Norm & Lily Goldman's Book Reviews & Travel Articlesngoldman (6,395)     ngoldman    Norm Goldman Review: The Reluctant ColonelPosted Thursday, May 08, 2008 (8 days 14 hours ago.) Viewed 14 times. Author: Michael J. Merry ISBN: 978-1-4196-8702-0
Although Michael J. Merry’s The Reluctant Colonel is quite a tall tale and a bit far- fetched, I have to admit it did suck me in.
Merry has incorporated into his novel his vast dossier of Latin American knowledge he acquired while living and travelling there for twenty-seven years where he headed a political news gathering organization for ten of those years.
The narrative is set in a fictitious beautiful and unusual Latin American country, Maraguay. What was quite unique about this country was that it was blessed with the most incredible natural deep-water harbor between San Francisco in the USA to the north and Ushuaia at the tip of Chile in the south.
The Americans had been craving for this harbor since the country’s independence. It was in 1916 on the eve of World War I that the two countries signed a treaty “in perpetuity." The deal was that the USA would pay to the government of Maraguay a half million dollars a year and in exchange the Americans would receive the exclusive use of the harbor, its islands, the port, and the wharves. Furthermore, due to American astuteness, it was agreed that American currency would be used. As it turns out, what Maraguay received was in reality more than the half million annual fees, for it gave them stability that many other Latin countries lacked.
The importance of the harbor was far reaching for it eventually served as a huge warehouse and free zone for ships transiting the Panama canal as it was only two hundred miles to the north and for the rapidly developing countries to the south. In addition, it was a “direct shot across the Pacific to Taiwan, China, and Japan, and was therefore ideal of on and offloading goods for shipment north, south, or through the canal." The Americans used the largest of the islands as a fifteen thousand foot runway that was built at the beginning of the Korean War. In the 1960s, when our story takes place, it was also used in order to keep an eye on the Cubans, as the Bay of Pigs invasion had taken place a few years previously.
As our story unfolds, we learn that the treaty is about to expire and informal talks with the government in power under the leadership of General DeSantos who now held power for thirteen years were underway.
DeSantos had seized power from the previous civilian government after he presented a plan to the Americans that would solve their problem of having to constantly renegotiate their treaty arrangements with a government that every year demanded more money for the harbor rights. The Americans agreed to turn a blind eye to DeSantos’s revolt plan, and furthermore to sweeten the pot, they agreed that each month his Swiss bank account would be enriched to the tune of thousands of dollars as long as he permitted them to do whatever they wanted, when they wanted and where they wanted. It should be mentioned that DeSantos not only profited from the Americans but also, as we discover, he and his cohorts had their slimy paws in the country’s treasury to the tune of millions of dollars.
When all of this was taking place George McGregor, a young expatriate Englishman and junior supervisor in the employ of American and European Cable Company in Maraguay befriended a fellow employee, Felipe Fernandez. Felipe was quite a storyteller who could keep everyone in stitches as he recounted his many romantic ventures.
It was through Felipe that George met Daniel Montego who was a senior cadet at the Military Academy in San Antonio. Daniel had been at the British College with Felipe and had finished three years of medical school before his parents died and his money ran out. Daniel was an outstanding military student and he caught the eye of General DeSantos who after his graduation assigned him as one of his personal aides.
One day while George, Felipe and Daniel were boozing it up, Ramon Fernandez, Felipe’s older brother and who was a lawyer comes by and is introduced to George. Ramon doesn’t hide his disdain for DeSantos and his cohorts and George listens to the exchange between Ramon and Daniel saying nothing although he surmises that they knew something that he didn’t.
Subsequently, the foursome gather at a restaurant, where to the surprise of George, Ramon is arrested. It seems that General DeSantos got wind of a possible coup led by civilians. What then ensues is a blow–by-blow account of how George, Felipe, Daniel and eleven others successfully overthrow the government. We further learn that Daniel fully understands that there are three basic rules to a successful military coup d’état, timing, military control, and popular support. We also discover that he will stop at nothing to become the coup leader.
Merry dissects the anatomy of the coup and its aftermath that was carried out by a mere handful of men known as El Grupo. The narrative furthermore reveals how young Daniel along with George, Felipe and Ramon, who was now free, perform some daring feats to solidify their hold on power and track down hidden funds squirreled away by members of the previous corrupt government.
Entwined into the plot is the wheeling and dealing of a cunning George concerning the renegotiation of the harbor treaty that not only involves the Americans but also get-togethers with Fidel Castro, the English and the French ambassadors. George also believes in the adage that all work and no play makes one a dull person and he savors the fruits of his popularity with several women who literally throw themselves at him.
The Reluctant Colonel is not without faults such as the insertion of too many of Felipe’s stories that does very little to move the narrative along. It also lacks the kind of suspense that would bring readers to the point of nail biting with their hair standing on end. However, it does deserve praise for its sharp perception of the corruption practiced by government officials of many Latin American countries and the terror resulting from human rights abuses. Furthermore, I have to admit that although Merry has created a rich dream world that despite being quite hazardous is nevertheless quite alluring as we notice from following the life of George after the coup. Could Merry’s story happen in the real world? Probably.
To read Norm's Interview With Michael Merry CLICK HERE 
Permalink Comments (0) A Conversation With James Ross Author of Lifetime LoserPosted Monday, May 05, 2008 (11 days 6 hours ago.) Viewed 5 times. Today, Norm Goldman Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com is pleased to have as our guest, James Ross, author of Lifetime Loser.
Good day James and thanks for participating in our interview.
