Frederick Forsyth : Novel : The Dogs of War

Sir James Manson, has come up the hard way in life. Born to nobodies from some place. He has grown to become the Chairman of ManCon, construction and exploration company.
Starting as a mine worker, James Manson realized that money was not made by underground mining workers but by above ground white color guys who invested money. He learnt the skills of mining astutely.
And when he was promoted as director of his company , he quit his job. He realized that he had the potential else he would not have been promoted. After quitting he started his company. Initial days were testing days. But he bid for all small projects and got hold of the nuances of running a company. Slowly but steadily he had built up his company to become one of the largest construction and mining company in UK.
A report on the desk of Sir James Manson had his attention. It was the report of recent exploration work done by one of the consultants that the company hires. The results of the exploration were startling... The Crystal Mountain, located in Zhangaro, a small African county, had the largest platinum deposit ever found.
Zhangaro, virtually unknown country, is being run by a guy called Kimba. Kimba is known to be a very unstable guy who claims he can talk to the gods. The land is dominated by Vidhu tribe. Kimba had forcefully occupied the country and has driven out all his opponents. He virtually controls all the moves of people.
James Manson desperately wants the exploration rights of the crystal mountain and exploit the contents. But it is impossible to do till kimba is around. So he comes up with a dangerous and grandiose idea.

Sir James trusts his 2 lieutenants Martin Thorpe and Simon Endean. They were handpicked by James and groomed to become his trusted juniors. He talks about his plans with Martin and Simon. Simon is assigned the job of finding a mercenary who can carry out the grand plan.
Carlo Alfred Thomas Shannon (a.k.a Cat Shannon) is a mercenary who has fought all types of wars in Africa. He is familiar with the psyche of Africans. He is back in London after his assignment and is loafing around. He wants a new assignment is not sure how to get one until Simon calls him up.
Cat Shannon has trusted partners in Kurt Semmler, Marc Vlaminck, Langarotti and Dupree. They have worked with him in africa. They are the Dogs of War.
Cat Shannon accepts Simon's proposal and starts his preparation.

What follows is an interesting and adventerous story of Cat and his team.

Amazing novel. Frederick at his best, as usual.
I liked the way the story progresses, the way characters are built up. Shannon's methodical prepration is amazing and explained in great detail. However i felt it could have been shortened.
James Manson's character is a great read. Simon and Martin are simple in their characters.
The story revolves around Cat Shannon and his men. Cat comes out as a very interesting man who knows what he can do and does it efficiently.
The story also has characters like Dr. Steinhofer, Swiss banker, Sergei Golon, the under secretary, Charles Roux who has a score to settle with Shannon, Johann Schlinker who supplies shannon with his vital requirements, baker who helps Shannon with other requirements, Lambert who helps with some vital parts, Jack Mulrooney the Surveyor of Crystal Mountain.

However I was not too happy with Julia's character. I felt it was not required. She is there in the picture only for one purpose and that could have been achieved by any other person. A detective agency could have done the job that she does.

Overall an interesting novel. I would give a 7 out of 10 and a must for all Frederick Fans.

Understanding Engineers

UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERS - TAKE ONE

Two engineering students were walking across campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?"
The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike. She took one look at me, threw the bike to the ground and said to me, 'Take what you want' , so I did."
The second engineer nodded approvingly.
"Good choice; girl friend wouldn't do any good to you."

UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERS - TAKE TWO

To the optimist, the glass is half full.
To the pessimist, the glass is half-empty.
To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.


UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERS - TAKE THREE

What is the difference between Mechanical Engineers and Civil Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers build weapons and Civil Engineers build targets.

UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERS - TAKE FOUR

Three engineering students were gathered together discussing the possible designers of the human body. One said, "It was a mechanical engineer. Just look at all the joints."
Another said, "No, it was an electrical engineer. The nervous system has many thousands of electrical connections."
The last one said, "Actually it must have been a civil engineer. Who else would run a toxic waste pipeline through a recreational area?"

UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERS - TAKE FIVE

Normal people believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet.

UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERS - TAKE SIX

An architect, an artist and an engineer were discussing whether it was better to spend time with the wife or a mistress. The architect said he enjoyed time with his wife, building a solid foundation for an enduring relationship. The artist said he enjoyed time with his mistress, because the passion and mystery he found there. The engineer said, "I like both."
"Both?"
Engineer: "Yeah. If you have a wife and a mistress, they will each assume you are spending time with the other woman, and you can go to the lab and get some work done."

UNDERSTANDING ENGINEERS - TAKE SEVEN

An engineer was crossing a road one-day when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess." He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket.
The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week." The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.
The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want." Again the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket.
Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess and that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why won't you kiss me?" The engineer said, "Look, I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a girl friend, but a talking frog, now that's cool."

Jeffrey Archer : Novel : Kane & Abel

Kane and Abel is a story of two men and their desire to be the best in their field. Until fate crosses their paths.
William Kane is sone of Richard Kane, a second generation banker and the CEO of Kane and Cabot Bank. Richard is excellent at his job and is running the bank with atmost efficiency when a freek accident to the world biggest ship takes his life.
William grows up without his father and only stories of his fathers achievements. He has set a goal that he shall be atleast as successful as his father.
William grows up with his best friend, a Lester. They share a great bonding. William joins the investment banking division of Kane and Cabot with the desire to be at the helm of the Bank.
Wladak, born to unknown parentage, is picked up by a polish family which works for the baron of that area.
Wladak has the ability to pick up things very fast and starts to outsmart boys in his school. Baron who has lost his wife and has a son who needs some compition, picks up wladak and makes him stay with his son. Wladak asks his sister floryetina to come along.
Wladak grows up as an intelligent kid with lots of ambitions. Until Poland is invaded by Russians and they are held captive for 3 years. Then follows a series of mishaps for wladak.

What happens to wladak and what turns does William's life take is the rest of the novel.

Me thinks
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This is a typical Jeffrey Archer Novel. The story takes you through the lives of the main characters of the novel right from their birth.
I am impressed with the story telling ability of Archer. Great Novel. You cannot put it down till you have turned the last page.
No wonder that Kane and Abel is treated as great piece of work.

But there were couple of things that I was not happy about..
(1) The war episode was totally unnecessary. William and Abel's connection with the war during the later part was totally out of place. The author wanted to make a point but it was very feeble.
(2) Richard and Floryentina's story is a stereotype story and hinging on it to conclude your book is not what i expected.
I was impressed with the initial and middle section of the book. I did not expect Kane and Abel to behave the way they did. Is it just me or Polish people really behave the way it was portrayed or it was just Able who was the way he was...


I would give it a 7 out of 10. Great book but the ending without Richard and Floryentina whould have been a much better one. Story was about Kane and Abel and it should have ended with Kane and Abel.