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Chance, Kings and Desperate Men
In January, 1937, you do whatever you can to get by. Matthew Becker is a recent college grad, multi-lingual, multi-cultural and a crack shot since childhood. He’s also one step away from the breadlines. He makes money on both sides of the law while trying to find meaning, honor and self-respect in a world of chaos.
Becker and his best friend Angelo are driving back to Jersey from a crooked boxing match outside Philadelphia when they come upon two gangsters beating a man to death. The victim is Becker’s manager, Mendy Schecter, a Brooklyn wise-guy long on talk and short on charm. Still, it would be bad manners to leave him. They shoot both hoods dead and get Mendy to safety.
Becker and Angelo are no choirboys. They grew up in a tough immigrant neighborhood and know the rules. Interference in Mob business is a death sentence. Now they have to get away or get dead.
They volunteer for The Republic in the Spanish Civil War. The choice of joining the volunteers in Spain or staying with the love of his life and caring for his dying father has tortured Becker for months. Now the decision has been made for him. But on their way to fight Franco, Becker and Angelo are intercepted by a Party agent in Paris who needs men with special skills. The Fascists in France are backed up by the Gestapo and The Cause needs someone lethal enough to go up against them.
From the ganglands of America to the backstreets of Paris and the trenches of the Spanish Civil War, CHANCE, KINGS AND DESPERATE MEN depicts the demands of duty, friendship and conscience in tragic conflict with the moral ambiguities of war.
Becker and his best friend Angelo are driving back to Jersey from a crooked boxing match outside Philadelphia when they come upon two gangsters beating a man to death. The victim is Becker’s manager, Mendy Schecter, a Brooklyn wise-guy long on talk and short on charm. Still, it would be bad manners to leave him. They shoot both hoods dead and get Mendy to safety.
Becker and Angelo are no choirboys. They grew up in a tough immigrant neighborhood and know the rules. Interference in Mob business is a death sentence. Now they have to get away or get dead.
They volunteer for The Republic in the Spanish Civil War. The choice of joining the volunteers in Spain or staying with the love of his life and caring for his dying father has tortured Becker for months. Now the decision has been made for him. But on their way to fight Franco, Becker and Angelo are intercepted by a Party agent in Paris who needs men with special skills. The Fascists in France are backed up by the Gestapo and The Cause needs someone lethal enough to go up against them.
From the ganglands of America to the backstreets of Paris and the trenches of the Spanish Civil War, CHANCE, KINGS AND DESPERATE MEN depicts the demands of duty, friendship and conscience in tragic conflict with the moral ambiguities of war.
370 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2015
About the author
Shawn Frederick
2 books8 followersI was born and raised in upstate (Western) NY State. I received my bachelor’s in French from SUNY Geneseo (with considerable Spanish), a Master’s in Near Eastern Studies (Arabic language concentration) from the University of Michigan and a Master’s in TESOL from Columbia. I also studied at the University of Besançon, France (now the University of Franche-Comté) and in Cairo at the American University.
I worked in Saudi Arabia as a personnel officer for companies contracted with the Saudi military in the mid-1980s. In 1993, I pursued a life-long ambition to teach and came to Japan.
I’ve been around, as they say.
I worked in Saudi Arabia as a personnel officer for companies contracted with the Saudi military in the mid-1980s. In 1993, I pursued a life-long ambition to teach and came to Japan.
I’ve been around, as they say.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 27, 2018
Though it is never mentioned in the book, the source of the title Chance, Kings, and Desperate Men is this sonnet, written by John Donne in 1609:
Holy Sonnet X
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and souls deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better than thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more, Death, thou shalt die.
Although this book is, in the main, not especially depressing, death plays a major part. Since much of the story takes place during the Spanish Civil War, that is not surprising. But death is a factor throughout, from the beginning of the book until the end. At all times, the possibility of death helps shape the actions of Matthew Becker and Angelo Vitale.
A cloud of death and want and suffering hangs over the world in 1937. Matt Becker is a recent college graduate with a degree in history, at a time when history provides little comfort in the United States. Matt makes money as a club fighter. Angie, his best friend since childhood, serves as Matt's corner man.
Matt and Angie take desperate action to help someone they know, and this results in them being sought by gangsters. Although Matt has both family and romantic issues ongoing, they decide to leave the country. Even before this, Matt had considered going to Spain to join the army of the Republic in their battle against the fascist forces led by Francisco Franco. Now Matt and Angie sail to Europe to do just that.
Shawn Frederick does a good job in presenting Matt as a hero without making it too unrealistic. Matt speaks fluent French and German and is able to communicate well enough in Spanish. He is brave, strong, generous, caring, smart, funny, and an excellent shot, which could well have made him somewhat obnoxious, but that never happens.
