Nick Stone (a characterisation of himself.) All that still makes for a damn good read factor on the adventure action scales, and although everything is seen and experienced through the eyes of Nick Stone (familiar mind-set for fan base and writer alike). His style is also a safer sales bet and less taxing for your average Joe Pub, who rarely reads anything more than a light read or a tabloid newspaper. For the 'few' his writing provides a wakeup call...
I do agree CR's Falklands book, "Land of Fire" left me a tad cold, but nevertheless he put across the fear, succinctly, of a ship as a sitting target and of men (army), unaccustomed to being helpless victims and incapable of assisting seaborne troops in fighting off a deadly tactical airborne assault. "Land of Fire" didn't portray an indepth slant on the Falklands War as a whole, but then it wasn't really meant to be about the Falklands War and the fierce firefights between Argies, Paras, and Royal Marines, including SAS contingent. Land of Fire (appropriate title regarding blazing ships etc) was an offshoot story and therefore less needy of factual mainland Falklands War data...
You know something, "real heroes" are often incredibly modest men and about as far removed from the boasting and bravado (more in keeping with those who often as not never encountered the thick of deadly action yet write books about it) and pose as heroes...
I met two Paras and several SAS guys not all that long after the Falklands War. Of the SAS guys, all had stories to tell of extreme bravado and feats of heroism, of which one was wholly accountable to the Paras (2nd Battalion). I never knew the extent of involvement of two Para friends, other than both had served in the Falklands War, that is, until I saw a TV documentary in which both were portrayed as unsung heroes!!
On a lighter note and seasonal festivities, did you (Bethan) cheer on the Santa Run for charity?
Nomad: Grey, or jaded?
Bodmin Beast: Ha, ha, depends which Bodmin Beast - the furry feline variety or the hairy (shaved) beasties who hide in holes and move around with fern bedecked hard-hats, or the team who at one time lead journalists a merry dance on ludicrous fun-pokey quests...
Re MOLES: There's a well-used motto: If you can't beat 'em join 'em, and that's standard mole ethos. Liken a mole to a Lotto Caller, and you got the dead-drop, the pick-up loop, the numbers called, the Housey Housey winner, and all the players revealed in their own personal glory...
>>By buddy (Monday, 8 Dec 2003 18:20)
"I daresay many people read through action adventure books and never grasp underlying connotations"
I will gladly put my hand up as one. To be honest when I read if the book doesn't keep me interested I don't think about what I've read, I have a short concentration span! I'm not interested in constantly reading through the lines, or thinking about why it might have been written or whether it's a subtle hint to the truth. I have to do that all day in work, I spend hours trawling through bloody science papers and thinking constantly. Fiction - enjoyment, a couple of hours of peace and quiet if I notice things great, if I don't well I'll never know so it doesn't matter. If that makes me thick, or short-sighted, or neurologically sound asleep then I'm fine with that. That probably sounds a bit arsey but it's not meant to be.
"On a lighter note and seasonal festivities, did you (Bethan) cheer on the Santa Run for charity?" Short concentration span shows here, I have no idea what you're on about. No running, no cheering in my house, apart from next to a bloody cold rugby field watching hubby get a cracked head.
>>By Bethan (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 09:50)
Short concentration span, ha ha, never heard of it....No, seriously, I don't think your being arse'y (hope you're not), I was talking average Joe Pub, not a deep thinking scientist mulling atmospheric pressure and the next line for B.A.B.E.S. ;-)
Having said that, has writers bloc set in, or is MG's recent gardening spate (fallow window boxes - less tulip talk) thrown everyone into a how-to-do it too?
You mean you're not aware that thousands of Santas set off from Newport on a charity run? Where are you, New York?
>>By buddy (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 10:25)
In anticipation of finding him in my Xmas stocking, I'm re-reading AM's books in reverse chronological order...so that I can pick out all the cut 'n paste bits when I read DW.
However, this process was interrupted over the weekend when enjoying dinner with MarineBoy (neither term strictly true anymore...name still sticks tho')...I spied his CR collection and half-inched The Watchman to re-read.
