This book is a flashback in Jack Reacher's timeline back to when he was still in the army. The time is set sometime after the fall of the Berlin Wall but before Sept 11.
Reacher gets orders to report to a training class. When he arrives he finds that there are only 2 other pupils - one from the CIA and one from the FBI. He rightly suspects that the purpose of the orders was not training but some secret mission and he was right.
It seems the CIA has information that terrorists were preparing to make a major purchase. The government wants to know what they and purchasing and to stop it. Hence a select group was picked to investigate and take whatever action is necessary.
Reacher's side kick Sgt. Neagley makes a reprise as she assists Reacher in his investigation.
This book is not so much an action story as it is a mystery suspense novel as it follows Reacher and Neagley as they decipher what is being sold and by whom. The plot is tightly woven as it tells pieces of the story from the points of view of the various characters. Highly recommended and a good change of pace for Lee Child.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
PT 305 Takes to the Street
The PT boat that the WW II Museum has been restoring is complete and heading to the lake. I'm sorry I missed this.
She is operational and soon you'll be able to take a ride on her.
She is operational and soon you'll be able to take a ride on her.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Tidal Power
Video of the manufacture and installation of an offshore power generation system that is currently in operation. This is one of the things that Ocean Engineers do.
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Rhode Island Wind Farm
A short video of the building of the wind farm off Block Island, RI. The boats are called Jack Up boats. The legs are extended to the sea floor and then the hull is lifted out of the water and wave action. It provides a very stable platform which is needed for the precision lifts to mate the blades to the hub. These are some of the toys Ocean Engineers play with.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Monday Humor
News Update from Canada.....news of liberals escaping to Canada!
The flood of Trump-fearing American liberals sneaking across the border into Canada has intensified in the past week. The Republican presidential campaign is prompting an exodus among left-leaning Americans who fear they'll soon be required to hunt, pray, pay taxes, and live according to the Constitution.
Canadian border residents say it's not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, liberal arts majors, global-warming activists, and "green" energy proponents crossing their fields at night.
"I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a Hollywood producer huddled in the barn," said southern Manitoba farmer Red Greenfield, whose acreage borders North Dakota. "He was cold, exhausted and hungry, and begged me for a latte and some free-range chicken. When I said I didn't have any, he left before I even got a chance to show him my screenplay, eh?"
In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higher fences, but the liberals scaled them. He then installed loudspeakers that blared Rush Limbaugh across the fields, but they just stuck their fingers in their ears and kept coming. Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberals just south of the border, pack them into electric cars, and drive them across the border, where they are simply left to fend for themselves after the battery dies.
"A lot of these people are not prepared for our rugged conditions," an Alberta border patrolman said. "I found one carload without a single bottle of Perrier water, or any gemelli with shrimp and arugula. All they had was a nice little Napa Valley cabernet and some kale chips. When liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, often wailing that they fear persecution from Trump high-hairers."
Rumors are circulating about plans to build re-education camps where liberals will be forced to drink domestic beer, study the Constitution, and find jobs that actually contribute to the economy.
In recent days, liberals have turned to ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some have been disguised as senior citizens taking a bus trip to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching a half-dozen young vegans in blue-hair wigs and polyester pantsuits, Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the supposed senior citizens about Perry Como and Rosemary Clooney to prove that they were alive in the '50s.
"If they can't identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show, we become very suspicious," an official said.
Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are creating an organic-broccoli shortage, are buying up all the Barbara Streisand CD's, and are overloading the internet while downloading jazzercise apps to their cell phones.
"I really feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian economy just can't support them," an Ottawa resident said. "After all, how many art-history majors does one country need?"
The flood of Trump-fearing American liberals sneaking across the border into Canada has intensified in the past week. The Republican presidential campaign is prompting an exodus among left-leaning Americans who fear they'll soon be required to hunt, pray, pay taxes, and live according to the Constitution.
Canadian border residents say it's not uncommon to see dozens of sociology professors, liberal arts majors, global-warming activists, and "green" energy proponents crossing their fields at night.
"I went out to milk the cows the other day, and there was a Hollywood producer huddled in the barn," said southern Manitoba farmer Red Greenfield, whose acreage borders North Dakota. "He was cold, exhausted and hungry, and begged me for a latte and some free-range chicken. When I said I didn't have any, he left before I even got a chance to show him my screenplay, eh?"
In an effort to stop the illegal aliens, Greenfield erected higher fences, but the liberals scaled them. He then installed loudspeakers that blared Rush Limbaugh across the fields, but they just stuck their fingers in their ears and kept coming. Officials are particularly concerned about smugglers who meet liberals just south of the border, pack them into electric cars, and drive them across the border, where they are simply left to fend for themselves after the battery dies.
"A lot of these people are not prepared for our rugged conditions," an Alberta border patrolman said. "I found one carload without a single bottle of Perrier water, or any gemelli with shrimp and arugula. All they had was a nice little Napa Valley cabernet and some kale chips. When liberals are caught, they're sent back across the border, often wailing that they fear persecution from Trump high-hairers."
Rumors are circulating about plans to build re-education camps where liberals will be forced to drink domestic beer, study the Constitution, and find jobs that actually contribute to the economy.
In recent days, liberals have turned to ingenious ways of crossing the border. Some have been disguised as senior citizens taking a bus trip to buy cheap Canadian prescription drugs. After catching a half-dozen young vegans in blue-hair wigs and polyester pantsuits, Canadian immigration authorities began stopping buses and quizzing the supposed senior citizens about Perry Como and Rosemary Clooney to prove that they were alive in the '50s.
