Black Friday taps into a fear that the individual has become meaningless and is open to exploitation. The pair formed by Arch Carroll and David Hudson speaks to two sides of this fear: the drive to make things better, to promote and preserve justice; and the desire for revenge and self-assertion.

Both men try to reaffirm the importance of the individual in the face of daunting global forces. However, while Patterson addresses the need to affirm the self, he also speaks to prejudices and misconceptions that form the root of modern anxieties.

1. How close is the connection between Hudson's trauma in Vietnam and his involvement in Green Band? Do you see this as a realistic motivation? You might consider the psychological effects of the trauma of the Vietnam War, as well as the social problems facing vets in our society.

2. Is Black Friday worth reading as...