tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715764587903004187.post52891180093127481..comments2023-11-03T06:09:46.197-07:00Comments on Stephen Phillips: Words After WarStephen Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02148829137635130941noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7715764587903004187.post-1695531254798695602014-07-14T21:44:05.626-07:002014-07-14T21:44:05.626-07:00I have now read nearly all of your recommendations...I have now read nearly all of your recommendations. My favorite was a draw between Brian Castner's The Long Walk and Proximity. While I found Castner's book more emotionally engaging I coveted the skills portrayed by techs in Phillips' Proximity.<br /><br />If you choose to write another story based on "Jazz" I would love to hear more about the family conflicts and the accession to becoming a Master Blaster.<br /><br />I feel the relationship between Jazz, Elena, and Mel could develop into a very good second novel. Coupled with a conflict that includes the cat and mouse of bomb makers and EOD Techs in Afghanistan. A third layer could be the rift between EOD "operators" and EOD "technicians", or those who dive and RSP vs. those who shoot and BIP.<br /><br />The technical details of Proximity were its strong point. For those interested in the subject of EOD and the reality of today's conflicts this is bar none the best novel to understand the cost of freedom, as paid by our service members and their families.<br /><br />If Mr. Phillips wrote a second installment with the passion and detail of the first I would certainly purchase it. As far as the contents of such edition all I can do is suggest the above topics and say thank you for your work thus far, Mr. Phillips. <br /><br />Don't become diluted or dissuaded with the notion of the limited commercial success of a book. Your topic is narrow for a reason. Some day these stories will be mandatory, as is the reading of The Draper Kauffman Story. Every man and woman to pass through NAVSCOLEOD will some day have Proximity, The Long Walk, and America's First Frogman in their personal collection.<br /><br />So I say don't stop with first installments and either way, thank you for the good read.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com