OPERATION SUPERGOOSE by William Hart
Timberline Press
6281 Red Bud, Fulton, Missouri
www.timberlinepress.com
Genre: Political Satire
Rating: Exceptional
ISBN: 9780944048382, $15.00, 204 pp.
Operation Supergoose is a contemporary, satirical novel about the Bushs administrations and their war on terrorism. In this whimsical tale Lieutenant Ernest Candide uses his superhero attributes to fight Plunderland’s enemies . . . until he discovers, for himself, the ‘truth.’ And the truth will set you free, so they say.
This little novel tells it like it is and most readers will probably agree; however, in truth, we are all responsible, to some degree, for this situation: one, because we allow it to continue and two, because no one wants to give up their nice gas-guzzling, oil-dependent vehicle which has become an intricate, necessary part of life in America. Throughout history, isn’t that what wars have really been about . . . acquiring resources for the tribe, clan, country, nation?
I know some of my readers think I should review books in a more opinionated, entertaining manner; however, as we are all different with varying tastes, it is my preference to provide excerpts which I feel convey significant facets of the novel and samples of the writer’s style, for the readers to decided for themselves.
It takes an exceptionally gifted, skilled writer to reveal the truth about deplorable situations through humor, reminiscent of Kurt Vonnegut. William Hart is such an author, and I quote from page 138:
"‘It began with our genocide against the Native Plunderians. According to the best estimates I could find, we killed at least ninety percent of them, mainly for their land. We stole half of Mexico through unjust and brutal wars. We killed six hundred thousand Filipinistas to establish a Pacific military base, then turned their homeland into a whorehouse. Cubaland, Isle of Haiti, Puerta Rita, Panamaland and others were conquered by U.S. Marines and forced to pay tribute as little colonies, with fruit, sugar, cigars, naval bases and nubile women. And let’s not forget the millions of Africans we turned into slaves–as well as those who died on the slave ships. All so white Plunderians could rake in the bucks while others sweated the bullets.
"‘These various crimes against humanity were based largely on greed,’ Candide continued. ‘Later we waged wars based on silly fears, if the justifications of our government can be believed. We liquidated four million Korealanders so we wouldn’t have to ‘fight communists on the streets of Honolulu.’ Two to three million Vietlanders died for the same reason, along with two million Cambochians and a million Laoslanders. That’s ten million Asians, many of them children, sent to heaven to protect our pineapples from countries without navies.’"
Quoting from page 143:
"A lesser attorney would have concluded on this lofty rhetorical peak, but Ms. Mezey plunged ahead, eyes on the stars. ‘Consider the world we live in since Screaming Eagle was blown up–a world full of crazed fundamentalists dedicated to the destruction of civilized mankind. Who will protect us if we do not? Who will secure our citizenry from biological, chemical and nuclear attack? Who will defend the smaller nations of the earth from Madmahn Badassi and his like? And who will place the world’s key resources in trust for everyone, not just the selfish few? Our planet cries out for a fair and noble policemen–a cop with a heart of gold. World Congress is too weak and too corrupt for that role. All nations but one are too puny in power. Our planet’s richest nation, liberated from motives of greed by its wealth and beefed to the teeth with the most fearsome weapons the world has ever known, is the only nation that can be trusted with the sheriff’s badge. Mr. Candide, by questioning our wars for freedom, would torpedo this essential mission for Plunderland. Say no to his destructive negativism by finding him guilty.’"
And lastly, from page 202:
"And while we’re at it–imagining that is–why don’t we imagine something more constructive? Let’s imagine what it would be like if there really were a Plunderland, a mighty nation turned against mankind and our mother earth by arrogant and deluded leaders. Imagine what it would take to put that country right again. And imagine how a thinking citizen might pitch in.
"Just imagine."
So many more excerpts I would like to have shared, but I think these three are sufficient to spark an interest to read this very timely novel. You won’t be disappointed, and we can all use a good laugh, even at ourselves.