Several years ago I had a conversation with a man who had been to N.I. Listening to his descriptions of things, I had a knot in my stomach. Reading TW the first time evoked the same response in places...and the second. So it still has my vote as the best CR novel. (And no 'panto sex' either.)
Anyway...welcome back buddy...I wonder how would you assess the writings of Bethan/bikergirl/B.A.B.E.S?...(I know for a fact the one in the middle's not a "deep thinking scientist" tho' she may be "mulling...the next line for B.A.B.E.S....oh yes...)
I'm off to search for some proper tea amongst these herbal- decaff-drinking types here...
>>By bikergirl (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 10:49)
Glad the non-arsey thing came across I am more than aware of my own faults (however perfect I may claim to be!)
"You mean you're not aware that thousands of Santas set off from Newport on a charity run? Where are you, New York?"
Not quite New York but might as well be, live in a different valley, and that's an important point in S. Wales!! So no Newport news filters my way…. Or would that be I tend to ignore it? Dunno. Deep-thinking scientist ha ha, I'm heading to Hollywood, must be a good actress!
I second bikergirl, come on give us a literary critique of present work to date. Just don't make it too 'reading between the lines' you might find something we never knew was there (um sorry bg, something I never knew was there). And don't be too mean or my friends will find me sobbing into my latex…
>>By Bethan (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 12:10)
Don't worry Bethan I'll give you my shoulder to cry on, or we could call CR and his hunting force to go get Buddy (I thought I'd made her disappear with my "special disappearing device" but somehow she turned back, and with a Lanzarote tan)
>>By borisette (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 13:05)
Not jaded Buddy, just a bit quiet.
Lots of military personell have taken an interest in the UK exotic cats over the years - Marines on Exmoor and other places in South West at least twice in the 1980's,
RAF volunteers on Bodmin in 2001, - the perimeter sensors indicated something was lurking (probably a fox or badger) but too much mist
Plus one or two ex military people who thought their training would let them get the definitive proof, or even shoot one and find fame and fortune. Without exception - Invariably they have been wrong. It takes something a bit special to get positive eyeball by anything less than pure luck.
Tell me more re the team who at one time lead journalists a merry dance on ludicrous fun-pokey quests.
Some people have bizarre ideas about the cats and want attention by hyping the whole issue or trying to fake evidence.
Meant to say how refreshing to be discussing CR and other SAS related trivia with a tongue in cheek attitude. In the past my experience has been simply gun mad nutters with no real intelligent conversations.
In the Watchman - was there two versions and the box (MI5) liason called Dawn Harding originally known by another name? For some reason I remember a review and she was not called DH.
Might give greed a go, the sex in land of fire is hilarious.
>>By Nomad (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 13:28)
Bikergirl: God forbid that I should have the audacity to critique B.A.B.E.S. Can say: talent would probably reap dividends elsewhere - the audience here a little too inhouse.
Hmmm, any book - fiction or non-fiction - NI military story line hits my sensitive spot...
Bethan re Santas: B Hell, they were a tad obvious on local TV news from dawn till dark...The only thing of any consequence to happen in Wales, going by recorded evidence...
Borisette: Lanzarote? Not a chance. Give me credit for sense of refinement (gold-fingered gansters) Corsica...
Nomad: From the Watchmen: "Alex had an evening to kill before his meeting with MI5, so he called Sophie Wells. Strange how posh girls like her who had nothing in common with him were so attracted to someone from the regiment with real-life experiences."
There was a D Harding, namesake of a character in one of my unpublished books (Debbie Harding as featured in Dark Waters - a recruit to MI5, possibly, may be not, if not, who?) written a couple of years ago. Strange as it may seem, there's an e-book written three years ago and very very similar to The Watchman by an ex army bod- you can see it at:
www.online-e-bookstore.com/thriller.htm
J***s, the grand finale retribution in the e-book is simply wonderful. You can't mistake the book. It's the one with nude SAS operative chained to a tree..
>>By buddy (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 15:51)
Nomad: Tell me more re the team who at one time lead journalists a merry dance on ludicrous fun-pokey quests.
I would, but not in writing....
>>By buddy (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 15:54)
Buddy you should learn from this, ignore the welsh local news, it's full of nothing being made into something to fill half an hour. Do what I do watch national news then turn over.
