'Forced Out' a book worth a read

[sp10122]

I've just re-read it all to make sure I'm not missing something. He didn't say a single thing on here and then just wanted to have a go at me.

[rabby]

What makes you think "he" is in fact a "he". "He" afterall might in fact be a 12 year old schoolgirl enjoying winding up an army rupert who seems to piss everybody off as soon as he puts fingers to keyboard.

Of course I'm sure Bongo isn't a schoolgirl, but you never know.

[Rotary Booty]

When I first saw Simon's book mentioned on the forum I hadn't read it, or met Simon. I hadn't heard of PTSD either, and thought it was probably some Russian Secret Service outfit.

I must admit I thought the book was going to be about a guy who was forced to leave the Corps kicking and screaming, and likewise the police-force. I then read the book, twice.

On page 164 Simon explains that he left the Corps because he had met Mel who was making wedding plans and "During the trip I had decided enough was enough and paid to leave the Corps. My whole attitude had changed because of my encounter with Mel in Spain 15 months earlier." Simon, in fact, PVRd by his own choice to marry Mel. Simon wasn't forced out.

Simon transferred to the Cambrigeshire Police from the Manchester Police because of the sights he was seeing on a regular basis. "Nobody from my force knew the real reasons why I was transferring because I didn't. I used excuses of why I was transferring to hide my fear of being seen as a failure." (Page 217)

In the Cambridgeshire Police it was too quite, and Simon had time to revisit the Manchester experiences, After 6 months, Simon received help from the Police and left. Again, Simon chose that path.

I enjoyed the book very much, and it took me back through my experiences of joining up, and of life (and death) in the Corps. However, like the reviewer in the G&L, I was puzzled as to why Simon chose the title he did. It must be as difficult to write a book as to chose the eventual title.

I would be fascinated to know why you chose 'Forced Out' Simon, so how about letting us know? What other titles had you in mind?

[SYB]

Rotary,
Funny really- MEL thought of the title- not me.
You the reader can decide why its called that. I did have other titles for it, like Sea Sting, walked out, failed out, passed out?
But like every title soomebody always asks "why that?"

I have my own reason for liking it.

"Your reading the title as it reads without really thinking about it"
Its mental issues, which cause people to mis-think?
Oh please be careful Id hate my publishers to jump on you for quoting/breaking copyright.

Im very disappointed with some of the comments. I wont be contributing to this forum again until I see an improvement

Regards

[ratso]

Sorry but the SON I think is more than appropriate.
You asked me to read it again I did then I had several others read it who are nothing to do with the forum or the Forces. Their opinion your a prat who thinks he can get away with slagging someone off in one mouthful then change tack and hope to cover his mess by saying it is all about a wider issue.

I have not read his book but from what I have read on this thread this man has not stuck at what he has done.

He's a failed RM and a failed Police Officer because he couldn't deal with what he was seeing.

Sorry but this is a good friend.

I am now wondering how genuine you actually are. I have at no point made this issue due to what you say you are or the rank you say you wear. Though I have critisised you as I feel that any officer who would say the above when he has not even read the book is a total idiot.
Where do I make the claim to

The 'I've done more than you have' thing so you're not entilted to an opinion is very poor and indicitive of this 'craphat' attitude that dogs 'elite' units

sorry but again you show your youthfulness and ill comprehension.

My one point in all this has never strayed from the fact that you have not read the Bloody book yet you saw fit to insult someone who took time to write something which is very good.
I sense a re-birth of one of Hitlers book burning party.

I do get insenced very easily it is part of my condition, I have PTSD and have had for twenty two years, yet to you I like Simon am a failure because I got out.
I am greatful for this forum for what we have achieved over the last few years, though I now think that is high time we went back to just being RM only as we seem to find our fair share of bloody plonkers who say one thing when they quite clearly from the words posted did not say that at all.

Yes I am off the rails at the moment have been for quite a few weeks and it plays havoc with my sense of judgement on some things but what your post said is clearly written.

By uninitiated I was refering to the fact that you have not read the book. With reference to side stepping WHAT THE F**K where have I side stepped. I am calling you a bloody plonker and mean it now, I did say read the book the give an informed judgement though you did not understand that as it was written to mean what it said. This thread is about the book and by people who have read it. If you wanted to generalize on an issue about Authors you should have started a new thread. Then that is not why I saw red, was it!

Oh thank you by the way as I have managed to vent some of my aggression your way.
This is Ground control to Major TOM!

[sp10122]

Rotary above, basically, expressed a similar view from where I started. Who 'forced' who out of where - is 'walked out' unreasonable? SYB has already answered it with an interesting view. Compare that to what the review said......

Now, some of you, grow up. Or, something as worthwhile as this becomes populated by point scoring nobbers. Some people try to put interesting views on this site, some of you don't. Make up your mind which you choose. I admitted I was probably overly harsh initially yet that escaped some people and they just pick out the what suits them.


I am still appalled and disgusted by what Bongo wrote about me. Ok so you know all about me. That is not important. What is is a discussion of the issues.

That has been lost here and people have ended up just personally attacking me. It is extremely disappointing.

Let's get back on to the subject, which was rather interesting until the abuse started. SYB, I don't blame you for being annoyed about some of the comments, I did agree with you that the PM thing for abuse was the way ahead but I did feel I had to respond to Bongo, that was just unacceptable.

[harry hackedoff]

Sp10122, thanks for the pm. Take my tip, when in a hole, one should know when to stop digging.
Been absent from place of duty for two days due to motherboard going tits, so have missed the way this "discourse" has been going. This site is a Forum, not a "lowest common denominator" mutual appreciation society. Reasoned argument is the way forward, not abuse or "death of a thousand quotes".
For the sake of harmony, can we return this thread to Simon’s book? If you want to abuse each other, please feel free to use the pm service.
That`s just my opinion, obviously

Aye,

[Sisyphus]

Sp10122. Take my tip, when in a hole, one should know when to stop digging.
Wise words, oh great sage T

That`s just my opinion, obviously
Well, yes, but you are also in possession of one of the 'Zap buttons' which means your opinions carry rather more weight than we mere mortals - well, they don't actually but I just said that to ingratiate myself.

Yours sincerely
Sisyphus - oh, my full name? That would be Sisyphus Sycophant!

[Sully]

Bongo,

I have enjoyed your posts but haven't looked at the site for a few weeks now - crack on mucker. Enjoy the book, it will bring back many memories. Took me yonks to read - kept putting it down and staring out the train window as I remembered odd bits. SP - I'd have a read of the book before you jump to any conclusions about the author.

Sully
overandout

[Rotary Booty]

I have just received my copy of Pennant, which is the journal of the Forces Pension Society.

They have reviewed Simon's book:

"The author chronicles his experiences in the Royal Marines and the Manchester Police before developing post traumatic stress disorder, An instructive and thought provoking tale."

Not very comprehensive, but more accurate than some of the reviews we've discussed on this thread!

Aye, Derek

[dannyd]

Well I for one thought it was a bloody good book and it gave me even more respect for my mate who's in 45 for what he has been through.

[SYB]

Some things play on your mind. Part of PTSD ??/


but I didnt like the review in the G&L by CJM last year........ It was rather personal..... long story...

but forcedout was reviewed in USA by a wall street journalist......

see this on amazon
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 59-9219044

Its also due a review from Aus soon so keep an eye on it...

CJM