A couple of nights ago, I had a reading in San Diego so decided to visit the maniacal genius known as Dr. William Nericcio, head of the English department at San Diego State and keeper of the insane Tex(t)-Mex blog. Before knocking back drinks with him at some Mean Streets-esque bar, I headed to SDSU's bookstore to find some used books. Everything was discounted to begin with AND 75 percent off, which meant I bought about $200 worth of books for $20--and which meant I was privy to the worst insult Irvine assemblymember Chuck DeVore has probably ever suffered.
In 2000, DeVore co-wrote China Attacks, which the conservative magazine Human Events praised as "...a page-turner for those interested in Sino-American affairs... this commonsense approach to foreign relations couldn't be more timely." It must be somewhat popular, because Amazon.com still has its second printing in stock at $14.76, but it also can't be that popular since used copies can be had at Amazon for $8.36. However, nothing can compare to the ignominy that San Diego State paid DeVore: China Attacks was available for 99 cents. Since there was a 75 percent discount on all books available, I scored DeVore's book for 24 cents. What the hell can you buy with $0.24 anymore? DeVore's book. Sorry, Chuck—no author deserves their tomes to depreciate so much, but I guess that's the free market, right?
May 2, 2008 11:50
Are you serious? 24 cents!
Shit, at that price I'd buy up ALL the copies of DeVore's book that I can get my hands on, and use them for toilet paper! ;-)
May 2, 2008 12:44
sorry G, you're wrong. chuck deserves it.
May 2, 2008 13:35
Gustavo, I'm just glad San Diego State bought the book in the first place (with taxpayer dollars?). And even more pleased that the book is being recycled.
I've heard from defense planners in Taiwan and in the Pentagon that the scenarios presented in the book have been used to update war plans.
All the best,
Chuck DeVore
California State Assemblyman, 70 District
May 2, 2008 14:25
I don't doubt you, Chuck. I still feel bad they were selling it for so low. BTW, can I get it autographed?
May 2, 2008 14:38
Comic books go for $3.99 these days. Who was the publisher again Chuck?
May 2, 2008 14:45
Pete Fundy went to Libreria Martinez to buy Chuck's book, but the help just laughed at Pete Fundy.
Warmly yours,
Pete Fundy
Senior Editorial Writer
OCLegend.Com
May 2, 2008 15:11
From some of the reviews pf Chuck's book on Amazon (I couldn't resist)
"Yet, the book contains several flaws that grate. First, the characters are generally bland, one dimensional people that are hard to relate to. The "good guys" are pure good, they do everything right all the time and always seem to know what is actually happening. The "bad" guys are pure evil, always plotting and schemeing. The good characters are almost flawless while the bad have absolutely no redeeming virtue whatsoever. Not only is this fairly unrealistic but it gets tedious. Many people are not black and white and to have a book full of them gets old fast. When you start a scene with Character X, you pretty much know what they're going to be up to and what they're going to be about. The dialogue coming from their mouths was also quite predictable.
Second, the book seems to have been written by a pair of Clinton-haters. While never calling him out by name, the author spends no little time doing everything possible to show that Bill Clinton was an utter traitor and despicable human being on all levels. Say what you want, think what you want, but this book went way over the top on that angle to the point of silliness and yes, tediousness. I began to think that if Clinton were really this bad then the military was run by fools for continuing to obey him."
****
"But the author's incessant need to get his own political agenda accross coupled with inconsistant pacing makes this one a last resort if you have already exhusted everything else in the genre."
****
"If you can ignore all the right-wing anti-Clinton rants in this book then you will find it enjoyable.....About the worse part of the book is it is obvious written by two right-wing Clinton haters. The president in the book is never named, but it is obvious he is Clinton from all the snide remarks throughout the book about the president's personal life and lack of military experience."
"The book just, well peters out towards the end. Story lines are abruptly closed, and plot points just fizz. The ending, is, well just flat, and frankly a little dull. You will finish the book, and probably enjoy the first 2/3's, but I doubt you will go back to it.
The other problem is the clunky writing. The authors use brackets to explian everything. (and I mean everything). Instead of inserting the meaning of a military phrase or concept into the text, or have a character explain it, the authors merely use barcakets (about every paragraph in places). This shows very poor editing, (and is mightilly irritating after a a while). I do appreciate that some military concepts maybe baffling to the reader without a military background (which is a few of the readers I guess) (and you can see how annoying this gets), it should be better explained."
May 2, 2008 16:17
I knew you'd like this post, Dan!
May 2, 2008 20:16
'Tavo, 'Tavito.... gracias for the plug.... my condolences to Chuckie for the desgracia of the 24¢ book--authors's lives are tough y chuckie's just gonna have to learn to eat it.....
May 3, 2008 14:33
even the clearance comic books are 25 cents; Yes Gustavo, I loved this post. And especially the review that says the good guys are really good and the bad guys are really evil; I'm sure the good guys are all Republicans. It's all so real world
May 3, 2008 19:33
Actually, Dan, if you thought that, you'd be flat wrong. (Your comment, "I'm sure the good guys are all Republicans. It's all so real world.")
The sole partisan comment in the book is the following, "Despite that, both Republican and Democratic administrations over the decades of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s increasingly tilted United States policy toward China. Their bad judgment was compounded, of course, by their failure to develop a consistent fair trade and human rights policy with respect to China."
Perhaps the truth is stranger than fiction -- at least so far as I write it.
All the best,
Chuck DeVore
California State Assemblyman, 70th District
Co-author, China Attacks
May 4, 2008 20:50
Chuck -- go to Amazon and read your reviews; readers wrote that the authors (you) were pretty big Clinton haters. Perhaps its Bill's lack of military ethos. I haven't read your book. So I let the reviewers speak for me.
But since we're chatting about military and partisanship, a question: Is Oliver North a hero or a traitor?