Chris Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "ian-fleming"
BEST OF DEFENDER: MOST POPULAR BLOG POSTS
If you're new to the world of Intrepid - firstly, welcome, and here's some highlights to catch you up on what's been happening. And if you're an old-school Defender, it's more of a trip down memory lane.
It's been a couple of years now I've been blogging, irregularly as all hell, I must admit. There have been a handful of standout posts over that time that people flocked to, commented on, re-posted, re-tweeted, had conversations about, and even created their own spin-off blogs for.
They are around the writing process and my creative inspirations, as well as my writing mentor Ian Fleming, who I mention every now and again in my conversations online and offline.
MY WRITING SPACE
What surrounds me when I write has as much influence as the stories and characters bubbling around in my head, ready to burst onto the computer screen. This post shares some photos of my writing space, the army and Paratrooping mementos on the wall, memories of my ancestors who also served, and important things like my growing collection of first edition Fleming Bond novels.
Read My Writing Space.
http://www.intrepidallen.com/blog/201...
ON DEADLINE
Back in June I was on deadline for HUNTER: Intrepid 2 in a serious way. Writing 3,000 - 4,000 words a day, emerging for meals with reams of paper and then descending back into the writing mancave by night. Talk about extreme. This post examines seven cool and not-so-cool things about being on a deadline - such as, time seems to slow down to a snail's pace, but strangely, my hair grows faster.
Read On Deadline.
http://www.intrepidallen.com/blog/201...
TEN THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IAN FLEMING
I wrote this post to mark Ian Fleming's birthday on May 28 - he would have been 104 years old - after talking to my Sarah about some of the interesting but less-known facts about Fleming's relatively short life. For example, as a kid Ian Fleming broke his nose, and it was repaired with a piece of copper. Probably the quickest blog I've ever written, as it all came off the top of my head.
Read Ten Things You Didn't Know About Ian Fleming.
http://www.intrepidallen.com/blog/201...
MY TOP FIVE BOOK CHARACTERS
This one captured your attention, and people around the world decided to blog their top five characters. I found new books and new characters to enjoy as well as sharing mine with others, and hopefully adding to your own reading lists. It's safe to say I included my favourites from Arthur Conan Doyle and Fleming as well as Patricia Cornwell and Tom Clancy's protagonists. There might be a Top Five Villains post coming soon...
Read My Top Five Book Characters.
http://www.intrepidallen.com/blog/201...
Well, that's about it for now. What would you like to hear about next time?
Chris
It's been a couple of years now I've been blogging, irregularly as all hell, I must admit. There have been a handful of standout posts over that time that people flocked to, commented on, re-posted, re-tweeted, had conversations about, and even created their own spin-off blogs for.
They are around the writing process and my creative inspirations, as well as my writing mentor Ian Fleming, who I mention every now and again in my conversations online and offline.
MY WRITING SPACE
What surrounds me when I write has as much influence as the stories and characters bubbling around in my head, ready to burst onto the computer screen. This post shares some photos of my writing space, the army and Paratrooping mementos on the wall, memories of my ancestors who also served, and important things like my growing collection of first edition Fleming Bond novels.
Read My Writing Space.
http://www.intrepidallen.com/blog/201...
ON DEADLINE
Back in June I was on deadline for HUNTER: Intrepid 2 in a serious way. Writing 3,000 - 4,000 words a day, emerging for meals with reams of paper and then descending back into the writing mancave by night. Talk about extreme. This post examines seven cool and not-so-cool things about being on a deadline - such as, time seems to slow down to a snail's pace, but strangely, my hair grows faster.
Read On Deadline.
http://www.intrepidallen.com/blog/201...
TEN THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IAN FLEMING
I wrote this post to mark Ian Fleming's birthday on May 28 - he would have been 104 years old - after talking to my Sarah about some of the interesting but less-known facts about Fleming's relatively short life. For example, as a kid Ian Fleming broke his nose, and it was repaired with a piece of copper. Probably the quickest blog I've ever written, as it all came off the top of my head.
Read Ten Things You Didn't Know About Ian Fleming.
http://www.intrepidallen.com/blog/201...
MY TOP FIVE BOOK CHARACTERS
This one captured your attention, and people around the world decided to blog their top five characters. I found new books and new characters to enjoy as well as sharing mine with others, and hopefully adding to your own reading lists. It's safe to say I included my favourites from Arthur Conan Doyle and Fleming as well as Patricia Cornwell and Tom Clancy's protagonists. There might be a Top Five Villains post coming soon...
Read My Top Five Book Characters.
http://www.intrepidallen.com/blog/201...
Well, that's about it for now. What would you like to hear about next time?
Chris
HUNT FOR THE NEXT BIG THRILLER
ANNOUNCING BOOK HUNT WINNERS
Last week a fantastic time was had playing a Book Hunt to mark the impending launch of my next Alex Morgan action thriller, Hunter: Intrepid 2.
Hunters solved five clues in as many days, including making a wish list for Santa from the That Book You Like store; checking out a pic of me alongside my ex-airborne alumni Bradley Trevor Greive; scouring digital publishing guru-swami Momentum Books' website for the scoop on Hunter's heroine; and honing mathematical skills watching fellow Aussie thriller writer Luke Preston's foreboding book trailer for Dark City Blue.
