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Author Topic:   Dark Genius or DORK Genius?
DaveHanson
Novice
posted 02-08-2002 14:59     Click Here to See the Profile for DaveHanson   Click Here to Email DaveHanson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1561291420/qid%3D1013197224/ref%3Dsr%5F11%5F0%5F1/102-0686790-0893706

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John Wain
Novice
posted 02-09-2002 14:55     Click Here to See the Profile for John Wain   Click Here to Email John Wain     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Does anyone know more about this? Is it a fiction book? I have friends in the community and they are unaware of any involvement by this gentleman.

John Wain

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Mad Dog
Moderator
posted 02-09-2002 16:51     Click Here to See the Profile for Mad Dog   Click Here to Email Mad Dog     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote

I am the subject of the work, but it is a work of fiction. Many of the events occured much as portrayed in the text, but other events and personae had to be fabricated for legal and personal reasons. Much of it was fictionalized at the direction of the publisher, in an attempt to make the story more sellable.
The book was published as a work of fiction, there is an ISBN number and all, but it was never released to distributors. No copies were ever sold, as none of them were ever bound. The publisher went bankrupt prior to releasing the work, despite many sales at the Frankfurt and New York book shows, as well as the excellent Kirkus reviews.
Why it appears now on Amazon is beyond me.
I have had nothing to do with the project for some time now, and the book essentially does not exist.

and FWIW: John Wain, I too have friends in the "community", and they are unaware of your friends' involvement...

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Kensho
Moderator
posted 02-09-2002 17:46     Click Here to See the Profile for Kensho   Click Here to Email Kensho     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
FWIW,

I'm not even aware of my involvement sometimes. :-{)

------------------
"Our own life is the instrument with which we experiment with truth."

The Beatings will continue,
untill the morale improves...

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John Wain
Novice
posted 02-09-2002 20:33     Click Here to See the Profile for John Wain   Click Here to Email John Wain     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Dear Sir,

Are there books in print then from the New York and Frankfurt shows? I am also not clear as to exactly what you mean by fiction. And I was not trying to be rude, my friends know some of your friends, they just did not know you.

John

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Mad Dog
Moderator
posted 02-09-2002 23:44     Click Here to See the Profile for Mad Dog   Click Here to Email Mad Dog     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Only a few of the soft cover galleys (with errata, ten were made) were available on view at those shows, backed up by some really zingy artwork and promo displays.
No copies of the book ever made it to distribution.
Like I said, I have no idea why Amazon lists the book as available. It never was, and probably never will be.

Suits me just fine, I like what I am doing now.

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John Wain
Novice
posted 02-10-2002 13:11     Click Here to See the Profile for John Wain   Click Here to Email John Wain     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Dear Sir,

Please don’t misunderstand my intentions when asking questions. There are so many people out there misrepresenting themselves or what they do, such as Jerry Peterson’s making ridiculous claims about his SCARS program or Richard Marchenko aggrandizing supposed exploits to the point of the absurd. I was just interested in the truth, thank you for your response.

John Wain

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Mad Dog
Moderator
posted 02-10-2002 13:28     Click Here to See the Profile for Mad Dog   Click Here to Email Mad Dog     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
No offense taken.
I represent myself only as a Knifemaker, Gunsmith, and sometime instructor in certain of the more arcane disciplines.
Our clientele speaks for our success in these venues.

I also provide consulting services in materials selection, fabrication, and engineering.

'Nuff said.

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DaveHanson
Novice
posted 02-11-2002 12:56     Click Here to See the Profile for DaveHanson   Click Here to Email DaveHanson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Posted on the same link I orginally posted.

_____________

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

The truth about Dark Genius, February 24, 2001
Reviewer: Teryl McClung from Prescott Valley, AZ
Dark Genius was written by Steve Rivele who painstakingly searched out every detail that was written in this book because he could not believe what he was being told. It took him several months to pour over the information and reconstruct the events portrayed in this biography. He spent countless hours flying coast to coast to meet and interview the people described in this story. In the end, he not only believed what seemed impossible, but he found out many more shocking things that Kevin never knew. The story is REAL.

The original publisher, Knightsbridge, went bankrupt before the book could go to print.

Meanwhile, "Dark Genius" was represented by Chris Godsick at the William Morris Agency when the rights to the story were sold to New Line Cinima. New Line owned the option on "Dark Genius" for two consecutive years, but due to reasons beyond their control they could not negotiate the third year. When they were free to negotiate a deal again, Kevin and Steve decided not to give them the option in favor of considering other offers.

Kevin has decided to rewrite the story to include more details that the original publisher was too shy to include for legal reasons. "Dark Genius" will be published, but it will contain much more than the original version, and will be well worth the wait.


