Agencies

Carle E. Dunn has done the hookers and anyone who is interested in what really happened in Vietnam a great service in pointing out the good and the bad, the brave and not so brave, the strife and the glory. Having "been there, done that", the book brings out the history, the fights, the family of yesteryear long buried. It should not, for our brave who have given their all should not be forgotten. This book brings it well into the fore-front.

Carle clearly separates a bad war from the good warriors who faught it. The Last Hookers suggest a much more positive view of not just the outcome of the war, but also of American morale, competence, and performance. A must read.

Ex Hooker, (Recovery)

The Last Hookers provides us with a compelling inside look into the historical facts that shaped the Vietnam War (going all the way back to the earliest events in Europe and WW II). Colonel Dunn has truly authored a comprehensive, well written and definitive war story. The story details not only the politics involved behind the scenes, but how families from all sides were affected and coped with the strain and tragedy of the war.

While this is a work of fiction the historical facts woven throughout the story really bring the characters to life. This realistic book was a thoroughly enjoyable read that gave me insights into the events leading up to and including the war itself that I had not even considered before.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is even remotely interested in the Vietnam War! You will come away with a much deeper understanding of the conflict and respect for those individuals and their families who were directly involved. Great stuff!

As a Flight Engineer with the 362Avn.Co. and having served under Col. Dunn I could not be more proud. After reading The Last Hookers I can honestly say I felt pride for the job we did in Vietnam. If anyone wants to know what Vietnam was like this is the book to read.

This book is an absolute MUST READ for anyone contemplating adoption either by agency or independent. Ms. O'Rear is a licensed attorney who practices in all regions of Russia and her experience is priceless. The book is very thorough, concise and 'reader friendly'. She explains the whole process from beginning to end by giving the reader the 'big picture' view of Russian adoptions. This includes Russian culture, explanation of the different types of orphanage facilities, agency adoption vs independent adoption, the complete dossier list with explanations and instructions for notarization and references for obtaining apostilles. She details the referral process, court process and how to prepare oneself for the court proceedings, and even has a section devoted to Russian Law. She includes a FAQ section which is extremely insightful and websites that are helpful in providing additional information and so much more! I was so impressed with the book that I contacted her to thank her and have since retained her for my own adoption. It is truly amazing that you can have this quality of service and representation at a fraction of agency adoption costs!!!! She is with you from beginning to end and you are never left on your own without guidance! As a former judge in Russia and one who continues to practice law in Russia, her first hand experience and knowledge of the system is well worth the investment in this book! I am absolutely thrilled to have her as our representative who looks out for OUR best interest. I highly recommend her book (and her services) to anyone considering foreign adoption.

This is a must have book for adoption in Russia. It is well supportive of independent adoption. It covers the process of adoption in Russia in detail. The book also has a large section of Russian law, translated and explained, that is very helpful to adoptive parents. An excellent travel tool for Russian adoption.

For anyone who is interested in an indepth understanding of Russian Law and how it related to international Russian adoption, this is the book to read! Well written, well thought out, easy to use and very informative! Irina O'Rear has written an outstanding book that explains in detail how the law works in Russia and how it applies to adoption.

Did you know adoption in Russia is free? Did you know that the Russian Law DOES NOT require two trips? Did you know there is an appeals process for adoptions that are turned down by the judge? Do you want to know if you can request a specific child in a specific area, from a specific orpahage? Irina explains the whys and wherefores of the law, and how it applies to various adoption situations. She explains the adoption process, gives a list of documents commonly needed for a Russian dossier, and explains what is involved in the court hearing.

A well written, concise, and thorough book. A must read for anyone interested in adopting from Russia. A great place to get the right answers to some tough adoption questions.

This book is about the real world that they did not teach me or my classmates in law school! I have been in the business of real estate brokerage and buyer agency for close to a decade and I still found myself highlighting throughout the book.

Six years ago organized real estate was still in a struggle to preclude real estate brokers and agents from representing buyers. Today, every part-time, know-nothing with a license is a "buyers' agent." (The organized real estate industry is still fighting laws that force them to tell sellers and buyers who they represent!) What do you really know about agents, selling real estate, or buying real estate? What does "buyers' agent" really mean? What are the agents' and brokers' duties? What does "your" agent owe you? Why is a dual agency too often dual fraud?

If you are about to enter the real estate game, this book will tell you the rules. Every homebuyer and seller needs this book for his or her financial self-defense and for his or her peace of mind. Will it matter to you if "your" agent harms you from malice and greed or harms you from simple stupidly? Trust me, it is going to hurt either way. You can pay attorneys thousands of dollars after the problem or you can read this book and preclude the problems before they happen.

BOUGHT, NOT SOLD will help you recognize the consumer quality revolution in real estate -- it's all about customer awareness and empowerment. You now have resources at your disposal at an unprecedented level when you engage the services of an exclusive buyers' agent. Note: the term exclusive is most important.

