Rick McBee's Writings
Explore the magic of new ideas and books to read as well as see what books I have written, my favorite photos, my opinions on may subjects, including Science, Africa, the Caribbean, the Civil War, my Book Reviews, and Much More!
Seeking Kindle Reviewers for ‘The Ghosts of Ukuthula’
I am currently seeking a few good blogger/reviewers who are interested in the subject matter, African Liberation in an adventure, action novel format.
Check out my Creat Space Site for the book and after reading it, let me know if you would like a free copy of the Kindle version and want to review it. I’ll need a secure email – like gmail or your can email me directly from here My email link That gives me someplace to send the one time link to the book. Get back to me as you feel the urge. Three warring factions, a black CIA officer on the run and a beautiful backup agent with her beau who are designated to pull him out. History, action and adventure all along the way!
Beginning the 3 day Free @ Kindle for Rough Enough
A quick reminder to all of you who have been waiting for that once in a lifetime opportunity to get your hands on “Rough Enough.” It’s now FREE for the days of August
19, 20 
and 21 of 2016. Go to the Amazon Author Webiste for Richard McBee
Also, don’t forget to try your luck on the GIVEAWAY chances for
“The Ghosts of Ukuthula” which also ends on August 21,2016.
It’s at Amazon’s giveaway site
Good luck and if nothing else happy reading of “Rough Enough”
Take the Quiz! Do you know Africa!
I have just posted a 10 question quiz on Goodreads about “The Ghosts of Ukuthula”. If you have read the cover of the book and the synopsis at Createspace Homestore or My Amazon Books then you will be able to answer some of the questions. There are no spoilers in the questions. Quiz at Goodreads on “The Ghosts of Ukuthula”
Maun Botswana, 1972 before the rains
Maun Botswana, 1973 after the rains
For some of the African language questions you can have a choice for finding the answers: 1. Read the book, 2. Look them up on one of the language dictionaries attached to your computer, or 3. Make like a chimpanzee and just poke around until you get it right!>)
For the hardest questions about a couple of characters you might actually have to read the book!>)
Don’t forget the chance for a free copy of this title at Amazon Giveaway until 21 August 2016.
Kindle Book Sale – Civil War Nonfiction “Rough Enough” Aug. 19, 20 and 21, 2016
As Advertised in “THE UNION VOLUNTEER” August 2016, Vol. 11, No. 8, I am having a brief free book sale of “Rough Enough,” the story of my great grandfather, Richard Clow, beginning in 1864 when he first enlisted in the Union Army. He was eventually assigned to the 56th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry on the front lines of the siege at Petersburg, Virginia, stationed at tiny Fort Alexander Hays.
Richard’s letters home to his sisters during this time help the reader understand the hardships and dangers of life on the front lines and how quickly a 17 year old had to grow up. His words to his sister, saying that the bloody assault on Petersburg, which forced General Lee out of the city after nearly two years of siege, was “Rough Enough” became the source of the title for the book.
Be sure to check out the Oregon Sons of Veterans of the Civil War and what’s happening: Current Activities of the Camp Baker Chapter #6
“Rough Enough” follows Richard for another 15 years of his life as he built forts in Montana and N. Dakota, fought Indian battles, worked for famed fur trader Charles Larpenteur at Fort Buford married the sutler’s step daughter, Mary Bingham.
You will enjoy the well researched story line, the tidbits of history that most people don’t know about in this part of the old west, and Richard’s luck in 1876 when he eventually settled in Deadwood, South Dakota during the time that Wild Bill Hickok was killed.
I hope you will take advantage of this special offer and then write me a review on Amazon of you opinions and comments. Free Offer starts this coming Friday the 19th of Aug. and Runs through Sunday the 21st. Contact SUV Oregon Here!
Rick’s New Work – Drug Wars in Peru
My next book, Sendero Rojo, The Path of Blood, spins a tale of South American action and adventure in the highlands and jungles of Peru.
Drug lord, Pancho Martinez, has been paying big money to buy off the politicians, police and army so his cartel can produce tons of pasta basica de cocaina in the Amazon jungles.
Maoist freedom fighter, Chico Gonzalez, hates the drug trade, but needs money badly to buy the explosives and weapons of war for overthrow a corrupt government. He will give protection and supply slaves to the drug factories as long as the big buck keep flowing his way.