_________________________

How does this jive to your assertion that you have not done anything with this for a while when your wife posted this review on
Feb 24, 2001 and you have no idea how this got on Amazon.com?

Am I the only one seeing the obviouis discrepancies in this?

Your wall of lies is falling down IMHO.

Anyone who associates with you is in danger of degrading their own credibility..

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James
Member
posted 02-11-2002 17:18     Click Here to See the Profile for James   Click Here to Email James     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
As a product of both "MGM" and its successor "GATE" all I can say is that the barriers to entry were relatively low.

I'd love to read the book if it were to ever come out.

James

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Mad Dog
Moderator
posted 02-11-2002 17:26     Click Here to See the Profile for Mad Dog   Click Here to Email Mad Dog     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
DaveHanson,
Not knowing who, or what you are I have no reason to believe that you have ever read the book, met me, been involved in anything I have been involved in, or have even the remotest of conections to me; so how on earth can you say that I have a "wall of lies?"
Why would my past even matter to you?
Cyberstalker punks like yourself are pathetic.

Like many others out there with more time than brains available, you make sweeping statements about people and events that you have zero experience with.
For that reason, if no other, you have no credibility.

I make knives and guns. I teach. I write.
All very honest and above board. I make no claims that I can not back up right here, and right now.

Again, why Amazon would be offering a book that is not available is beyond me.
I personally have done nothing with it since Newline lost their last option on it many years ago.
What my wife writes on the net is her affair.
However, I have prevailed upon her to modify her review there such that it plainly states that I am NOT doing a rewrite of DG.

Whether or not that satisfies you matters not to me.
Now, kindly restrict your postings here in the future to ones that are not flames.
Otherwise, you get treated like the other trolls.

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John Wain
Novice
posted 02-11-2002 18:17     Click Here to See the Profile for John Wain   Click Here to Email John Wain     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Mr. McClung,

Is the person who posted the review related to you? This person stated that the story was real however you stated that it was a work of fiction so i am assuming that they are confused. Is there more information regarding this work or are people just digging up stuff.

Thank you,

John Wain

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St. Teryl
Moderator
posted 02-11-2002 20:08     Click Here to See the Profile for St. Teryl   Click Here to Email St. Teryl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I am Kevin's wife. I originally posted a "review" on Amazon.com because some idiot, who obviously knew nothing about the book, wrote that the whole thing was fabricated and a lie.
It wasn't.

I did make an attempt to edit my review on Amazon.com, but apparently the change was not accepted. I'll try again. In the meantime, Kevin has written an e-mail to them explaining that the book was never available and never would be.

What my "review" should have said is that the "story is true, but due to the nature of the material presented, the names of the 'principal players' and their respective military backgrounds were changed or otherwise altered for obvious reasons."
(Well...obvious to some, and completely over the heads of others. DaveHanson, and a few others like him, who have absolutely NO idea what was written, are hardly in a position to critique a book they have never read, or ever will for that matter.
Dave, your post smacks of jealousy...don't get your panties in a bunch because no one thought you important enough to write about. There are billions of other people just like you who live and die off the written page. Throwing verbal raspberries isn't going to change that, so grow up and deal with your anonymity like the rest of us. TF is not the place to seek support counseling for your bruised ego.)

We were seriously considering a rewrite at the time that I wrote the "review", but since then circumstances have changed, so we have changed our plans accordingly.

Kevin's work is in such demand now, that it is all we can do to try to keep up with the orders. In his "spare time" he is currently working on a different book that is of greater interest to him.

Steve went on to become an "A" list screenplay writer. His most notable effort to date was that of "Nixon", which had an Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay. Since then he has been extremely busy, and certainly has absolutely no time to throw at an old project.

I trust this explanation will put to rest any more arguement over what happened to the "Dark Genius" book. Any more unsolicited juvinile nose thumbing should be taken up with someone better qualified to help you work through your "issues".

[This message has been edited by St. Teryl (edited 02-11-2002).]

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DaveHanson
Novice
posted 02-12-2002 12:26     Click Here to See the Profile for DaveHanson   Click Here to Email DaveHanson     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My "unsolicited issues" (this is a public forum) are that it appears that you two ought to get your stories straight….

I have noted over the months that anyone who challenges the McClung clan is vehemently and personally attacked, banned or the thread is locked out or removed.

I guess I think your reckless quacks...

I received the following rewrites of the orginal review submitted by the McClung's from a couple of folks who were afraid to be banned….I am not.

After pulling my self off the floor, I believe that these may actually benefit your overall work situation. Now Kevin will not be distracted from “his work” to have to re-research, re-refrabricate, re-resell the movie rights, re-republish the book.

