Andy Mcnab
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>>By Da Blues (Wednesday, 10 Jan 2007 23:24)
The Bible, Shakespeare, Tolkien & others are the aknowledged greats. Why in Hell's name is McKnab having 280 pages of anyone's time?!
>>By nonyeb (Wednesday, 10 Jan 2007 23:26)
Books about soldiers.
Grow up for God's sake!!!!!!!!
>>By nonyeb (Wednesday, 10 Jan 2007 23:49)
Candide, Dostoevsky, Mishima, Joyce, Wilde, Behan, Larkin?????????
Instead we have 280+ pages of the same old, boring, ten a penny shit!!
Broaden our Childrens' mind's and knowledge with any of the greats mentioned above....nope, we'll revere shit like Mcnab and poison them instead, create more violence and contempt in a World already diseased with it!!
>>By Da Blues (Wednesday, 10 Jan 2007 23:53)
Well if you take the time and go back a page or two...you'll see a comparison of Jesus and Andy. It made it very clear to me. Plus, it's almost damn funny...Almost! If you read it you will understand completely why there is 280 pages.
>>By My Point (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 00:44)
Man, you're just completely lost in your own little world, aintcha?!
>>By nonyeb (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 01:00)
Jesus/Andy Mcnab!!!!!!!
I really don't fucking think so!! What is the point you are trying to make exactly? Comaparing Jesus and a two bit killing machine don't really balance up in my estimations...and No, I am not a follower of the Christian Religion before somone tries to throw that on me!!
>>By Da Blues (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 01:04)
Look, some of you have been playing soldiers here for years. Isn't it time you all moved-on?
>>By nonyeb (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 01:15)
Instead of cluttering up space here, go off, all of you, & form a cult religion around your beloved Andy.
>>By nonyeb (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 01:27)
Hi nonyeb,
Not sure if you can read, if you can't, don't worry, let me help you out a bit. You've stumbled across an Andy McNab discussion forum where we talk about the books and exploits of - Andy McNab.
There is nothing wrong with books about soldiers or military life, many people are fascinated by such life. Many people are obviously not interested in military life. The same applies to fantasy writing, the likes of Tolkien, Shakespeare, Bible etc. I guess people are intriqued about military books because most are based in reality, unlike Tolkien, Bible, Shakespeare which dwell within the realms of fantasy. I feel children should read about conflicts etc to learn about them, to try and avoid them in their lifetime and to not forget just how bad it really is. I'd rather have children reading something what applies to them in the real world than something which in fantasy smothers them in cotton wool and hides it. Its the lack of knowledge about past conflicts and its barbarity that allows future ones to proceed.
>>By Reginald (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 10:03)
"Not sure if you can read, if you can't, don't worry,"
And what a smug, pat, typical, unoriginal response that is!!!!
>>By nonyeb (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 12:06)
Well, well, a couple of unbelievers crash through the wall with that universal attitude, what I like is better than what you like. My god is better than your god so let's have a war to clear the matter up. Without that kind of insular attitude we wouldn't ever have needed the likes of McNab. But maybe they're right! Like that old Monty Python sketch 'The Society for Putting Things on Top of Other Things' and look what happened to them! I am grateful to these gents for providing a perspective on my life and will henceforth acquire a new reading habit, having first obtained a list of approved titles from said gentlemen. Farewell my friends, hope you are all happy in your newly enlightened choice of literature, Good bye...
>>By camban (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 12:14)
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha.
>>By nonyeb (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 12:54)
... so then nonyeb said: "(Yawn) Isn't 280 pages of this more than enough?"
Apparently not!
LOL!
>>By am-i-binned (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 13:01)
In defence of Nonyeb, I believe that Reginald felt somewhat intimidated and offended towards your statement and resorted to schoolboy tactics regarding the "Not sure if you can read, if you can't, don't worry..." reply!!
