OT - What espioange/war novels do you read? [SURVEY]

I am having a dispute with a literary agent and I am conducting
this on-line book survey to add ammunition to my argument. I would
greatly appreciate it if you could answer this survey honestly, but
please dot not send answers via email. Thanks.


1) Who are you favorite espionage/war authors and why?

2) Who are your least enjoyable espionage/war authors and why?

3) What determines if the book you read is a keeper or a reject?

4) Other than 38 North Yankee and Red Phoenix, have you read any books
about a war in Korea? If so, what are the titles?

5) Assuming a book was well written about a war in Korea, would you
read it, or do you believe the Korea scenario has been overdone?

6) Do you prefer war or espionage stories?

7) What story would you like to read?

8) Do you still buy espionage/war novels, or do you feel that the
genre is overdone?

9) If you've reduced or stopped purchasing espionage/war novels, what
other genres do you read instead?


Eric Pinnell

(Author, "Steel Rain", "Claws of The Dragon", "The Omega File")

For a preview, see: http://www.ericpinnell.com/books/previews.shtml

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 12:53:23 -0400, Eric Pinnell see my web site
wrote:

I am having a dispute with a literary agent and I am conducting
this on-line book survey to add ammunition to my argument. I would
greatly appreciate it if you could answer this survey honestly, but
please dot not send answers via email. Thanks.


1) Who are you favorite espionage/war authors and why?

Assuming you mean fiction, then here is my short list:

John LeCarre
Frederick Forsythe
Nelson Demille
Ian Fleming
Trevanian
Tom Clancy

2) Who are your least enjoyable espionage/war authors and why?

No specifics here. The least enjoyable are also the ones least
published and least known. Typically I don't like pacifists,
apologists and conspiricists.

3) What determines if the book you read is a keeper or a reject?

Plot, believability, character development and use of language that
interests me.

4) Other than 38 North Yankee and Red Phoenix, have you read any books
about a war in Korea? If so, what are the titles?

Strangely enough, I haven't read anything about Korea beyond Boots
Blesse's "No Guts, No Glory" which is more a tactics and attitude
primer for fighter pilots than espionage or war book.

5) Assuming a book was well written about a war in Korea, would you
read it, or do you believe the Korea scenario has been overdone?

Didn't read the book, but Bridges at Toko-Ri, Sabre Jet, The Hunters
were all pretty successful. I don't think the genre has been
overworked. If anything, it has been under-reported.

6) Do you prefer war or espionage stories?

Again, if we are talking fiction, I tend toward espionage since there
are more plot convolutions possible. War stories tend to be blood/gore
or sex and tragedy. Both bore quickly.

7) What story would you like to read?

About Korea? Probably something about the F-84 air-ground forces
rather than the MiG-killers. Or artillery/armor rather than infantry.
Or patrol boat ops rather than carrier air.

8) Do you still buy espionage/war novels, or do you feel that the
genre is overdone?

Still buy them regularly.

9) If you've reduced or stopped purchasing espionage/war novels, what
other genres do you read instead?

In fiction? I read period pieces like Clavell's Shogun, horror/fantasy
such as Steven King, legal novels ala Grisham, grand metropolitan
novels like Tom Wolfe's stuff. I tune out the political expose de
jour, since they are inevitably ghost written and self-serving. It
matters not whether they are from the right or the left--they all seem
to make tons of money, but like the stereotypical Chinese meal, an
hour later you're still hungry.


Eric Pinnell

(Author, "Steel Rain", "Claws of The Dragon", "The Omega File")

For a preview, see: http://www.ericpinnell.com/books/previews.shtml

Ed Rasimus
Fighter Pilot (USAF-Ret)
"When Thunder Rolled"
Smithsonian Institution Press
ISBN #1-58834-103-8

Eric Pinnell wrote:
I am having a dispute with a literary agent and I am conducting
this on-line book survey to add ammunition to my argument. I would
greatly appreciate it if you could answer this survey honestly, but
please dot not send answers via email. Thanks.