Scores of responses came through, and you solved the clues with aplomb. A handful of you wrote in every single day which increased your chances of winning significantly.
The winners were drawn this morning by my very own Intrepid agent, the almost-three-year-old Morgan. All the entries were placed in a pith helmut I picked up in Kenya more than a decade ago, and Morgan drew them out from that - even wearing the hat afterwards.
Our thanks to everyone for playing in the Book Hunt with such vim and vigour. Without much further ado, here are the winners of the five prize packs:
1. Patricia Featherstone
2. Rob Borg
3. Gloria Bale
4. Jason Woollett
5. Michael
Winners will receive signed copies of Defender and Hunter as well as an extra reading gem each from our friends at Momentum / Pan Macmillan (thanks guys!) and a bookmark from That Book You Like (because there's nothing as annoying as losing your place in a good book).
We will get in touch and post these packs out as soon as the print copies of Hunter arrive - which will be before Christmas. My apologies we can't send it sooner, but you simply can't rush a printer on a quality job like this ... ;)
This brings me nicely to the next item - the Defender / Hunter book drinks at the Commodore Hotel, North Sydney, on 8 December from midday - 5pm. There's been a slight change of plan. We'd love to see you all for a beer, and while we'll have the new 'Defenders' to hand, there may not be any 'Hunters' there, so instead we'll take orders on the day and deliver them by Christmas. If you can't make it along, we'll start taking orders soon - the signed and beautifully wrapped Defender / Hunter combo would make a great present, if you don't mind my saying!
So congrats to our winners and here's to all you dedicated Hunters - and to the countdown to Hunter launching on 1 Defender, I mean, December.
I'll be in touch soon with new ways to get a bit of Intrepid in your life - 12 ways in 12 days, in fact. That's all I can say for now or I'll get in some serious trouble.
Chris
ps. I'm looking forward to finally seeing Skyfall this week - and reviewing it on the Momentum blog soon thereafter at momentumbooks.com.au.
Last week a fantastic time was had playing a Book Hunt to mark the impending launch of my next Alex Morgan action thriller, Hunter: Intrepid 2.
Hunters solved five clues in as many days, including making a wish list for Santa from the That Book You Like store; checking out a pic of me alongside my ex-airborne alumni Bradley Trevor Greive; scouring digital publishing guru-swami Momentum Books' website for the scoop on Hunter's heroine; and honing mathematical skills watching fellow Aussie thriller writer Luke Preston's foreboding book trailer for Dark City Blue.
Scores of responses came through, and you solved the clues with aplomb. A handful of you wrote in every single day which increased your chances of winning significantly.
The winners were drawn this morning by my very own Intrepid agent, the almost-three-year-old Morgan. All the entries were placed in a pith helmut I picked up in Kenya more than a decade ago, and Morgan drew them out from that - even wearing the hat afterwards.
Our thanks to everyone for playing in the Book Hunt with such vim and vigour. Without much further ado, here are the winners of the five prize packs:
1. Patricia Featherstone
2. Rob Borg
3. Gloria Bale
4. Jason Woollett
5. Michael
Winners will receive signed copies of Defender and Hunter as well as an extra reading gem each from our friends at Momentum / Pan Macmillan (thanks guys!) and a bookmark from That Book You Like (because there's nothing as annoying as losing your place in a good book).
We will get in touch and post these packs out as soon as the print copies of Hunter arrive - which will be before Christmas. My apologies we can't send it sooner, but you simply can't rush a printer on a quality job like this ... ;)
This brings me nicely to the next item - the Defender / Hunter book drinks at the Commodore Hotel, North Sydney, on 8 December from midday - 5pm. There's been a slight change of plan. We'd love to see you all for a beer, and while we'll have the new 'Defenders' to hand, there may not be any 'Hunters' there, so instead we'll take orders on the day and deliver them by Christmas. If you can't make it along, we'll start taking orders soon - the signed and beautifully wrapped Defender / Hunter combo would make a great present, if you don't mind my saying!
So congrats to our winners and here's to all you dedicated Hunters - and to the countdown to Hunter launching on 1 Defender, I mean, December.
I'll be in touch soon with new ways to get a bit of Intrepid in your life - 12 ways in 12 days, in fact. That's all I can say for now or I'll get in some serious trouble.
Chris
ps. I'm looking forward to finally seeing Skyfall this week - and reviewing it on the Momentum blog soon thereafter at momentumbooks.com.au.
GLAMOUR, HUMOUR AND CHARM: SKYFALL REVIEW
If, like me, you’re an Ian Fleming fan first and a Bond movie fan second, mark my words: you will love SKYFALL. If however, you prefer the vodka martinis, the cheesy one-liners, or the gadgets and gimmicks of earlier Bond films – the exploding pens, invisible cars and so on– don’t despair. The essential ingredients of the 007 franchise – glamour, humour, charm - are still front and centre in the long-awaited 50th anniversary 23rd film directed by Sam Mendes, but they’re present in a way that is much more a reflection of our times and tastes. The requirement to suspend your disbelief still holds strong and there’s just enough of the old tricks & gadgets to remind you of the rich history behind any Bond film. Besides, I’d be a hypocrite if I decried any story that presents such a perfect balance of gritty realism with a liberal dose of escapism!
