Hi Steve,
I certainly don't expect a reply, but just read the omnibus edition combining The Red Horseman and The Intruders, and I don't know where I've been. Now I want to read all the Jake Grafton novels. I was as much intrigued with Jake's musings re war, life, career, future, love, etc., as I was about the novel. I could only surmise that Steve Coonts had very similar thoughts along the highway of life. I'm ex-military (Canadian and British), had basic flying instruction, flew a Sptifire in 1968, flew a Harrier in the UK before I wrote and published a novel in Canada called Debut for a Spy, but it was sabotaged by mistakes between the publisher and national retailer, didn't have the connections to get an agent in the US, yadayadayada. You've heard it all before. Right now I'm teaching music in Thailand since I'm 77 and you can't work in Canada at that age, but that's another story.
I'm a confirmed fan now! Cheers,
Harry Currie August 24, 2008
"How do you do, Mr. Coonts.
"Here's Mike Shklyarenko, Russian B757 pilot, ex-AF. Once you sent me subscribed copy of THE MINOTAUR.
"Well, about a week ago I've finished to read your FINAL FLIGHT and now I'm deep in your THE RED HORSEMAN. You write amazing! But! I'm sorry but I have to point you to some mistakes or errors.
"Il-76 and An-12 have different construction of cargo doors, though both of them are three-sectional. An-12 has one (aft) section that goes up and two(fwd) that goes inward, Ilyushin has one central, going up and two side sections that goes OUTWARD.
>"Next, in THE RED HORSEMAN, first thing that caught eye -- Russian names: Yakovlev, but not Yakolev, Demidov but not Demodov, Sergey but not Sergi, and at least Zvezdnyi or Zvezdin but not Zvezdni. Most Russian names ends with -ov, -ev, -in, some , with Ukranian origin have -ko, -yuk, -uk at the end and with Belarus origin have some -skiy,-ovich ends.
"Then, by the way, when did Napoleon came into Russia? I think it was warm, 'cause Borodino battle was in September 1812, but he RAN OFF in winter.
"Some words about soldiers' barracks. Maybe somewhere there are like you described, but I never saw like that, I mean with wood beds, there were so many iron beds in Army that it was enough to feed ALL USSR with them. Sure they're simple, iron frame, some springs and iron net. But nevertheless...
"About "Flat tops", 5 store panel apartment buildings -- I've spent in this kind of apartment 5 years as a child and 3 years as officer. When there are no other place to live -- these flat tops appears like penthouses.
"People. You are accustomed to live in really good conditions and you have more than 200 years democracy. This country accustomed to Tsar, or, in common, One Person, One Leader, Tiran, Dictator, as you like. They, people, like when That On The Throne uses his power and f**k them. But, they are happy, 'cause they don't know that there are another way to live.
"And even after all this I can tell you that our people, I mean Americans and Russians, have A LOT in common, I felt it when I was in USA. The same way in mentality, maybe it's due to great dimensions of country. I want to tell you that I didn't mean to offend you in any way, just to help, 'cause in this condition it will be almost impossible to issue your book here, and I want more Americans understand Russia better..." --Michael A. Shklyarenko, June 23, 1998.
"I am not an avid reader by any stretch. My bookshelves are full of half-read novels. Even when I complete a book, it will often take months. Well, I just finished THE RED HORSEMAN in less than a week. The same was true for UNDER SIEGE, THE MINOTAUR, FINAL FLIGHT, and FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER. I have never written to an author, nor have I ever felt compelled to do so. The worst part of your books is that they eventually end. I have never enjoyed an author's works like I enjoy yours....I was not aware that you wrote THE RED HORSEMAN. I figured you would devote your time to full-time skiing in Boulder. I can't explain the joy I felt at seeing THE RED HORSEMAN at my bookstore....I suppose my main purpose in writing you is to thank you. Thank you for writing in an extremely readable style. Thank you for not retiring after UNDER SIEGE. I am grateful that you climbed out of the cockpit of an A-6 and into my living room. Please visit frequently. --Tom White
"...I am a legal secretary for a law firm her in Indianapolis, and when I am not working, I am reading...I read mostly for enjoyment and escape from the day and all the goings-on, and I find it very relaxing to curl up with one of your books." --Molly Brooke