>>By Bethan (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 16:07)
If my fiinger had been in charge of the remote control I would have...Unfortunately, the timed recording overlapped onto local rag time.
Whoopsy!! Nomad's end piece: "Might give greed a go, the sex in land of fire is hilarious."
Yeah, well, that's what comes of authors reading Black Lace novels in search of how to loop sexless strings in to what would be, perhaps, more realistic if sex from the heart (h**d) had been put down on paper as felt (emotionally/physically), instead of crass imagined sex written by women who believe climax is a high-pass in the peak district.
>>By buddy (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 16:47)
Would that be Snake pass Buddy - scene of the release of a panther (black leopard) and a puma one week apart?
CR sex scene (p 349 I think from memory) in LoF is one step away from the unrealistic gymnastic antics we see in most hollywood or tv dramas.
Good writing leaves something for the imagination - to much details of the plumbing removes some of the quintissential essence.
What's AM's descriptions like compared with CR?
>>By Nomad (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 18:50)
"What's AM's descriptions like compared with CR?"
"Good writing leaves something for the imagination - to much details of the plumbing removes some of the quintissential essence."
You actually answered your own question, Nomad... vbg!
>>By am-i-binned (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 19:08)
Ooh well, to everyone, LOf and the sex scene had me laughing too, and maybe AM had read it too, and so that's why he doesn't write that sort off scenes. It did seem a bit Hollywoodian the whole thing, actually but then who am I to criticise.
Buddy,...Corsica, tzzzzzzzzzz....for me the island can sink down.... been there 2 last time got motobike stolen, almost arrested by gendarmerie, 'cause when we arrived to declare our bike was stolen they didn't have time ,they had to go and play beachvolley,.....nasty little buggers they are.
>>By borisette (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 19:20)
Nomad: Big pussy cat chat onboard could get us in to serious trouble with anyone not in the picture, so to speak, (wavelength/locale issues)! Sent e-mail to hotmail...
And, "play on words", not me, not anymore, not around here, "double entendre" has drawn forth too many icy blasts of misinterpretation, so it's strickly straight-talking in future which is just as likely to land me in deep s**t : one way or tother. Honesty so oft has a sting in its tail.
Re: "Good writing leaves something for the imagination - too much details of the plumbing removes some of the quintissential essence."
Ah, now that's a subject that could become decidedly tacky tactless in AM's case on the absorbant and non-absorbant properties - call it classified data. On the other hand, he does have a touch-feely side <<big compliment ;-) >>
>>By buddy (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 21:05)
Borisette: re "nasty little bugs" --- Not if you're driving a brand-spanking new Merc with blacked outt windows = salute!!
>>By buddy (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 21:09)
Borisette, meant to say, Corsican PLOD value their lives...
>>By buddy (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 21:12)
Bethan: Weird, how people assume Cardiff to be Valley land, i.e, typical mining valleys North of C, when C is relatively flat and boring and more of a natural flood plain linked to estuary marshes.
Your saying "wrong valley" regarding Newport Vale caused a bit of offboard consternation = people checking maps and one or two queries in my direction!!
Few people have a clue where "Little England beyond Wales" lies (Pembrokeshire) = wooden expressions...
>>By buddy (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 21:30)
buddy...the audacity was in the request in the first place
but..."talent would probably reap dividends elsewhere"
(now cue audacity...)
so...go type elsewhere...
I'll start packing my little B.A.B.E.S bag...
jus' kiddin'...
more B.A.B.E.S soon...and surely a party in time for Xmas?
I'm doing the wardrobe...gold hot-pants available here...discreet fitting service available...
>>By bikergirl (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 22:12)
Buddy they still are nasty buggers to me, as they say here in Northern Italy of the Sicilians, thizz izz tze way too gett ridd off themm :
First you sink Sicily so that all sicilians die, then you let it rise again, so all their family will come and mourne them, then you let it sink again, that way they all die.