I was more engaged by Daniel Craig this time around than I was in his last outing, QUANTUM OF SOLACE, in which I found his Bond surly and arrogant. For the record, he was incredible in CASINO ROYALE - I saw that film half a dozen times at the cinema. Back then, Craig convincingly portrayed the raw material that would become the secret agent – the wet-behind-the-ears new boy under immense pressure to prove himself worthy of Double-0 status. A nice parallel given that Craig’s appointment as the new 007 met with a fierce backlash from diehard fans. Craig had as much to prove as Bond himself. His hunger to prove the detractors wrong was palpable in CASINO ROYALE and in SKYFALL he has very successfully channelled that hunger again.
In his performance, the core elements that drive the man to act so selflessly and under any circumstances on behalf of his country – loyalty, integrity, devotion to duty – are not affected, they’re just there. The relationship between Bond and his boss, M, once again played with such conviction by the inimitable Judi Dench, is an obvious metaphor for everything we have come to expect of the character – the quintessentially tenacious British Bulldog. In his devotion and loyalty to M, the lofty ideal of serving Queen & Country as courageously and unreservedly as 007 does, is presented perfectly in a very intimate and familial way which makes the entire premise utterly believable. This is underpinned by the majestic yet understated performance of Javier Bardem in the guise of agent-gone-bad, Silva. In fact, Bardem’s opening scene involves an extremely challenging sexually charged situation involving Bond. It was unexpected but brilliantly done and the confidence, reality and humour conveyed by both actors is priceless.
Unlike many of his predecessors, Silva is no megalomaniac. His motivations and objectives are significantly more clinical, more personal than the Blofeld-Stromberg-Drax variety of the old days and this is what is so engaging. He has been personally wronged, he has suffered intolerably as a result and he is hell bent on revenge at any cost. We’ve all been there, right? More than anything Silva is flawed (obviously), vulnerable (disturbingly so) and damaged (beyond repair). But what makes this film so great is that these traits are equally true of Bond and M. The history and volatility that connects this unlikely threesome - 007, M & Silva - is the centrepiece of the entire narrative and its strength and plausibility is achieved by the outstanding performances of all three.
If you haven’t guessed already, I absolutely loved this movie. This is not the Bond of Connery, or Lazenby, or Moore, Dalton or Brosnan. Daniel Craig has indisputably captured the Bond who clung protectively to Gala Brand under a shower while the tiles blistered and boiling water rained down upon their bodies, as an atom bomb launched just metres away through a blast wall in MOONRAKER, 1955. His Bond is the guy you can imagine, swimming through Caribbean coral at midnight to rescue Solitaire, with spear gun in hand and a limpet mine strapped to his chest, running the gauntlet of sharks and barracuda in pitch darkness only to be dragged down to the edge of death by a murderous octopus in LIVE AND LET DIE, 1954.
As a fan who first discovered Ian Fleming & James Bond as a teenager back in 1977, I feel as though the franchise has finally gone full circle. The earliest films – DR NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER & THUNDERBALL – all remained reasonably true to the original novels. After that it was pretty much a free-for-all in terms of outlandish plots and spectacular stunts. With Daniel Craig’s entry to the series, CASINO ROYALE began the process of returning us to the raw material, QUANTUM OF SOLACE was a bit try hard, but now SKYFALL has absolutely hit the mark.
In SKYFALL Daniel Craig returns 007 to the world imagined by his creator, his family seat, his history and his heritage.
It is unequivocally the Bond of Ian Fleming.
This post first appeared on Momentum blog: www.momentumbooks.com.au.
If you’re a fan of the Bond films or Fleming books, you’ll love the INTREPID series. Visit www.intrepidallen.com for more.
I was more engaged by Daniel Craig this time around than I was in his last outing, QUANTUM OF SOLACE, in which I found his Bond surly and arrogant. For the record, he was incredible in CASINO ROYALE - I saw that film half a dozen times at the cinema. Back then, Craig convincingly portrayed the raw material that would become the secret agent – the wet-behind-the-ears new boy under immense pressure to prove himself worthy of Double-0 status. A nice parallel given that Craig’s appointment as the new 007 met with a fierce backlash from diehard fans. Craig had as much to prove as Bond himself. His hunger to prove the detractors wrong was palpable in CASINO ROYALE and in SKYFALL he has very successfully channelled that hunger again.
In his performance, the core elements that drive the man to act so selflessly and under any circumstances on behalf of his country – loyalty, integrity, devotion to duty – are not affected, they’re just there. The relationship between Bond and his boss, M, once again played with such conviction by the inimitable Judi Dench, is an obvious metaphor for everything we have come to expect of the character – the quintessentially tenacious British Bulldog. In his devotion and loyalty to M, the lofty ideal of serving Queen & Country as courageously and unreservedly as 007 does, is presented perfectly in a very intimate and familial way which makes the entire premise utterly believable. This is underpinned by the majestic yet understated performance of Javier Bardem in the guise of agent-gone-bad, Silva. In fact, Bardem’s opening scene involves an extremely challenging sexually charged situation involving Bond. It was unexpected but brilliantly done and the confidence, reality and humour conveyed by both actors is priceless.
