“Good clothes open all doors.” – Thomas Fuller
GEAR
Brad Thor Logo Apparel
By popular demand, Brad Thor logo products are now available at our new online store. The initial suite of Made-In-America products includes:
- Men’s and Women’s Polo Shirts
- Logo T-Shirts
- Ball Caps
- Tervis Tumblers
“Chowder breathes reassurance. It steams consolation.” –Clementine Paddleford
FOOD AND DRINK
New York Red Clam Chowder
In honor of Takedown’s New York City setting, enjoy!
- 4 slices of bacon, cut crosswise in ½ inch pieces—cook in pan over medium-low until browned and crisp (8-10 minutes)—keep 1 T of the bacon fat to cook vegetables
- 1 large onion finely chopped
- 2 medium carrots, halved lengthwise and chopped
- 1 can (28 oz) plum tomatoes in juice
- 2 bottles (8 oz each) clam juice (can be 1 bottle clam juice + 1 cup white wine)
- 2 medium baking potatoes (Yukon Gold) peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
- 1 t dried thyme
- 2 cups canned clams with their juices
- 2T parsley-chopped
- Salt/pepper to taste
Heat the leftover bacon fat to medium, then add onion and carrots. Cook, stirring occasionally until softened, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juice, clam juice, and bring to a gentle boil (break up tomatoes with potato masher into bite-size pieces). Add potatoes and thyme, reduce heat to simmer, cook until potatoes fork-tender, but not falling apart (approximately 15-20 minutes). Add in the clams and cook approximately 10 minutes. Add parsley and serve. A great crusty bread goes very well with this.
Beverage Pairings
- Red chowders pair well with India or amber ales such as Rogue’s American Ale: http://www.rogue.com/roguebeers/.
- A favorite wine pairing is Chateau Quercy St. Emilion Bordeaux: http://www.chateauquercy.fr .
Arnold Palmer
The basic Arnold Palmer drink is ½ glass of lemonade and ½ glass of tea, served over ice cubes. If you would like to make your own lemonade:
Homemade Lemonade
- 10 lemons-fresh squeezed
- simple syrup (1 cup sugar, placed into 2 cups boiling water, stir until the sugar dissolves—let cool completely)
- Combine lemon juice with simple syrup to taste
For a “spiked” variation, add 1 oz of limoncello, vodka, or bourbon per glass.
“I absolutely love Scotland. I’m always happy there.” — Jennifer Saunders
Destinations
In honor of The Troll
Scotland: Highlands and Highlights – A Tour of the Highlands
The area north and west of the Highlands Boundary Fault is known for its majestic beauty, fascinating history and culture. The Highlands are what everyone imagines when they think of Scotland. From wilderness to ancient castles, here are just a few of the stops you won’t want to miss on a tour of this beautiful countryside:
- Loch Lomond is a great place to begin a Highland adventure, due to its location, access to Trossachs National Park and the largest freshwater lake in Britain!
- The village of Luss on the western shore of Loch Lomond is a quintessential Highlands village with a charming main street, several walking paths, a pier for sailing excursions, and a sandy beach.
- The Clansman Center outside Inverness houses a living museum, an armory, and craft shop that all educate to a better understanding of the Clan System and life in 17th century Scotland.
- Loch Ness, the legendary location is centrally located with myriad options for accommodations and activities nearby. A stop at the local Centre & Exhibition is a must and includes everything from narrated tours, to interactive exhibits, and scientific equipment used to attempt to capture images of the Loch Ness Monster, or Nessie.
- Urquhart Castle has served as a fort and a castle over the centuries. Its location afforded the site to play a strategic role in Scotland’s history, and the remaining ruins offer visitors glorious views.
Cultural Highlights in Edinburgh
The attractions and festivals in Scotland’s capital make it the second most popular tourist destination in the United Kingdom. You won’t want to miss:
- The Royal Mile refers to a section of Old Town that runs down from the Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and is bustling with shops, restaurants and attractions.
- Edinburgh Castle houses rich historical artifacts, sits atop an extinct volcano with incredible vistas. It is no wonder that this iconic site is the top paid attraction in Scotland.
- The National Museum of Scotland, where admission is free, offers exhibits as diverse as its visitors there is something for everyone – from natural history to arms and armor and even a “Discoveries” gallery showcasing “remarkable Scots.”
- Brass Rubbing Center is an off-the-beaten-path stop where you can make your own keepsake and try your hand at this hobby dating back to Victorian times.
- Clan Tartan Centre, part research, part retail center, houses databases and provides design services for the ultimate Scottish souvenir.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
CONVERSTATION STARTERS
Service
TAKEDOWN pays tribute to a renowned warrior, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his nation. The novel explores the question, “does service ever end?” Scot Harvath finds a beautifully carved plaque with the motto of Anglican missionaries at his new home. It reads: TRANSIENS ADIUVA NOS – I go overseas to give help. The phrase applies to various types of service – military, humanitarian, public service, etc.
- What is the nature of your service? How has the type of service you engage in changed over your lifetime – from childhood to adulthood?
- Why do you engage in the type of service you do?
- Whom do you serve and who serves you? Who are your role models in this regard?
- Finally, how would you answer the central question considered in TAKEDOWN: “does service ever end?”
Extras
Click here to see the Book Club Questions for Takedown.