I agree that war and conflict should not be overlooked as Reginald, himself a military man states, but my point is that there is more than enough violence and hatred portrayed in film, TV, even computer games and the like without 'glorifying' it to this degree. I respect 'Mcnab' for his ventures as a soldier, that I never denied, nor did Nonyeb. The whole discussion took a twist when a question was raised, a simple question asking why there are so many pages dedicated to this author and nowhere near as many dedicated to literary classics and iconic works. A few people took the hump and decided to throw their oar in, which is wonderful as that's what a discussion board is for, but to retort at such a chldish level is just shallow.
Obviously this comes down to the old chestnut of brains versus brawn. Intelligence against temper......
>>By Da Blues (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 13:20)
Saying Reginald felt somewhat intimidated doesn't sound too intelligent to me, so that was your temper speaking?
>>By Lynn (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 13:41)
Temper? Not at all my dear. Just stating that Reginald must have felt some type of annoyance to force a reply to nonyeb's post in the way that he did
>>By Da Blues (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 13:58)
My dear Da Blues,
Very gallant of you to speak up for Nonyeb like that, but I'm thinking it's probably unnecessary. At the moment, Nonyeb seems to be the most prolific posting force here at gnooks, commenting on at least 16 boards yesterday alone! I was wondering how (or should I say why) Nonyeb found time to post here, but my question had already been answered...
(from the Delmore Schwartz discussion board)
I just wanted to keep 'jack' & 'andy mcknab' from the top of the friggin' list again.
>>By nonyeb (Wednesday, 10 Jan 2007 19:21)
Kinda backfired, tho, didn't it? ;oP
>>By am-i-binned (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 15:09)
AIB, Lynn , YAWN!! Just like me we can all reinvent ourselves here. In some sense they are right, not much to talk about unless it's about how wet your panties are for Andy. Which is what Lynn does best. And that is good for her. More of that, less war in Iraq right? You know who these people are as much as you know who I am. Cool though, because other then JJ pointing out the obvious...YAWN!
>>By My Point (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 16:18)
cheers DTO
>>By Lynn (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 16:24)
Greetings am-i-binned,
nonyeb visited many of the boards, as I did myself, mainly to re-start a lot of interesting discussions regarding bands, movies and literature as a lot of these forums haven't been visted for a long, long time which in some cases is a shame. He wanted to know why there are so many pages dedicated to Andy Mcnab, so he asked and was met with disdain. I would have been a tad pissed off too, and the sad thing is, his question still hasn't been answered and I would also like to know what the draw is with Andy Mcnab's writings.
Surely someone has the common decency to answer the simplest of questions. All topics should welcome both positive and negative criticism. That is what a discussion is I believe, to 'discuss'
>>By Da Blues (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 16:35)
Hmmm....
In most social circles, isn't it considered a more than a bit rude to introduce oneself with a yawn and a slap in the face? Despite Nonyeb's ill manners, I thought I had answered his rhetorical question (" Isn't 280 pages of this more than enough?) quite accurately and with more than a modicum of decency.
Pray tell, dear Da Blues, how else would you have liked me to answer?
>>By am-i-binned (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 17:41)
Just out of interest, I was not intimidated or annoyed in any way, just confused as to why nonyeb's attitude was like it was. There are more pages on McNab than say, Tolkien for example, simply because regards to Flork in general, the registered members interested in McNab just like to contribute more than Tolkien readers (example). Its not saying McNab is a better more skilled writer than say, Tolkien. My quip concerning having problems with reading was a tackle at light-hearted humour, with no malice intended. Apologies for that if, hurriedly, taken the wrong way.
>>By Reginald (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 18:16)
Thank you for your reply Reginald. Well it seems I'm here on my own now so I will ask you myself. What is the draw with Mcnab's works? What makes his work different to any other writer of his genre? I presume a lot of this is down to personal opinion of whether Mcnab is a good writer or bad writer, but it seems he has a very large 'fanbase' a cult following possibly, and I genuinely would like to know why this is so. I guess this is your chance for the 'hard sell' so to speak
am-i-binned, if you would kindly answer the above question also, it would be greatly appreciated
>>By Da Blues (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 18:54)
Ahh Yes, let us all sit down to a spot of tea and REEXAMINE our beloved love for Andy and his writings. That too, has never been done in the pages here. I also think Da Blueman Group you should ask Lynn. You might find her answer most thrilling.
