Black Tulip: A Novel of War in Afghanistan

Rating:
Summary: Black Tulip
Review: "Black Tulip" is a highly entertaining and informative read marred by a stretch away from its main story, but the main story is a humdinger. It's a "you are there" account of CIA covert actions in the Russian/Afghan war of recent vintage. Milt Bearden, the author, has the cv. to get the geopolitics, and the internecine politics of the CIA, KGB, and Russian Army right. Whether it's an interview with William Casey, a field interrogation, or a daring rescue by helicopter Mr. Bearden seems to keep it real. True, he sticks to CIA success stories, but what the heck, in this one they're the good guys. Where Mr. Bearden goes wrong is in his addition of a family drama instigated in Afghanistan and played out in Russia. It's as though he didn't trust his story, so added an extra one for good measure. Though it could have worked in a longer book, it got short shrift in this one, and its inclusion weakened all its parts. A note of exception is the interweaving of a CIA traitor that was as dark and sad as needs be. All in all, I'd recommend this book as a quick and exciting read, an interesting look at the psychology of a country we're not done with, and a good showing for a first novel.

Rating:
Summary: The Black Tulip--Pro's and Con's
Review: "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.

Rating:
Summary: The Black Tulip--Pro's and Con's
Review: "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.

Rating:
Summary: Outstanding! Buy Used if Publisher Does Not Reissue
Review:

As one of those who served on the Central American Task Force at CIA and in the field, I was fascinated to learn of this book by one of America's greatest espionage warriors--not only did he run the Afghan war from the field, he was also Chief of the Soviet Division and Chief of Station in Germany, the equivalent of an Olympic "clean sweep." I read this book critically.

It is simply super, and full of nuances that get better with a second reading. The most important of these is the thoughtful manner in which the fall of the Soviet military in Afghanistan is related to the subsequent weakening of the Soviet hold over Eastern Europe, a hold that eventually broke and led to the unification of Germany and chaos in those portions of Eastern Europe where neither Europe nor the US was ready to help convert communists to capitalists. This is an inspiring book that shows in great detail how covert action--behind the lines action--can serve a great nation. This book will cleanse the palate of all those who soured on covert action as done so badly (and occasionally in violation of the law) in Central America.

Evidently I bought the last used copy, released for public sale by the Indianapolis Public Library--too bad, since we need more young spies from that area and they would have been highly motivated by this book. I hope the publisher reissues it, this is a tale that is much more truth than fiction, and of lasting value to those who would understand the deeper value of covert action in the national service. We still need spies, there is still great evil around the world, and I can only hope that books like this will help the clandestine service recruit those with "the right stuff."

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read about a Fascinating Subject
Review: I would remind a previous reviewer, who bemoaned the lack of character development in this novel, that each book has its place and its readers. If you want great literature, go to a different section of the bookstore. Don't ask this adventure/history book to do it all, because no book (or only a rare great one) can do that. Be realistic. This book is outstanding for what it does -- describe in wonderful detail the secret CIA war in Afghanistan. There's outstanding action and lots of interesting characters.

Also unlike a previous reviewer who bemoans how long it took for this novel to reach the shelves, and suggets that it is out of date, I would like to gently suggest that knowing history -- even if it is history of the 1980s--eons ago!--is extremely helpful to my understanding of a critical period in world history, leading up to the collapse of the Soviet Union. That story will never be out of date!

Overall, this is a great read and very informative.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read about a Fascinating Subject
Review: I would remind a previous reviewer, who bemoaned the lack of character development in this novel, that each book has its place and its readers. If you want great literature, go to a different section of the bookstore. Don't ask this adventure/history book to do it all, because no book (or only a rare great one) can do that. Be realistic. This book is outstanding for what it does -- describe in wonderful detail the secret CIA war in Afghanistan. There's outstanding action and lots of interesting characters.

Also unlike a previous reviewer who bemoans how long it took for this novel to reach the shelves, and suggets that it is out of date, I would like to gently suggest that knowing history -- even if it is history of the 1980s--eons ago!--is extremely helpful to my understanding of a critical period in world history, leading up to the collapse of the Soviet Union. That story will never be out of date!

Overall, this is a great read and very informative.

Rating:
Summary: Prescient Page Turner
Review: Milt Bearden has written what is arguably the best description of "The Great Game." The stage is set in Afghanistan, as the CIA, KGB, and mujahadeen are all interwoven in an intricate web of detail and suspense. Great novel; interesting to see Aldrich Ames briefly mentioned in the beginning during an interrogation scene, and several references are noted as to what the Afghan freedom fighters might do after this latest chapter of the Game has past--no doubt Bearden saw the danger of training these men, then letting them loose on their benefactors (the US) several years after helping them gain their independence. A must read for anyone wanting to feel the adrenaline rush of facing down the Soviet Bear in an austere environment, and bringing them to their knees thru sheer willpower (and the help of a few hunderd Stinger missiles). . .

Rating:
Summary: Next Book Overdue
Review: Standing by for Milt Bearden's next work. I read through the BT so quickly, it left me hungry to learn more about what really went on inside the CIA as they slugged it out with the Russians during the Cold War.

Rating:
Summary: a great thriller
Review: The Black Tulip is a military suspense novel about the CIA assistance to Afghanistan during its war with the Soviet Union. This book is somewhat like a flat soda; the flavor is there, but there's something critical missing that limits your enjoyment.

In the book's case, the problem is the characters. Bearden shows that he is decent with description and with plotting, but his characters are insubstantial and never really evoke any feelings. The story also hinges on a major coincidence involving the relationship between two of the protagonists...indeed, even Bearden occasionally seems uncomfortable with this coincidence.

This is not a bad book. This is not a good book. While Bearden appears to have the beginnings of being a good writer, he is not there yet; perhaps he is better with non-fiction, but in fiction, he still has work to do.

Rating:
Summary: Refreshingly Intelligent and Realistic for a Thriller
Review: Unfortunately, much of what passes today as thrillers consist of manical, blood-thirsty super villains; super hero level good guys (PC = persons?); a preponderance of far-out technical devices; and weak, unrealistic plots. Fortunately, "The Black Tulip" by Milt Bearden is a well-written and well-crafted espionage thriller set during the 1980s in Afghanistan and the Soviet Union at one of the those times when the Cold War was simmering a bit. The main characters are not deep, but they are interesting. Unlike the super hero/villain to which readers are constantly subjected in other works, the characters in this book are portrayed as competent professionals with foibles. The depiction of tradecraft and the inner workings of the intelligence community are fairly realistic. The plot keeps the reader's interest, moves along at a good pace, and plugs in well with the events of the period. While coincidence plays a role, unlike most thrillers these days, the plot is plausible and does not depend on wildly ridiculous coincidences and turns of events. The story is not overwhelmed by gadgets, and, instead, depends on human characters to make it all happen. In sum, "The Black Tulip" is a refreshingly intelligent and realistic thriller. I hope that Mr. Bearden's next book will appear in the near future.