Russell Jones

As a reader and writer of a fairly niche genre, I'm always looking for speculative poetry anthologies that work on multiple levels. First, as a reader, I want collections that challenge my ideas about the genre as well as introduce me to writers whose work I'm not familiar with. And second, when readers not familiar with speculative poetry ask me for recommendations, I want to be able to suggest collections that are accessible to both science fiction fans who don't normally read poetry as well as poetry readers who aren't familiar with SF tropes. Multiverse succeeds on both levels. I was delighted with the narrowed scope of the book--all the poems are science fiction, whereas most speculative poetry anthologies contain fantasy and horror poems as well--as well as the consistently solid quality of the poems within. I will be seeking out collections from poets whose work I wasn't familiar with before--many of the poets are outside the US, which is refreshing to me as a US-based poet who mostly encounters the work of other US-based poets. I'm also confident that readers not familiar with the genre will find much to enjoy in the book. A highly recommended read.… (plus d'informations)

Review Written by Bernie Weisz, Historian, Vietnam War. Contact: Bernwei1@aol.com Sept. 15, 2013 Title of review:
Vietnam, the Hells Angels, the Drug War and the Contras...the Good Guys Are Supposed to Win. But Who Are The Good Guys?
With almost a half a century worth of Russell Jones' reminiscences, the author takes you through a visceral journey of good and evil lying side by side where righteousness doesn't always triumph despite, as the book's title beckons,"good intentions." This trek is explored through Jones' experiences as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, a police officer, narcotics detective, DEA task force officer, intelligence operative and forensic consultant. Personality traits of stealth, curiosity, lack of fear and impatience serve as the fuel that propels him to his ultimate conclusion that every act is the source of an infinite series of lasting effects. Does that sound too cryptic? You'll understand completely the meaning of this when you finish "Good Intentions." Russell Jones grew up in an age where the Cold War and Domino Theory drove many Americans to support America's entry into Southeast Asia to stop the spread of communism and preserve South Vietnam's survival from the encroaching North Vietnamese. Enlisting in the Army with the goal of being a helicopter pilot in 1967's "Summer of Love,"Jones would immediately start questioning how honorable America's intentions were in this undeclared war.

While Jones learned how to fly a helicopter at Fort Wolters, he would wonder why instead of being told to defeat communism or seek victory, the overriding message given was survival and coming back alive. Upon graduation and deployment to Vietnam in June of 1968, his enthusiasm would be short lived as Jones realized he was heading off to a war his government had no clear plans to resolve. His attitude would crystallize against the war shortly after arrival. The author would meet Hugh Thompson, the hero of My Lai and learn of the atrocities that occurred there. On one mission, he picked up from a village a woman and sick child to bring them to a hospital at Da Nang. As he was lifting off, his helicopter was fired upon. The author's intentions were honorable, yet someone below was willing to kill a mother and her sick child. Jones would become more confused as his tour wound on. Although he had faith that his government was doing the right thing in Vietnam and the Lord would return him home safely, Jones would hear the concerns of his fellow flyers. How honorable were America's intentions when slogans such as "Catch `em alive, leave `em dead, and return with war booty," and "body count, medals and a fast promotion" were the overriding concerns?

After learning of the combat deaths of former classmates as well as being wounded himself, Jones at the end of his tour would become completely disenchanted. His superior officers lied and cheated about body counts and dishonest staff officers stole flight hours to boost their own flying time. Jones would even have a recommendation for him to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross thrown away. Between bombing halts of the North, constricting "rules of engagement" and seeing his country being shackled with a defensive war with no objective while the Communists fought offensively, Russell Jones in the fall of 1970 sought an early out and his military career grounded to an end. There was a new war to fight which made sense to the author, Richard Nixon's "War on Drugs." Sworn as a police officer with only a written test and oral board, once again the notability of his intentions were called into question. As with Joseph Wambaugh's true to life novel "The Choirboys," Jones initially treated everyone including perpetrators with respect. Yet within 24 months on the job he considered everyone contemptible, including fellow law enforcement officers. Being told that one of the problems with police work was that "if you did your job right, no one would notice" was even more disconcerting.

