# Pitting my fucking self... **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 31, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027 "2003-07-31T01:47:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Gazelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Gazelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gazelle)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/21 "2003-07-31T19:51:46Z")
I never read dust jackets. And if a movie I really want to see is coming out, I close my eyes during the previews. Publishers and producers have ruined far too many books and movies for me. In udda woids, I feel your pain **Rilch** ybaby. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/22 "2003-07-31T22:53:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LurkMeister \* > \*\*I’m presuming that occurred in one of the earlier books; I don’t remember reading about it now. It may not have registered at the time I read it who Ernie was, or I may have just forgotten it. \*\* Yes, I think it was in **Walk in Hell**. \*\* > [@](#): > > It does bring up another point about this series, though. I like the way Turtledove interweaves the various plotlines, with occasional crossovers like the Enos/Colleton connection.\*\* Yes. I like how he brought back Clarence Potter, who only had one appearance in **American Front** , but made a strong impression nonetheless. Some subtle crossovers: Sylvia Enos works in a factory (and gets harassed by her supervisor). Her task is to paint red rings on the tops of galoshes. When Jonathan Moss goes to visit Laura Secord in the dead of winter, he is wearing galoshes with red rings at the tops. Mary McGregor goes to the moving pictures with her eventual husband. Before the feature, they see a newsreel, in which “a very fair-skinned” American Navy officer addresses the camera. And my teeth almost fell out when I made the Hosea Blackford connection. ---
**Author:** ![LauraLittlePony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e19adc/32.png) [@LauraLittlePony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LauraLittlePony)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2003, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/23 "2003-07-31T23:36:48Z")
I have nothing constructive to add, but **Malacandra** , your second spoiler box cracked me up! ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/24 "2003-08-01T01:21:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by grem0517 \* > \*\*Thanks for the info, Lurk. I missed those somehow. Are they in the same universe as the World at War series or just share a similiar theme? \*\* I have to admit I’ve never read the World at War series; somehow it slipped under my radar. From what I’ve heard about it, I don’t think there’s any connection between the two series. Sentry Peak & Marching through Peachtree are set in a completely alternate reality where magic has essentially replaced technology; for example, trains are replaced by flying carpets (which follow pre-set paths analogous to train tracks). The books are essentially a translation of the American Civil War into this fantasy world, with the major characters and places all very thinly disguised versions of actual people and places: King Avram and his rebel brother Grand Duke Geoffrey, the series starts with the battle at Lookout Mountain, the rebel city of Peachtree is captured and occupied by General Hasmucet (read it backwards), etc. I found them interesting reading, although some consider them among his lesser efforts. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/25 "2003-08-01T01:37:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by E-Sabbath \* > \*\* > You know, we should play a Spot The Person thing. \*\* :smack: How could I have forgotten Joe Kennedy? P’raps we’ll be seeing him again. **LurkMeister** : That sounds truly bizarre. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/26 "2003-08-01T02:52:12Z")
Well, Joe’s a bit blatant. I was talking about the people who AREN’T named. Like FDR. Or the ones who are _barely_ named, like Ernie. There’s got to be more in the series! ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/27 "2003-08-01T05:05:24Z")
As I said earlier, I am currently reading **AE:TCCH** and on the way home I came across the second FDR reference: There was a man in a wheelchair, identified as a relative, at Teddy Roosevelt’s funeral who I assumed was FDR. Then near the end Hoover’s Secretary of War was more obviously FDR. History was never my strong suit so I’m not always sure about people who aren’t identified by name, but every so often I pick up on something that nags at the back of my mind. Like this one: When Jefferson Pinkard is reading _Aeroplane Adventures_ there is mention of a writer from Cross Plains Texas - Robert E. Howard! **Rilchiam** , that’s just part of it - North and South are reversed, the slaves are blond natives, and the cavalry ride war unicorns. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/28 "2003-08-01T06:33:50Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LurkMeister \* > **When Jefferson Pinkard is reading _Aeroplane Adventures_ there is mention of a writer from Cross Plains Texas - Robert E. Howard!** 😕 Whoever he was. \*\* > [@](#): > > **Rilchiam** , that’s just part of it - North and South are reversed, the slaves are blond natives, and the cavalry ride war unicorns. \*\* Ai-ya! ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/29 "2003-08-01T08:19:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \* > \*\* > And my teeth almost fell out when I made the Hosea Blackford connection. \*\* Who is he? I kept thinking he might be someone I should know but I honestly have no clue who his real world counterpart might be. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/30 "2003-08-01T08:19:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \* > \*\* > And my teeth almost fell out when I made the Hosea Blackford connection. \*\* Who is he? I kept thinking he might be someone I should know but I honestly have no clue who his real world counterpart might be. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 9:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/31 "2003-08-01T09:23:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Aesiron \* > \*\*Who is he? I kept thinking he might be someone I should know but I honestly have no clue who his real world counterpart might be. \*\* No, it’s not a “real-world counterpart” thing (AFAIK); sorry for the confusion. In “How Few Remain”, he met Lincoln very briefly, on a train. But in that context, he was just a young guy who was gung-ho for Socialism; it wasn’t until I reread HFR that I noticed the name and went :smack:. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 10:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/32 "2003-08-01T10:18:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LauraLittlePony \* > \*\*I have nothing constructive to add, but **Malacandra** , your second spoiler box cracked me up! \*\* _bows_ Thanks. Occasionally my comic timing doesn’t desert me 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/33 "2003-08-01T11:04:11Z")
Er… Just wrote Conan is all, REH did. Good catch! ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/34 "2003-08-01T13:08:53Z")
In _Victorious Opposition_, watch out for a lot more real-world figures popping up! I cracked up when I came to the young sportscaster “Dutch”, described as a “great communicator”! ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/35 "2003-08-01T13:27:45Z")
jesus christ Haijaro, it’s not her fault that you’ve been self imposed under a fucking rock with Saddam Hussein and Hellen Keller for company, just to ensure that you didn’t know that someone dies in HP5. It’s not a spoiler if IT THE ONLY THING THAT THE MEDIA WERE TALKING ABOUT FOR WEEKS BEFORE THE BOOK EVEN CAME OUT! Even J.K. Rowling spoke about it. Are you that fucking stupid to rant against Rilch for stating something everybody else knew? what next? Is there a statute of limitations for spoilers? Is there an approved waiting time before you can safely assume that everyone would know THE WORST KEPT SECRET in the world so far this year. Here’s some more spoilers for you, although none of them have anything to do with Harry Potter Darth Vader is really Lukes father. The Butler did it. 42 ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/36 "2003-08-01T17:32:40Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by E-Sabbath \* > \*\* Er… Just wrote Conan is all, REH did. Good catch! \*\* I’ve been a Conan/REH fan for years, so the Cross Plains reference just jumped out at me. Wasn’t there a bio of him called “The Young Man from Cross Plains”? We’re rapidly turning this into an all-spoiler thread. ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/37 "2003-08-01T21:07:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Rilchiam \* > \*\*No, it’s not a “real-world counterpart” thing (AFAIK); sorry for the confusion. In “How Few Remain”, he met Lincoln very briefly, on a train. But in that context, he was just a young guy who was gung-ho for Socialism; it wasn’t until I reread HFR that I noticed the name and went :smack:. \*\* Ah. I got the connection immediately myself. For what it’s worth, I’m scratching my head over the Engel Brothers and FDR comments though. I don’t remember them being in the books at all but then again, it’s been a year or more since I’ve read one. ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/38 "2003-08-01T22:21:55Z")
**Aesiron** : See the first spoiler in my second-to-last post for the FDR references; as for the Engels brothers they performed at the Orpheum; Chester Martin took Rita there the night he proposed to her Both of these are from The Center Cannot Hold, which I just finished reading. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2003, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/39 "2003-08-01T22:49:48Z")
Ooo I hate when people drop spoilers like that. My roomate did that to myself and our other roomate for HP5 and we spent the next month or so (until I finally got the book) hypothesizing on what had happened. We came up with so many weird things that yet were strangely plausible… I of course was the first to read it and I nearly went nuts not being able to discuss it with other roomie who hadn’t read it. I kept jumping out of my room wanting to discuss some point but he didn’t seem to care about those points… lol. What really peeves me off is that I know spoilers to some things… and yet I have no clue what they are from because I haven’t seen or read them and probably won’t. Except for one of the spoilers is compelling in a way that makes me want to know the story it came from but I don’t know where it came from!! ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2003, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027/40 "2003-08-02T04:59:16Z")
Ah, I remember them now. I still don’t rememeber the FDR references though. Thanks, **Lurkmeister**. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pitting-my-fucking-self/192027.md?page=3)