Andy Mcnab
Forum
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(didn't know that MG had such powers, or maybe AM poofed himself for some reason)(will AM be in the garden shed along with the other poofed members?)
So how about F-troop making a nice AM-fanclub-site.
Serious stuff, book reviews, a bit bio stuff (just military, no personal things), then we could put in some other military stuff in aswell, about the SAS/SBS.
(selection, a bit of history.......missions.....) MI5/MI6 the Det,.....
whatever, ........ any idea's??
anyway the site I was talking about was :
www.randomhouse.co.nz/features/Mcnab/main.html
>>By borisette (Thursday, 11 Mar 2004 19:08)
Well the next AM-Site will definately be called :
WWW.BORISETTESHOUSE.CO.EARTH/F-TROOP/MCNAB&BOBO
>>By borisette (Thursday, 11 Mar 2004 19:16)
Borisette, can I see farewell to you know before you vanish of the earth... ?? VBG
>>By Lynn (Thursday, 11 Mar 2004 19:32)
LOL! I love the address, Bo!
About the site, that would be great! I'd love to help with something like that.
>>By Dare (Thursday, 11 Mar 2004 21:46)
Been reading IA and am really pleased with it. I love the stories about blowing up the tree, Okey-dokey, and his life-long memory of Malaya! Oh yeah, and the sun-trap story. ROFL!
He's a very entertaining writer. I enjoy his self-deprecating style and how he owns up when he fu**s up.
Oh and I think we need to have a "Bone Shirt Contest". Maybe put photo on profile and see who can come up with the best one.
*starts searching closet* ;)
>>By Dare (Friday, 12 Mar 2004 19:33)
Hi Y'all,
HEADLINE: G2: Inside story: Mission: the truth: Can another book by one of the survivors of the ill fated Bravo Two Zero mission tell us anything new? Yes, says its author, Mike Coburn, the facts about who was really to blame for its failure. He talks to Stephen Moss...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/
g2/story/0,3604,1167652,00.html
>>By Majorette (Friday, 12 Mar 2004 21:25)
Uhm... Borisette?
Does Duncan know? (whispered: MCNAB&BOBO) ;o)
LOL, Dare!
P for plenty is one of my favourites, along with the snake and ice cream truck! hahaha! Definitely self-piss-taking at its best!
Thanks, Maj...
Interesting article. Wonder where the interview took place (with Mike making brews). Glad to see there's still litigation going on about proceeds rather than it being a done deal -- praying that MC prevails over MoD! Also wondering about book signings -- NZ, AU, UK, US?
PAULL...?
Do you know if Mike Coburn has done book signings in NZ?
>>By am-i-binned (Saturday, 13 Mar 2004 14:08)
Hi All,
Long time no read?????????? Here's a piece I wrote for a paper out here, (not to everyones taste) hope it's not too heavy! PS, this is unedited so ignore the typos! I'm currently writing a screenplay totally unrelated to SAS or terrorism (for those that are interested!)
AIB and all the people I call friends here, please note I have no access to my old e-mail. However, please feel free to e-mail me on my new address. deanfrancis1@aol.com
I only get to check this once or twice a month so please be patient for a reply!
In late 2000, I began writing my first novel, Fair Target. The original story centred around terrorist activity in New York and told how a large percentage of Irish-Americans living in New York supported the terrorist activities of the Provisional IRA. The hero of the story would expose the villains and ‘save the day’
The New Yorkers attitude would change when a terrorist attack spilled into their own city and they faced the same death and destruction that Britain had faced for the past two decades.
I submitted the original story and received positive feedback from many established names within the literary business. I re-wrote, edited and polished the story until it was ready to be put before a reputable publisher.
Then, on September 11th, 2001, Al-Qaeda hijacked a number of aeroplanes and attacked the United States on a level never seen before – and god willing will never be seen again.
From that moment, Fair Target was never going to be published – especially in the U.S.
I re-wrote Fair Target from start to finish, and although I tried to focus more on the personal side of the main character, Mark Makken, and get away from the affect terrorism has on the story, it was never the same and I have found publication difficult.
The plan was to AGAIN, re-write Fair Target, and hopefully make it into a good read that wouldn’t hurt anyone in the real world.
Meanwhile, it was mid-2003 and the sequel to Fair Target had already begun. My plan was to finish Celebrity Status before going back to finalise the re-write of Fair Target.