Unlike many of his predecessors, Silva is no megalomaniac. His motivations and objectives are significantly more clinical, more personal than the Blofeld-Stromberg-Drax variety of the old days and this is what is so engaging. He has been personally wronged, he has suffered intolerably as a result and he is hell bent on revenge at any cost. We’ve all been there, right? More than anything Silva is flawed (obviously), vulnerable (disturbingly so) and damaged (beyond repair). But what makes this film so great is that these traits are equally true of Bond and M. The history and volatility that connects this unlikely threesome - 007, M & Silva - is the centrepiece of the entire narrative and its strength and plausibility is achieved by the outstanding performances of all three.
If you haven’t guessed already, I absolutely loved this movie. This is not the Bond of Connery, or Lazenby, or Moore, Dalton or Brosnan. Daniel Craig has indisputably captured the Bond who clung protectively to Gala Brand under a shower while the tiles blistered and boiling water rained down upon their bodies, as an atom bomb launched just metres away through a blast wall in MOONRAKER, 1955. His Bond is the guy you can imagine, swimming through Caribbean coral at midnight to rescue Solitaire, with spear gun in hand and a limpet mine strapped to his chest, running the gauntlet of sharks and barracuda in pitch darkness only to be dragged down to the edge of death by a murderous octopus in LIVE AND LET DIE, 1954.
As a fan who first discovered Ian Fleming & James Bond as a teenager back in 1977, I feel as though the franchise has finally gone full circle. The earliest films – DR NO, FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE, GOLDFINGER & THUNDERBALL – all remained reasonably true to the original novels. After that it was pretty much a free-for-all in terms of outlandish plots and spectacular stunts. With Daniel Craig’s entry to the series, CASINO ROYALE began the process of returning us to the raw material, QUANTUM OF SOLACE was a bit try hard, but now SKYFALL has absolutely hit the mark.
In SKYFALL Daniel Craig returns 007 to the world imagined by his creator, his family seat, his history and his heritage.
It is unequivocally the Bond of Ian Fleming.
This post first appeared on Momentum blog: www.momentumbooks.com.au.
If you’re a fan of the Bond films or Fleming books, you’ll love the INTREPID series. Visit www.intrepidallen.com for more.
MY TOP THRILLER WRITERS OF ALL TIME
TEN OF THE BEST ACTION AUTHORS (AND THEIR NOVELS)
This collection of works by my favourite thriller writers is the equivalent of my literary lifeblood. I continue to enjoy them equally as much today as at my first read, and it's heartening to reflect on the fact that they've kept me entertained and out of trouble since growing up as a teenager in Perth in the 1970's, and even while I was deployed in the various jungles and deserts of my past, wondering what the normal people were doing for a day job. I've grown up on many of these books, and continue to be inspired by these top thriller writers, all of them leaders in the action & espionage arena. Henceforth, and also inspired by a recent post on my favourite action movies that has been a hit, I humbly offer my list of top thriller authors alongside some of what I think is their best work!
1. IAN FLEMING - CASINO ROYALE
The first James Bond novel and iconic turning point in popular culture, penned by Ian Fleming, my literary hero. This wasn't the first Bond I ever read - I first found The Man with the Golden Gun in the school library - but it gives great insight into the author himself, what he was feeling at the time and his plans for his protagonist. It's full of all the classic heroics we expect of Bond but there is a fair amount of fear and uncertainty as well. I've read everything he's written over a dozen times each.
2. ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE - THE COMPLETE SHERLOCK HOLMES SERIES
Having enjoyed these stories as a boy, I rediscovered them in my forties and only truly realised then, with the benefit of some considerable years and life experience under my belt, just how good they were. So much of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is embedded within the character of Dr John Watson, trusted biographer and loyal friend of the great detective, that the perspective of his adventures alongside Sherlock Holmes becomes a very personal one for the reader. The language and style of writing is particular to a time while being also uniquely timeless. I devour these stories regularly.
3. CLIVE CUSSLER - SAHARA
I've enjoyed Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt books for over 20 years, discovering them on the recommendation of a friend in the early 1990's. These are all rip-roaring adventures and they just got better and better as Cussler became more familiar and comfortable with his protagonist. Sahara is classic Dirk Pitt and epitomizes, in my view, the style of narrative Cussler aspired to when he first created the character. Clive Cussler continues to produce great work, including one of his most recent stories, The Chase, which has become a new favourite for me. And, for the record, I prefer it when he writes alone!
4. ALISTAIR MACLEAN - WHERE EAGLES DARE
Alistair MacLean wrote some now legendary action thrillers in his time, this one among the most famous, featuring one of my favourite characters, Major Smith.
I actually first discovered Alistair MacLean as a result of watching the film of the novel, starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. So intrigued was I by the complexity of the story that I had to find the book and was pleased to discover that the writing and the subterfuge from the novel had been expertly replicated by the filmmakers.