Norm:
How did you decide you were ready to write Lifetime Loser? James:
It took me several years to develop a story in my head. A doctor friend of mine, who I confided in, suggested that it would make a great movie because of the characters that I had told him about and all of the twists and turns that I had concocted. In retrospect, my approach was backwards. I went to the internet, joined a screenwriting club, and wrote the screenplay after purchasing Final Draft software.
It was agreed that I had something, i.e., characters, plot, and storyline, so I hired a screenwriting consultant to perfect the writing. After ten rewrites I asked my consultant what would help me sell the screenplay. His answer was simple: the book. At first I balked, but after three months of soul searching I decided that I would use the screenplay as my outline. The written prose turned out better than anticipated because I got to fill in all of the blanks and give the characters a more complete background. Most agree that the book is always better than the movie.
Norm: Could you briefly tell our readers something about Lifetime Loser?
James: Essentially the story is about a cast of characters that swindle an estate out of a lot of real property. The heirs to the estate and the managing head pro are the victims. The story takes place in a golf course setting. It is about the head pro’s journey to correct the sinister evil.
Norm: What are the preponderant influences on your writing?
James: I suppose that I was originally baffled about the differences that occur in the criminal justice system and the civil justice system. This came to light during the telecasting of the O. J. Simpson criminal fiasco in the state of California and what the Goldman family was forced to do to get justice in civil proceedings.
Golf is classified as “the gentleman’s game." To me the golf course was a perfect setting for a crime! The irony was that the owner of the course was the most unethical person in the story. Norm:
It is said that writers should write what they know. Were there any elements of the book that forced you to step out of your comfort zone, and if so, how did you approach this part of the writing? James:
There is a lot of truth to that statement. When I came to those parts that created discomfort, then I would simply do internet research. If that didn’t provide the level of satisfaction that I was looking for, then I would contact friends to get a better understanding of what I needed to relay or different ways to tell it. Norm:
Would you say that the publication of your first novel Lifetime Loser is the culmination of a life long dream? James:
Truthfully, I think that one of the goals of every single person is to write a book before they die. Some don’t have the knowledge; a few don’t have the fortitude; several don’t have the technical ability to write. For me, it was a transition or a way to eventually get a movie of this story produced. When I accomplish that, then my life long dream will be accomplished. Norm:
How did you develop the plot and characters? Did you use any set formula? James:
My screenwriting consultant helped me dramatically create obstacles for my protagonist. The scenes were in my head, but we had to logically place them in a progressive order. I learned a lot about the character arc from him. Norm:
Are the characters in your book based on people you know or have encountered or are they strictly fictional? And as a follow up, who is your favorite character in your book and why? James:
The story is fictionalized, but many of the characters are a mixture of real-life acquaintances and/or experiences. It was fun to create a despicable antagonist who everyone would love to hate. The comments that I have gotten is that most wanted that character to get it in the end. So, to some degree, I succeeded in making him a miserable, evil, vile SOB. Norm:
What does your title Lifetime Loser represent? How did you decide on this title? James:
It is an “underdog against-all-odds" type of story. I wanted to show that money-hungry, materialistic people really don’t achieve true joy in the end. My antagonist had all that money could buy, except happiness and contentment. He got the toys through dishonesty, cheating, and deception. As he looked back on his life my antagonist was a “true" loser….and had been all of his life. His final actions verified that. Norm:
Do you agree that to have good drama there must be an emotional charge that usually comes from the individual squaring off against antagonists either out in the world or within himself or herself? If so, please elaborate and how does it fit into you novel? James:
Once again, my screenwriting consultant gets credit for a lot of what was created. He constantly stressed that conflict was what drives the story and makes the characters do what they do. The carrot at the end of the line has to be what the protagonist is after. His journey can’t be easy. Many obstacles have to be thrown at that character for him to become the person that he is. Norm:
Can you tell us how you found representation for your book? Did you pitch it to an agent, or query publishers who would most likely publish this type of book? Any rejections? Did you self-publish? James:
I quickly found that trying to send manuscripts to agents, publishers, and production companies was an exercise in rejection. Not one person accepts unsolicited material. So I decided to self-publish. Consequently, my approach changed. I have written a second novel, due out in May 2008. My third book is approximately one-third finished and I’ve started my fourth book. My plan now is to publish product. With proper public relations and networking my hopes are to get a literary agent and a larger publisher. Several people close to me thought that a professional web site would also be beneficial in developing a readership base. With these tools I am hopeful that I can land agency representation and a larger publisher.
Norm: Are you working on any books/projects that you would like to share with us? (We would love to hear all about them!)
James: An amazing thing occurred after I completed Lifetime Loser. First of all, the writing bug had consumed me. I honestly missed creating the havoc and sitting at the keyboard. Secondly, I had fallen in love with the characters. My second novel is titled Finish Line. The third story in this series will be titled Tuey’s Course. The tentative title for the fourth book is Opur’s Blade.
What I decided to do was to keep the setting and the characters. I plan on weaving additional tales out of Prairie Winds Golf Course on the east side of St. Louis. My standard characters will re-appear with approximately fifteen to twenty new characters introduced per tale…..as the storyline requires. Norm:
How can readers find out more about Lifetime Loser and you and your endeavors? James:
Please visit my web site. It is: http://www.authorjamesross.com/ Norm:
Is there anything else you wish to add that we have not covered? James:
Everyone has a story! It has been stated many times before that they all begin with the first sentence. I cannot tell you how satisfying it has been for me to tell my story through the written word. So much so, that I am now considering making a career out of writing stories. I suppose my readers will determine whether or not that will be a success. Thanks once again and good luck with all of your future endeavors.
Permalink Comments (0) |
Archives:
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
