Book talk.

[Krueger]

I've been reading the Star Wars books for a long time and two of my favorite authors from the series is Timothy Zahn and Aaron Allston.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Allston

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_Zahn

Of the two, Zahn has a lot more good works out, The Green and the Gray is one of my favorites as is his Dragonback series.

[jennifermarie]

Let's see:
*Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet (medieval church)
*World without End by Ken Follet (100 yrs war/black death)
*Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon (lady gets magic gems that let her time travel to the 1700's. Contains the books Outlander, Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager, Drums in Autumn, Fiery Cross, and A Breath of Snow and Ashes
*Animal Farm by George Orwell
*Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
*Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
*Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
*Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
*Lord of the Flies by William Golding
*The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton
*Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett
*The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco
*Anything by Shakespeare

and much much more!

[heavycola]

I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy in a couple of days lasdt week. Couldn't put it down. Honestly. Dark, hypnotic, bleak as hell, written like a bipolar hemingway... it's incredible. Utterly recommended.

One of my favourite authors. I would also recommend Blood Meridian by him. Gripping, intense fucking book. Not for the weak at heart.

It's next on my list

[suggs]

I highly reccomend "Piggly Wriggly PLays Truant".
A classic kids book, featuring one of the all time great heroes, Old Salt Pork.
Seriously.

[william18]

Ice Station is good. Also all the redwall book's ( no their not childish, their very violent).

[McGrod]

Ive only read outcast of redwall and yeh it was way cool on the violence front.

Top Books ive read recently : The fifth elephant terry pratchet (fiction) . Britain's forgotten wars (history) . George Orwell 1984 (for the umteenth time). Empire of blue water (history of Henry Morgan buccaneer).

[william18]

The best redwall books IMO Mossflower and Marten the Warrior.

[suggs]

Ive only read outcast of redwall and yeh it was way cool on the violence front.

Top Books ive read recently : The fifth elephant terry pratchet (fiction) . Britain's forgotten wars (history) . George Orwell 1984 (for the umteenth time). Empire of blue water (history of Henry Morgan buccaneer).

1984 is one of the greatest books of all time. I'd rate it higher than Catch 22, and obviously Ulysses is a pile of old arse.

"It was cold bright day in April, and the clocks had just struck thirteen..."
Genius.

[Guiscard]

Let's see:
*Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follet (medieval church)

Bought this in an airport on a whim and was pretty disappointed (although my standards are high as a medievalist). Fairly poor writing and although some of the details and real-world tie-ins were interesting it just didn't do anything for me.

In terms of medieval historical fiction I cannot praise Umberto Eco too highly. The Name of the Rose and Baudolino are both genius. Although the latter most likely loses something in translation it is still a winderful medieval chronicle, and the Name of the Rose is a competant a detective story as you'll ever read, imbued with historical flavour and texture. On a more readable tip, my guilty pleasure is Bernard Cornwell, anything but the Sharpe stuff is brilliant sword and sandal goodness. I can especially recommend his recent Dark Age series, and the books set in the Hundred Years war are very readable (if a little Da Vinci code conspiracy-flavoured).

[william18]

Krueger, if you like Star Wars then join us in the

Star Wars Trivia Thread


http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=39197

[Fruitcake]

My own.

"The Layoff"

Here is the intro:

A word on Betting Exchanges.

Betting Exchanges are a gambling phenomenon that started at the turn of the 21st century.


They opened the door to traditional investment and trading strategies more akin to the high profit world of the City trader rather than the ‘have a go’ punter filling in his chit in some smoke-filled betting shop. In next to no time, a multi-billion dollar industry was spawned. Punters could now choose whether to back a chosen selection to win or to lose, (known as laying.) At a stroke, the exchanges have opened up a whole new world of punting possibilities.

Using the internet as an information highway, all transactions are conducted electronically on purpose designed websites. Any individual with funds deposited at an exchange can trade, back or lay on a plethora of events, from traditional racing through to political events or reality TV programmes. They can even gamble on which way a market might move, up to the limit of their deposits.

Our story is set in the second decade of the 21st century, where the ‘Exchanges’ as they have became known, have gone through a period of rationalisation. This leaves around six major global players of which the United Kingdom (the first country to introduce the concept) plays host to four. Turnover has subsequently exploded, from a £40 billion industry in 2006, to fast approaching the £100 billion mark by 2013.

Circling around these exchange markets like small satellites, are the exchange trading operators. These companies make money in two ways. On their own account they act as financial instrument traders, gambling on whether the price of risk will rise or fall. This attracts many ex-traders from world financial markets. They also gain income by conducting exchange trading business on behalf of wealthy clients.