MacLean is a master in the action genre in that the characters are relentless but flawed, the stakes are always high and the storytelling is supreme.
5. TOM CLANCY - WITHOUT REMORSE
Tom Clancy came to prominence during the 90's with a now-huge backlist of thrillers. A favourite of mine being Without Remorse, which focuses on one of Clancy's best characters, John Clarke.
While the popular view is that Jack Ryan is Clancy's best character, I can't help but feel that's a result of the films starring Alec Baldwin in one and Harrison Ford in two others. But the Clarke character seems to me a much more real and accessible hero who does not enjoy the prestige or accolade of the Ryan character. I really like that about Clancy's ability to write such different heroes.
6. JOHN LE CARRE - THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
Fantastic book, this one, and I thought that Richard Burton did a great job as Leamus in the movie of the same name.
Le Carre had a way of conveying much more of the rawness and darkness of Cold War Europe and the complexity of personal human relationships that became intertwined in the professional intelligence environment on both sides of the Iron Curtain.
7. JON CLEARY - THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
One Aussie writer I've always enjoyed is Jon Cleary, though he's unfortunately no longer with us. He had a unique Australian take within an international setting in some of his work. He was equally adept at focusing on Australian domestic issues and his characters were very real and believable.
I loved this book particularly the earthy Australian detective Scobie Malone. Mr Cleary is a legend amongst crime authors.
8. MATTHEW REILLY - ICE STATION
Matthew Reilly is another incredibly talented Australian author who has legions of fans in the sci-fi / action genre. This book made Reilly internationally and features his most enduring character, Scarecrow.
I was thrilled to chat to Matthew at a recent movie screening in Canberra for a mutual friend. Not only can he write ripping yarns but he's a genuinely great person who had lots of insights to exchange about the Australian publishing industry.
9. PATRICIA CORNWALL - RED MIST
Patricia Cornwall is such a strong contemporary force to be reckoned with, who has - I think - perfectly captured the relationship between her own history and that of the protagonist she's created, Kay Scarpetta. Her characters are real and believable, not neccessarily superhuman, and I like that!
A strong point about Cornwall's writing is how she manages to incorporate complex family relationship issues within the darkness of her subject matter.
10. JACK HIGGINS - SOLO
Another great English writer, Higgins wrote many stories which I enjoyed throughout my military years. His book, Solo, features a parachute regiment Colonel named Asa Morgan, which is not that dissimilar to the name I chose for my own protagonist. Must be something in that!
I still have literally dozens of Jack Higgins novels which I would carry in my pack at various times over the years. They were perfect material when you only had time for short, sharp bursts of reading as they were intense and fast-paced. This one was all about revenge, family loyalties and ultimately being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Who are your top writers and their most treasured novels of yours? Leave me a comment below or at http://intrepidallen.com/blog/2013/4/....
This collection of works by my favourite thriller writers is the equivalent of my literary lifeblood. I continue to enjoy them equally as much today as at my first read, and it's heartening to reflect on the fact that they've kept me entertained and out of trouble since growing up as a teenager in Perth in the 1970's, and even while I was deployed in the various jungles and deserts of my past, wondering what the normal people were doing for a day job. I've grown up on many of these books, and continue to be inspired by these top thriller writers, all of them leaders in the action & espionage arena. Henceforth, and also inspired by a recent post on my favourite action movies that has been a hit, I humbly offer my list of top thriller authors alongside some of what I think is their best work!
1. IAN FLEMING - CASINO ROYALE
The first James Bond novel and iconic turning point in popular culture, penned by Ian Fleming, my literary hero. This wasn't the first Bond I ever read - I first found The Man with the Golden Gun in the school library - but it gives great insight into the author himself, what he was feeling at the time and his plans for his protagonist. It's full of all the classic heroics we expect of Bond but there is a fair amount of fear and uncertainty as well. I've read everything he's written over a dozen times each.
2. ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE - THE COMPLETE SHERLOCK HOLMES SERIES
Having enjoyed these stories as a boy, I rediscovered them in my forties and only truly realised then, with the benefit of some considerable years and life experience under my belt, just how good they were. So much of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is embedded within the character of Dr John Watson, trusted biographer and loyal friend of the great detective, that the perspective of his adventures alongside Sherlock Holmes becomes a very personal one for the reader. The language and style of writing is particular to a time while being also uniquely timeless. I devour these stories regularly.
3. CLIVE CUSSLER - SAHARA
I've enjoyed Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt books for over 20 years, discovering them on the recommendation of a friend in the early 1990's. These are all rip-roaring adventures and they just got better and better as Cussler became more familiar and comfortable with his protagonist. Sahara is classic Dirk Pitt and epitomizes, in my view, the style of narrative Cussler aspired to when he first created the character. Clive Cussler continues to produce great work, including one of his most recent stories, The Chase, which has become a new favourite for me. And, for the record, I prefer it when he writes alone!
4. ALISTAIR MACLEAN - WHERE EAGLES DARE
Alistair MacLean wrote some now legendary action thrillers in his time, this one among the most famous, featuring one of my favourite characters, Major Smith.
