About Bennett R. Coles
Throughout his career he undertook a variety of roles such as bridge officer, boarding party officer, warfare officer and navigator. The highlight of his career was a pair of tours in the Middle East as a UN Military Observer, the first in the Golan Heights and the second in South Lebanon. These tours helped crystallize the vision for Virtues of War of foreign powers involving themselves in the troubles of faraway lands, and the culture clashes that can so easily come from such interaction.
He retired from active duty in 2005 and makes his home in Victoria, Canada. As one of the region’s rising authors, he volunteers his time helping writers navigate the difficult road to writing success.
Star Wars: The Next Generation
No, that isn’t a typo. I’m aware of all the hype flying around about that other vintage sci fi series and its hot-shot new movie, but right now I couldn’t care less. Why? Because I just enjoyed one of the wonderful little moments that we fathers born in the early seventies can cherish: I just sat down and watched the original Star Wars (Episode IV) with my young son for the first time.
Fiscal Fiasco Round 2: First the F-35, now the Fleet
Welcome to Fiscal Fiasco Round Two – and this time it’s really important, because we’re talking about ships. Earlier this spring the Canadian government announced that it was paying Irving Shipyards $288 million just to design the new Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) for the Royal Canadian Navy. Not build, just design.
Let’s Keep the Common Sense in the F-35 Debate
There has been a glimpse of common sense in the debate over Canada’s next-generation fighter aircraft, but it’s hard to see over all the name-calling, mud-slinging and partisan entrenchment. That glimpse of common sense was when our government decided, just before Christmas, to re-think the sole-source, non-competed contract to buy the F-35 as our next fighter. My worry is that common sense will now be banished from the discussion once again.
New Year’s Resolution #4 – The end of January shouldn’t be The End
It’s the end of January. Most New Year’s Resolutions are forgotten, abandoned or causing a great deal of angst. But they can succeed, and you will feel so awesome with the sense of accomplishment that comes. In this final article I’d like to share a few nuggets of wisdom I gained in 2012.
New Year’s Resolution #3 – A healthy mind and spirit
One section of my 2012 New Year’s Resolutions was to do with another kind of health from the physical. Some might call it emotional health, or mental health, or spiritual health – it’s all of these things, and I just referred to it casually as my Morale. In this article I’d like to offer some advice to anyone who wants to improve their quality of life in 2013.
New Year’s Resolution #2: Losing Weight and Getting Healthy
My New Year’s Resolution in 2013 is to lose weight. Great – now what?
How to make a New Year’s Resolution and keep it!
New Year’s Resolutions. How many have we made and how many have we broken? If you’re anything like me, it’s a sad, sorry tale over the years. But last year I set out to actually keep my New Year’s Resolutions, and 365 days later I’m happy to report success.
I finished my novel! Or have I…?
Ahh… how satisfying; how fulfilling; how triumphant! I’ve just finished my book. This isn’t a theoretical scenario – my name is Bennett R. Coles and I just recently finished writing my latest novel Casualties of War. Or, to be more specific, I just finished getting the whole story down on the page. And this is what I want to talk about today. It’s a very common error that first-time authors make: thinking you’ve finished your book when in fact what you’ve done is finish the first draft.
Earthquake “Gang of Seven” Get Six Years
Here’s the news: a group of Italian scientists were put on trial for not correctly predicting a 2009 earthquake that killed 309 people. Yesterday they were found guilty. And what were they convicted of? Manslaughter.
Morality in War
What moral obligation do soldiers have in war? This is a tricky question, and one which I considered more than once during my fifteen years in uniform. There are many perspectives, and some can be equally valid even when they diametrically oppose one another. But is there a single, undeniable answer that applies to all? Is there a fundamental truth behind the morality of war?
