Halo (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

HALO is a military acronym for High Altitude Low Opening referring to military free-falling. It is an insertion technique used for clandestine insertion into denied areas of interest. The operative exits an aircraft from twenty thousand feet or higher and free-falls to about one thousand feet before opening their parachute. Jeffery Barkil is a young soldier who, after completing his training as an airborne Ranger, is recruited by the CIA, after which he spends six months training to run "black operations" in Southeast Asia. The story takes place between the years 1958 and 1961, a period between the French surrender and expulsion from Vietnam, and the U.S. admitting they had troops in the country. Sergeant Barkil takes you on eleven harrowing missions including his time as a prisoner of the Viet Cong. You are taken from one mission to the next as Sergeant Barkil comes to terms with being a hired assassin while at the same time carrying out his missions and fighting to stay alive.

About the Author

D. J. (Don) Stephens lives in a NW suburb of Chicago with his wife of nearly forty years. Don spent ten years serving in the U.S. Army, during which time he was a member of a Division Rifle Team and Parachuted for a Post Skydiving Team. He has been in the computer industry doing everything from programming to company President since leaving the service. Don writes as a hobby and for relaxation. DEATH RIDER is Don s third novel. He also has some short stories published on the Amazon Shorts Program. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Infinity Publishing (July 11, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1413760333
• ISBN-13: 978-1413760330
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #5,278,558 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Page Turner, December 17, 2006

By	Tory Lynn (Cedar City, UT USA) - See all my reviews

HALO, By D.J. Stephens

When I set out to read this book, I knew it was totally out of the genre I usually read in. I absolutely loved it. The talent this author has is awesome. I found it difficult to put this book down because I just wanted to know what would happen next in this action packed story of courage. D.J. Stephens has opened up a whole new world for me in the book he has written.

This book is a military action adventure set in the late fifties and early sixties. After being recruited to join the CIA, Jeffery Barkil goes from op to op with the intent to kill. He knows he may never get to come home with each mission he accepts. Jeff has to use everything he has ever been taught and more. He has to dig deep into his basic instincts in order to survive the jungles of Southeast Asia out smarting the enemy who wouldn't hesitate to kill him. Jeff knows his accomplishments will never be made public, because where he goes, is top secrete and no one knows what he does, except him and the top brass that sends him.

This is a must read for those who thrive on action and adventure. Jeff is one of our unsung hero's... Good job D.J., I recommend this book whole heartedly. I am looking forward to reading more of your novels.

Tory Lynn author of "My charming Protector"

5.0 out of 5 stars Under cover operations, July 3, 2009

By	Abe F. March "To Beirut and Back, They Plotte... (Germany) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Halo (Paperback)

The author's experience as a skydiver is evident in this story.
Halo (High Altitude Low Opening) is an acronym referring to military freefalling.
Highly trained and fearless, the main character, Sergeant Barkil, takes the reader on eleven harrowing clandestine missions in Southeast Asia. The missions are undercover operations by the CIA. Getting caught means denial of the operations and people involved. The author does an excellent job in providing the reader with a vivid portrayal of events as they unfold. Preparedness, leaving nothing to chance, with the will to risk for the sake of the mission, gives this story lots of suspenseful action.
Don is knowledgeable on the subjects he writes about. He has made 1400 parachute jumps and 21 were HALOs. Over 1100 of the jumps were freefalls from over 12000 feet. As for the Special Ops, Don went through much of the training referenced in the book. Although the book is a work of fiction, he makes his characters and the story believable.

I highly recommend this book and give it a five-star rating.