Author Topic: Book Discussion About DB Cooper  (Read 223107 times)

Offline Shutter

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9300
  • Thanked: 1024 times
Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« on: March 19, 2015, 09:50:52 PM »
DB Cooper and the FBI: A Case Study of America's Only Unsolved Skyjacking

The DB Cooper skyjacking is a stunning true-crime mystery. In 1971, a man known as DB Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient airliner and after exchanging the passengers for $200,000, he parachuted into the night skies north of Portland, Oregon. He has never been seen since.

On sale at Amazon.com
[Kindle Edition]

You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login




« Last Edit: March 19, 2015, 09:57:58 PM by shutter »
 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2015, 10:29:52 PM »
Thanks, Shut. Very classy looking, and I appreciate the exposure.

For DB Cooper Forum readers, the book has a whole chapter on the skyjacking's chat rooms and web sites:  DZ, this forum, and the Mountain News and Geoffrey's huntfordbcooper. AND I name names! But no sex stuff. It also has a huge Who's Who section, and I offer a whole chapter on Larry Carr and his legacy. Lots to enjoy.

 

Offline Shutter

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9300
  • Thanked: 1024 times
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2015, 06:57:22 PM »
It's stating 2 reviews, but I only see one. is it just a rating someone gave?
 

Offline andrade1812

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 624
  • Thanked: 144 times
    • My Website
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2015, 08:22:41 PM »
I submitted a review a few hours ago, sometimes Amazon holds a review to check for inappropriate language or plot spoilers.
 

Offline Shutter

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9300
  • Thanked: 1024 times
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #4 on: March 21, 2015, 08:24:19 PM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I submitted a review a few hours ago, sometimes Amazon holds a review to check for inappropriate language or plot spoilers.


That makes sense.....Thanks for clearing that up.
 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2015, 10:35:04 PM »
Thanks, 'rade, I'm waiting to read it!

18 copies sold. Just talked with Ross R. about marketing, getting into print, speaking engagements, and other ways to make moolah. Just after I climbed "Mt Everest," I find there is another mountain to climb. Whew.
 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2015, 05:17:05 PM »
Andrade's review is up at Amazon. It's a very thoughtful and well-rounded assessment of the book. Essentially, he says the facts are laid out well, easy to read, but the conspiracy stuff mucks things up. But he acknowledges that the Cooper case almost compels one to contemplate SOME conspiracy.

Thanks, 'Rade. I appreciate your commentary. It's always good to know what folks are thinking who don't normally sit at the Kool-Aid table...
 

Offline andrade1812

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 624
  • Thanked: 144 times
    • My Website
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2015, 07:05:57 PM »
And I'll re-iterate the main point of the review, which is every Cooper Sleuth should buy the book.
 

Offline Shutter

  • Administrator
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 9300
  • Thanked: 1024 times
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2015, 07:03:26 AM »
Looks like one sold over in the United Kingdom.......
 

georger

  • Guest
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2015, 02:09:18 PM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
I submitted a review a few hours ago, sometimes Amazon holds a review to check for inappropriate language or plot spoilers.

I have a question for you, as a reader of Smith's book:

How does Smith portray the Cooper investigation? As an FBI investigation only or as a shared investigation: FBI, USAF, NWA, Boeing, etc. ?  Does the book make it clear who was in charge of what, and who did what at various stages of the investigation?

Who gets the lion's share of the blame for a failed investigation?

Does Smith tell us what was done wrong, or what was done right,  by who at critical points in the investigation?

Would you recommend Smith's book to the FBI as a training manual?

 :)     
« Last Edit: March 23, 2015, 02:10:36 PM by georger »
 

Offline andrade1812

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 624
  • Thanked: 144 times
    • My Website
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #10 on: March 23, 2015, 05:27:20 PM »
Bruce, feel free to respond if I mischaracterize anything...

Quote
How does Smith portray the Cooper investigation? As an FBI investigation only or as a shared investigation: FBI, USAF, NWA, Boeing, etc. ?  Does the book make it clear who was in charge of what, and who did what at various stages of the investigation?

Smith focuses on the FBI almost exclusively. When other agencies are mentioned, it normally has to do with speculation about why the investigation went so poorly.

The book does an excellent job of tracking who the Norjack case agent was throughout the life of the mystery, and Smith includes information from interviews with other FBI agents in the case. The level of detail was greater than that found in other books (Norjack, Skyjack, etc) but falls far short of the captious hairsplitting found in the online forums.

Quote
Who gets the lion's share of the blame for a failed investigation?

Smith doesn't necessarily blame anyone for the failure. He implies (strongly) that there was a cover up, not in the FBI, but in other government agencies. He doesn't claim this as fact, but his last chapter dealing with his remote viewing sessions seems to confirm this is what he believes. [I should note that I am highly skeptical of remote viewing and most paranormal claims, and dismiss remote viewing as a forensic tool. Thankfully, only one chapter of the book deals with remote viewing. The bulk of the book is based on Smith's journalism, and that's a good thing.