Celebrity Status would tell the story of the Spanish separatist group ETA joining forces with other terrorist organisations – including Al-Qaeda - with our hero once again saving the day,
On 11th March 2004, ten separate bombs exploded in Madrid, Spain, prompting rumours that ETA had joined Al-Qaeda in attacking the majority of Spaniards and indeed the Western world.
Whoever is eventually held accountable for the pointless and disgusting bombings in Madrid, it is again evidence that fact is sometimes wilder than fiction.
Once again, my months of research and creativity have been destroyed by real life. My career has again been set back in a bizarre twist of prophecy. But in a way I feel fortunate as one can only imagine the pain the families must be going through in Madrid right now – just as they were in New York 911 days before. (That’s right 911 days)
As a writer of fiction I try to create believable yet fantastic storylines. It seems that in today’s society, it will take something really incredible and almost unbelievable to ‘out do’ what is really happening in our world.
I am not a holy religious person – you could probably count the amount of times I’ve been to church in my life on two-hands – but I believe in God and have faith that good will eventually prevail. Unfortunately, from what I have seen of life on earth, good or evil is not an issue. It is simply a matter of the strongest/richest survive. Bin Laden et al, are both powerful and rich, so it is easy to see why our faith is sometimes tested.
WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Falklands, GWI, and many other Wars have all had a purpose. Even the IRA had a goal – a real aim – even if most normal people didn’t agree with the tactics they employed. But in reality, Al-Qaeda doesn’t have a goal (yes, I know they do, but I haven’t the time here to go into it…) They cannot win this war, and unfortunately for us they cannot lose either.
Even if Bin Laden was captured or killed tomorrow, there would be a dozen brainwashed men to take his place. The world is big enough for everyone to live and enjoy a decent life, there is no need to kill each other.
If only the wealthy and powerful could sit down in a room with their egos left outside, then maybe the world could be a better place. There’s certainly enough money in the world to feed EVERYONE, and there’s enough land to ensure all religions and races have their own environments. None of us can say who is right or wrong, but surely slaughtering hundreds or thousands of innocent people is not correct?
It’s all about compromise.
Meaning no disrespect to anyone, it is important to keep a sense of humour (I know I want people to carry on laughing when I’m gone!), so on a lighter note, if every time I research a story and begin to write it, it becomes true, perhaps I should write a story about how Dean Francis wins the lottery and lives a life of luxury with fast cars, women and wine……just a thought
>>By Apparently (Saturday, 13 Mar 2004 22:31)
Very big welcome back, Apparently...
Excellent to have you back for now safe and sound! :o)
>>By am-i-binned (Saturday, 13 Mar 2004 23:22)
Very intresting indeed Mr. Francis. I have spoke to other authors that have had similar experiences, sadly. I would say that allthough your stories seem to be close to reality that may not be totally a wash. Plenty of fiction out their now dealing with these true events. Andy McNabs "Dark Winter" how much of that book is a very close presricption to what could really happen. Brad Thor's new book all too Your research must be really darn good.
Keep up getting the books done. Suddenly the right person will see it and it will sell a million copies. I've been told an "agent" is the key to getting a book published.
Truely good luck to you, I be a buyer
DTO
>>By DTO (Saturday, 13 Mar 2004 23:46)
Oh darn it, typos above. That's why I dislike posting.
>>By DTO (Saturday, 13 Mar 2004 23:48)
Apparently-
If I had your writing ability (and uncanny clairvoyance) I think I'd make my next novel about world peace. One can always hope, eh?
(Come to think of it, the luxury bit sounds tempting, too... put me down for some of that, as well, ok?)
>>By Majorette (Sunday, 14 Mar 2004 02:53)
AIB ... No, Mike Coburn didn't do any book signings whilst in NZ.
I don't think he will do them anywhere else either, because he doesn't allow his face to be shown. He had his back to the camera during his TV interviews and all photos in the newspapers which accompanied articles about him and Soldier Five, were pixilated.
All photos in the book of any of the surviving members of the B20 mission or other military personnel are also pixilated on the faces.
I see there is now a beautiful blank Mike Coburn discussion page just waiting for someone post a message.
>>By PAULL (Sunday, 14 Mar 2004 03:00)
Thanks, PAULL...
... about the book signings, even tho that's not quite what I'd hoped, not too surprised either. And thanks for heads-up about Mike now having his own discussion forum.... Hmmm, wonder if we should let MC know... :o)
>>By am-i-binned (Sunday, 14 Mar 2004 19:52)
Just finished IA. Very good book. So many funny stories! :) It's quite amazing all of the things they are trained for and expected to do flawlessly while functioning under such stress. Wow!
