Army Security Agency Veteran Book Club


Wrote a Book? - Produced a Video?

Want To Put The Word Out? Do It Here FREE!

For any ASA Veteran Who Has Written a Book,
Created a Video or DVD or Other Type Commentary
and Wants It Publicized for Others To See and Purchase.
(Must be in the ASA Veteran Database to Qualify)

What Have You Produced?

Send me an email using the "SUBMIT HERE" link below stating what you have to offer other ASA Veterans or the general public.
This offer is confined to stories or video material created
BY ASA Veterans, and/or Stories about ASA Adventures (fact or fiction).
Paper or magnetic media are both welcome. State all particulars for posting -
Title, Price, Ordering Instructions, etc. If you include a SMALL .jpg graphic file
I'll try to include that in the "AD" also.
I will do my best to include ALL submissions but suitability for inclusion will still be my call.

SUBMIT HERE!


Berlin Cover
Voices Under Berlin - T.H.E. Hill
- The Tale of a Monterey Mary
The 9539th does to the Secret Cold War what the 4077th did to the Korean War
This is the tale of one of the early skirmishes of the secret Cold War told with a pace and a black humor reminiscent of that used by Joseph Heller (Catch-22) and Richard Hooker (M*A*S*H*). It is set against the backdrop of the CIA cross-sector tunnel operation in Berlin (PBJOINTLY). It is the story of the ASA-ers who worked the tunnel, and how they fought for a sense of purpose against boredom and the enemy both within and without.
About the Author - T.H.E. Hill served at Field Station Berlin in the mid-1970s, following a tour at Herzo Base in the early 1970s. He is a three-time graduate of DLIWC. A collection of his short stories received an award at the 2006 Hollywood Book Festival. He is a member of the Military Writers Society of America.
“VOICES was a treat to read because it accurately, amusingly, and respectfully captures—as never before was so well done—the carefree yet dedicated attitude of U.S. military intelligence linguists. With humor, VOICES describes how intelligence folks successfully and honorably worked in Berlin, as they did worldwide, to defeat the Soviets in the Cold War.” — Bruce Ford, veteran of Field Station Berlin in the 1960s, and webmaster of the FSB Vets Group. fsbvg.org

VOICES is available at www.voicesunderberlin.com OR directly from the author for $19.95 (shipped, and with a free Field Station Berlin magnet) using the Pay Pal Button below.
Gasthaus
THE NOVEL ASA VETS HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!
That’s right, a crackling good novel, THE WALDENTAL GASTHAUS, has been written about ASA men living and working at an outstation in West Germany during the Cold War. Relive your own experiences and get involved as Greg Barnes falls in love and has adventures that other men envy or shun. But there are more than a dozen men at the station and all contribute both madcap and occasionally tragic sides to this entertaining novel. You’ll find it impossible to put down and when you’ve finished it, you’ll undoubtedly wave it at your spouse and buddies and proudly say, "Now this was my outfit!"
Autographed, first edition copies are available directly from the author at PO Box 723, Meadview, AZ 86444. Send check or money order for $23.00 (includes S&H) for each copy. Arizona residents add $1.17 sales tax.

The Waldental Gasthaus by Ron McGraw (Outskirts Press, 290 PP, $19.95 + S&H) Available at the author/publisher’s web site: www.outskirtspress.com/thewaldentalgasthaus, through Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble.com, etc., or through your local book store.

Also look for Harry Black & The Delphi Conspiracy and Harry Black & The Egyptian Conspiracy at Amazon and Barnes&Noble.com.


