Posted on 10/13/2001 1:22:26 PM PDT by joanie-f
(First of all, thank you, Jim Robinson, for allowing the announcement of a FReeper-authored book to be posted on the site. Yet another example of Jim's support for all of our efforts to champion the cause of liberty.)
Several FReepers (who may be too modest to desire attention on this particular thread, but who are mentioned in the 'acknowledgments' section of the book) were intimately involved with Jeff in the authoring/editing process. As a result, 'Breath of Fire' represents, in part, a collaborative FReeper effort.
I can think of no better way to 'promote' this book than to recount what I wrote in the guestbook at Jeff's 'Breath of Fire' website:
I have known the author for several years, and have collaborated with him on several activist 'projects' whose purpose was to light a fire (or fan an already existing spark) within the hearts of his countrymen in an effort to reclaim our beloved republic, and restore her to her former self (the most moral/prosperous nation in the history of the world). Collaborating with Jeff on 'Breath of Fire' has been a distinct privilege. Jeff's strong and abiding faith, his dedication to his family, his knowledge of American and world history/current events, his devotion to the principles that were the force behind America's rise to greatness, his resolve to do all that is within his power to restore her to that greatness, and his intelligent and vivid depictions of entirely possible future events (should the free world neglect to be vigilant and prepared) all find their way onto the pages of this chillingly prophetic (but certainly not without optimism) book. And books two through five promise to be just as intriguing....
'Dragon's Fury -- Breath of Fire' is the first in a series of five books which, from the perspective of a knowledgable, well-informed, dedicated patriot, portray entirely possible (and very disturbing) future events. But the perspective is not without optimism. Nor is it without a belief in the spirit and resolve that has always been truly and uniquely American -- a belief that, if we are able to summon the necessary vigilance and preparedness, that spirit and resolve will see us through the crises which continue to loom just over the horizon.
When asked why he wrote the book, and why he is writing the rest of the series, Jeff responded (in part):
.... we have allowed ourselves to be weakened to the point of being vulnerable. On September 11, 2001 we were shown just how vulnerable in a very horrific way. But even that did not show us the full potential of where such vulnerabilities can lead. We must be vigilant, lest events like those described in "Breath of Fire" come about and we are taken completely advantage of in our weakness, and we lose the liberties that have been paid for in blood by those who have gone before.
The book describes international intrigue and planning at the highest levels of foreign governments. It describes disasters which befall America as extremely committed and ruthless individuals put those plans into motion, and it describes the hope that a free people can project on even the most tragic and difficult of circumstances....
Barring unforeseen difficulties, books two through five ('Trodden Under,' 'High Tide,' 'The Long March,' and 'Eagle's Talons') will be published in six-month intervals, with book two expected to be published in early spring of 2002.
'Dragon's Fury' website (including free excerpts from several chapters, free samples of illustrations, background information, related links, related products, guestbook, and order form):
There are in fact several considerations that would make such an economic agreement viable ... the right conditions just have to come about.
Here are just a couple of examples of recent news articles in this regard:
Chinese Diplomat Woos India
The New York Times, January 14, 2001NEW DELHI, Jan. 13 Li Peng, China's Parliament leader, urged India to join with China to form a new economic order to represent the developing world.
In a television interview, Mr. Li, who is on a nine-day visit, the highest-level Chinese tour of India since New Delhi's nuclear tests in 1998, also said that both New Delhi and Beijing opposed a "unipolar world. A multipolar world is safer and conducive for development,".
Mr. Li's visit is expected to pave the way for a visit by the Chinese prime minister, Zhu Rongji, later this year.
Iran wants more cooperation with India, Russia and China
Reuters, April 12, 2001TEHRAN (Reuters) - Iran's supreme leader called for more cooperation between Iran, India, Russia and China on Thursday during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the official IRNA news agency said.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said, ``colonialist countries'' were opposed to such cooperation, making it imperative for Eastern countries to strengthen their ties.
So, though the book is clearly a fiction novel, it is not rooted in so out of the question circumsatnces.
Hope it's an enjoyable read for you.
Orders right now for the printed version (being made at - Printed Order Page - are runinng about 8-10 to one versus the EBook.
Remember, this is book one of a five book series.
The problem is that you're dealing on the one hand with a democracy (and the Indian people have no real affection for the Chinese), and on the other, the stereotypical committee of pointy-haired bosses repeating each other's drivel as if it were Gospel Truth.
A China-India alliance would show very different dynamics; you're going to have to account for them in future books (either explain WHY the normal political dynamics of China and India were completely overturned, or make it happen WITHIN those dynamics, and then try to figure out what the ensuing results would be--and keeping these unlikely bedfellows in bed with each other would probably involve some very unnatural contortions that neither would be overly happy about).
And the other issue still stands: China would have to be extremely desperate to engage on an operation of this magnitude, and would probably be facing the prospect of economic collapse just to embark on it. Chinese culture--particularly at the top of the decision-making pyramid--is just about the most consensus-driven, risk-averse culture out there.
Having many relatives that lived through the times, and having talked to them ... talk of a Hitler-Stalin alliance before it was actually announced would have absolutely PEGGED the unlikely meter. It was absolutely unexpected and not something anyone was concerned about at the time. Yet, as we have stated, it happened.
Also, I do not believe we can draw too many conclusions about the Red Chinese. They are experts at distraction and deception ... it's in their blood.
But agan, the novel is fictional and as such you might call these things literary license ... or not. It's up to you.
Thanks for the feedback.
Regards.
Which worries me. American decision-makers are somewhat well-read in history and culture, but mostly Western (and the level of historical/cultural illiteracy is much higher today than a generation ago).
So, yes, there is room for worry. We have no real idea what's going inside China, and much of China's visible behavior is NOT the behavior of a confident nation, secure in its sense of its own future. It's the behavior of a nation trying to keep the wheels from coming off one day at a time. There's a good book out called The Coming Collapse of China, and it lays out a fairly strong case that China may not be overly interested in WTO membership--because membership would require that they open their books for inspection, and that means that the world will find out just how bad the current situation really is.
Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire - www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
If you get a chance, I hope you can review the information at the site.
Regards.
Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire - www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
If you get a chance, I hope you can review the information at the site.
Regards.
Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire - www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
If you get a chance, I hope you can review the information at the site.
Regards.
Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire - www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
If you get a chance, I hope you can review the information at the site.
Regards.
I also believe the leadership there either already has, or will develop plans to forestall, divert, etc. those problems. Chances are, such plans will run afoul of us in a major way. The book is about a lot of that.
Again, thanks for the input and regards.
Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire - www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
If you get a chance, I hope you can review the information at the site.
Regards.
Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire - www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
If you get a chance, I hope you can review the information at the site.
Regards.
Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire - www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
If you get a chance, I hope you can review the information at the site.
Regards.
Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire - www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
If you get a chance, I hope you can review the information at the site.
Regards.
Dragon's Fury - Breath of Fire - www.dragonsfury-breathoffire.com
If you get a chance, I hope you can review the information at the site.
Regards.
BUMP
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