1) Who are you favorite espionage/war authors and why?

Clancy, Some Coonts,

2) Who are your least enjoyable espionage/war authors and why?

The guy who wrote Circle William. I quit after two chapters.
Unbelievable premise, poor writing, cliched.

3) What determines if the book you read is a keeper or a reject?

It has to grab my interest and it MUST be believable in a real-world
frame of reference.

4) Other than 38 North Yankee and Red Phoenix, have you read any books
about a war in Korea? If so, what are the titles?

First chapter of Steel Rain. The same applies as to Circle William.

5) Assuming a book was well written about a war in Korea, would you
read it, or do you believe the Korea scenario has been overdone?
Burned to a crisp.


6) Do you prefer war or espionage stories?

Both

7) What story would you like to read?



8) Do you still buy espionage/war novels, or do you feel that the
genre is overdone?

Just bought a book of short stories edited by Stephen Coonts, entitled
Victory - Call to Arms. Three stories, excellently done. I'm looking
for the rest of the series.

9) If you've reduced or stopped purchasing espionage/war novels, what
other genres do you read instead?


Eric Pinnell

(Author, "Steel Rain", "Claws of The Dragon", "The Omega File")

For a preview, see: http://www.ericpinnell.com/books/previews.shtml


Eric, Have you been to the DMZ or done much research on how it's setup?
Or how the ROK is organized? Might be worth a look.

John

"Eric Pinnell" see my web site wrote in message
...
I am having a dispute with a literary agent and I am conducting
this on-line book survey to add ammunition to my argument. I would
greatly appreciate it if you could answer this survey honestly, but
please dot not send answers via email. Thanks.


1) Who are you favorite espionage/war authors and why?

Clancy, WEB Griffin, Martin Caidin (RIP)


2) Who are your least enjoyable espionage/war authors and why?

3) What determines if the book you read is a keeper or a reject?

There has to be a basis in reality. Don't try and sell me a stealth B-52 or
a Mach 5 SR-71

4) Other than 38 North Yankee and Red Phoenix, have you read any books
about a war in Korea? If so, what are the titles?

WEB Griffin's latest in one of his series is in Korea.


5) Assuming a book was well written about a war in Korea, would you
read it, or do you believe the Korea scenario has been overdone?

I'll read any well written book.


6) Do you prefer war or espionage stories?

Doesn't matter.

7) What story would you like to read?

8) Do you still buy espionage/war novels, or do you feel that the
genre is overdone?

See #5

9) If you've reduced or stopped purchasing espionage/war novels, what
other genres do you read instead?


Eric Pinnell

(Author, "Steel Rain", "Claws of The Dragon", "The Omega File")

For a preview, see: http://www.ericpinnell.com/books/previews.shtml

I am having a dispute with a literary agent

Having a dispute with a literary agent is like having a dispute with
your wife. You can't win.


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
The Piper Cub Forum www.pipercubforum.com
Viva Bush! blog www.vivabush.org

Ed Rasimus wrote:

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 12:53:23 -0400, Eric Pinnell see my web site
wrote:

I am having a dispute with a literary agent and I am conducting
this on-line book survey to add ammunition to my argument. I would
greatly appreciate it if you could answer this survey honestly, but
please dot not send answers via email. Thanks.


1) Who are you favorite espionage/war authors and why?

