I can't believe I put off reading this one as long as I did. It's an incredible piece of fiction that, like you said, changed the way I think about history and storytelling.
I'm going to assume the piggies didn't identify themselves before trying to kidnap this guy, since that's their MO.
Also:
With the agents fearing Parias could hit them with his Camry or dislodge it from between their vehicles, one opened fire, prosecutors said. Parias was struck in the elbow, and a deputy marshal was hit in the hand, according to prosecutors.
Fuckin' idiot shot another cop. These morons shouldn't have guns. And nice passive voice in the article there, too.
I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.
I didn't know alemán was another way to say "German." I play early music, and it's also a type of song known as a "German dance," so that makes a lot of sense.
I just slice them into strips and put them in rice wine vinegar. They're good to go after about 30 minutes, but they stay good for a long time in the fridge.
They're also great if you toast them on a bun with a slice of swiss cheese then add mustard/mayo; a nice and easy pickled onion sandwich.
Absolutely. I've not read 2312, because it's another of his books that I won't be able to look forward to.