No. 1 Code Boy - John Milmore
#1 Code Break Boy - John Milmore
- Communications Intelligence in the Korean War
The only first hand authentic account of the daily life of the young enlisted code breakers in the U.S. Army and their amazing achievements in the Korean War. Lays bare fascinating TOP SECRETS suppressed by NSA for over 50 years.
$19.95 Available from buybooksontheweb.com
or toll free
(877) 289-2665
for more info: JohnMilmore@aol.com
This is a worthwhile book where the author sticks to codebreaking and related details in the Korean war. -CRYPTOLOGIA Quarterly magazine, Published at the United States Military Academy.
"I appreciate your having written this book. . . I also really admire your perseverance in getting it published.. we deserve some visibility and recognition" - James J. K., [cryptanalyst ASAPAC - Tokyo].
"An excellent review of code-breaking and activities of the Army Security Agency during the Korean War. For those who served in the ASA it gives a good history of what it was like back then. Some of the "numbers" and deciphering went over my head, but am sure those who understand will probably chuckle with a smile. With so much concern of security and "need to know" I am surprised that this even got published as by the author's own admission, it was an uphill battle. Pictures were a delight & pictures of "then & now" even better. As an old printer from hotmetal Linotype days .... as ASA LIVES! so does ETOIN SHRDLU! - Vern G - ASA LIVES!
Beller's Fellars - The Book
LuBECKER! - Don Johnson -
A captivating look at a unique moment in time. This is one person's fascinating story of life that most of us can never imagine. Over 140 photographs, most from that era, add to the authenticity. Lübecker! started out as a simple history of my Army Security Agency detachment, but I soon found I wasn't an historian. All I know for sure is what happened to me. Well, at least reasonably sure. I vividly recall that the nasty edginess of the Cold War was still in full bloom, and so were a multitude of eager young frauleinin seeking to earn their way to the promised land - the United States. Many romances begun in Lübeck between former foes ended in a multitude of happy marriages - and a few disasters. That's what this book is all about - plus anecdotes and tales from other Lübeckers who were more frisky and fearless than I. It all makes for a good read - and a little history lesson as an added bonus. Lübeck was, and still is, a special place on this planet; don't miss a chance to visit this city.
Available at: http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/doemjo (Ebook available in PDF format $14.95)
or Contact the author at:
doemjo@sbcglobal.net

Crazy Cats 1st RRAVN Patch
Call Sign - Cat's Paw 4-DVD Video Set - Frank Ford -
This 4-DVD set contains some 250 video clips, 2,000 still photos and graphics, and a 40-song soundtrack. It is approximately 6 hours long.
About half the video is on the Crazy Cats, 509th RRGP and ASA. The other half is on Vietnam 'lifestyle' and historical background. New Price!
NOW $35, including shipping. Payment after delivery.
Order a 2nd Copy for $15 if ordered at same time, if ordered later please add extra $5 for shipping.

Contact Frank Ford at: fford@loxinfo.co.th for more ordering information.
More details to follow on this offering.

CrazyCats1971
Stay Safe Buddy
Stay Safe, Buddy - John Cheek
"A Story of Humor and Horror from the Korean War," is based on the author's personal experiences. Most of the characters are based on real people and many of the actions happened exactly as described. The book has been as high as #11 on the best-selling list at amazon.com for the 8,000+ books listed there from my publisher. Signed copies are available from me with my author discount. Contact me at jcharlescheek@juno.com. Payment by personal check, money order or through Pay Pal. Book also available at www.publishamerica.com, Booksamillion.com, BarnesandNoble.com or by telephone at 1-240-529-1031.


Soldier Boy
Soldier Boy : At Play in the ASA
- Tim Bazzett
In 1962 when Tim Bazzett graduated from high school he'd had enough of academia and classroom drudgery, so he joined the army and received an education he'd never imagined. Perhaps one of the most unlikely and inept citizen-soldiers since Gomer Pyle, Tim somehow survives the terrors and tribulations of basic training at "Fort Lost-in-the-Woods, Misery," and after further training in the mysteries of Morse code in Massachusetts and Maryland, the small-town innocent is launched overseas and into the larger world. In Turkey he finds himself a link in the outermost defenses of America during a Cold War he only imperfectly understands. There he sees poverty and hatred in the faces of children and is forced to confront his own faults and inner demons. In Germany, no longer quite so innocent, he chases girls and dreams of being a rock star. At the heart are the characters, friends he makes along the way. For this is ultimately a book about friendship and about growing up.
Available later this month (Aug. '05). $16.
Contact Tim directly for sale info.
reedcityboy@net-port.com
or be first in line.
Send check or money order payable to:
TJ Bazzett - PO Box 282
Reed City, MI 49677-0282
or check out
www.rathole.com/soldierboy