I actually first discovered Alistair MacLean as a result of watching the film of the novel, starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. So intrigued was I by the complexity of the story that I had to find the book and was pleased to discover that the writing and the subterfuge from the novel had been expertly replicated by the filmmakers.
MacLean is a master in the action genre in that the characters are relentless but flawed, the stakes are always high and the storytelling is supreme.
5. TOM CLANCY - WITHOUT REMORSE
Tom Clancy came to prominence during the 90's with a now-huge backlist of thrillers. A favourite of mine being Without Remorse, which focuses on one of Clancy's best characters, John Clarke.
While the popular view is that Jack Ryan is Clancy's best character, I can't help but feel that's a result of the films starring Alec Baldwin in one and Harrison Ford in two others. But the Clarke character seems to me a much more real and accessible hero who does not enjoy the prestige or accolade of the Ryan character. I really like that about Clancy's ability to write such different heroes.
6. JOHN LE CARRE - THE SPY WHO CAME IN FROM THE COLD
Fantastic book, this one, and I thought that Richard Burton did a great job as Leamus in the movie of the same name.
Le Carre had a way of conveying much more of the rawness and darkness of Cold War Europe and the complexity of personal human relationships that became intertwined in the professional intelligence environment on both sides of the Iron Curtain.
7. JON CLEARY - THE HIGH COMMISSIONER
One Aussie writer I've always enjoyed is Jon Cleary, though he's unfortunately no longer with us. He had a unique Australian take within an international setting in some of his work. He was equally adept at focusing on Australian domestic issues and his characters were very real and believable.
I loved this book particularly the earthy Australian detective Scobie Malone. Mr Cleary is a legend amongst crime authors.
8. MATTHEW REILLY - ICE STATION
Matthew Reilly is another incredibly talented Australian author who has legions of fans in the sci-fi / action genre. This book made Reilly internationally and features his most enduring character, Scarecrow.
I was thrilled to chat to Matthew at a recent movie screening in Canberra for a mutual friend. Not only can he write ripping yarns but he's a genuinely great person who had lots of insights to exchange about the Australian publishing industry.
9. PATRICIA CORNWALL - RED MIST
Patricia Cornwall is such a strong contemporary force to be reckoned with, who has - I think - perfectly captured the relationship between her own history and that of the protagonist she's created, Kay Scarpetta. Her characters are real and believable, not neccessarily superhuman, and I like that!
A strong point about Cornwall's writing is how she manages to incorporate complex family relationship issues within the darkness of her subject matter.
10. JACK HIGGINS - SOLO
Another great English writer, Higgins wrote many stories which I enjoyed throughout my military years. His book, Solo, features a parachute regiment Colonel named Asa Morgan, which is not that dissimilar to the name I chose for my own protagonist. Must be something in that!
I still have literally dozens of Jack Higgins novels which I would carry in my pack at various times over the years. They were perfect material when you only had time for short, sharp bursts of reading as they were intense and fast-paced. This one was all about revenge, family loyalties and ultimately being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Who are your top writers and their most treasured novels of yours? Leave me a comment below or at http://intrepidallen.com/blog/2013/4/....
LONDON & LOS ANGELES MINI-SERIES
1. AUSTRALIA HOUSE AND BOB THE BUILDER IN LONDON
LONDON, DAY ONE.
It's 2am and I can't sleep - must be 11am in Sydney. I had a full and busy first day sightseeing in London, even after the cancelled flights which delayed my arrival, and not being able to catch up with some former comrades-in-arms from the British Parachute Regiment as a result.
Here's a few snaps from the first day...
(You can view the pictures at http://buff.ly/1bfdMSi - captions are below)
Outside Australia House, otherwise known as the Australian High Commission. This place became well known to me when I was first sent to London on attachment to the British Army!
At Baker St Station, where there is a very cool homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic characters on the wall.
I'm not one for stage musicals, but my Sar has always enjoyed them them, and if you combine that with her two other loves, Roald Dahl and chocolate - well, you can't get much better than that!
I was lucky to meet up with Neil Morrissey, the voice of Bob the Builder, one of the characters my three year old son adores.
Here I am with one of my best mates Dick, at the Salisbury where I was with our families back in 2009 for a drink - down to the exact same seat!
Big day of meetings over the coming days, so best get some shut eye - will check in soonest.
***
2. FLEMING'S HOME AND RONNIE SCOTT'S IN LONDON
DAYS TWO AND THREE.
Once again, it's 3am and the jet lag in London-town continues to be a killer. But at least it's a chance to reflect what has been and prepare for that which is ahead!
I love London, the history of the place, the sense of occasion, even the fact that the cabbies call you 'Guv'. So I've been walking as much as I can between meetings, and seeing some of my favourite spots on the fly.
Here's a few of them:
(View the pictures at http://buff.ly/12R0ZlB - captions are below)
Not just any house, this was Ian Fleming's home located on Ebury St in London.
I took the chance to pay my respects on what would have been Fleming's birthday - 28 May.
Happy Birthday, Mr Fleming.
The only right way to celebrate the life of my literary hero is by having his favourite meal, scrambled eggs for breakfast, at the Nightingale Cafe.
I chanced upon The Ritz which appears in the final chapter of Hunter: Intrepid 2.
