Customer Reviews

CI: Team Red: An Army Counterintelligence Novel

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

While I found the details about C.I. and the war in Iraq interesting, as a novel this book reads like an army field manual. Cliched characters, plodding plot, a dull protagonist, little suspense, etc. I got about two-thirds of the way through the book and decided to toss it. I got to where I just didn't care any longer about any of the characters or the plot. I sense the author didn't care either.

I found this book interesting solely because I've been to many of the places DeBatto mentions. Like he says, Warhorse is a hellhole, as is much of that part of east-central Iraq. Having said that, however, I find myself in agreement with many of the other reviewers in that his writing appears amateurish at times. As with many (but by no means all) books written by former non-commissioned officers, this book appears written in training manual-format. The gee-whiz computer goodies are interesting but the characters lack development and the dialogue isn't realistic (aside from the description of Camp Warhorse...). Would I read it again? No. Would I give his later books a shot to see if he's improved any? Yeah, maybe.

If you enjoy Crichton or Clancy you will like this book. I found the story captivating, with several twists. It will make a good movie. Sure, the characters are typical for this genre. They are a stylized, tough, extra-ordinarily competent, and very lucky group. The underlying plot relates to a bioterror threat against the US. Seriously, if something like this hasn't happened already, it will. While I'm sure my present job providing medical support to our troops in Iraq has influenced my perspective, if you're reading this, read the book.

Climbing down from my shelf after having been CI in the early 60's, I was thoroughly impressed by the effort to portray the value of positive liaison operations expressed by DeBatto and Nelson. For years the neglect of this one facet of many in the Counterintelligence (industrial) gem, left many veterans of the trade questioning how CI special agents could function when stifled by budgets and sterilized by policies.
This story tells how leadership is weathered in guts and hearts not polished on the shoulders. And yet, while citing the errors of uniformed bureaucracry, vanity and venality, it gives a full play of the human dimensions that make an effective special agent - CI.
In background investigations of yore one would be asked about the loyalty, integrity, discretion, morales and character of a subject to be considered for a position of trust and responsibility. Positive answers to that would compose the image of CI individuals collectively.

Painstaking intelligence based upon the development of a network of reliable sources is the key to any counterinsurgency effort and Debatto has "been there and done that" in Iraq. Sometimes fiction is the best way to present truth and this book drives home truths about the intelligence war in Iraq: how intelligence can and should be gathered, how mutual trust with locals is the only way to develop reliable information, and how success often walks a fine line between traditional police skills and traditional military skills. For a shorter "factual" version of what the CI guys are up to read the Wall Street Journal article by Greg Jaffe called "Intelligence Test" dated 10SEP04. Debatto's book is fiction but it rings true. I'm looking forward to his next title, CI: Dark Target.

Notwithstanding, some other reviews I found "C.I. Team Red", to be credible, factual, and honest.

This book serves as a true depiction of the, "quasi-strategic", tactical counterintelligence challenges that face a non-regional force when deployed in a foreign combat environment; where the institutional comprehension of cultural differences is sorely lacking.

Some readers may miss this critically significant point in, "C.I. Team Red." Probably, because the casual reader or the neophyte student of intelligence operations, will likely not have decades of street smart experience to rely on.

Based on, "my", close to forty years in the analytical intelligence, and counterintelligence field, I rate this work with high marks!

The main character is devoid of the deviant and criminal focused approach on gleaning uncorroborated potential intelligence information from threatened potential sources. Why, because that is the wrong way, operationally, morally, and legally to operate in the intelligence discipline.

Ascribing to the rules, the pseudonym tagged, "David DeLuca", builds indigenous support for his mission through rapport, trust, and positive reinforcement. In the real world, which is complicated by the asymmetric threats and warfare style that currently exist, this leads to accurate and credible intelligence collection, in both overt and covert approaches from unwitting and collaborative sources.

This compilation, "C.I. Team Red", serves the military intelligence community in a positive fashion. It is illustrative of the dedicated military professionals who play by the rules, day in and day out. Idealistic as that may seem, or altruistic to some, this can instigate and fan the flames of constant conflict with colleagues, and commanders, in the military profession where some shirk the rules of order and integrity.

"C.I. Team Red", is a tribute to the quiet professionals who are thrust into deadly and extraordinary circumstances. As well, it brings you right along in the front seat of a "shot-up" HUMMV and into the back-alleys in pursuit of credible human (HUMINT) intelligence, against almost impossible odds.

If you wish to learn and understand what our highly qualified and capable, reserve and active, counterintelligence soldiers are doing, on a daily basis, in the Global War on Terror (GWOT) then open your eyes and raise your level of intellectual absorption by buying and reading "C.I. Team Red."

"Buy it, Read it, Pass it on"! then thank the next counterintelligence agent you see! "That is all!".

J. David Galland

(...)

I read 75 to 100 books a years, and as many magazines. I seldom fail to finish a book, and cannot remember the last time I not only failed to finish a book, but threw it in the garbage before the first 100 pages. Save your time and your money.

Finally a book that brings life to a dark and mysterious profession. Dave Debatto has integrated three decades as an intel operative into a book that not only presents the dedication of certain indivuals, but also gives the the frustration of being in a volatile situation,and having a self serving, disfunctional, psycotic organization for back-up and support. Yes,Dave blends the true experience of middle east drama with the required skills that one needs for life in the "business". A must read for any person entertaining ideas about entering the profession of intelligence.. I should know I was in Iraq with Dave and witnessed first hand those events he describes since I'm the character of "DOC" in the book.


F.gregory Ford N.D.

A must for Summer reading! For fiction, this is close to the real thing. Sgt David Deluca shows that there is another side to war, intelligence gathering. This is the most important aspect of finding an enemy that is well hidden.
5 Stars, a must read this summer.
Craig Bachler
talk show host
Talk Back America