Cheerio Da Blue! maybe you'll find what you are looking for, but most likely NOT. Might try going out and buying a fine copy fer yerself!
>>By My Point (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 20:32)
I guess a lot of the interest McNab has generated is due largely to the mystique the Special Air Service Regiment had prior to B20, though it still has today, it was generally more so prior to 1991. Many people enjoy his type of writing because of the basic, down to earth style he has. Its not heavy going and describes in many parts, real events, places and aspects connected to modern military or government areas . In particular, a great deal of service personnel read his books because they can relate to what some of the things he desribes. I guess it must be remembered that there are a great deal of non-military folk who are genuinely interested in the military and that there is nothing wrong with that. Some people say his writing is bad, others say it is good. This is only opinion. A writer is only good if the people reading the work puts him/her there. McNab is not a scholarly writer. He has no intention of being one. Being of such type and writing material that is simply down to earth and to the point appeals to many, both scholars and non-scholars alike. Being complex and scholarly in writing is just a style of writing and certainly not always pre-requisite to be a good writer. A good writer is in the eye of the reader.
Regards
Reg
As a laughability factor, my favourite book is Undermilk Wood - if anyone has heard of it. Not quite Gulf War but certainly shows off my gentler side.....lol................damn, fell of the chair.....
>>By Reginald (Thursday, 11 Jan 2007 22:07)
Under Milk wood as in Dylan Thomas? Indeed it shows your 'gentler' side =o>
Thank you, once again for your words Reg. You have cleared up a lot of questions for me. At least someone here has the morality and good heart among their peers to step aside from the rabble and give an 'outsider' a glimpse into the very reason you are all here. It is very much appreciated
Best Wishes
Lloyd
>>By Da Blues (Friday, 12 Jan 2007 01:22)
The thing I like about Andy's books is the fact that when I am reading his book ( say Last Light) and when Real Life is demanding my attention I am surprised I am at home and not crawling on my stomach through a hot and humud bit of Panama.
This does not happen with a Chris Ryan book, that just makes me laugh.
A good writer will grab you and take you away into his/her created world and makes you think you looking over his/her shoulder and that is a rare thing to happen.
In all honestly, the last two books from Andy are not that gripping for me, maybe he is losing time/patience what ever but I do still enjoy his earlier works.
Maybe the added attraction to AM is also the glimpes he gives you of a world that is paralel to our modane life, it sure made me look and think different of the news in the world.
But that is just me
>>By Ninjawoman (Friday, 12 Jan 2007 12:20)
the books are not 'a read' - they are an experience ;-)
I'm not saying that in the hope I've got good morals and heart btw - but because McNab is my favorite writer.
>>By Lynn (Friday, 12 Jan 2007 14:32)
Apologies in advance -- I just know this is gonna be l-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-n-g post.... (zzzzzzzzzzz!)
Da Blue has finally asked:
What is the draw with Mcnab's works? What makes his work different to any other writer of his genre? I presume a lot of this is down to personal opinion of whether Mcnab is a good writer or bad writer, but it seems he has a very large 'fanbase' a cult following possibly, and I genuinely would like to know why this is so.
Well, why didn't you just ask that way in the first place, DB, instead of coming in here all slappin'-n-spittin'? Pardon? You don't think you did? Let me refresh your memory... in chronological order:
(1) Bluddy 'ell 280 pages!! Unbelievable.....it's not as if if Randy McKnob is any good anyway!!
Yep, 280+ is pretty unbelievable, but true nonetheless! Can't opine on Randy McKnob, tho, cuz this is the Andy McNab discussion board. ;oP
(2) Instead we have 280+ pages of the same old, boring, ten a penny shit!!
Broaden our Childrens' mind's and knowledge with any of the greats mentioned above....nope, we'll revere shit like Mcnab and poison them instead, create more violence and contempt in a World already diseased with it!!