Really enjoyed capturing this view of MI6 from Vauxhall Bridge - exactly where it was shot from in the latest Bond movie Skyfall!
Ronnie Scott's is a jazz club in Soho - an institution. We were last there in 2009 for a memorable night where the Ronnie Scott's orchestra played the Miles Davis Kind of Blue album.
A few of the upcoming gigs at Ronnie Scott's, and it's no surprise to see Madeleine Peyroux is sold out!
Got a bit more time to enjoy in this great old town before flying out to the bright lights of Hollywood on Saturday. It's a whirlwind trip, but I'm loving every minute.
Time for a cup of tea to start the day, I think!
***
3. LORD NELSON & THE RED LION IN LONDON
DAYS FOUR AND FIVE
This has been a whirlwind first week, and still another to go in LA, with some book-related meetings that have blown my mind, and an opportunity to walk the streets of London in between. One of my favourite pubs is in Westminster, called The Red Lion, and when I dropped in there this week, I had a great chat with the staff who were thrilled to hear that their cosy venue is featured in Defender and Hunter!
I hope you enjoy the latest installment...
(View the pictures at http://buff.ly/12VDF6q - the captions are below)
My favourite landmark in London: Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square.
Enjoying being in Conan Doyle territory.
At the Sherlock Holmes museum. Unfortunately there was a line of 250 people down the street waiting to get in, so I saw it from the outside only.
A bobby outside the Sherlock museum. Gotta keep watch!
With Cathy (left) and Desiree (right) and Alex Morgan (centre) at my favourite pub in London, The Red Lion Westminster. It was great to take Morgan & Hunter for a photo opportunity as the venue appears in both books!
Can never go past a plate of bangers & mash at The Red Lion, and a pint of Guiness too!
Quintessential London, walking towards Piccadilly from Oxford Circus.
I was thrilled to be able to catch up for a 3Para reunion lunch with my great mate Bill. Just like old times!
Without any further ado, off to the City of Angels I fly!
***
4. ROBERT DE NIRO & MAD MEN IN HOLLYWOOD
WEEK TWO.
Los Angeles sure does have a different feel to the streets of London. There's little walking to meetings, for one, so I'm seeing the town from moving vehicle than by foot. Everything is big and brash, bright and brassy. There's no shortage of luxury cars at the hotels, either!
It's been an extremely productive week, so before I finish up and fly back Down Under, here's some snaps from about town.
(View the pictures at http://buff.ly/14ithZ2 - the captions are below)
I've waited a long time to see this sign!
The Chinese Theatre which is famous in Hollywood, and you may have seen it in an action scene from Iron Man 3 as well!
I was lucky to be able to spend a couple of days with my good mate Dudge, who has been a staunch supporter of my stories from the very beginning.
We went to the fantastic restaurant AGO which is owned by Robert de Niro - the service was unlike anything I've experienced before!
I had the Osso Bucco. Well, you wouldn't order chicken at a restaurant owned by De Niro, would you?
It's not real, but it's good fun to hold one of these, all the same.
This is a very typical street in Beverly Hills - we see them on the TV shows all the time!
Looking down to Santa Monica Boulevard to Beverly Hills - Century City is in the background and that is where Cleopatra was filmed!
Don is looking across Sunset Boulevard to my hotel so at least I can't get lost!
Even the Beverly Hills Neighbourhood Watch program looks like something from a movie...
Here's the Dolby Theatre, formerly known as the Kodak Theatre, which hosted the Academy Awards this February.
Fajitas and Margaritas with my brother-in-arms from Paratrooping days and hugely successful fellow creative capitalist, Bradley Trevor Greive. If you haven't checked out his work yet, do so here.
I feel incredibly lucky to be able to have seen these sights between my meetings about town, and I reckon LA will be appearing in a future Intrepid story!
I hope you've enjoyed this mini-series of blogs on my recent travels as much as I have.
***
If you're in Sydney, see you at the Willoughby Hotel next Thursday 13 June for a Malfajiri Sunset and a few more yarns? More details here: http://buff.ly/15UM1O8
***
Join up to Intrepid and receive future blog updates by email here: http://intrepidallen.com/contact
LONDON, DAY ONE.
It's 2am and I can't sleep - must be 11am in Sydney. I had a full and busy first day sightseeing in London, even after the cancelled flights which delayed my arrival, and not being able to catch up with some former comrades-in-arms from the British Parachute Regiment as a result.
Here's a few snaps from the first day...
(You can view the pictures at http://buff.ly/1bfdMSi - captions are below)
Outside Australia House, otherwise known as the Australian High Commission. This place became well known to me when I was first sent to London on attachment to the British Army!
At Baker St Station, where there is a very cool homage to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's iconic characters on the wall.
I'm not one for stage musicals, but my Sar has always enjoyed them them, and if you combine that with her two other loves, Roald Dahl and chocolate - well, you can't get much better than that!
I was lucky to meet up with Neil Morrissey, the voice of Bob the Builder, one of the characters my three year old son adores.
Here I am with one of my best mates Dick, at the Salisbury where I was with our families back in 2009 for a drink - down to the exact same seat!
Big day of meetings over the coming days, so best get some shut eye - will check in soonest.
