Lord knows I’m not given to suck-up threads, but I think it’s high time to recognize that Collounsbury has the Right Stuff to become a highly successful author–and that we should encourage him to give it a go.
Obviously, I’m not suggesting the New York Times Editorial (Op-Ed) page, but perhaps as the author of a tome or two along the lines of what David Lamb (LA Times) did in “The Africans.” But better. Much better.
Let’s face it, though Coll is given to random rhetorical bomb throwing and frequent scorching invective, that’s nothing that a good editor can’t finesse. Personality quirks aside, though, Collounsbury writes with exceptional flair and nuance, truly dazzling insight, an insider’s savvy that few Westerners possess, and he can strip away the bullshit to reveal the naked truth in ways that few people can.
Moreover, when he’s properly inspired, he’s funny as hell–and humor matched with scalding intellect and seasoning is a powerful combination indeed. Frankly, I get the impression from many of his posts that he’s not even breaking a sweat.
The Arab world (hell, the Western world, too) is ripe for Coll’s analytical talents. I sincerely think he could turn out a crackling good popular read that would have people talking. (I might add that I’d love to see him on a national talk show just once–and see him square off against the reigning talking heads.)
Any thoughts?