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The Black Tulip: A Novel of War in Afghanistan Paperback – January 1, 2002

by Milt Bearden (Author)
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 67 ratings
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“In this suspense-filled thriller, the man who ran the closing phases of the Afghan war for the Agency takes his readers on a stunning voyage of discovery through that clandestine world, from Kabul to Hong Kong and the Moscow of the Evil Empire.”—Larry Collins, co-author of Is Paris Burning?

Set in the treacherous mountains of Afghanistan and the equally hazardous headquarters of the CIA Operations Directorate in Washington, The Black Tulip is a fast-paced thriller, based on real events, by the legendary spy who masterminded the plot to arm Afghan freedom fighters in their holy war against the Soviets. A longtime veteran of the CIA, Bearden knows the tricks of the trade, the price of honor, the bonds of blood, and the enduring lure of retribution.

Praise for The Black Tulip

“An irresistible page-turner . . . especially vivid because we know the author was a witness to events.”—The Wall Street Journal 

“Milt Bearden really delivers. With thirty years in the CIA to back it up, he knows what he’s talking about. . . . A terrific book.”—Robert De Niro

“A heart-stopping tale of espionage and betrayal. Forget Tom Clancy: this is the real thing.”—Richard Holbrooke

“A truly engrossing espionage read . . . Bearden explains how the CIA supplied Afghan guerrillas with the hardware—rockets, Stinger surface-to-air missiles, and night-vision equipment—which enabled them to chew a vastly stronger Soviet force to bloody ribbons. . . . Highly recommended.”—The Washington Times
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  1. Print length
    336 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Random House Publishing Group
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 2002
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.76 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0375760830
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0375760839
  8. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
67 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book's story. They found it interesting, topical, and entertaining. Readers described the book as an excellent read, though some felt the story was a bit incongruous.

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6 customers mention "Story quality"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the story engaging. They describe it as an interesting read about the Afghan-Soviet War and Cold War. While some readers found the narrative incongruous, they found it entertaining.

"Very interesting and topical story that is well written and indicative of how the real "Charley Wilson's War" in Afghanistan went down." Read more

"I'm about half way into this book. An interesting read obviously based on the author's personal experiences. Very detailed...." Read more

"...A very good story about the Afghan-Soviet War and the wider Cold War." Read more

"The plot of this book is a bit incongruous but highly entertaining, nonetheless...." Read more

5 customers mention "Readability"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it an excellent and outstanding read.

"...Milt Beardon writes very well. It's good to read other books of his to fully understand his vantage point." Read more

"...A mix of spy tradecraft and drama to make for an excellent read...." Read more

"Milt has a great novel. Sounds like some of it may not ge fiction." Read more

"great read" Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Osagi-San
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very informative
    Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Very interesting and topical story that is well written and indicative of how the real "Charley Wilson's War" in Afghanistan went down.
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  • Mikeabq
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I'm about half way into this book. An interesting read obviously based on the author's personal experiences. Very detailed. Sometimes confusing regarding characters' names (many have 2-3 names depending on the time and place of usage).
    Milt Beardon writes very well. It's good to read other books of his to fully understand his vantage point.
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  • bookworm
    5.0 out of 5 stars Insider
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This has the feel of someone who knows of which they speak. A very good story about the Afghan-Soviet War and the wider Cold War.
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  • Peter A. Buswell
    5.0 out of 5 stars OUTSTANDING!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent cold war tale by one of the CIA's architects of the Soviets failure in Afghanistan. A mix of spy tradecraft and drama to make for an excellent read. Ordered Mr. Beardens other non-fiction CIA vs KGB book based on the quality of this book.
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  • elliot j. stamler
    2.0 out of 5 stars TOO MUCH TECHNOLOGY, NOT ENOUGH GOOD FICTION.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 10, 2016
    Milt Bearden was for over 30 years one of the CIA's top clandestine operators and very important in their operations in the Afghan-Soviet war. So after retirement he decided to write this book which I think is probably something of a fictionalized memoir than an original novel. I cannot describe it really as a true espionage novel; it is more a military operations novel with some espionage aspects grafted on.
    Like many ex-CIA officers, police officers, etc., Mr. Bearden decided to give novel-writing a throw; that this is the only one he ever wrote isn't surprising. Because like many but certainly not all such retired cops, spooks, etc., he is not really much of a novelist.
    The plot is serviceable and you are able to keep track of it even though there are too many side plots and diversions. The characterizations are also serviceable but, as others have said, quite one-dimensional.
    Until about 150 pages the pace is slow.
    The biggest deficiency in this novel is that Mr. Bearden was determined to display in writing his vast knowledge of the technological and armamental minutia of war and the intelligence services. The reader becomes both drowned and bored with Bearden's numerous expositions of gadgetry of all kinds much of which he does not adequate explain to the reader anyway...to make it even worse.
    Espionage and thriller novels are among my favorite fictional genres and sadly this novel doesn't measure up. Mr. Bearden is not a writer...he is a spy who has made an attempt to write and the attempt doesn't really come off very well.
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story
    Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2010
    Verified Purchase
    Milt has a great novel. Sounds like some of it may not ge fiction.
    One person found this helpful
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  • rs
    3.0 out of 5 stars The Black Tulip--Pro's and Con's
    Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2002
    "Black Tulip: A Novel of War in Afghanistan" has strong and weak points. Despite the weak points, this novel by Milt Bearden is very much worth the time spent to read it. Especially for those without much background in US covert operations, the book can open many doors.
    The operational detail that serves as the background of this book is probably without parallel in any espionage or war novel. Mr Bearden communicates in a convincing and succinct way the procedures and tradecraft of US activities during the Soviet attack on Afghanistan. Bearden integrates themes such as the technological superiority of the CIA over the USSR in a very interesting fashion.
    The book has two weak areas. First, the story itself has almost no psychological foundation or development. The characters, whether Soviets, Afghans, or Americans, are one dimensional, which is regrettable because with a little more care and a better editor this could have been quite an interesting novel. Secondly, Mr Bearden's understanding of the subtleties of Cold War geopolitics, at least as expressed in this novel, is risible at best.
    The novel's style is uneven. Often, Bearden writes quite well, but by moments the text reads as though the editor went to sleep.
    The value of this novel is undermined by its long gestation period. Published in 1998, the novel's political themes have become, with the passage of time, clichés rather than the fruit of lived experience and accurate insight.
    10 people found this helpful
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  • Jackie
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Black Tulip: A Novel of War in Afghanistan
    Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    The plot of this book is a bit incongruous but highly entertaining, nonetheless. It certainly does demonstrate that the US is the new Russia in Afghanistan and that it's way time for us to be out.
    One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • bernie
    1.0 out of 5 stars Very Poor quality - not sure to really hold the book - its awful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    see narrative written in other complaint format - request full refund - book should go to charity shop on in the bin
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    bernie
    1.0 out of 5 stars Very Poor quality - not sure to really hold the book - its awful
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 4, 2021
    see narrative written in other complaint format - request full refund - book should go to charity shop on in the bin
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  • James Mackenzie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on October 2, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent espionage thriller.
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