But the war on drugs brings in the U.S. A. and DEA and MAG advisors show up to help out. When Pancho’s son gets killed on the streets of Miami, someone is going to have to pay, big-time! Carla Rodriguez and her partner, Valeria Sanchez of the DEA will have to use a tourniquet to help CIA agent Jacob Kkwe stop the flow of blood.
Peace Corps 1966 – White Helmets for Peace Corps Volunteers!
As you look at the scrolling page of my blog you will note the young guy wearing the white helmet (that’s the good guy!>)) me.) In 65 – 66 the mandatory rule for Peace Corps volunteers came out from HQ that if the director saw you riding your motorbike without your helmet, it was an automatic ticket home. This was due to the large number of PC head injuries all over the world while riding in the back country on their bikes.
Note the Yamaha 80 I’m riding. One of the best 2 stroke cycles which got me all over Cameroon fortunately with very few injuries over the two year period I was there. I got it about December 66 after saving enough of my living allowance to be able to afford it. My to be wife, Jill, an IVS volunteer got one a month later, having borrowed money from Paul
Diamond another PC since the IVS volunteers got a living allowance that was less than PC. Peace Corps gave us the helmets once we bought the bikes. They took away all the jeeps of the 1963 group because most were run over cliffs and wrecked before the end of 1964. Motor bikes were a better bet especially for the five miles of hell to get down from Buea to Sasse or the 6 miles of path and bush road through Sachsenhof oil plantation through the bush below us to get out to mile seven of the main paved road.leading to Victoria (now Bimbia) I believe they call it after the original Bakosi name for that coastal town.
Here’s that pic. again!
Note the bag over my shoulder! We lives in the south of the country and This is a hand sewn leather bag with a smiling face on it that I picked up in Fulani country up near Ngoundere about half way up the country 500 miles north of Buea where we lived. That’s where I rode my bike over the long July holiday that covered the rainy season in the south.
Here’s another picture I took on that trip north up in the Ndu area of a couple of juju men and their followers. A bunch of fascinating cultures n the country. Check out Cameroon Info Net on Facebook and Wiki’s info on Cameroonian History a great country to visit!
Pear Picking Time!
Already time to look at those Bartlett, Comice, Bosch and other pears for picking if you own a tree. I got over 100 nice pears off my tree today. You can tell if they are ready to pick if you lift the fruit just above horizontal and the stem snaps off the twig. Bosch pears tend to stay on, but most others will pop right off.
Here’s an assortment off my single tree with several varieties grafted onto the same tree. Yumm! These all went into my fridge to allow them to ripen properly without ending up with brown centers. They will easily keep for several months if done correctly.
Here’s a great little pamphlet from Oregon State University Extension service to help you know when and how to pick and store your pears. They are very different from apples.
Check it out! OSU Extension Service paper.
Next Free Kindle Offering of “Rough Enough” Begins next week!
All you CW brothers and sisters who own Kindle apps on you readers, computers, or cell phones!
Here’s the next date for the offering of “Rough Enough,” the nonfiction life story of Richard H. Clow: 
who fought at Petersburg, VA and through to the end of the war with the 56th Mass. Volunteer Infantry. His letters to his sisters enhance the CW reading with his own observations.
Stationed at Fort Hayes, 
Clow’s force moved to reinforce Ft. Stedman just in time to repel Lee’s attack of March 25, 1865 on the point he considered to be the weakest in the Union lines.
“Rough Enough” follows Richard Clow beyond the CW onto the frontier in 1867 where he helped construct, guard and defend Ft. Shaw, Camp Cooke and Ft. Buford in the Montana and Dakota Territories.
Enjoy the read and visit my author website!
An excellent Foundation in Africa to support!
Here’s a great educational and agricultural foundation to support in the Kafakumba area of Zambia. I visited the school two years ago and also met the manager of the farm they write about. This is a grassroots level of working on development and cultural change.Limapela news is here!
See you At Northwest Book Festival!
It’s here this weekend! The Northwest Book Festival in Portland, OR 30th of July, Pioneer Courthouse Square! Check it out! I’ll be there! With three books to sign for buyers! Here’…
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Rick McBee's Writings 