Merc-the

I read this book in one sitting, drinking coffee and chuckling the entire time. The book isn't really deep, i.e. I know no more about big metaphysical things like "the nature of the mind" or "the human condition is pseudopoverty" for having read this book. But it was a fun little book with several real-close-to-brilliant moments, e.g. one female character's flat stomach fetish, the Tarantino impersonators, and the whole bit about transmission types being masculine and feminine. Also, the "fat Welsh tart" is funny without being a parody, something that is all too rare in literature these days. I think the best way to put it is that it is too good to read on an airplane, but not a classic.

This is an amazing book that hits its pace immediately and never lets up. It's a tremendous take on contemporary British society delivered in a similar fashion as the mid-'90's films of John Hodge, Andrew MacDonald and Danny Boyle, as well as the novels of fellow Britwits and pop culture addicts Irvine Welsh and Nick Hornby.

However, as good a writer of personalities as Hornby doubtless is, there is NO WAY he could have written this book. "A White Merc With Fins" has a very developed and intricate plotline that moves despite sufficient character development that never actually becomes the story itself.

The story itself deals with a stew of complexities involving some of the issues evident within mid-'90's London; drug use, sexual identity, racism, politcal activism, and beneath it all the unspoken hang-ups of class identity within a modern society that strives to distance itself from a history of strict classism...but can't quite seem to find the plot in doing so.

Any number of these traits would make an interesting enough story on their own...but in this book they serve as mere sandwich spreads over the meat of Hawes' actual story. The novel takes place within a matter of days leading up to a bank heist planned by a man (the book's narrator) who, approaching the sell-by age of thirty, has accomplished absolutely nothing during his adult life. He has no proper home of his own, no career, no plan for his life...and he sees, in the glances afforded into the window of a walk-up across the way from his own quarters, the life that awaits him lest he do something drastic to change his fortunes.

He has no plan for his life...so he develops "the Plan" to rob a bank.

Naturally.

Why didn't I think of that?

"The Plan" involves the narrator, a small circle of close friends including his new girlfriend with a fondness for 501 jeans that accentuate her perfectly flat stomach and, uh, questionable bodily grooming habits, a Quentin Tarantino fetishist, the brother of an ex-girlfriend who dreams of opening a bake shop in his hometown of Zaragosa, a local gangstar, a fat Welshman from the coalmines who is delightfully gay, a terminal AIDS patient otherwise thriving as a money launderer, a half-Jewish skinhead, and the Irish Republican Army.

If all that isn't sufficient to stoke your curiosity to the point of giving this book a read, I simply don't know what could possibly be wrong with you...pick it up AT ONCE and have at it; you will not regret it.

A truly cool novel, "A White Merc With Fins" spits along at a pleasing clip, with a plotline that completely defies easy description. James Hawes has debuted with a wonderful book -- tremendously readable and engaging, it seemed like Quentin Tarantino in type.

This book supplements the GURPS Traveller system by describing the history, organization and tools of the mercenary's trade. Written by two veteran Traveller authors, the attention to detail is refreshing in a gaming supplement. The mercenary's life is thoroughly described in the main text and typical of the GURPS products, spiced up with lots of interesting snippets on the sidebars. New templates and new equipment will be of interest to players keen on dishing out (as mentioned in the preface) "Grade-A violence to all comers". The only (minor) fault I could find is that the sample characters are not particularly inspiring.

The original Mercenary book was arguably the most exciting of the supplements published by the now-closed Game Designers Workshop when I first started playing Traveller. This new version for GURPS Traveller is even better. Easily the first supplement I would get for the GURPS Traveller system.

Shakespeare borders on anti-Semitism in this play. In nearly every scene, the Jewish Character is either reminded he is a dog, or that he is evil because of being a Jew and this extends to his daughter; Jessica, whom the stupid clown Lancelot considers to be cursed because of the fact that she is a Jewess.

I think the racism in the play spoiled what would have been a funny and enjoyable read. I was trying to convince myself that Shakespeare was not trying to group all Jews together and that Shylock was just a greedy and unfeeling person who just happened to be Jewish. This is all very hard to do looking back from our time at all the atrocities committed against the Jews because of such racist propaganda (even the unknowingly racist).

Another thing I have issue with is Portia's testing of her husband to see whether he is faithful, and the fact that she forged a document, plus she impersonated another person , lied about devoting her time to God etc... It lessens her status as a heroine and makes her out to be worse than Shylock in that she employed questionable techniques to free the Merchant of Venice; Antonio. The end never justifies the means.

The only real hero in this play, to me was Antonio, although I think Shakespeare made his character to be less realistic with his lack of conflict and complete goodness, a trait that is hard to find in human beings.

All these are my opinions and I think you have to read the play itself to determine whether it is racist. On the upside, the story is interesting and full of suspense (for something of its length) and very funny in parts. Check out Portia's description of her suitors for example. All in all, a good play but definitely not his best because of the racism and the lifeless Merchant of Venice.