Past Sins - Don Ecker

The Footlocker -
A Christmas Story

by the author of
Past Sins

Free Download
Past Sins - Don Ecker
America was fighting a Cold War against the Soviets. It was the CIA versus the KGB, a covert war fought to contain the struggle so that real war would never break out. The year was 1965, just 3 years after the nation had retreated from the nuclear nightmare that almost occurred over Soviet missiles in Cuba. When the CIA found a supernatural creature (thought to be mythological) in Hungary, they thought they had won. It was a creature they thought could be contained and controlled... one they thought they could bend to their will... a creature so horrifying, it was only spoken about in whispers, so even the walls wouldn?t hear. But, they forgot one important thing ... they forgot that you can never dance with the Devil unless he calls the tune. Now, at the dawn of the 21st Century, it has escaped... and the real nightmare has only just begun. - Amazon.com
"I served at FS Sobe, Okinawa and then shipped over to 8th RR Phu Bai in 1971. Was at Alpha 4 when we were overrun on 30 March 1972 at the start of the Easter Offensive."
Available on amazon.com at: Past Sins or as an "e-book"
Contact Don for more details. decker0726@comcast.net
Bangkok Memoirs
Memoirs of a Bangkok Warrior
- Dean Barrett The setting is Bangkok, Thailand. The time is the mid-sixties. And the events are incredible. Join Whore House Charlie, Sgt. Jigaboo, Bumbles, Blinky, Agent Orange, Corporal Napalm, Hogbody, Butterball, Good Pork Betty, the Betel Nut queen, Noy the Laundry Girl, Corporal Comatose, Doc Spitz and Lieutenant Pearshape in the wackiest adventures of the Vietnam or any other war era. A M*A*S*H-type novel set in Thailand during the Vietnam War. This novel was optioned for film four times & came close to being the M*A*S*H for the Vietnam War. Unfortunately, "close" only counts in horseshoes, grenades and atomic weapons. Some movie producers said it was "hilarious but uneven." I pointed out that so is the Old Testament & that got published & made into a movie. Unfortunately, that line of reasoning got me nowhere. Available on amazon.com at: Memoirs of a Bangkok Warrior or contact Dean himself at: deanbarr@loxinfo.co.th

Freedom's Finest

Sale is for print only, 19"X 26" image

Freedom's Finest
- John Borkowitz - I served with the ASA in Korea during the Vietnam war. I have produced a 30th Anniversary litho print in honor of all who served during the Vietnam era through the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
I have presented a few, one to a Vietnam Medal of Honor recipient, a former POW, V.A. Regional Center and also V.A. hospital both in Milwaukee, WI. I also placed one at the wall in Washington D.C. last Memorial Day.
If you are interested please let me know and I will send more information.
jbork@execpc.com
$49.00 (Includes Postage/Handling)
Pay Pal to: jbork@execpc.com

Dragon Bait
The ASA Trilogy
“The ASA Trilogy” is a linked and contiguous threesome of novels of ASA life in the ‘sixties, featuring soldiers we all knew, in places familiar to all ASA-ers. The three novels, Involuntary Tour, Dragon Bait, and Falloff, written by career-ASA EM, NCO, and wWarrant Officer Robert Flanagan, display the agency and its triumphs, foibles, and full range of attributes through the actions of an extensive cast of characters (more than War and Peace). The novels play out in disparate and scattered settings through the Cold War, culminating in the Viet Nam War. The humor, dedication to duty, despair, fears, and disillusionment is all reminiscent of assignments in those far-flung sites. With irony, with commitment to the job conflicting with an FTA attitude in equal parts, borne out by events and committed by individuals we all identify with, the story unfolds over the course of the three books. The trilogy—the result of a 47-year writing journey by the author—essentially follows the author’s path of assignments in time and setting, but employs the device of fiction to avoid scoffing and disbelief..

Involuntary Tour
, book I of the trilogy, begins in Bad Aibling, Germany, spring 1968, when WO1 David Winter, career ASA, married with two children, receives orders for Viet Nam. This “second tour” disrupts a fragile marriage, for on his first tour he had been severely wounded, a circumstance that had threatened his marriage. Winter’s comrades, friends, and associates Luther Brenner, Ratty Mac, Crazy Bruce, Magic Marvin and countless others people the story. The latter half of book I is back story, played out in Viet Nam at diverse locations in 1964-65. During the course of progress, short flashbacks and asides are set in Korea during that earlier war, Parris Island, S.C., at sea, Hong Kong, and CONUS. Book I ends with the finish of Winter’s first Viet Nam tour. As with real ASA assignments, the same people keep showing up everywhere.

