Once A Marine Always A Marine

[dwarfy]

I don't know Steven Preece. Couldn't pick him out in a line-up. I haven't read his book/s and I'm probably not likely to. I don't know what he's like or how he conducts his life - quite franlkly, I couldn't give a toss.

What I do know is that on these forums he has been a calm poster and a gent, even in the face of many petty, infantile personal attacks. He's the only poster on here who hasn't responded in kind to such negativity. If that says anything about him, then it's all good as far as I'm concerned.

So he's flogging his book. Who cares FFS? People can post personal web sites on here that may or may not be flogging stuff. So what?

The slaggings issued on here say far more about the sender than the receiver!

Sum up and give the guy a break FFS!

Well said and i totally agree, i have not once seen Steven Preece react angrily or abusively in the face of a fair few negative comments made by others towards him. He has mostly avoided confronatation and seems mostly to just justify his reasons for writing his book and defended himself when others have questions him.

I think everyone is bored of the arguments (legitimate or not) that arose originally from his book being released and nothing more can be added to that, its been done to death. So if you dont like his books then dont buy them, i dont see why people still feel a need to comment on them, its all been said and debated before.

[Artist]

Steve has done something most Bootnecks have not done. He's wacked his life in the Royal Marines into at this time two books. Good on him and may he carry on.

He has also made me start writing a book which I intend to call "How Green Was my Beret" Intend it to be all about the dafter side of Marine life with the odd sadder bits included. Quite a few people have suggested that I should do it so bollox to it! I fecking well am!

Thanks Steve for giving me the push to make me go for it Oppo.

Artist

[_chris]

If its anything like your stories you post on here Artist I for one am looking forward to it! I'll have to look out for that one coming out in the future, or though I imagine you'll give us a heads up on here.

And while I'm posting on this thread (which I avoided doing previously) I actually thought Steves books were quite good, yes probably in 100 years people won't be looking back and using them as examples of the best books of our time, but I never imagined they would be, and I don't imagine that was the aim - they were certainly never sold as such. Part of the books had me in stitches, and I found as a whole I actually started to look forward even more to marine life, the comradery etc.; once you've been accepted in.

[harry hackedoff]

Bit surprised that Anglo bothered posting on this thread, what`s up mate, couldn`t you sleep
Most of the Bootys who responded to Mike O`s first post about the book have long since thinned out. A few are still around mind.

If you`ve come late to the party, please read this before commenting.
viewtopic.php?t=9616

Early on in the thread I said this,

You have seen the reaction to Preece`s book on here. Without exception every Bootneck who`s been bothered to post thinks the book is a pack of shite.
Now, we can all carry on posting our view and Steve can carry on quoting everyone`s post in his replies but it really is getting a tad repetative.
On the one hand we have the book`s view of our Corps and on the other hand we have every other Bootneck`s view. Frankly I`m starting to get bored.
yours aye,

Harry

I have no animousity, I`m just bored.

[Ste Preece]

Thanks Harry for taking us back to 2004, when the argument grew from those who didn't know me or serve with me. The only people who actually came close to that were Artist and Simon Bywater from this forum.

Anyway: The first book was about being Amongst The Marines and that's were I took my argument. See link:

http://civviestreet.proboards19.com/ind ... 1168647645

The fire I got on this forum was mainly from people who served in a different era or from people who didn't serve with me or even from young men who listened to others and just jumped on the bandwagon.

However, on the marines forum a fair number who did know me or who could relate to what went on in the 80s came out along the way and confirmed things.

My second book told a different side to the story and the subsequent years. It even explained why I wrote the first one. In reality I just wanted to tell MY story. About ME, what I did what I saw.

My initial violent inception at 45 Commando as an 18 year old was unfortunate at the time and very possibly the reason I became such a reprobate. The type of unacceptable behaviour I walked into wasn't rife in the Corps but it was happening. It was even confirmed in the thread I have posted. It might have upset people that I wrote about that, but maybe they should just be grateful that it didn't happen to them. There was a whole lot more went on through out the years I served than what I wrote about, but you can't write everything.

I learn't from the initial experience and grew from it too. There were many like me in the Corps at that time. A former Oppo of mine, who unfortunately isn't very well at the moment, recently told me that his son, a current bootneck, refers to his father's type of bootneck as the old school from the 80's. Yes they probably are that now.

Its funny this time on. But even writing the books, taking the flak and standing my ground helped me to move on with my life and to focus on what's more important to me these days. My family.

In my spare time I teach martial arts and also tabletennis to young kids. Its something I enjoy. I also work at keeping myself fit as I see that as important.

I do try to advise young men to try and learn from my experiences and have given an untold amount of them constructive advice about various things when asked. I hope people can learn from my mistakes too. There were many!!

Presently, I hope to finish the current book I'm working on very soon as there is a point about wasted military resources I want to highlight.

Who know's harry. Even you might like this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Artist my friend. I wish you all the very best of luck with your book. I too would look forward to reading it.

All the very best

Steve

ps. Lets let this go now guys. Its been thrashed to death.

[Doc]

Steve

Its not the books I object to, good luck with it

Its the subtle advertising disguised as forum chat that grips my reconstituted bran flakes.

Doc

[Ste Preece]

Steve

Its not the books I object to, good luck with it

Its the subtle advertising disguised as forum chat that grips my reconstituted bran flakes.

Doc

Sorry Doc. That wasn't the intention. I have merely stood firmly by what I wrote. Nothing more.

All the very best mate

Steve

[harry hackedoff]

Thanks Harry for taking us back to 2004,

No probs mate.
The arguement hasn`t changed much. You`re still the only one in step

[harry hackedoff]

And Steve, there is absolutely no way you can write a book called How Green Was My Beret, ffs

As an Artiste, it should be, How Luxuriously Verdant, in a way reminiscent of early spring mornings with their promise of bright cobalt skies and young girls with pert bosoms and vermilion cheeks, was my old post impressionist Chapeau and I didn`t look at all like Quentin Crisp dear well not much

[Ste Preece]

Harry, No doubt, It'll be a cracker.

I'm cheerfully looking forward to it too.

Artist: Good Luck with the writing Opps.


Steve

[Artist]

And Steve, there is absolutely no way you can write a book called How Green Was My Beret, ffs

As an Artiste, it should be, How Luxuriously Verdant, in a way reminiscent of early spring mornings with their promise of bright cobalt skies and young girls with pert bosoms and vermilion cheeks, was my old post impressionist Chapeau and I didn`t look at all like Quentin Crisp dear well not much

I can't even spell half of what you wrote you silly Scouse pom.

Artist

[Chas]

Harry,
Stop it you are exciting my pacemaker with all this talk
of bosoms Pass the viagra and hope to die lustfully
on the job. Now you evil bugger you've got me excited.
Will have to call my 36D Nursey who can smother me.

[harry hackedoff]

Steady Chas, steady

Artiste,love, is it true you are wearing the same shirts as Laurence Llewellyn-Bowen these days or what, dear?

[Artist]

Dear Bert

How dare you! I wash em first!

Artist

[terryrat]

Ah MR- KIWI and GREYWING in response to your comments i really have no interested in your obvious pettyness i got my message over and thats all that counts i suggest you grow up and get a life