Assuming you mean fiction, then here is my short list:

John LeCarre
Frederick Forsythe
Nelson Demille
Ian Fleming
Trevanian
Tom Clancy

Ed, if you like DeMille (as do I, and most of the rest of your list),
you'll almost certainly like Brian Haig (Alexander's son, but dont hold
that against him). I'd replace Fleming with Harold Coyle. Unlike Clancy,
he doesn't write techno-porn; **** happens in his books, and the people are
more important than the equipment. Come to think of it, Coyle's first or
second book was set in Korea. And I usually enjoy Stephen Coonts. My
current list would probably go

DeMille (moremystery than espionage or war, but just keeps getting better)
Forsythe (he's had a couple less than terrific ones recently, but like
Arnold Palmer in the Master's, he gets a lifetime pass for "Day of the
Jackal" as well as several lesser but still excellent subsequent works)
Coyle (already described)
Haig (getting better and better, obviously a fan of DeMille. His main
character is an Army JAG type)
Trevanian (haven't read much new by him, but he gets a 10-year pass for the
"Eiger" and "Loo Sanctions" plus "Shibumi")
LeCarre (haven't read his stuff in years, since before "The Little Drummer
Girl". I have a limit on depressing situations, but the man defined the
Cold War spy novel).
Coonts (heading downhill, but still enjoyable trash)
Clancy (he's been coasting downhill, but I still read him).



2) Who are your least enjoyable espionage/war authors and why?

No specifics here. The least enjoyable are also the ones least
published and least known. Typically I don't like pacifists,
apologists and conspiricists.

There are so many bad authors to choose from, but I'll have to give a
special mention to Dale Brown. I avoid his stuff like the plague.


3) What determines if the book you read is a keeper or a reject?

Plot, believability, character development and use of language that
interests me.

We both consider character development important, and yet we both read Tom
Clancy? ;-) Although I've got to say that his last few books have
noticeably dropped off in quality. At least he got through the
toilet-tongue phase he went through a couple of books back.

4) Other than 38 North Yankee and Red Phoenix, have you read any books
about a war in Korea? If so, what are the titles?

A couple by W.E.B. Griffin and James Brady recently, plus Bridges at
Toko-Ri a long time ago. I couldn't tell you the titles of the first two,
they weren't terribly memorable. I tend to read more non-fiction on Korea.

snip

6) Do you prefer war or espionage stories?

Again, if we are talking fiction, I tend toward espionage since there
are more plot convolutions possible. War stories tend to be blood/gore
or sex and tragedy. Both bore quickly.

Generally agreed.


8) Do you still buy espionage/war novels, or do you feel that the
genre is overdone?

Still buy them regularly.

With 8 library cards, who needs to buy? ;-) Seriously, I only buy books Im
going to use as references, or the few books of fiction I'm going to reread
repeatedly.

Guy

Eric Pinnell see my web site wrote in message . ..
I am having a dispute with a literary agent and I am conducting
this on-line book survey to add ammunition to my argument. I would
greatly appreciate it if you could answer this survey honestly, but
please dot not send answers via email. Thanks.


1) Who are you favorite espionage/war authors and why?

2) Who are your least enjoyable espionage/war authors and why?

3) What determines if the book you read is a keeper or a reject?

4) Other than 38 North Yankee and Red Phoenix, have you read any books
about a war in Korea? If so, what are the titles?

5) Assuming a book was well written about a war in Korea, would you
read it, or do you believe the Korea scenario has been overdone?

6) Do you prefer war or espionage stories?

7) What story would you like to read?

8) Do you still buy espionage/war novels, or do you feel that the
genre is overdone?

9) If you've reduced or stopped purchasing espionage/war novels, what
other genres do you read instead?


Eric Pinnell

(Author, "Steel Rain", "Claws of The Dragon", "The Omega File")

For a preview, see: http://www.ericpinnell.com/books/previews.shtml

Mr Moto, Eric Ambler, The Saint, Cardinal in the Kremlin, etc. you
know the ones without the guy that the agencies never hire. Watch a
Discovery Times channel program on Hollywood and the CIA and get a
clue.

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 12:53:23 -0400, Eric Pinnell see my web site
wrote:

I am having a dispute with a literary agent and I am conducting
this on-line book survey to add ammunition to my argument. I would
greatly appreciate it if you could answer this survey honestly, but
please dot not send answers via email. Thanks.