>>By Dare (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 00:34)
Right on, Dare, I think IA is Andy's best book ever, so much humor, not even Ratcliffe can beat Andy's way of seeiing things. Gosh that man is dead-serious, keep on falling asleep aswell while reading EOS.
>>By borisette (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 13:11)
I haven't read Ratcliffe's book. Not really interested in hearing what he has to say about B20 since he wasn't there. It's too easy for a person in his shoes to arm-chair general the situation. His best guess is still a guess no matter how informed he thinks he is.
>>By Dare (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 17:41)
Dare, Ratcliffeìs book isn't about the B20 but about his own 25 years of life in the SAS. It's well written, oh yes, but it doesn't have that twitch of humour like AM's book, although he does write some funny scenes. Especially the way he describes his total clumbsiness in doing HALO and other Parachute jumps, well i assume one can't be good in anything the SAS, does.
I wonder what AM wasn't good at......
>>By borisette (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 17:46)
The 'okey dokey' thing in AI always makes me think of Michael Palin teaching the Touareg in the Tenere desert to say 'Bottoms Up!' every time they raised their glass of tea...
(I once had a Super Tenere...motorbike...)
>>By bikergirl (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 18:37)
Agreed, Dare...
... about hearsay vs being there. There will only ever be five who know and, even then, they all experienced the events differently/individually...
Agreed, Borisette...
... about minimal humour in Ratcliffe's book. I think I'll always prefer the humour of AM, Cameron Spence, Mike Curtis, etc...
Re: Laughing about IA scenes
... makes me think we should pull together favourite one-liners again. We did compilations ages and pages ago for Paul R's "mission: impossible" -- he asked for just one favourite one-liner (yeah, right! like we could ever narrow it down to just one!) -- so maybe it's time compile new lists or recreate the old ones already here amongst the almost 4,650 posts.... :o)
(And no! I do not keep count of how many posts are here! LOL!!!! It's math even my crap skills can do: 155x30)
>>By am-i-binned (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 19:04)
OK, here's my contribution to the One-liner List:
"To me, Pierre was a French bloke's name. I hadn't realized it was also a Chinese woman's."
ok, ok, so that's two lines. So shoot me.
(On second thought, I know there are some here that can actually shoot me, so let me clarify by saying that I was joking about that and would really prefer NOT to be shot. Thanks.)
>>By Majorette (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 20:07)
Welcome back Apparently ! It's nice to see you back though your post wasn't too cheerful. Those events should remain fiction but we're passed that utopia, unfortunately.
Still waiting for Soldier 5 so can't join the discussion there. I've not read Ratcliffe's book, seen him on that SAS-docu and he comes across as a decent guy, so I won't call him RATcliffe again - but even more because even if those 5 are the ones who'll know best - I think (ahem...know) that I know even less than Ratcliffe. And sooooo.. Ratcliffes book on long list too. At least to be able to make up my own mind about his book.
From Dark Winter:
"Fuck you, man, you're doing it again!" The Yes Man wasn't the only one tonight who'd changed his Christian ways. I must have the gift.
:o)
>>By Lynn (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 20:12)
My mistake about PR and his book as criticism of B20. Must have gotten it switched around.
I've ordered MC's and CR's non-fic books. Will start there then work my way to CR's and DF's fiction. Since I have to order it all from Amazon.uk, it may take me a bit to catch up.
I didn't get that AM was "great" at everything or tried to pass himself off as such. I thought that was pretty cool about his book. He didn't come across as the "best" at all of it. Most of his little stories are about things he screwed up on or was part of and how they worked with it or fixed it. And when describing others mistakes', he didn't do it as if he was perfect by comparison. He handled the anecdotes very well.
The Okey-Dokey is one of my favorites. Perhaps because I used to skydive. And the Pierre thing was hysterical! Not that I've run into any Asian transvestites.... at least, that I know of! LOL
>>By Dare (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 22:16)
Mmm, just thought of something - what would an undercover Asian transvestite look like??
>>By Lynn (Tuesday, 16 Mar 2004 22:33)
Uhm... a Caucasian non-transvestite maybe? :o\
>>By am-i-binned (Wednesday, 17 Mar 2004 00:25)
And now, for something completely different.... :o)
Botswana for $1,995
Elephants and lions and hippos, oh my! There’s a good chance of seeing these and other creatures on a nine-day trip to northern Botswana. The package includes:
Six nights in a luxury river room (err.... lovely DIY bashas?)