Dragon Bait, book II, begins again at Bad Aibling, taking the reader through the Czech invasion by the Russkies, late summer, 1968, and up to Winter’s deployment to Viet Nam. Then, in a series of chapter-long flashbacks, Winter is followed as a new ASA 058 in his first deployment to Asmara, Eritrea (Ethiopia), 1960-62. Segue to Rothwesten, Germany, and Gartow border site, 1966-67; Winter makes warrant officer and is transferred to Bad Aibling, and so we are back to B.A. where books I and II began. The latter half of book II takes Winter to Viet Nam in August 1968 and ends the last day of 1968.

Falloff, the third book of the trilogy begins with Winter’s transfer to the 1st RRC (Avn) at Cam Ranh Bay, January 1969. The book finds Winter and friends on CRAZY CAT missions and mishaps. Flashback elements occur in various venues, including Bangkok, Thailand; CONUS; Asmara, Eritrea (Ethiopia); and lesser bits; as well as one defining segment in Hawaii, where the crisis of his marriage is not resolved, nor his in-country affair with an Army nurse concluded. The Epilogue to book III closes the story at the time of the drawdown of US forces in Viet Nam.

The books are available at www.Amazon.com, at www.BarnesandNoble.com, and www.AuthorHouse.com, as well as thousands of local book sellers and outlets. The three volumes are each available in hardcover with dust jacket, or trade paperback. Also, through the AuthorHouse connection, an e-book version is available. For the best prices on printed matter, and/or for signed/inscribed copies of one or more books, visit http://connemarapress.org, the author’s website. Also, only on his website is afforded the opportunity to buy the full trilogy as a unit for a reduced price. Orders may be purchased through PayPal, or by sending a check to the author (contact info on the site). At the website is also available, at no cost, a downloadable Glossary of slang, jargon, abbreviations, and acronyms common to soldiers of the period, as well as quasi-translations of any foreign language phrases which occur throughout this series.


Involuntary Tour — ISBN: 978-1-4490-1766-8 (hard cover)
ISBN: 978-1-4490-1765-1 (soft cover)
ISBN: 978-1-4490-1767-5 (e-book)

Dragon Bait — ISBN: 978-1-4567-3016-1 (hard cover)
ISBN: 978-1-4567-3017-8 (soft cover)
ISBN: 978-1-4567-3015-4 (e-book)

Falloff — ISBN: 978-1-4670-7295-3 (hardcover)
ISBN: 978-1-4670-7294-6 (soft cover)
ISBN: 978-1-4670-7296-0 (e-book)


Camp Evans Cover
"For fifty six years, Camp Evans, the highly classified R&D sub post of Fort Monmouth, developed numerous Electronic Warfare systems. Closed in the 1995 BRAC, the site is now the home of the InfoAge Learning Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving its rich history. Mr. Robert F. Giordano, former Director of the Electronics Warfare Laboratory and the Center for Electronic Warfare/Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Target Acquisition at Camp Evans, is authoring a book "Camp Evans–The Untold Story" which will be available in the near future. Profits from book sales will be dedicated to InfoAge. Anyone interested in obtaining a copy may contact ex ASA officer Lawrence R. Tormey,an InfoAge trustee, at lertme@gmail.com, or write to him at InfoAge, 2201 Marconi Road, Wall Township, NJ 07719."