These reviews really ought to sell, and at the same time the protect the identity of all those involved.

_____________________________________________

#1
As a former CIA agent and current member of the WWF, I can verify all of Mad Dog’s claims and then some. If I understand his detractors correctly they would have us believe that he is:

(1) a pathological liar who has built a false identity by associating himself with real life members of the tactical community

(2) a pathetic wannabe AKA Harvey Milquetoast

Now I’ll be the first to admit, it does seem strange that Kevin makes the following claims, which seem to contradict themselves,

“I am the subject of the work, but it is a work of fiction. Many of the events occurred much as portrayed in the text…I have had nothing to do with the project for some time now…”

And yes, it also seems strange that in spite of Kevin’s assertion that he has had nothing to do with the project for some time and that it is a work of fiction, someone (Teryl McClung) who seems to know him personally, shares his last name and city of residence, posted a positive review of the book on Amazon.com on February 24, 2001, in which she stated.

“…It took him several months to pour over the information and reconstruct the events portrayed in this biography…The story is REAL…”

Well I don’t care if all the facts seem to expose Kevin as a lifetime member of the loser hall of fame, because to all his detractors I say…You weren’t there!

You weren’t there in Biafra in ‘62 (or was it ‘63?) when Kevin had his shins shot off while attacking a machine gun nest manned by renegade Jesuits. Don’t believe me? Just stick an ice pick in his shin the next time you run into him…you’ll see.

You weren’t there in Rio de Janeiro when Kevin uncovered a plot to splice Hitler’s genes with the Antarctic King Penguin, thereby creating a race of hideously blond aquatic birds that could march like nobody’s business.

You weren’t there when Kevin infiltrated Ibriham Haddad’s (the morbidly obese yet sweetly perfumed arms dealer with a taste for man-children) evil organization by posing as Ibriham’s hairless pleasure boy and submitting to all manner of humiliating acts (the fact that Kevin volunteered to go back to gather more information even though we had assured him we had enough, only speaks to the depths of his bravery)

You weren’t there when Kevin and his trained chimpanzee, Chim-Chim, defeated Racer X at the ‘76 Lemans.

You weren’t there at the debutantes’ ball in Tennessee when Kevin described his idea for a revolutionary form of global communication to a young senator’s son who later took credit for Kevin’s monumental vision that would come to be known as The Internet

You weren’t there when Mr. Miyagi taught him the arcane secrets of the oriental arts of pugilism (alas, even Mr. Miyagi was no match for Chim-Chim on a Crack Cocaine bender, but that’s another story and probably best told by Kevin who was actually present on that dark and fateful day).

And of course, I’ll never forget the Madagascar Gerbil Gambit, it seemed to me at the time that there had to be a better way to smuggle plutonium, but Kevin insisted and it all came out well in the end (Note to would be plutonium smugglers: It really makes a difference if you declaw the Gerbils first).

I could go on, but anyone who at this point is not convinced as to the strength of Kevin’s integrity and the might of his deeds is certainly a moron who doesn’t belong on this site and should go elsewhere posthaste. And if you continue to attempt to cast doubts on the veracity of Kevin McClung’s claims, be well and truly warned that one night you may fall victim to a lead spitting paperback edition of the Necronomicon, or worse, a banana grenade of the same type that did poor Chim-Chim in.

Keep your chin up Kevin, and remember what you once said so many years ago, “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!”

Best regards,

N. Bonaparte


#2
It is absolutely amazing what you can find on the web. After a rigorous and diligent search of little known CIA, FBI archives, I unearthed the following declassified memo that give the real review of the “Dark Genius”

FOR OFFICAL USE ONLY

Dork Genius (Taken from his Discussion Board), Mr. McCKlunk finally surfaces

A sappy collection of a delusional sociopath---wondering if his medication bottles can be used as a weapon on an aircraft---who later enters the shadow world of knife sales and internet discussion board forums. Raised in the San Francisco Bay area in the late 60’s, McKlunk was the adopted son of the Unibomber, Ted Kaczynski see: http://www.freedomdomain.com/mindcontrol/kaczynski01.html, and gave early proof of his own propensity to distort the truth. While left to play in his bedroom, he managed to burn down the house by sticking a toy rifle into an electrical socket, only to blame his younger sister for the disaster. McKlunk was immediately accepted into the prestigious institution known as Juvenile Hall and his projects there were closely monitored by senior staff personnel. His lunch pale was subsequently stolen and is still the subject of an intense internal investigation.

At 14, McKlunk changed his name to McKluck after meeting long time master spy Austin Powers who taught him everything he knew about irreverent marketing. A top Barnum and Bailey circus animal trainer then introduced McKluck to the difficult task of stall cleaning, McKluck had already been exposed to several rashes and was asked to stop spending so much time with these animals in strange positions as a few of them did not survive.