(maybe I got that accent wrong, sounds more german to me)
>>By borisette (Tuesday, 9 Dec 2003 23:24)
"Bethan: Weird, how people assume Cardiff to be Valley land"
Ah now Buddy, Cardiff is where I work, not where I live, so yes wrong valley is correct. No floodplains where I am, just these gorgeous hills of ours.
"offboard consternation = people checking maps and one or two queries in my direction!!" Now you're taking the p***, does anyone really care? Why ask you? You don't know where I live. Weird....
>>By Bethan (Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003 10:28)
Spent last night helping a friend do Xmas cards for her business. Lickin' and stickin' 250 cards...
I fear I have swallowed too much gum...
>>By bikergirl (Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003 10:31)
Bethan, not care where you live? Some people believe, utterly, that a flork profile is as read - to mean where you live. A lot of people have checked out Pembs, and have then discussed Stonehenge (the blue stones) hauled from the Prescelly Hills in Pembs. Yes, people do like to know which country, which county, historical events etc...
Look at your Flork profile, and think like a foreigner, who will likely display great interest in where you"claim" to be (people not familiar with UK, English their second language, and some seemingly too nervous to do more than lurk, the latter not that surprising if one takes into account past responses similar to your present stance).
I'm most definitely not taking the p*ss. If one takes a look at the SAT Maps, and hone into 700 feet (available on the Internet) one can see the South Wales Valleys and Cardiff (as good as roof-to-roof terraces and estates throughout). Hey you can even count peoples dustbins and knickers on the wash line. Therefore, to be living in "the gorgeous hills" puts you well out of the roof-to-roof zone, unless of course you're looking up at them their gorgeous hills. See what I mean?
If you live somewhere (rough area guidance) and people are likely to be visiting that area (students especially) they look to you for info on that place, historically etc. I call that Worldwide Friendship (hands across the world)...You don't have to tell people exactly which street/village you live, but if your knowledge of an area can be of assistance, why not help?
>>By buddy (Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003 12:24)
Borisette: PLOD = Policemen....Sorry!! I should pop in more ( ) as explanatory add-to...
>>By buddy (Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003 12:43)
BIG EXPLANATORY: I've been on Gnod a long time (pg 1) of the AM board - from reading a few pages anyone can easily establish that I live in Wales, and if you've been around since a message board's inception (over 100 + pgs) people tend toward long-time posters...
It's always a case of each to their own on who to trust above others in the discretion stakes, that's why I provide an e-mail address within my profile, as opposed to onsight Flork only communique...Need I say more?
No offence intended toward those who joined later...
>>By buddy (Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003 12:58)
"a flork profile is as read - to mean where you live"
I didn't see that in the small print. Probably more helpful for people to have a general idea than naming some Welsh town that no-one has heard of and Cardiff is the closest base to me.
But original question remains, if so confused why ask you? You're guessing as much as the rest of them. It's not like I'm never here! Sorry forgot the email thing, right I'll add that on . No-one has any excuses then. Have to say, not interested in Worldwide Friendship via buddy. If it's Worldwide Friendship via Bethan then great. So any questions? Silence…… hmm thought not.
>>By Bethan (Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003 13:01)
I wish CR/AM had the finesse of Sebastain Faulks when he describes bedroom action, not always in bedroom - see Birdsong - great book. Perhaps a master (or mistress) class would help the action men make things more realistic. The anticipation being better than the reality in the majority of cases.
Having looked at The Watchman and LoF there is a certain recurring feature - this anatomical peculiarity in the woman the lead character encounters in intimate circumstances. Still trying to decide if based on actual experience of CR (or using imagination and artistic licence) that now crops up in these scenes.
Sorry for on board cat talk. Will curtail to avoid irritation.
Double entendres - surely not me. I strictly avoid references to exotic pussies (except here to illustrate point ;-) and leave these kind of cheap jokes to the UFO fanatics and conspiracy theorists.
Will respond off board.
Bethan and Buddy, When I go somewhere new - in the UK I like to discover it for myself first hand. I do like pointers on the nearest tea shop doing a nice cream tea (with clotted cream) or biggest toasted teacake in the world, yum, but everything else should be a surprise. But that's just me.
I had a few people drop e-mails or florks and ask me about the UK and where to visit. Surprisingly poor geographical knowledge that most people have.