***
2. FLEMING'S HOME AND RONNIE SCOTT'S IN LONDON
DAYS TWO AND THREE.
Once again, it's 3am and the jet lag in London-town continues to be a killer. But at least it's a chance to reflect what has been and prepare for that which is ahead!
I love London, the history of the place, the sense of occasion, even the fact that the cabbies call you 'Guv'. So I've been walking as much as I can between meetings, and seeing some of my favourite spots on the fly.
Here's a few of them:
(View the pictures at http://buff.ly/12R0ZlB - captions are below)
Not just any house, this was Ian Fleming's home located on Ebury St in London.
I took the chance to pay my respects on what would have been Fleming's birthday - 28 May.
Happy Birthday, Mr Fleming.
The only right way to celebrate the life of my literary hero is by having his favourite meal, scrambled eggs for breakfast, at the Nightingale Cafe.
I chanced upon The Ritz which appears in the final chapter of Hunter: Intrepid 2.
Really enjoyed capturing this view of MI6 from Vauxhall Bridge - exactly where it was shot from in the latest Bond movie Skyfall!
Ronnie Scott's is a jazz club in Soho - an institution. We were last there in 2009 for a memorable night where the Ronnie Scott's orchestra played the Miles Davis Kind of Blue album.
A few of the upcoming gigs at Ronnie Scott's, and it's no surprise to see Madeleine Peyroux is sold out!
Got a bit more time to enjoy in this great old town before flying out to the bright lights of Hollywood on Saturday. It's a whirlwind trip, but I'm loving every minute.
Time for a cup of tea to start the day, I think!
***
3. LORD NELSON & THE RED LION IN LONDON
DAYS FOUR AND FIVE
This has been a whirlwind first week, and still another to go in LA, with some book-related meetings that have blown my mind, and an opportunity to walk the streets of London in between. One of my favourite pubs is in Westminster, called The Red Lion, and when I dropped in there this week, I had a great chat with the staff who were thrilled to hear that their cosy venue is featured in Defender and Hunter!
I hope you enjoy the latest installment...
(View the pictures at http://buff.ly/12VDF6q - the captions are below)
My favourite landmark in London: Nelson's Column, Trafalgar Square.
Enjoying being in Conan Doyle territory.
At the Sherlock Holmes museum. Unfortunately there was a line of 250 people down the street waiting to get in, so I saw it from the outside only.
A bobby outside the Sherlock museum. Gotta keep watch!
With Cathy (left) and Desiree (right) and Alex Morgan (centre) at my favourite pub in London, The Red Lion Westminster. It was great to take Morgan & Hunter for a photo opportunity as the venue appears in both books!
Can never go past a plate of bangers & mash at The Red Lion, and a pint of Guiness too!
Quintessential London, walking towards Piccadilly from Oxford Circus.
I was thrilled to be able to catch up for a 3Para reunion lunch with my great mate Bill. Just like old times!
Without any further ado, off to the City of Angels I fly!
***
4. ROBERT DE NIRO & MAD MEN IN HOLLYWOOD
WEEK TWO.
Los Angeles sure does have a different feel to the streets of London. There's little walking to meetings, for one, so I'm seeing the town from moving vehicle than by foot. Everything is big and brash, bright and brassy. There's no shortage of luxury cars at the hotels, either!
It's been an extremely productive week, so before I finish up and fly back Down Under, here's some snaps from about town.
(View the pictures at http://buff.ly/14ithZ2 - the captions are below)
I've waited a long time to see this sign!
The Chinese Theatre which is famous in Hollywood, and you may have seen it in an action scene from Iron Man 3 as well!
I was lucky to be able to spend a couple of days with my good mate Dudge, who has been a staunch supporter of my stories from the very beginning.
We went to the fantastic restaurant AGO which is owned by Robert de Niro - the service was unlike anything I've experienced before!
I had the Osso Bucco. Well, you wouldn't order chicken at a restaurant owned by De Niro, would you?
It's not real, but it's good fun to hold one of these, all the same.
This is a very typical street in Beverly Hills - we see them on the TV shows all the time!
Looking down to Santa Monica Boulevard to Beverly Hills - Century City is in the background and that is where Cleopatra was filmed!
Don is looking across Sunset Boulevard to my hotel so at least I can't get lost!
Even the Beverly Hills Neighbourhood Watch program looks like something from a movie...
Here's the Dolby Theatre, formerly known as the Kodak Theatre, which hosted the Academy Awards this February.
Fajitas and Margaritas with my brother-in-arms from Paratrooping days and hugely successful fellow creative capitalist, Bradley Trevor Greive. If you haven't checked out his work yet, do so here.
I feel incredibly lucky to be able to have seen these sights between my meetings about town, and I reckon LA will be appearing in a future Intrepid story!
I hope you've enjoyed this mini-series of blogs on my recent travels as much as I have.
***
If you're in Sydney, see you at the Willoughby Hotel next Thursday 13 June for a Malfajiri Sunset and a few more yarns? More details here: http://buff.ly/15UM1O8
***
Join up to Intrepid and receive future blog updates by email here: http://intrepidallen.com/contact