1) Who are you favorite espionage/war authors and why?

For espionage, John Le Carre' and Len Deighton, because they write so
well. Nelson DeMille fits in here somewhere, too. For war, CS
Forester, Patrick O'Brian, Larry Bond, Mark Barent, Neville Shute,
Eric Flint, David Weber, Elizabeth Moon, Somebody Frezza, James
Clavell. Their books are believable, their characters are real, and
their plots are complex and interesting.

Ethell, Price, Boyne, Rasimus, Tuchman. Non-fiction.

2) Who are your least enjoyable espionage/war authors and why?

I don't really know. What's-his-name, the guy that writes the books
with Dirk Pitt in them.

3) What determines if the book you read is a keeper or a reject?

How much it engages my interest and how believable it is. Make a big
error (geosynchronous polar orbit or an F-106 passenger conversion)
and it's all over.

4) Other than 38 North Yankee and Red Phoenix, have you read any books
about a war in Korea? If so, what are the titles?

Yes. Dog Soldiers (I think).

5) Assuming a book was well written about a war in Korea, would you
read it, or do you believe the Korea scenario has been overdone?

Yes, I would. No, I don't. I've seen very little about Korea.

6) Do you prefer war or espionage stories?

Yes.

7) What story would you like to read?

Something with interesting characters and lots of technology. No
romance unless it's very well done, which is extremely uncommon.

8) Do you still buy espionage/war novels, or do you feel that the
genre is overdone?

Yes, I do. No, I don't, at least not in well-written books.

9) If you've reduced or stopped purchasing espionage/war novels, what
other genres do you read instead?

I haven't stopped or slowed reading them, but I've always read other
genres as well. Mysteries. Science fiction. Fantasy. "Mainstream"
fiction. Biography. Linguistics. Food and cooking. Beading.
History.

Mary

--
Mary Shafer Retired aerospace research engineer

In article ,
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 12:53:23 -0400, Eric Pinnell see my web site
wrote:

I am having a dispute with a literary agent and I am conducting
this on-line book survey to add ammunition to my argument. I would
greatly appreciate it if you could answer this survey honestly, but
please dot not send answers via email. Thanks.


1) Who are you favorite espionage/war authors and why?


I differentiate among espionage, other intelligence collection, special
operations, historical general military, and technothrillers -- with the
latter group blurring into science fiction (e.g., David Weber's "Honor
Harrington" started out as an interstellar Horatio Hornblower, and now
is becoming increasingly diplomatic/political). I also look for
well-done alternate history/alternate
timeline/post-interstellar-diaspora recovery themes.

Definitely in the first two categories, and still in substantial degree
in the next two (as well as current doctrine), I read more nonfiction
than fiction.

In the genre you may be looking for, TC of course. Early Dale Brown; the
later ones fail my plausibility test but I'll read for a while more. WEB
Griffin. James Cobb. For silly escape, Clive Cussler.



2) Who are your least enjoyable espionage/war authors and why?

Again, I don't call them one genre. The last one I remember putting down
in the middle and not picking up was by Patrick Robinson (oddly, ADM
Sandy Woodward's as-told-to).

3) What determines if the book you read is a keeper or a reject?

Plausibility and characterization. I like following a character(s)
through multiple works.

4) Other than 38 North Yankee and Red Phoenix, have you read any books
about a war in Korea? If so, what are the titles?

Mostly nonfiction -- I have a shelf of them.

5) Assuming a book was well written about a war in Korea, would you
read it, or do you believe the Korea scenario has been overdone?

No, I don't.

On Sat, 24 Apr 2004 21:24:35 GMT, Guy Alcala
wrote:

Come to think of it, Coyle's first or
second book was set in Korea.

His first, "Team Yankee", was set in Germany, west of the Fulda Gap.

Mary

--
Mary Shafer Retired aerospace research engineer