As a buyer, your purchase prospects should be unlimited -- don't accept anything less. An exclusive buyers' agent will make available properties for sale by owner and even properties that may not be listed for sale. You didn't know that? Neither did we, but now we know that an agency's listings, or even those in the local Multiple Listing Service are not a complete presentation of what is really on the market!

For example, as a seller, you employ a real estate agent to help you sell your property; as the employer, you determine the level of service to be provided by your employee, as well as the fee you agree to pay for those services. Ray Wilson advises you on how to select a real estate agent to represent your interests -- and gives you information that empowers you as an employer, with practical advice on defining your service expectations. Insight into avoiding traps set up by the traditional commission set up in favor of listing agents is invaluable -- this is where you really can save by understanding details seldom revealed to sellers or buyers.

This book is highly recommended by the webmasters of pru-florida.com -- Prudent Florida Home Buyers and Sellers, the realty web site for consumers.

Author describes the ultimate in real estate buying service. Hiring a real estate company to represent you the buyer instead of using an agent who drags you around to all of the "in house listings". The exclusive buyer agent works only for your best interest. You hire the agent to help you buy the best home, save money, and avoid surprises. Having bought three homes and using an Exclusive Buyer's Agent on our last home, I know from personal experience what a godsend this is. A true EBA tells the buyer everything. This is so popular now that almost all agents claim to be Buyer Agents, look for the company that does not represent sellers, hence "exclusive" buyer agents. All others try to get you to buy the in house listing and think you shouldn't mind their conflict of interest.

This series, about delightful people in the beautiful country of Botswana, is simply one of the very best new literary series in decades - and if you buy the whole set (which I have - and given it to lots of people), then you will see what I mean. This is just the kind of enlifting, enjoyable, wholesome, delightful and utterly wonderful series of books that make ideal reading in troubled times. Lynne Cheyne, Laura Bush are just among the many many people world wide who have discovered the joys of this fabulous series (and - good news, this, folks): THERE ARE MORE TO COME! Christmas is coming and as my wife and I have discovered, this is THE ideal Christmas present to give to all the members of your family. Buy ten sets today to give one each to all your friends and family - and keep collecting them as new volumes appear in 2004. Not only that, but Alexander McCall Smith is one of the nicest imaginable people to have this unexpected good luck as an author - and he is every bit as funny in real life as he is in print. Make his day, make a great day for all your friends and buy as many sets of this series as possible. Christopher Catherwood, BIG TIME Alexander McCall Smith fan and author of CHRISTIANS MUSLIMS AND ISLAMIC RAGE (Zondervan 2003) and THE BALKANS IN WORLD WAR TWO (Palgrave 2003)

I have just read the three volumns. My reaction was to search for more. Not a mean spirit in any of it. Easy reading books populated kind dignified people from another culture you would love to meet over a mug of bush tea.

The inspiration for the No.1 Lady Detective, Ma Ramotswe, came to McCall Smith while he observed a "traditionally built and cheerful" woman chasing a chicken in a yard in Botswana. Precious Ramotswe became the heroine of this delightful and engaging series. The box set contains the first three volumes and, as an extra treat, an African folk tale from a forthcoming collection. If you, as I did, just bought the first volume on its own, keep it to lend or give to friends and get the set right away. Mm Ramotswe's charm, humanity and her special sense of fairness will keep you entertained and your heart warmed. You will feel like the author who could not leave Ma Ramotswe at the end of the first book - "it would have been like leaving in the middle of a conversation".

The diverse cases handled by the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, while providing a thread through the books, are not really the main theme. The stories provide the reader with an insight into social aspects of one African society rarely offered in such a caring and empathic way. With great sensitivity McCall Smith explores rising conflicts between the traditional values of Botswana society and the modern influences brought from the cities across the border in South Africa. Of course, there are also the usual domestic conflicts that are the bread and butter of private detectives. Mma Ramotswe solves these with aplomb and wit, using common sense and her own version of justice. It is sometimes more important to teach the culprit a lesson and change his ways than to hand him (or her) over to the police authorities...

Through all the descriptions of her cases and daily goings on in her life, McCall Smith reveals his love for Botswana, her people and the environment. With each volume, we get more intimately involved with the main characters. In addition to Precious, her fiancé, Mr. J.L.B. Matekoni, her assistant Mma Makutsi and her father, the late Obed Ramotswe who continues to play an important role in her life are major players. One would love to sit down with Precious on the veranda of her house on Zebra Drive to watch the sun set behind the trees and, drinking her favourite bush tea, reflect on life and its quirky sides. Fortunately there are more stories on the way in this highly entertaining and winning series. {Friederike Knabe]

Some of us wore Uniforms as soldiers, and some of us did not. This exciting autobiographical book shows us the
"other side" of operations during the ten years of conflict in South Vietnam. The side of United States involvement that
did not make the evening news on a regular basis. When read, the reader will have a better understanding and an
insight into the day to day workings of the CIA that is not usually disclosed i.e: They are Human beings after all!
Having walked the same ground in South Vietnam myself in many of the cities and towns described in this book for 27
months, I can tell you that this book is the real deal!
Author, Larry Bell has done an outstanding job of letting us see the other side of the war in Vietnam. The reader will
have great difficulty putting it down.
This book carries the highest rating from The Military Advisor.

This was a real page turner. Just when you thought things couldn't get worse, they did. A big salute to Mr. Bell. He is a REAL hero. Everyone needs to read this book. I now feel I have a real understanding of the CIA. I also have a much better understanding of the Vietnam War. I hope he sells a million copies.

Dead Horses in the Sun written by Larry Bell is an enthralling story. From Chapter One to the end the reader begins an astonishing trip from the dramatic ending of South Vietnam back to the very beginning for the author and his military time in deepest Africa. The next two chapters provide funny, and exciting episodes and escapades that include; two riots, a flag stealing and shooting incidents, to participation in the indentification and capture of an East German agent-right in the American embassy! Mr Bell continues the story by describing his training as a CIA agent in Washington, D.C. Which was followed by his eventual assignment to South Vietnam.

Upon arriving in Vietnam the excitement and drama escalate to a fever pitch as Mr. Bell goes from paramilitary operation to another to interrogating defectors and prisoners of war to reveal astounding penetration of the South Vietnamese military intelligence service by a long-time Viet Cong agent. Teamed with his Vietnamese interpreter he develops two operations; the capture of over three million in communist liberation funds to the recruitment of a high level communist.

The book continues with the conversion of the author from a career employee to a contract agent to handle the communist agent. He lived in Vietnam for a total of seven years. With five years in an undercover status, moving from the northern city of Danang down the coast to eventually remaining in Saigon.

Departing only one week before the end of Vietnam Mr. Bell lived an fought in a country he had come to love only to see it all dissolve before his eyes. Very highly recommended reading.

Morrison interviewed a lot of Hmong participants in those last days, as well as American pilots Jack Knotts, Dave Kouba, etc. Eye-opening insight into the abandonment of one of America's most clandestine installations of the secret war in Laos. Detailed accounts of Matt Hoff's and Les Strouse's final flights into 'LS20 Alternate' as well. Some truly rare photos -- Long Tien in 1972, '73, '74, '75. Knotts and Kouba at the evacuation ramp on May 14, 1975, the last day. The Hmong -- from top leader Vang Pao to in-the-street tribespeople, no less proud, and no less tragic.

Finally, a haunting pair of photos -- top secret Long Tien in 1973, and another one, as mysterious as ever, from exactly the same angle and height (about 1000 feet above the runway), in 1995.

A compact, tightly-woven and compelling tale.

I truly enjoyed this book. I came away with a very different point of view. I was directly involved with the evacuation of DaNang, Nha Trang and Saigon in April '75 and to some extent in Loas in May of the same year and saw the refugees, in mass panic carrying babies and what possessions they could, trying to flee before the communists came. Gayle related the evacuation of Long Chen (20A) from the eyes of the Hmong refugees. It is a view that I never saw and hope that I never have to witness again.

There will be many people (beside the Hmong) thankful that someone has taken the time to record this important event in history. The book has a distinct niche (human) in my education on the "happenings" in Laos. This is my fifth Laos subject book and is a must read! USAF in Thailand '69 veteran.

This book is good as far as providing lots of useful information, but I can't use its advice just yet as I am just getting into the computer field. In other words, its too advanced for me right now. I am going to order another book listed here, The Secret Path to Contract Programming Riches..." It seems to be perfect for those who want to start from scratch in the computer industry.

But, I will keep this Janet Ruhl book for reference when I am more ready to make the move into contracting.

In my first book, "The Secret Path to Contract Programming Riches", I chose Janet Ruhl's earlier book, "The Computer Consultant's Guide", as required reading for an overview of the ins & outs of the consulting lifestyle, because it was the ideal complement to the highly specific and technical instruction for the raw beginners targeted in my book.

"Janet Ruhl's Answers for Computer Contractors" will now replace it, as required reading in the next edition of my book, for many reasons:

1) It gives promising contractors everything they need to maximize and maintain a contracting career.

2) It reveals the absolutely important insiders' tips on working with consulting firms, contract brokers and recruiting firms - I've been contracting for over ten years, and I've seen some really wonderful brokers and some really shady brokers. Read this book and put yourself a step ahead of them all.

3) It has answers to practically every important contracting question one can imagine.

4) It helps you decide if the contracting lifestyle is right for you and helps eliminate fears about moving into contracting.

5) By design, it is much more specific to contractors than her earlier book.

Bottom Line
If you are already a salaried computer professional or want an in-depth look at the contracting profession and have an itch for a more flexible, potentially more rewarding and higher-paying career, then I have no doubt that this book will be worth its weight in gold to your career! Now that we have this beneficial guide, I see no reason for anyone to have any unanswered questions about the contracting profession.

~ Michael Nigohosian, Author - "The Secret Path to Contract Programming Riches"

This book is great for computer contractors or for those considering going into computer contracting. I read this book when I first contracting about five years ago (I thought I had already reviewed it, but my review does not show up). The information is still current and is greatly helpful for those, like me, who want to cross every 't' and dot every 'i', or at least to try to. A great deal of valuable information inside.

I first read this book as a 4th grader and loved it. Now, two decades later, I have purchased it for my classroom after finding it on Amazon. I have had several sixth graders rave about the plot and ask for similar stories. Rereading it as an adult, I still find the story and characters fun and interesting. This is a great find for the middle grades reader who can't get enough of the middle ages.

I first read this book as a schoolboy. It filled my mind with dreams and many wonderful hours of adventure. I have looked for over 30 years for this book, uncertain of its exact title or author. What a joy to discover that it has been newly printed!

I wondered how the book would read as an adult. After just a few pages I was caught back once again into the wonderful celtic world and lived again in the monastary at Glaston. The book is a great read for all ages with a story that lets you dream of a time when knights rode the countryside and life was filled with enchantment.

I first read this book in a Scholastic Books edition when I was a kid in grade school in the 1950's. It is the first time I ever remember being totally immersed and captured by a story about a distant time and place. Young readers really care about Hugh, a lame boy who is left in a monastery when his knight father is forced into exile from England. Hugh's search for the relics of King Arthur transforms him and works the same magic on the reader. Very highly recommended!

Aldrich Ames' met with the author for several sittings after he was jailed and without the government's permission. That was just one more offense in a career of treason, drunkenness, slough and almost revolting passivity. Yet this man not only sent as many as 25 agents to their execution, he also spared no information to his KGB handlers. At times, he would be rooting for our side by day and by night he would have reversed and treacherously divulged everything he had previously learned.

Of course the answer is how? Despite the agency's superiority in resources and technology, they retain a dangerous and imbecilic "he's one of us" mentality. Ames repeatedly failed to follow protocol. He was spending money like a madman and while there were a few who were convinced of his guilt, the amount of time and the ultimate leakage that occured with every day was shameful.

Interestingly or not, the CIA has satellites that could zero in on Brezhnev as his dacha while he was being detained-but when it came down to getting the goods on Ames, they were more like the Keystone cops. Stealing trashcans, going door to door as salesmen, til someone called the cops and all of the vaudeville that one associates with those types of blunders. The book is far more flattering to the 'bureau,' who took full honors for the arrest even though there had been an agency team that had first fingered Ames and his wife.

The underlying issue for me was a) how the nature of espionage seems to be more about getting moles than about truly gathering intelligence and b) the astonishing lack of effective ways to figure out if someone is working for the other side. All of which, indicts or acquits the nature of being human in a world of frightening homeland security and total information awareness. Getting the info is apparently easier than managing it and logically acting on behalf of the constitution- not an ideology. There has been nothing discovered that has solved that problem. I really enjoyed reading this book and having some insight into diplomacy and superpowers and flawed characters all over.

Excellent book. Well investigated and written. Once you start, it's hard to put it down.

I really enjoyed Pete Earley's book "Hot House" about Leavenworth Prison and this book is every bit as good. An excellent combination of detailed research and captivating writing. Much more in depth than "Killer Spy" by Peter Maas (which was not a bad book, but tells more of the FBI's role in the investigation).

This book is hard-hitting but fair. Casey was a brilliant, albeit, enigmatic and complex man. This books provides a fascinating portrait not only of him, but a template for better understanding the turbulent epoch of the Cold War.

This is an old book, but none has surpased its scope since. Readers will find simpathy for Casey, but still Patrick Leahy and Monyihan both give good reviews for its accuracy. The bottom line that Persico threads is that Casey always wanted to be a foreign affairs statesman but was never given any credit for his abilities because he was too ugly and incoherent so when the best Casey could get was the DCI, then Casey turned the intelligence community into his own little state department to live out his dream.

Persico has done a wonderful job of capturing Casey's magnificent complexity and intellectual voraciousness. Oddly enough the best quote in there, part of a really excellent over-all description of why the DO does not succeed, comes from Herb Meyer when he was a special assistant to Casey: "These guys have built a system that shuts them off from any intelligence except what you can steal. These people needed to be reconnected to reality."