Sometimes the traders will act as bookmakers, taking on the risk themselves, other times they place the risk, selling and buying it again at a lower price to ensure their own margin.

Private individuals also use the exchanges. In fact, nearly 90% of the turnover comes from such individuals, ranging from multi millionaires to the casual ‘have a flutter’ punter.

Due to the nature of the business, the exchange trading operators have remained relatively small and highly profitable for their owners, in much the same way merchant banks did hundreds of years previously. Our story deals in this intoxicating world of power and money.

[Fruitcake]

The Lay Off

PROLOGUE

Park Lane Hotel conference room, 27th May 2013


Pulling the pocket-sized PC projector out of his briefcase, Geoffrey Dymock carefully adjusted the focus button before inserting it into a USB port on his laptop computer.

The busty conference room waitress asked if he wanted tea or coffee. Engrossed in fiddling with the projector, he didn’t even bother to look up.

“Mineral water” said Dymock bluntly. It was obvious Dymock was in no mood for discussion. The assistant, who was actually gagging for a coffee, also ordered mineral water.

Dymock set the PC projector on the conference room table, the contents of his laptop screen reflecting sharply on a large screen. He opened the presentation and tested the first couple of slides to make sure they were legible. Then he tested them again.

Reluctantly, with nothing more to do, he sat down, and then they waited. Two nervous suits in a big London conference room sipping mineral water.

A mere twenty five minutes later, bang on schedule as far as Dimitri Balinova was concerned, the great man entered the room, a lackey but two paces behind. Without preamble, without fanfare, and without so much as a smile, he took a seat at the head of the table.

“Ok” said Balinova, throwing sunglasses, car keys and mobile phone onto the table, “what have you got?”

Dymock launched into major presentation preamble mode, rationalising this, explaining that, itemising the other.

Balinova interrupted. “Let’s just cut to the chase shall we, show me what you got.”

Dymock started on the first of many slides. It was a definitive study of the Global Betting Exchange market worth over £75 billion per annum, with nearly half that centred in London. As a presentation of the facts, the key players, the sums involved, the dynamics of the business, the projected growth, it was exemplary. But Balinova had no time for exemplary, he just wanted, as he repeated once more ‘to cut to the fuckin’ chase.’

“So what would you like to know?” asked Dymock irritated. This presentation had taken over 45 man hours, mainly his man hours, and it was being flushed down the toilet by this Russian ingrate.

“What do you mean what do I want to know?” said Balinova, starting to get riled, a feat which never took too much effort. “I want to know who we’ve got in the frame. That’s what we’re here for isn’t it?”

“Well I’m coming to that” said Dymock, reluctant to abandon several slides of meticulously gleaned Betting Exchange data.

“Well for f*ck sakes come to it now” growled Balinova.

With a sigh Dymock flicked through 20 slides of the presentation until he reached a list of Betting Exchange companies, exchange trading companies and related operations.

He went through the list methodically, detailing the size of the company, the Managing Director, the number of employees

Balinova interrupted again.

“Dymock, I’ve got a f*ckin’ plane to catch.”

All hope of a well argued case abandoned, Dymock brought up the case file on The Golding Exchange Traders.

On the screen was a middle aged man, possibly mid 40’s, a medium close up picture taken with a long lens in a car park just as he was about to climb into his car.

“This is James Golding, 43 years old, owner and operator of The Golding Exchange Traders, known by most simply as ‘Golding Exchange’. The operation was established in 2004 and is currently ranked the seventh largest Betting Exchange Trading group in the UK with a gross revenue of £12 to £16 million per annum; it is difficult obtaining true figures as these guys keep very private operations. The Golding Exchange has a prestigious client list, is highly regarded in the industry and all financials we can find on the company check out.

“Now” continued Dymock, at last being allowed to get into his stride, “Golding keeps within the liquidity ratios allowable by the Betting Exchange Regulatory Authority. The company keeps a general position of around £4.5 million on deposit within the markets themselves. This is spread over 3 markets, with Betline being the major. As far as we have been able to deduce, the company has around £5 million on deposit with its bank, and some £2.25 million on deposit with BERA. His computers have sophisticated security levels designed to ensure that traders can only access permitted trading amounts. Level 3 permits a maximum of £50,000, level 4 permits up to £100,000…level 5…

“OK, OK, I get it, but you can fix all that, right?” interrupted Balinova impatiently.

“Right?” he repeated.

“Well yes” said Dymock, “we’re working on some software that should bypass the levels...”