Oooh, you read thru all 280+ pages and you know all the ten-a-penny shit that's been said here? I musta missed the posts about poisoning children's minds by revering "shit like Mcnab"... could you direct me to those pages?
(3) Jesus/Andy Mcnab!!!!!!! I really don't fucking think so!! What is the point you are trying to make exactly? Comaparing Jesus and a two bit killing machine don't really balance up in my estimations...and No, I am not a follower of the Christian Religion before somone tries to throw that on me!!
Errr.... wait, I thought you'd read all the posts? If so, you'd have already known that the Jesus/McNab analogy was totally tongue-in-cheek! So much for speed reading, eh?
(4a) I respect 'Mcnab' for his ventures as a soldier, that I never denied, nor did Nonyeb.
Hmmm... "respect" spelled how? "shit like McNab", "a two bit killing machine"
(4b) The whole discussion took a twist when a question was raised, a simple question asking why there are so many pages dedicated to this author and nowhere near as many dedicated to literary classics and iconic works. A few people took the hump and decided to throw their oar in, which is wonderful as that's what a discussion board is for, but to retort at such a chldish level is just shallow.
Obviously this comes down to the old chestnut of brains versus brawn. Intelligence against temper......
Maybe it's a Brit thing: "Oy, let me disguise a simple question by making it an insult, but don't call me on it, or, by gum guv, I'll just resort to further childish insults and blame you for making me do it."
(5) He wanted to know why there are so many pages dedicated to Andy Mcnab, so he asked and was met with disdain. I would have been a tad pissed off too, and the sad thing is, his question still hasn't been answered and I would also like to know what the draw is with Andy Mcnab's writings.
Surely someone has the common decency to answer the simplest of questions.
Nonyeb asked what? His own disdain for this AM board totally obscured his "simple question."
====
So now, with the "Let's Learn from Our Mistakes" Lesson finished, I’ll try to answer your question from my personal perspective:
Explaining why I like Andy McNab's books is basically the same as trying to justify why I like Butter Almond ice cream better than Vanilla or Chocolate. It's different, it appeals to me and satisfies my senses in a very fundamental way.
I have always preferred the catagory/genre into which AM's books fall. That he has a unique "voice" in the way he writes makes his books all the more interesting and appealing. Most of all, even more than the stories themselves, is the appeal of his dark-yet-somehow-ironically-optimistic humour infused throughout each and every book. I can honestly say, the high points of his stories, for me, are not the twists or turns of plots, not character development, not even the elements of "stolen from today's headlines" that he brings to his fiction -- it's whenever he turns a phrase, his quick little sarcasm, Nick Stone's passive-aggressive tendencies that get me laughing – it’s AM's humour that I find most enjoyable – I relish every sentence, phrase, description, paragraph that has had me rolling with laughter, to the point of tears even sometimes! (snakes and the ice cream truck! LOL!!!!)
How do I explain that we've achieved 282+ pages here? I can't. Maybe because the folks who've come here since August 2002 want to talk about this particular author because he's made an unusual impact on us -- we're motivated to seek out others who’ve experienced the same impact! We’re somehow energized to talk about these books and any/all related subjects. Yes, you can argue there are countless authors who are considered more talented, worthwhile, critically-acclaimed, intellectually and philosophically more enlightening – and I wouldn't argue otherwise about that! But, for whatever reason, what cannot be argued is that those authors obviously do not seem to have the same motivating influence on their readers. If they did, you and Nonyeb wouldn’t have to go around trying to stir up conversations everywhere; every board here on gnooks would be bursting with posts without your intervention.
Bottomline: There's something uncommon and uniquely appealing about AM's writing – something that motivates us to want to actively communicate with others who’ve experienced his books. Maybe it’s a simple as “like minds” but whatever it is that’s drawn so many of us here for so long, it’s more than can be captured in a few explanatory paragraphs or even within 282+ pages of postings…
Let’s make a deal, Da Blues – why not read Bravo Two Zero, then come back and share your thoughts with us? We might surprise you – I know the book will.
Ah, the mission continues…. :o)
>>By am-i-binned (Friday, 12 Jan 2007 16:28)
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