It was difficult to adapt the novel by Don Winslow, who has written more than a dozen books, several about surfer dudes and drug lords.

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But what some watching may not know is that Oliver Stone's latest is based on the acclaimed 2010 novel of the same name from writer Don Winslow.

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The only time I recall being scornful of shoddy goods was when a huge brick smokestack fell on and obviously killed the hero of a serial, "Don Winslow of the Navy, " and the following week's installment began with Commander Don emerging from a mountain of rubble.

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