"If they can't identify the accordion player on The Lawrence Welk Show, we become very suspicious," an official said.
Canadian citizens have complained that the illegal immigrants are creating an organic-broccoli shortage, are buying up all the Barbara Streisand CD's, and are overloading the internet while downloading jazzercise apps to their cell phones.
"I really feel sorry for American liberals, but the Canadian economy just can't support them," an Ottawa resident said. "After all, how many art-history majors does one country need?"
Friday, November 11, 2016
Kipling Speaks to Today
Norman and Saxon A.D. 1100
Rudyard Kipling"My son," said the Norman Baron, "I am dying, and you will
be heir
To all the broad acres in England that William gave me for
share
When he conquered the Saxon at Hastings, and a nice little
handful it is.
But before you go over to rule it I want you to understand this:--
"The Saxon is not like us Normans. His manners are not so polite.
But he never means anything serious till he talks about justice
right.
When he stands like an ox in the furrow--with his sullen set eyes
on your own,
And grumbles, 'This isn't fair dealing,' my son, leave the Saxon
alone.
"You can horsewhip your Gascony archers, or torture your
Picardy spears;
But don't try that game on the Saxon; you'll have the whole
brood round your ears.
From the richest old Thane in the county to the poorest chained
serf in the field,
They'll be at you and on you like hornets, and, if you are wise,
you will yield.
"But first you must master their language, their dialect, proverbs
and songs.
Don't trust any clerk to interpret when they come with the tale
of their own wrongs.
Let them know that you know what they are saying; let them feel
that you know what to say.
Yes, even when you want to go hunting, hear 'em out if it takes
you all day.
They'll drink every hour of the daylight and poach every hour
of the dark.
It's the sport not the rabbits they're after (we've plenty of game
in the park).
Don't hang them or cut off their fingers. That's wasteful as well
as unkind,
For a hard-bitten, South-country poacher makes the best man-
at-arms you can find.
"Appear with your wife and the children at their weddings and
funerals and feasts.
Be polite but not friendly to Bishops; be good to all poor parish
priests.
Say 'we,' 'us' and 'ours' when you're talking, instead of 'you
fellows' and 'I.'
Don't ride over seeds; keep your temper; and never you tell 'em
a lie!"
Rudyard Kipling"My son," said the Norman Baron, "I am dying, and you will
be heir
To all the broad acres in England that William gave me for
share
When he conquered the Saxon at Hastings, and a nice little
handful it is.
But before you go over to rule it I want you to understand this:--
"The Saxon is not like us Normans. His manners are not so polite.
But he never means anything serious till he talks about justice
right.
When he stands like an ox in the furrow--with his sullen set eyes
on your own,
And grumbles, 'This isn't fair dealing,' my son, leave the Saxon
alone.
"You can horsewhip your Gascony archers, or torture your
Picardy spears;
But don't try that game on the Saxon; you'll have the whole
brood round your ears.
From the richest old Thane in the county to the poorest chained
serf in the field,
They'll be at you and on you like hornets, and, if you are wise,
you will yield.
"But first you must master their language, their dialect, proverbs
and songs.
Don't trust any clerk to interpret when they come with the tale
of their own wrongs.
Let them know that you know what they are saying; let them feel
that you know what to say.
Yes, even when you want to go hunting, hear 'em out if it takes
you all day.
They'll drink every hour of the daylight and poach every hour
of the dark.
It's the sport not the rabbits they're after (we've plenty of game
in the park).
Don't hang them or cut off their fingers. That's wasteful as well
as unkind,
For a hard-bitten, South-country poacher makes the best man-
at-arms you can find.
"Appear with your wife and the children at their weddings and
funerals and feasts.
Be polite but not friendly to Bishops; be good to all poor parish
priests.
Say 'we,' 'us' and 'ours' when you're talking, instead of 'you
fellows' and 'I.'
Don't ride over seeds; keep your temper; and never you tell 'em
a lie!"
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Book Review - The Wrong Side of Goodbye
This is Michael Connelly's latest Bosch novel and it's a good one. Harry has been forced into retirement but is working as an unpaid reserve detective in the tine San Fernando Police Department. He also picks up the odd private detecting job.
On his private side he gets a request from a mega rich industrial mogul to hunt down a lost heir. He fathered a child but was then forced to abandon the mother by his family. And he wants it done with the utmost secrecy. Billions of dollars are at stake and that amount of money brings out the worst in those who think they may be cut out of the will.
Simultaneously, in his SFPD duties, he is hunting a serial rapist. Several of the rapes are in his cold case files but the perpetrator is still active.
Bosch bounces between these two cases leaving the reader with a cliff hanger at each chapter. This is one of the better of the Bosch series and it is well worth giving it a read.
On his private side he gets a request from a mega rich industrial mogul to hunt down a lost heir. He fathered a child but was then forced to abandon the mother by his family. And he wants it done with the utmost secrecy. Billions of dollars are at stake and that amount of money brings out the worst in those who think they may be cut out of the will.
Simultaneously, in his SFPD duties, he is hunting a serial rapist. Several of the rapes are in his cold case files but the perpetrator is still active.
Bosch bounces between these two cases leaving the reader with a cliff hanger at each chapter. This is one of the better of the Bosch series and it is well worth giving it a read.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Head Count
Saudi Arabia beheaded 10 people last month. Most of them were convicted of murder although there was one druggie and one child rapist. Their year to date total now stands at 128.
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