Breakfast and dinner daily (uhm.... fresh or sachets?)
Your choice of 10 activities ranging from game drives to river cruises (hmm... including an Islander turbo aircraft ride--okey, dokey? Gilbert's School of Snake Charming and Ice Cream Concession? And as a real highlight--a midnight Gemini cruise to do some hippo spotting?)
Belize for $727
Picture-perfect Ambergris Cay is a haven for snorkelers and scuba divers, given its location just off the longest coral reef in the Western Hemisphere.
(Gee, will an interesting evening at Raoul's Rose Garden be included? How about a Spam Au Naturel fry-up on the hotel lawn at midnight?)
AM must have missed the "perfect" part, altho he did mention the "picture" --
"We were lying on our beds, watching the fan go round and round. One of the blokes got a letter from his kids. They'd done a drawing of them taking the dog for a walk, but it looked more like a man in a noose. 'I need that picture,' I said. 'I want to stick it on the wall, because that's what I'm going to do if I have to stay in Belize any longer -- I'm going to fucking hang myself.' " (IA, Ch 19)
Tour info: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4029096/
>>By am-i-binned (Wednesday, 17 Mar 2004 11:44)
Bo: I was thinking of MA earlier, not PR. My bad. :P
Lynn: What aspect of the Asian transvestite is "undercover"? The fact that they are Asian or transvestite? :)
AIB: LOL with the AM travelogue.... TZ
Just read the article AIB posted on the MC board.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/
0,2106,2823868a1861,00.html
I posted on MC board in reference to that article but since the post is mainly about AM thought it would be appropos here.
>>I just read the article you mentioned, AIB and was wondering what parts of the previous books are considered to be so damaging to Vince Phillips? Having read B20 a couple of times, I don't recall getting that impression at all. The only thing AM says is that VP should have said that he was feeling badly, then almost immediately says he (AM) should have known there was something wrong with VP and acted accordingly. I got the impression from the book that he was feeling he let VP down, but they all did the best they could with what they had and knew at the time.
I also don't understand the comment "Andy McNab's testosterone-fuelled account". His account comes across very low-key, though the language is raw, as anyone would expect who's been in the military. Even the most refined and educated individuals loosen up a bit in like circumstances, and AM has never laid claim to being refined or highly educated.
Well anyway, I am looking forward to the book and hope all goes well with MC.<<
>>By Dare (Wednesday, 17 Mar 2004 18:44)
hi guys, i just got the latest AM book DW. i'm just at the bit where nick and thinggy get on the scooter and try to follow the van. whats it like later on??????
>>By cavemole (Wednesday, 17 Mar 2004 21:49)
Dare:
"was wondering what parts of the previous books are considered to be so damaging to Vince Phillips?"
I did not read it as such either - though I do feel AM was more 'protective' talking about his team than CR. But I never thought of Vince as a 'coward' as some articles say the books suggest - I did not feel it that way.
Some interesting parts of the latest MC articles were these:
"There was an element of trying to take the blame off the regiment and load it onto Phillips," says Coburn. "They didn't want the command structure, which had considerable failings during the war, to have those failings highlighted. It was easier to allow the impression of a scapegoat to take hold than to take the hierarchy of the regiment to task. Whether or not that was a deliberate policy, I don't know, but I think that it was very convenient that it occurred."
and
"Asher's book perhaps represents a change of heart by someone. He blames the failure primarily on patrol leader McNab and exonerates Phillips, but casts doubt on the more outlandish claims of heroism. The SAS leadership again escapes serious criticism, though. (...) I suspect some sort of collusion between Asher and the MOD or Foreign Office, but to what extent I don't know"
>>By Lynn (Wednesday, 17 Mar 2004 22:06)
Cavey, keep reading, it gets better and better ;o)
About the UAC (undercover asian transvestite) I have to admit the factor Asian doesn't really have much to do with it, that came up because of Pierre. I was just wondering things like.. would he go undercover being a man or a woman? And if as a man, would he still be an undercover transvestite? So.... does it even exist.. a male undercover transvestite. And if he goes undercover as a female would he be able to take a shower with the girls, and if his cover is blown is it his 'female cover' or his 'under' cover that is blown.......
WARNING - BEST NOT READ THE ABOVE - WRITER HAS JUST BEEN ADMITTED BUT THERE'S STILL FEAR FOR CONTAMINATION
>>By Lynn (Wednesday, 17 Mar 2004 22:26)
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