Poll

So many great choices, so I'll vote for one I haven't read and already on my kindle

Aaaa! I don't know what to vote for. The only one I own is Red Harvest, but I can probably get the rest at the library. Think I'll narrow it down to two choices, then flip a coin.

Melki wrote: "Aaaa! I don't know what to vote for. The only one I own is Red Harvest, but I can probably get the rest at the library. Think I'll narrow it down to two choices, then flip a coin."

If we choose Red Harvest it will be interesting to also watch Yojimbo* and Last Man Standing to compare :D

(I don't care what Kurosawa said, that movie is SO based on Red Harvest!)

Alright, you talked me into it. Besides, if I go to the library to get one of the other books, I'll end up bringing home 9 or 10 other books...

Each choice is great. I've read all but Pocket-47. But, I like Paul's idea of combining a watch of "Yojimbo" and "Last Man Standing" with "Red Harvest." It would also be interesting to compare Hammett to Cain.

I voted for Pocket-47 as we did a classic this month, how about a modern next.

Red Harvest all the way.

Next time, KL will make the poll (hint, hint) and he can load it with modern choices.

The Burke book is great but I've already ploughed through the Robicheaux series. Big Sleep it is!

Aaaaa! Now we have a tie!

I hope Big Sleep wins it, because i have read Red Harvest two times. Im not big Chandler fan but i like Marlowe. Hammett,The OP i have read alot of recently.

So who's going to break the tie? Or should we read both?

If the tie doesn't get broken I don't mind changing my vote over. I have read and own neither of them after all!

Philippa wrote: "If the tie doesn't get broken I don't mind changing my vote over. I have read and own neither of them after all!"

You have the power to decide :)

I see we're still tied on January's book. What does everyone want to do? Tie-breaker vote? Have a two-for-one read where members can read one, or both books?
Force our other moderator to decide?

I'm for a tie-breaker vote OR, HECK, I'll read both of 'em. Old Father Time's about to hand over the clock to Baby 2012. OR, a voter who selected neither of the top two can flip a coin. I'd abide by that. And I promise not to bribe the flipper. Scout's Honor. Grin. Oops. I wasn't a scout.

A tie won't work, VOTE people!

Knowledge Lost wrote: "A tie won't work, VOTE people!"

Well said, well said, KL. For as it is said in the sessions of 1721 at the Old Bailey, upon the case of two alleged highwaymen, Thomas Phillips, alias Cross and William Spigget, alias Spiggot, who refused to enter pleas upon the indictments against them the judge threatened them with "peine forte et dure"--uhm, strong and harsh pain.

"... he [that] is judged mute, that is dumme by contumacie ... his condemnation is to be pressed to death, which is one of the cruellest deathes that may be: he is layd upon a table, and an other uppon him, and so much weight of stones or lead laide uppon that table, while as his bodie be crushed, and his life by that violence taken from him. This death some strong and stout hearted man doth choose, for being not condemned of felonie, his bloud is not corrupted, his lands nor goods confiscate to the Prince ..."
Sir Thomas Smith, De Republica Anglorum (1583)

The judge was feeling somewhat merciful that day, so he merely ordered the scalawags thumbs tied together in the hopes they might break their silence and say yea or nay. However, the rogues remained silent until being taken to the pressing room, whereupon Thomas immediately asked to go back and enter his plea which he was allowed to do.

However, Spiggot remained stubborn until he had the equivalent of four hundred pounds of stone place on his chest. He, at that point, decided it might be in his better interest to go back before the Court, where he entered his plea of not guilty.

Of course, England being the England of the time, both highwaymen were found guilty and were hanged. Spiggot's passing did not merit much space in the papers, as such ends were rather commonplace, don't you know. However, his "stout-hearted" response to pressing rather impressed the press and those present for the actual hangin'.

So, Aye, KL. Harken ye members of a group drawn to dark and dire deeds--screw your courage to the sticking point! And vote. *grin*

David wrote: "Red Harvest. And hello. :)"

David--Hail Fellow well met!

"Give me some men who are stout-hearted men,
Who will fight, for the right they adore,
Start me with ten who are stout-hearted men,
And I'll soon give you ten thousand more.
Shoulder to shoulder and bolder and bolder,
They grow as they go to the fore.
Then there's nothing in the world can halt or mar a plan,
When stout-hearted men can stick together man to man."

From "The New Moon," a 1927 operetta by Sigmund Romberg and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II, Frank Mandel, and Laurence Schwab. Ah, and from one of the worst musical films of all time, bearing the same title, from 1940. Good old Nelson Eddy. *ahem*

Look people...we have thirty members. Only seventeen of ya voted.

Don't MAKE me get the cattle prod....

Melki wrote: "Look people...we have thirty members. Only seventeen of ya voted.

Don't MAKE me get the cattle prod...."

Uhm, Madame Moderator, could I be mistaken, or did not David in his previous post of today vote for "Red Harvest?" I checked the official tallies, I don't see his vote recorded there. Of course, I have been needing my eye glasses prescription checked of late. *chuckle*

One final note. I believe a taser is the preferred method of getting the attention of an uncooperative individual these days. Pepper spray is dicey, wind currents and all. Wouldn't recommend that all. Nooooo. Cattle prods are a bit bulky, heavy. The taser is considerably more convenient for contemporary usage, and easily concealable. Uh-huh.

Most respectfully,

The Op

Is it too late to post my vote...it's still December 18th here? I vote the Big Sleep but am okay with whatever.

Dagnabbit, Mike! Tasers are too newfangled for me!
Nothing is scarier than a properly brandished cattle prod! Why I've seen grown men weep for their grannies, and...well, never mind.

The tie is broken. Voting is over.
The Big Sleep it is!

Yay!! That's the only one I'd heard of....