Smith documents the major missteps in the case, things that are obviously the FBI's fault.

Quote
Does Smith tell us what was done wrong, or what was done right,  by who at critical points in the investigation?

Yes, more or less. Again, the level of detail found in the forums far exceeds anything you'll find in any of the books in the case. As such, forum regulars might be disappointed that Smith hasn't tackled all the esoteric points in the case.

Quote
Would you recommend Smith's book to the FBI as a training manual?

The Cooper case should represent a lesson in hubris and humility to the FBI. And I think they should be well-acquainted with that lesson.

However, I think the conspiracy element would cause the average FBI agent to ignore any lessons they'd find in the book. I've criticized Bruce enough on this point (it goes all the way back to our first interaction on this forum) so I feel discomfort touching on this any more than necessary.

I hope this response is satisfactory.
 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #11 on: March 23, 2015, 05:45:53 PM »
Georger and 'Rade, I love reading your questions and analysis. To me, it is utterly refreshing to hear your views.

One thing I'd like to add: I never saw the book as a training manual for the FBI. Rather, I saw it as a "Codex" or some kind of "wikipedia-like" overview for Norjak case agents and their squads, such as the agents who are currently assisting SA Eng, Jimmy and Jake, or even the PIO Ayn Dietrich-Williams. I've offered to print them a special FBI edition, replete with phone numbers and contact information.

I also see my book as a contribution to the cultural shift taking place in our country in terms of how we see cops and law enforcement. Once Upon a Time, we trusted the police without question. Now, not so much.

Netflix is filled with documentaries on the abuse of power from LE, prosecutors and the Powers-That-Be. Shows like "Death Row Stories" show the horror of our judicial system. The one-thousand-plus inmates who have been freed from death row or life imprisonment due to DNA findings is proof of a failed and cruel system. The impact of "The Innocence Project" is rippling throughout our nation, to our betterment in my judgement, and DB Cooper and the FBI is my effort to assist this work.

These problems are not confined to the USA, but are probably global in nature. The Amanda Knox case is a tragedy that is not unique to Italy, the United States, or the world for that matter. In just a few days, Knox and her friend Raffaele Sollecito will confront their third Italian Supreme Court ruling in what is an egregious rail-road job designed to build prosecutorial resumes and protect the power-hungry.
« Last Edit: March 23, 2015, 05:59:03 PM by Bruce A. Smith »
 

georger

  • Guest
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #12 on: March 23, 2015, 05:56:45 PM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Bruce, feel free to respond if I mischaracterize anything...

Quote
How does Smith portray the Cooper investigation? As an FBI investigation only or as a shared investigation: FBI, USAF, NWA, Boeing, etc. ?  Does the book make it clear who was in charge of what, and who did what at various stages of the investigation?

Smith focuses on the FBI almost exclusively. When other agencies are mentioned, it normally has to do with speculation about why the investigation went so poorly.

The book does an excellent job of tracking who the Norjack case agent was throughout the life of the mystery, and Smith includes information from interviews with other FBI agents in the case. The level of detail was greater than that found in other books (Norjack, Skyjack, etc) but falls far short of the captious hairsplitting found in the online forums.

Quote
Who gets the lion's share of the blame for a failed investigation?

Smith doesn't necessarily blame anyone for the failure. He implies (strongly) that there was a cover up, not in the FBI, but in other government agencies. He doesn't claim this as fact, but his last chapter dealing with his remote viewing sessions seems to confirm this is what he believes. [I should note that I am highly skeptical of remote viewing and most paranormal claims, and dismiss remote viewing as a forensic tool. Thankfully, only one chapter of the book deals with remote viewing. The bulk of the book is based on Smith's journalism, and that's a good thing.

Smith documents the major missteps in the case, things that are obviously the FBI's fault.

Quote
Does Smith tell us what was done wrong, or what was done right,  by who at critical points in the investigation?

Yes, more or less. Again, the level of detail found in the forums far exceeds anything you'll find in any of the books in the case. As such, forum regulars might be disappointed that Smith hasn't tackled all the esoteric points in the case.

Quote
Would you recommend Smith's book to the FBI as a training manual?

The Cooper case should represent a lesson in hubris and humility to the FBI. And I think they should be well-acquainted with that lesson.

However, I think the conspiracy element would cause the average FBI agent to ignore any lessons they'd find in the book. I've criticized Bruce enough on this point (it goes all the way back to our first interaction on this forum) so I feel discomfort touching on this any more than necessary.

I hope this response is satisfactory.

Great answers! I will buy and read his book based on your answers alone. Thanks!  :)

 

Offline Bruce A. Smith

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4365
  • Thanked: 465 times
    • The Mountain News
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #13 on: March 23, 2015, 06:01:41 PM »
Thanks, G.  Ching, ching. Another four bucks....
 

georger

  • Guest
Re: Book Discussion About DB Cooper
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2015, 12:26:20 AM »
You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login
Thanks, G.  Ching, ching. Another four bucks....

Can I buy this e-book through Barnes & Nobel?