Reviewed by Kaye Trout - June 9, 2007
6281 Red Bud, Fulton, Missouri
www.timberlinepress.com
Genre: Political Satire
Rating: Exceptional
ISBN: 9780944048382, $15.00, 204 pp.
Operation Supergoose is a contemporary, satirical novel about the Bushs administrations and their war on terrorism. In this whimsical tale Lieutenant Ernest Candide uses his superhero attributes to fight Plunderland’s enemies . . . until he discovers, for himself, the ‘truth.’ And the truth will set you free, so they say.
This little novel tells it like it is and most readers will probably agree; however, in truth, we are all responsible, to some degree, for this situation: one, because we allow it to continue and two, because no one wants to give up their nice gas-guzzling, oil-dependent vehicle which has become an intricate, necessary part of life in America. Throughout history, isn’t that what wars have really been about . . . acquiring resources for the tribe, clan, country, nation?
I know some of my readers think I should review books in a more opinionated, entertaining manner; however, as we are all different with varying tastes, it is my preference to provide excerpts which I feel convey significant facets of the novel and samples of the writer’s style, for the readers to decided for themselves.
It takes an exceptionally gifted, skilled writer to reveal the truth about deplorable situations through humor, reminiscent of Kurt Vonnegut. William Hart is such an author, and I quote from page 138:
"‘It began with our genocide against the Native Plunderians. According to the best estimates I could find, we killed at least ninety percent of them, mainly for their land. We stole half of Mexico through unjust and brutal wars. We killed six hundred thousand Filipinistas to establish a Pacific military base, then turned their homeland into a whorehouse. Cubaland, Isle of Haiti, Puerta Rita, Panamaland and others were conquered by U.S. Marines and forced to pay tribute as little colonies, with fruit, sugar, cigars, naval bases and nubile women. And let’s not forget the millions of Africans we turned into slaves–as well as those who died on the slave ships. All so white Plunderians could rake in the bucks while others sweated the bullets.
"‘These various crimes against humanity were based largely on greed,’ Candide continued. ‘Later we waged wars based on silly fears, if the justifications of our government can be believed. We liquidated four million Korealanders so we wouldn’t have to ‘fight communists on the streets of Honolulu.’ Two to three million Vietlanders died for the same reason, along with two million Cambochians and a million Laoslanders. That’s ten million Asians, many of them children, sent to heaven to protect our pineapples from countries without navies.’"
Quoting from page 143:
"A lesser attorney would have concluded on this lofty rhetorical peak, but Ms. Mezey plunged ahead, eyes on the stars. ‘Consider the world we live in since Screaming Eagle was blown up–a world full of crazed fundamentalists dedicated to the destruction of civilized mankind. Who will protect us if we do not? Who will secure our citizenry from biological, chemical and nuclear attack? Who will defend the smaller nations of the earth from Madmahn Badassi and his like? And who will place the world’s key resources in trust for everyone, not just the selfish few? Our planet cries out for a fair and noble policemen–a cop with a heart of gold. World Congress is too weak and too corrupt for that role. All nations but one are too puny in power. Our planet’s richest nation, liberated from motives of greed by its wealth and beefed to the teeth with the most fearsome weapons the world has ever known, is the only nation that can be trusted with the sheriff’s badge. Mr. Candide, by questioning our wars for freedom, would torpedo this essential mission for Plunderland. Say no to his destructive negativism by finding him guilty.’"
And lastly, from page 202:
"And while we’re at it–imagining that is–why don’t we imagine something more constructive? Let’s imagine what it would be like if there really were a Plunderland, a mighty nation turned against mankind and our mother earth by arrogant and deluded leaders. Imagine what it would take to put that country right again. And imagine how a thinking citizen might pitch in.
"Just imagine."
So many more excerpts I would like to have shared, but I think these three are sufficient to spark an interest to read this very timely novel. You won’t be disappointed, and we can all use a good laugh, even at ourselves.
Reviewed by Kaye Trout - June 9, 2007
posted by Kaye | 8:28 AM
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