This play was actually intersting and had superb characterization. I actually found this work riveting - it had a great plot. I highly recommend this play because it is one of Sharkespeare's best. It is a great play to start with because it is easy to understand.

This is a wonderful play - and unless you have seen it or read it you don't know it at all. That's because everything the popular culture tells us about this play is false (for example; how many of you think this play is about a merchant named Shylock? ;-)

The Merchant of Venice is a lively and happy morality tale. Good triumphs over bad - charity over greed - love over hate.
There is fine comedy. Portia is one of Shakespeare's greatest women (and he ennobled women more than any playwright in history). There are moments of empathy and pain with all the major characters. There is great humanity and earthiness in this play. These things are what elevate Shakespeare over any other playwright in English history.

Plays should be seen - not read. I recommend you see this play (if you can find a theater with the courage and skill to do it). But if it is not playing in your area this season - buy the book and read it.

This book contains short stories on mercenary actions around the globe. Most of them are condensed versions of books on the subject. There is no connection between the chapters and no overview from the editor.
Nice to browse thru, but I recommend the real deal instead:
Mike Hoare, The road to Kalamata
Anthony Mockler, The new mercenaries

"Mercs" is a series of tiny anecdotes (usually anywhere from 3-10 pages) about various mercenaries throughout history, with a special emphasis on the twentieth century, except for the final section, which is a long long piece on mercenaries sent to start a coup in Ghana. Most of the stories range from lame to fascinating, depending on what happens. My favorite anecdotes were the ones about Sir John de Hawkwood, English condotierre in Renaissance Italy. The anecdotes that didn't hold too much of an interest to me are the ones from the mid-20th century, especially the ones in Vietnam (they just kinda blend together to me). I also thought it might have been a bit better if they included a bit more of the post-Cold War mercenaries. But all in all I would say it's a decent book.

There are many causes worth fighting for, but some just go without mention thanks to lack of media coverage (Biafra comes to mind). Some mercenaries do not fit the Hollywood mold of a ruthless, senseless warmonger with a thirst for blood and the next big paycheck. Some mercs are angels of mercy, sacrificing themselves for those whom it may not be "politically suitable" for other large nations (read: USA) to aid.

"Mercs" covers some of these individuals with interesting non-fiction short stories. Of particular interest to this reader were the accounts of Count Carl Gustav von Rosen, who led five modified light aircraft armed with small rocket pods on morning raids against the Nigerian Air Force (mostly MiGs), and the stories concerning the history of the French Foreign Legion.

I gave him two stars for his vivid imagination. Semper Fi.

Frank Camper takes you into Vietnam..into the world that
we all knew existed, but would rather look the other way.A true life Vietnam adventure.
He carries on his excellent writing skills as he has in some of his other books like-L.L.R.P. and MK-ULTRA, Mind Benders and many more.BR>A contoversial real life guy that will take you where only a few have dared to go. If you like true life adventure-this ones for you. BCF

This book is the author's elaborate BUSINESS PLAN (he says so himself on page 22 & 23) for building a facility to trade forward contracts and options based upon the nursery (trees) industry . The Seattle Mercantile Exchange, in other words, DOES NOT EXIST. The book is simply a 20% business plan, 80% primer on the workings of futures & options, too.

With the changes in the industry, I supposed the CFTC somehow approved The Seattle Merc, but it was not to be. After numerous calls to the Oregon and Washington State nursery associations, the CFTC, NFA, etc., nobody has ever heard of the SME. I finally reached someone who knew Capasso personally, who affirmed the non-existence of the SME.

Now, mind you, the entire book is written in the present tense, as though the exchange is underway currently. In fact, the book's inside flap description and marketing material will lead one to believe that the SME is in operation. This is entirely NOT THE CASE. In fact, the last word about the material development of the exchange is from Capasso. He had made investments into "development cost" for $250,000 to the SME and a grower who committed $4 million of "inventory" to the exchange. But nothing came about from it. Capasso claims "Even though all new ventures have start-up costs, the idea of an exchange for an industry that was conservative in its thinking and that approached change reluctantly was a risky venture, to say the least."

The rest of the book is textbook step-by-step on his business plan operating the exchange, including a contract example, clearing and settlement procedures, and a quote terminal.

So, in the end, what you have for the nursery profession is the Seattle Utopia Exchange. This does not detract from the books value. John Wiley & Sons brings out some consisently high-grade finance books, and this one is perfect for the futures' industry economic value.

The book's main value is spiritual food for professionals and entrepreneurs who desire to offset market risk in their business transactions. Capasso's clear writing, and concreate outline of the Exchange development, is a first step towards demystifying this part of finance. Even though with the dissapointing fact that I was mislead by the marketing of this book, it was worth it to see just how easy it is to create a futures exchange for just about anything :)