Supporting characters are also presented well. Angie shares many of Matt's virtues and is especially very brave and very funny. There are many other characters who seem more than usually three-dimensional. Look, for example, at the mobster Sal, who enters and leaves the story in just a few pages, but is convincingly brought to life. As in real life, you never know what happens to many of them, but you still remember them.
There were some problems I had with the book. I think that many people might well not know the issues involved in the war in Spain, or of the impact that had, first in Europe, and then throughout the world.
Also, I don't find the book as emotionally involving as it might have been. I think that perhaps too much happens to too many people in this not particularly long book to make readers feel an emotional connection with them.
However, Chance, Kings, and Desperate Men is a consistently intriguing book which I think most people would enjoy.
Holy Sonnet X
Death be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for, thou art not so,
For, those, whom thou think'st, thou dost overthrow,
Die not, poore death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleepe, which but thy pictures bee,
Much pleasure, then from thee, much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee doe goe,
Rest of their bones, and souls deliverie.
Thou art slave to Fate, Chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poyson, warre, and sicknesse dwell,
And poppie, or charmes can make us sleepe as well,
And better than thy stroake; why swell'st thou then;
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more, Death, thou shalt die.
Although this book is, in the main, not especially depressing, death plays a major part. Since much of the story takes place during the Spanish Civil War, that is not surprising. But death is a factor throughout, from the beginning of the book until the end. At all times, the possibility of death helps shape the actions of Matthew Becker and Angelo Vitale.
A cloud of death and want and suffering hangs over the world in 1937. Matt Becker is a recent college graduate with a degree in history, at a time when history provides little comfort in the United States. Matt makes money as a club fighter. Angie, his best friend since childhood, serves as Matt's corner man.
Matt and Angie take desperate action to help someone they know, and this results in them being sought by gangsters. Although Matt has both family and romantic issues ongoing, they decide to leave the country. Even before this, Matt had considered going to Spain to join the army of the Republic in their battle against the fascist forces led by Francisco Franco. Now Matt and Angie sail to Europe to do just that.
Shawn Frederick does a good job in presenting Matt as a hero without making it too unrealistic. Matt speaks fluent French and German and is able to communicate well enough in Spanish. He is brave, strong, generous, caring, smart, funny, and an excellent shot, which could well have made him somewhat obnoxious, but that never happens.
Supporting characters are also presented well. Angie shares many of Matt's virtues and is especially very brave and very funny. There are many other characters who seem more than usually three-dimensional. Look, for example, at the mobster Sal, who enters and leaves the story in just a few pages, but is convincingly brought to life. As in real life, you never know what happens to many of them, but you still remember them.
There were some problems I had with the book. I think that many people might well not know the issues involved in the war in Spain, or of the impact that had, first in Europe, and then throughout the world.
Also, I don't find the book as emotionally involving as it might have been. I think that perhaps too much happens to too many people in this not particularly long book to make readers feel an emotional connection with them.
However, Chance, Kings, and Desperate Men is a consistently intriguing book which I think most people would enjoy.
October 19, 2015
I won this book as a FirstRead.
In January 1937, Matt Becker and his best friend, Angelo, are driving home from a boxing match when they see Becker's manager getting beaten to death by gangsters. They shoot the gangsters and save the manager's life, but this leaves them in danger themselves. Becker and Angie decide to go to Europe and volunteer in the Republic army in the Spanish Civil War. Because of Becker's language skills, they are assigned a special task in Paris before heading to Spain.
The book was an interesting read. People who like war and gangster novels will enjoy this book.
In January 1937, Matt Becker and his best friend, Angelo, are driving home from a boxing match when they see Becker's manager getting beaten to death by gangsters. They shoot the gangsters and save the manager's life, but this leaves them in danger themselves. Becker and Angie decide to go to Europe and volunteer in the Republic army in the Spanish Civil War. Because of Becker's language skills, they are assigned a special task in Paris before heading to Spain.
The book was an interesting read. People who like war and gangster novels will enjoy this book.
October 27, 2016
A couple of less than honorable men, from Philadelphia, volunteer to fight in theSpanish Civil War. They leave the USA with unfinished business, some of which follow them to Spain. They encounter Nazis, the French Resistance, and the Russian NKVD. We find ourselves expertly drawn into their existence, and sitting on the edge of our seat waiting to see what mishaps are next in store for each of them.
December 28, 2016
Engaging, likable characters, plausible plot without being predictable, suspenseful without being manipulative, realistic without being brutal. Historically accurate and true to the times. Eagerly awaiting sequel. Highly recommended!
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December 14, 2015nice pleasant read for the dark evenings
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews