Spies and Commandos

This book tells the story of one of the darker chapters in the history of U.S. special operations intelligence during the Vietnam War. Dark, because the `The Vietnam War...only a brushfire at the time...grew into a conflagration that did not burn out for more than a decade...[became] the orphan of defeat...waiting in the ashes.' {p. 276} However, this book needed to be written. This is also a book that should be read by all strategic intelligence students as well as anyone who wants to understand the relationship and possible benefits between special covert and military operations including, but not limited to, peacekeeping, low intensity conflict, and war. Spies & Commandos portrays in detail that the administration by our `Best and Brightest' showed `little appreciation for the lessons learned...[and] pinprick attacks had virtually no effect on the North Vietnamese economy or, more important, Hanoi's desire to pursue its war effort in South Vietnam.' {p. 246} How we treated the brave men and women who executed our missions is another dark story in itself.

Spies and Commandos is a great book for anyone interested in SOG's exploits in SEA. This book is well researched and goes into great detail about the missions executed throughout N.Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Conboy is a great author and any of his works are well recommended for those who seek an unbiased account of covert operations in SEA. A book of simular content was written by Dr. Schutlz but simply does not compare to this. My personal favorite subject discussed in this book is the developemnt, exploitation, and operations of the "EARTH ANGEL" teams(1969-1971) which were turncoat NVA soldiers who were advised/trained by experienced CIA and US Special Forces personel to gather intell in Cambodia. Truly an educational and exciting piece of work. Another interesting subject is how the ARVN Special Operations units fought in the 1972 and final 1975 NVA offensives. BUY IT. You will not be dissapointed.