I went to US this year for first time- the highlight was seeing two racoons and getting them on video washing their little paws.
I'm a sad b**t**rd eh?
But I'm happy.
Give us more of the SAS Big brother stuff - that was most amusing BG/B.A.B.E.S/Bethan.
I'm spinning around and the Gold hot pants brought many chortles.
Saw CR Ultimate survial Guide yesterday in WH Smiths - nice dpm edged pages, quick flick and I had learned how to start fires with car battery acid and throat lozenges.
Must stop off at quikfit and boots for one car battery and some dequacaine to pack in my bergen . Great stuff. No sex that I could see on first pass.
till later,
>>By Nomad (Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003 13:24)
Since boss is late, here's something I prepared earlier!! More nonsense.... Expect anything less?
Guess the show.
Voice over man "This is TV centre in London, and here is your host Miiiiiiiiiissssss Beeetttthhhaannn!!!"
B "Thank you, thank you and welcome to the ultimate dating game, with the ultimate prize, one of these three fit ultimate warriors"
Camera pans around to the three men waving, all dressed in sexy black belt kits! Only SP work here boys… (that DPM stuff is nasty, black is so much sexier ha ha)
B "Well soldier one what's ye name and where do ye come from?"
CR "Hello Beth, my name's Chris and I'm from Newcastle"
B "And who are you soldier two?"
AM "Well Beth, I'm Andy and I come from London"
B "And finally soldier three?"
M "I'm Mac and I'm from Scotland" (? Pure guess that!)
B "So those are our three lovely lads, but who's the lucky lady to choose one of them? Let's meet her shall we, her name's bikergirl and she's from the laboratory!"
Audience cheers, whilst our three soldiers disappear behind a screen, bikergirl walks out dressed head to toe in stunning (!) red leather, think Britney Spears but better…. (No offense bg!!)
B "Nice to see you bikergirl"
bg "Nice to be here Beth"
B "You have three questions there, and you'll use those to decide which warrior to take home, but all three are very special. Aren't they audience?"
Audience "Yeeess"
bg "Question one. When out hiking a really bad snowstorm sets in and we're forced to shelter in a hut, how would we survive? And that question goes to soldier two first"
AM "Obviously, the main priority is to clear the building, which I would do with my 9mm Browning, next make a fire and then use that to cook the delicious rations I have in my belt kit er pocket"
CR "He he, I don't need that fire I have all the heat you need baby. We'll wrestle a while, you'll be overcome with emotion and then…."
M "I second soldier one"
AM "Damn it, why didn't I think of that…"
bg "Okay interesting. Question two. I've fallen from a great height and damaged my hand, what first aid would you use? Soldier one?"
CR "I'd bloody hope it wasn't your best hand <winks> then I'd just kiss it better, you'd be overcome with emotion and then…."
AM "I wasn't a medic, I'd just strap it, use a little morphine and take you to A&E"
M "Amputation. The only cure for damaged hands"
bg "Question three. I need to get more exercise, what's your favourite sport and why? Soldier three."
M "I love rugby, smashing into people and stamping on their heads. Nothing beats a good ruck"
AM "I don't really like sports, but I'd take you skydiving and then we could hold hands at 12,000ft"
CR "I love contact sports, you and me, you'll be overcome with emotion and then…."
B "Well you've asked all your questions and now it's time to make up your mind, but first let our Graham remind you….
Graham drones on about each in turn while they wave and pull silly faces into the camera.
B "Well you've heard our Graham's recap, have you made a choice?"
bg "Yes Beth I have, I choose soldier two, because holding hands at 12,000ft sounds really romantic…"
AM "Yes! Come on, who's the daddy?"
CR "I can't believe she'd choose you with your cardboard face over the chance for some hot nights with me"
B "Let's see what date you'll get, bikergirl pick a card"
Bg "A trip to South America" <gasps>
AM "Um can't go there, can you pick again?"
bg <sulkily> "Yes"
B "And the trip?"
bg "A weekend in Ireland"
AM "Um can't got there, can you pick again?"
bg "Shall we just stay here?"
AM "Yup probably best"
And so the date begins…
>>By Bethan (Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003 15:13)
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