Dragon Bait
Imposible Dream An accomplished, aging man is preparing for yet another dream—to conduct the first known bicycle-book tour (which will require peddling both miles and books.) Who will believe 2,500 miles is possible for a man with gravely serious medical issues—at age sixty-five? Witnessing the lifetime spiritual journey of Vinny Pirelli, starting at age six with his very first bicycle, you track his development of being the only boy among many siblings, through growing pains of adolescence and teen years. He struggles with, and represses homosexual tendencies, putting his emotions into bicycling and writing songs.
Author:
J.V. Petretta

For sale and Video trailer at:
http://www.animpossibledreamstory.com $15.95
For a discounted signed copy with free US Media Mail shipping:
Mail your PRINTED NAME and address, plus $15.00 by check or money order to: J.V. Petretta

J.V. Petretta
An Impossible Dream Story
27 Sugnet Road
Buffalo, NY 14215-2031

For questions before purchasing, email archismo1@yahoo.com
For PayPal, add $3, and send to archismo1@yahoo.com
For Priority Mail, add $5 For Express Mail, add $10 For shipping outside the United States, add $15





Books I've Read and Recommend:

The Blankenship Solution
- Thomas F. Kistner - Japan

Rockabilly, Radio and WWI
- Joe M. Leonard, Jr. - WWII

Fiddler's Moon
- J. Ronald Drew - Vietnam

C TRICK - Sort of a Memoir - Don Cooper - Berlin

Crazyhead
- John Klawitter - Vietnam

TANS
- Various Authors - Various Subjects

One To Count Cadence - James Crumley - Philippines/Vietnam

The Most Secret War - James L. Gilbert - Vietnam

TOP SECRET MISSIONS
- John E. Malone - 404th USASA SOD Airborne

DEAREST ANGEL - Elaine Cochrane - Widow of 1st Lt. John F. Cochrane KIA


Books I've heard of but not read .... yet

Phu Bai by Paul Bitit
Phu Bai - Paul Bitit - A Vietnam War Story
It is June 1967, and the United States' military involvement in South Vietnam is nearing its zenith. As the war rachets up, John Murphy and Charles Van Dyke of the Army's Criminal Investigation Division investigate the murder of an American soldier at Phu Bai. War intrudes as the two investigators build their case against the most likely suspect. But a bizarre twist turns it into an unusual manhunt in the middle of a war zone.
$13.95 Available from amazon.com more info: betitpaul@yahoo.com
"A Vietnam War Story," is itself a distraction. This novel is no "war story," at least in the usual sense. The warfare mostly functions as a dangerous setting, as a noisy counterpoint to silent analytical brooding, and as omnipresent as the weather or any other natural force. Oddly enough, the narrative relates a detective story that could have taken place anywhere in the world." - Amazon.com

Non-ASA Books I've Read and Recommend

Into Tibet - Thomas Laird
Into Tibet - Thomas Laird - The CIA's First Atomic Spy
and His Secret Expedition to Lhasa.

"For over fifty years the CIA has closely guarded the identity of the first agent killed in the line of duty -- the unnamed First Star on the outfit's Wall of Honor. That agent was Douglas Mackiernan. His unprecedented atomic intelligence operations helped shape both Central Asia and the CIA as we know them today. His work remains so sensitive that the Agency, even now, will neither confirm nor deny his existence. A riveting expose of international intrigue, INTO TIBET reveals the extraordinary still-classified missions that sent Mackiernam and his partner, Frank Bessac, into the heart of the Cold War." - Liner notes from book.
Webmaster note: Doug Mackiernam was first husband of Peggy Hlavacek noted in book review above. I highly recommend this book all the way to the tragic ending! - ASA LIVES!

$15.00 New, available at www.amazon.com or used book sellers at a discount.

Book of Honor - Ted Gup
The Book of HONOR - Ted Gup - Covert Lives and Classified Deaths at the CIA - The Story of Heros and Secrets
"In the entrance of the CIA headquarters looms a huge marble wall into which seventy-one stars are carved-each representating an agent who has died in the line of duty. At the base of the wall lies "The Book of Honor," in which the names of these agents are inscribed--or at least thirty-five of them. Beside the dates of the other thirty-six, there are no names. The identity of these 'nameless stars' has been one of the CIA's most closely guarded secrets for the fifty-three years of the agency's existence. Even the family members are told little-in some cases, the agency has denied the fact that the deceased were covert operatives at all." - From book cover liner notes.
Webmaster note: The first chapter is entitled: "The Forgotten Man" --- Doug Mackiernam as mentioned in above book review. was that man!

$10.50 New, available at www.amazon.com or used book sellers at a discount.