orichalcum

And in other cool news, I just received a book in the mail today. The back cover reads:

"A Good Idea Gone Terribly Wrong.

"We're getting out, mate," Charles's composure was belied by the taut lines in his face and the two Afghan guards flanking him, their rifles unslung and ready. "Get your things. If what we're hearing from Zabul is true, we've been sitting here like bloody ducks for too long already."

If true, the rumors from Zabul province confirmed that someone was trying to kill us, but we didn't yet know who: the struggling remnants of the Taliban, opium smugglers who found our work an inconvenience, or local militia commanders with some unknown grudge. We didn't know if they planned more attacks, or if they could strike us in the city of Lashkargah itself. So we were running. There was a small U.S. military outpost on the edge of town, next to the graveyard.

By the afternoon our office and staff houses would be empty of everyone except guards, and our Western staff would be inside a bunker."

Yes, indeed, it's The Opium Season, by Joel Hafvenstein. I haven't dived into it yet, but I can vouch for Joel's storytelling ability, and highly recommend it to all. Whether or not you know him, go buy this book. I won't spoil the ending.

Also, the picture of J.H. on the back inside cover is classic. :) Definitely more Indiana Jones than James Bond.