Sunday, November 6, 2011

The Explorers Club
№ CCLX - Simo Häyhä (1905-2002), "the White Death," sniper extraordinaire, with over five hundred confirmed kills in fewer than one hundred days of combat.







The subject of this episode of "The Explorers Club" was nominated by The Watergirl, this blog's most active audience contributor. Your humble narrator owes her a great debt for her continued enthusiasm & participation. The White Death!

The Queue
The Craft of Intelligence was briefly suspended whilst a sated a jones for the third, & thus far latest, volume in Kim Newman's Anno Dracula series. Dracula Cha Cha Cha had a better ending than either Anno Dracula or The Bloody Red Baron, the very thing that spoilt both earlier efforts, though it could just be that I am now more accustomed to the way in which Newman's books don't so much conclude as just end. After my time amongst the vampires, I'm back to the world of spies & saboteurs with Mr. Dulles, though we both know I'm not yet done with the undead.

Recently
Keith Jeffery, The Secret History of M.I.6: 1909-1949
William F. Buckley, Jr., Saving the Queen
Kim Newman, Dracula Cha Cha Cha

Currently
Allen Dulles, The Craft of Intelligence

Presently
John Marks, Fangland
John le Carré, Call for the Dead
David Ignatius, Body of Lies

The Rebel Black Dot Song of the Day
The Littlest Man Band, "Better Man" from Better Book Ends (T.L.A.M.)

Commentary:

"Lie and cheat your friends while you still have time,
And downplay the drama while you figure out a clever rhyme,
Smile with a semi-sympathetic tone,
Can't appreciate good friends until you find your own,
And I'm just trying to be a better man.
Yeah, I'm just trying to be a better man."

2 comments:

K.Steeze said...

1905-2002. Besides his storied sniper skills, just think about all he saw in his lifetime. Nutzoid!

Mike Wilson said...

Important point, Steeze. Good catch!