Eventually, McKluck fell in with Martha Stuart, a CIA decorator, and Gabby Tombaum, a jewelry store owner, who together had formed Ineedya Ltd., to this day the intense love triangle still inspires many daytime soap operas. McKlunk then changed his name to McDuck and refined a new set of insecticide pellets that can be currently purchased at Home Depot if you know the secret pass phrase. Home Depot is trying to keep the whole thing hush-hush as Home Base in looking to take its business over. The corruption of capitalism has reared its ugly head. The rotten underbelly of corporate American is grippingly sliced open.
Home video rights sold.

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Dale
Novice
posted 02-12-2002 14:48     Click Here to See the Profile for Dale   Click Here to Email Dale     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just a thought.

Dave, I would like to suggest there are just as many tasty decaf brands on the market as there are caffinated.

Also, after following MD Enterprises from afar for several years, I just have one thing to say:

I could care less if this is true or not, I could care less if Kevin and his clan are former anything, or if they are underground jello pudding smugglers with a habit of smoking fruit rollups.

A few simple facts remain:
1) Kevin McClung makes amazing knives
2) His articles on metalurgy are very accurate and informative
3) Steve and Kevin make amazing guns
4) Kevin McClung makes AMAZING knives

Did I mention, his knives are incredible.

Who cares where he came from, what his background is, who he's worked for, etc....

Dave, I have 4 cats, if one of them made weapons that set the standard for world class hardware, I'd buy it.

Thank you for playing, next window please.

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Kensho
Moderator
posted 02-12-2002 15:05     Click Here to See the Profile for Kensho   Click Here to Email Kensho     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
WAFWOT.

------------------
"Our own life is the instrument with which we experiment with truth."

The Beatings will continue,
untill the morale improves...

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swatbwana
Member
posted 02-12-2002 15:42     Click Here to See the Profile for swatbwana   Click Here to Email swatbwana     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Kensho:
WAFWOT.


what does this one mean??? Is that secret agent talk!

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Frogman
Moderator
posted 02-12-2002 16:24     Click Here to See the Profile for Frogman   Click Here to Email Frogman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I'll bite, swatbwana. I'll just bet Kensho mean't..."What a 'Freaking' waste of time". And I agree.

Frogman

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swatbwana
Member
posted 02-12-2002 16:36     Click Here to See the Profile for swatbwana   Click Here to Email swatbwana     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
recieved and in agreement!

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John Wain
Novice
posted 02-12-2002 20:04     Click Here to See the Profile for John Wain   Click Here to Email John Wain     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Gentlemen,

It seems that this topic has outlived it's usefulness. For myself I was just seeking clarification. Speaking of knives however does anyone have or do you know where to get a knife that was advertised as a Hissatsu? I have not seen an ad for awhile but I know some people, in the dark so to speak, who have them. I asked and they don't know where to get one either. Thanks for any help.

John Wain

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David DiFabio
Member
posted 02-12-2002 20:17     Click Here to See the Profile for David DiFabio   Click Here to Email David DiFabio     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow,
It is tough being popular Kevin but someone needs to do it. ļ

This is definitely a sign that you are making progress and your products are making headway as the attacks have become personal.

Personal attacks have always plagued the innovator from Alexander Graham Bell (later claimed to be a slave trader and to have actually stolen the phone design from someone else) to Benjamin Franklin (claimed to be a closet pervert and nudist).

I would disagree with anyone that would fault a mans wife for supporting him and coming to his defense, that is what partners and friends do for each other.
The fact that the statements made by each of you disagree with the other gives one pause to realize that they were not fabricated.

If you had fabricated the stories then they would match, Teryl's ability to post whatever she would like about you without needing to "ask" first shows much for your character and the quality of man that you are.

A controlling, lying, ego maniac would hardly have the patience to allow such freedom in his relationships.

Entrepreneurs often suffer through many projects that fail and do not work out, experience makes one wiser and it is the mistakes made along the way that add to the quality of the product.

The qualities of the MD Labs design show an eye that reflects experience and wisdom.

You are making progress and it shows; please by all means keep up the good work!

------------------
Think, Plan, Train Be Safe.
Thanks,
David
www.ammolab.com
www.ammolabforum.com

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Mad Dog
Moderator
posted 02-12-2002 21:53     Click Here to See the Profile for Mad Dog   Click Here to Email Mad Dog     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
DaveHanson,
Thank you.
That was hilarious.
Best laugh I have had all week.

It is good to know that my deranged detractor at least has something of a sense of humor, low though it may be.

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