“Don’t give me ‘should’ Dymock,” snapped Balinova “give me ‘will’ will bypass the security levels, this is kindergarten computer class shit.”

“Yes” said Dymock tensely “we will bypass the security levels...”


“Is Golding planning to sell out any time soon?” asked Balinova.

“Not as far as we can ascertain, no” said Dymock.

“Any Executive Directors or board members likely to cause trouble?”

“No” said Dymock, that’s why he is our number one choice. It’s a one man show.”

“Tell me more about Golding.” said Balinova glancing at his watch. “But keep it brief.”

“Single, divorced, keeps himself to himself, respected in the horse racing community, known to be a bit vain, fussy…”

“Excellent” said Balinova “The guy’s got an ego. We can work with that. OK. Good job. Start the ball rolling. I have to go.”


Balinova pulled himself out of his chair and picked up his brief case.

Oh, and Dymock…?” before Dymock could respond Balinova continued.

“Next time don’t bother me with these details. I shouldn’t have to be consulted about a lousy £11 million operation.”

“It’s a £12 million operation actually” said Dymock in his usual precise way.

“Whatever” said Balinova “If you can’t handle it then I’ll find someone who f*cking can.”


“Don’t you want to see a full profile on the company?” asked Dymock.

“That’s for you to worry about.” said Balinova brushing away the dossier.

He reached the conference room door.

He was just about to walk out when he remembered something and turned round.

“I want this all wrapped up by the General Election.” he announced matter of factly.

There was an audible gasp from both the suits in the room.

“But that’s only three weeks away” protested Dymock.

“Dymock” said Balinova “a week is a long time in politics. You’ve got three weeks, that’s a whole f*cking lifetime.”

The door slammed, causing the mineral water in the glasses to ripple, and the two suits to sit there quivering.

“Three weeks?” said Dymock incredulously.

“That’s tight” confirmed Samuels, looking at dates on a hand held. “Very tight.”

“Yes thank you Samuels” said Dymock frostily.

He switched off the PC projector and slipped it back into his briefcase.

“Just saying” said Samuels.

[suggs]

Your sig is meaningless pseudo philosophy. SORT IT OUT!

I drink, therefore I am.

[got tonkaed]

Your sig is meaningless pseudo philosophy. SORT IT OUT!

I drink, therefore I am.

the guy who said it was pretty serious business though.

[Fruitcake]

suggs wrote

Your sig is meaningless pseudo philosophy. SORT IT OUT!

I suppose an educated remark from one of the greatest philosophers to have ever lived would go right over the head of some.

And this from someone who says. I drink, therefore I am.

Kinda fits really I suppose.

[Audax]

I suppose an educated remark from one of the greatest philosophers to have ever lived would go right over the head of some.

LOL....stop mocking the afflicted Fruit.

[bspride]

I read Uncle John books...very informative

[william18]

Ohhh.

[Ar-Adûnakhôr]

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall, Rebecca..

[suggs]

suggs wrote

Your sig is meaningless pseudo philosophy. SORT IT OUT!

I suppose an educated remark from one of the greatest philosophers to have ever lived would go right over the head of some.

And this from someone who says. I drink, therefore I am.

Kinda fits really I suppose.

PISH AND TISH TO SOCRATES (and, yes, i googled it).
I'm disapointed in myself for not being as pretentious as i thought.
But I'm also disappointed in Socrates, for it is ablsolute bollocks.
I guess that was a B-side for him.
I'm off to drink some hemlock.

[suggs]

suggs wrote

Your sig is meaningless pseudo philosophy. SORT IT OUT!

I suppose an educated remark from one of the greatest philosophers to have ever lived would go right over the head of some.

And this from someone who says. I drink, therefore I am.

Kinda fits really I suppose.

PISH AND TISH TO SOCRATES (and, yes, i googled it).
I'm disapointed in myself for not being as pretentious as i thought.
But I'm also disappointed in Socrates, for it is ablsolute bollocks.
I guess that was a B-side for him.
I'm off to drink some hemlock.

[Fruitcake]

suggs wrote

I guess that was a B-side for him.

Indeed, the A side was:

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing

[got tonkaed]

suggs wrote

I guess that was a B-side for him.

Indeed, the A side was:

The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing

it is the type of statement that the average person would not think to or be capable of comprehending. Which is why i suppose in the grand scheme of things he wasnt all that average.

[daddy1gringo]

1st Corinthians 8:2(RSV) -- If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

[got tonkaed]

1st Corinthians 8:2(RSV) -- If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.

seems like a lot of different people realize its a pretty decent bit of wisdom to impart.