Deciding to work undercover, Jones would descend into a world of deceit, snitching and lies. Going after Mexican street gangs and infiltrating the Hells Angels, he was required to live a lie and fit in, which would cost Jones one of eventually three marriages. Yet the author realized that despite more drug arrests, doors kicked in, guns and money seized, conversely drug dealing, murders and robberies increased as well. Moving from undercover to being a DEA task force officer would be even more revealing about honorable intentions. Jones would find similarities between some of his officers in Vietnam and DEA agents. Just like some officers were only interested in promotions and medals rather than the success of missions, there were DEA agents Jones would work with where if they couldn't solve a case of their own they would try to usurp his. And as to the war on drugs, it was like the situation with body counts in Vietnam to gauge success. Jones felt America's war on drugs was like shoveling sand against the tide. Leaving the task force and moving on in 1985 as an intelligence operative monitoring the Communist uprising in Nicaragua, Jones discloses his knowledge of drug smuggling with impunity by government operatives, with CIA knowledge. The author mentions that government operatives were behind the crack cocaine epidemic as well.

Is the war on drugs fought with honorable intentions? Consider the fact that Russell Jones asserts that this battle has resulted in more snooping, sneaking, corruption and violence than any other act of congress. When Russell Jones was six years old, he started a fire in the grass that was quickly put out by the fire department. After being questioned by a police officer, Jones confessed to being the culprit. His lesson; don't get caught. In regard to this, Jones points out that over 1.6 million citizens are arrested each year for drugs, and with less than 5 percent of the world's population, the U.S. holds 25 percent of the world's prisoners. Of these arrests, half are for marijuana and almost 90 percent are for simple possession. And in regard to being caught, a drug conviction will follow those for the rest of their lives preventing them from being doctors, lawyers or professors. Jones points out that those that use illegal drugs without being arrested can confess their prior drug use yet still become police officers, teachers and DEA agents. Jones is very much correct in regard to the fact that despite honorable intentions, the only sensible move is to end this madness and seek decriminalization. There is validity in the author's observation that drug smuggling is like a multi-headed serpent. You cut off one head, yet another appears. "Honorable Intentions" is a cerebral, deep memoir that even after several rereads will keep you contemplating about what is going on in today's society.… (plus d'informations)

What a life Mr. Jones has had! Raised in a religious family, the church always first in his family's life; Russ' father was an associate Baptist Minister and the family spent one year in Brazil as missionaries. After graduating from high school, the author wanted to leave home and "go out into the world", he loved flying and joins the Army, volunteering for helicopter flight training. The war in Vietnam was building up, but Russ believed that by the time he finished training, the war would be over. However, upon graduation, he sees that the war was now at its peak and finds himself assigned to fly helicopters in one of the most highly contested and dangerous areas in Vietnam, I-Corps.

I found myself openly laughing at some of Russ' experiences during his military training. As an Army Vietnam veteran myself, it was easy for me to relate to many of those same experiences. It is, as if, all drill instructors had followed the same script almost verbatim. As a grunt (combat infantryman) in Vietnam, we held those helicopter crews in the highest regard. They were our transportation, brought us supplies in the field, supported us when encountering the enemy, and finally, picking up and our dead and wounded. They came whenever they were called and never let us down.

When Russ began pilot training, I found myself intrigued by the rigors and intensity required for certification, and then, witnessing the bravery and determination required to fly helicopters in combat. This was a whole new learning experience which allowed me to better understand helicopter pilot training and their day-to-day activities during the war. Mr. Jones mentioned early in the book that he volunteered for it all to "push the limits"; surely he was not disappointed with this portion of his life.

If this wasn't enough of an adrenalin rush for a lifetime, after his discharge from the Army, Mr Jones then chose to became a police officer in San Jose, CA, fighting crime and eventually joining the war against drugs. He soon joins the DEA, infiltrates the Hell's Angel's inner sanctum, goes undercover against the cartels in Central and South America, was assigned to both the Russian and Chinese governments to help in their quest to stop the flow of drugs within their countries, and then finally, stopping to smell the flowers. He finds that trying to stop the flow of drugs is impossible and describes the business as a multi-head dragon - cut off a head and two new ones replace it. Russ truly believes that the only way to stop the ruthlessness of the business is to legalize it. Much of his arguments are food for thought, allowing the reader to decide for himself.

The final chapters follow Russ and his wife as they travel the oceans, visiting ports and destinations many of us only dream about. We also discover that he is a gourmet cook and prepares delicate dishes from the bounty given up by the seas. It seems like this lifestyle is payback for everything he's done up until then. The dictionary defines "Honorable Intentions" as "upright, "a good reputation", "impeccable conduct" and "purpose". The title is a perfect description of Mr. Russ Jones. Thank you, sir, for your service and for trying to make the world a better place. Highly recommended read!

John Podlaski, author
[[ASIN:B003R4Z5U6 Cherries - A Vietnam War Novel]]… (plus d'informations)