Cross+Hairs

It turns out that J. Paul Mashburn (The Laugh & Times of Mushy) wrote another blook, Cross+Hairs.

I only found a few promotional posts at the blog so I incorrectly assumed that it was not a blook. Mashburn set me straight: "Cross+Hairs was written several years ago offline, but has been updated time and time again. I started Cross+Hairs at http://cross-hairs.blogspot.com much later, but at one time it was all available at the site ... a complete posting of the book. I simply began by posting one chapter at a time, hoping to build interest and a readership following. Only five "teaser" chapters are posted."

Publicity

Until now I haven't had a clear look at what folks do to promote their blooks once they're in print. With Mashburn we have an excellent opportunity to compare two descriptions of Cross+Hairs.

I found a press release posted at PRWeb. I was intrigued to discover that it was as much a hype for Lulu as it was for the blook! But let's look at the difference in the descriptions. The first comes from the blog:

"Henry Maddux fought off his evil thoughts and urges as long as he could. He suffered physical abuse from his step-father, the taunting and teasing of school mates, a broken heart from one he thought understood and cared, the horrors of Vietnam as only a sniper could experience it, and the everyday greed around him. Finally when everyone, everything, and even God seemed against him, he could no longer control the voices. He had to cross out the evil doers and
put his mine [sic] to rest. He crossed them out with the "X" of his scoped high-powered rifle."

The second is from the press release:

"Cross+Hairs is a God’s eye view of the relationship of two childhood friends that grow up on different sides of the law. The book follows them through adolescence, Vietnam, and the events that lead up to a final confrontation in adult life.

"J. Paul Mashburn wrote Cross+Hairs years after meeting a Marine Sniper in Vietnam who told true life horror stories he lived in the 'bush'. It made him wonder how such young men could ever leave such experiences behind and live a normal life."

Which book would you buy? Why? Which bits are the best in each and can they be combined to create a killer [sorry!] advertisement?