TDY (Paperback)

~ Douglas Valentine (Author)
Key Phrases: security chief, opium bandits, opium lord, Team Leader, Douglas Valentine, Air Force (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In 1967 a young Air Force photojournalist volunteers for a temporary duty mission in the Philippines, but finds himself in Laos, caught in the secret and deadly intrigues of CIA drug smugglers. During the mission he learns the true meaning of good and evil, while nearly losing his life in the process. A crescendo of action and awakening, TDY exposes the US Government's complicity in international drug smuggling.

From the Back Cover

"TDY is a fantastic read. From Page 1 it took control of me, and dragged me back to that shadow world where right is wrong, and violent death lurks in every corner. Every page evoked memories of pain and terror, but I couldn't stop reading." Michael Levine, author of the New York Times bestseller, Deep Cover.

"This is a well-told, intriguing, unique tale. It illuminates an aspect of the Vietnam War that is too often neglected: the not-so-secret "Secret War" in Laos." Marc Leepson, book editor of The VVA Veteran.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse (October 2, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595133665
• ISBN-13: 978-0595133666
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #359,958 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You won't be able to put it down, December 30, 2000

By	Len Osanic (Vancouver Canada) - See all my reviews

Doug Valentine has really impressed me with his writing. The story itself is very spellbinding if you are at all interested in military covert operations. But not as important as the superb was the tale is unwoven.

Before going to bed I made the mistake of thinking I could just read the first chapter... I could not put the book down until I finished at 5:00 am. And after the gut wrenching toll on my emotions, I was thanking myself to be alive after what I just went through. The attention to detail gave me, and everyone I have lent the book to, the same reaction. You felt you were right there in the moment. I don't give this review lightly, it is that riveting!

The story is based on a real incident somewhere in Southeast Asia. No need to give the plot away, but if you want to hear the author discuss this book. An archived interview is posted at Black Op Radio.

This is the kind of book that you will want to lend to a friend the minute you finish the last page.

I doubt you will ever volunteer for any kind of 'temporary duty' after reading this.

I highly recommend this book.

Len Osanic [e-mail]

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars only the paranoid survive, December 12, 2003

By	Vegetarian Pacifist "challenge3XinthenameofJesus" (pray the entire Rosary daily; wear the brown Scapular 24/7: fatima.org) - See all my reviews

1.
TDY = "Temporary Duty".
2.
Work of fiction.
3.
Contact author by mailto:[e-mail]
4.
Before you enlist go to objector.org and see consequences.
5.
Douglas Valentine has a new title forthcoming in 2004-May;
ISBN: 1858945681
"THE STRENGTH OF THE WOLF:
The Secret History of America's War on Drugs" (nonfiction).
6.
In J Heller's "Catch-22", Yossarian identifies the enemy as
ANYONE LIKELY TO GET HIM KILLED.
7.
Jst because you're paranoid doesn't mean that they're NOT
out to get you...
8.
I rated this book 4 stars rather than 5 because the subject is
war-related, and therefore unappetizing; otherwise, the work
"TDY" is a good read.

3.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Read but partly fiction, November 8, 2001

By	John Rankin (WDC) - See all my reviews

This book was a great read. I didn't want to put it down. Valentine really knows how to keep you in suspense. The only problem I had was that I doubted some of his research and he tended to go off on conspiracy theories. But then you have to remember Valentine was interviewed on Oct 17 2001 for a South African Muslim Radio show. This happened after the many tragic deaths due to Anthrax and after the Terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. The interviewer ask Valentine if the CIA could responsible for sending Anthranx to American People. Valentine said "CIA happens to be the prime suspect in all these incidences, and the CIA may have a very good reason for sending, and I don't know that it is doing it, but hypothetically speaking, it may well be that the CIA sent the Anthrax letters to the individuals in the US simply to perpetuate the hysteria in the US." When I read that, much of "TDY" suddenly lost credibility. Other than that it reads ok.