[Long Cut]

I have indeed read "The Veteran", and that entire collection. Good stuff! I love Forsythe's work...my first exposure to him was Fist Of God, and I was highly impressed by how he wove current events (even obscure ones) and history into a fictional tale to make it plausible. Also, all of his works that I've read have been informative...I'd never heard of Gerry Bull or his history, though I'd heard all the media insanity about the "supergun". Bull's story was fascinating in and of itself, and his murder was quite an intriguing mystery, too.

What's a "Chessman"? Is it someone who plays Chess, or is there some other meaning?

I think, actually, now that I think about it, that "The Veteran" may have subconsciously influenced my bio for my Holmes character.

[archy]

What's a "Chessman"? Is it someone who plays Chess, or is there some other meaning?

You'll have FReepmail.

[jim macomber]

Long cut: Sometimes the hardest thing about self-promotion is the...um...self-promotion. But, having said that, I have to comment on your reference to Forsyth. For the longest time, I have said one of my favorite books - and top three movies - was "Day of the Jackal". Way, way back I read and, like you, loved Forsyth's stuff. Now, fast forward....oh...just a few years...and I've been asked many times if I based my writing on anyone. For the longest time the answer was not really, not consciously, anyway. I've admitted to loving Clancy's multi-level plotting and some have mentioned Grisham (but that's because of the legal issues although my books are not courtroom dramas. The legal issues are mostly international). But, a couple of weeks ago I picked up "Avenger" and it was like coming home. I can honestly say that I didn't even realize it but the mix of fiction and fact and the international element - it had to be in here somewhere even if I didn't realize it at the time. Self-promotion notwithstanding, however, I'll leave it to others to decide how or if I can measure up to the master, though.