Secret Warriors: Inside the Covert Military Operations of the Reagan Era

This is an older book that tells the story of the CIA and the Pentagon - in the form of a "rogue" Army office, plus a few specific units in the military special operations community, abused their power when there was little oversight. In the bowels of the Pentagon was a small office running special operations for the Army. It was meant to be a largely staff function, but soon was running its own operations, spending money, and collecting intelligence with little regard to rules or laws. Much of the activity was run through a program called Yellow Fruit, which in the decades since this was all happening has come to be regarded as notorious for its corruption.Happening nearly concurrently, the White House, in the form of National Security Council staffer Oliver North, was running guns and bargaining the the Iranian regime in blatant disregard for laws passed by Congress prohibiting such activity. When word reached the Hill of whispers of what became known as Iran-Contra, Reagan administration figures such as North and CIA Director William Casey lied. They were only caught because of a leak of the program in a Lebanese newspaper.This was a good if somewhat dated read. As far as I'm aware it is still one of the few published accounts of Yellow fruit. Well worth the time.

I've been wanting to read this book for decades and finally got around to it. I'm glad I did. It's pretty interesting and informative.

Anyone who enjoyed this book should also read "Blank Check" by Tim Weiner. Secret Warriors is the "technicolor" version of Blank Check and is very good.I was priveleged to be a part of the investigations and prosecutions that brought down the "Crazies in the Basement". They were truly dangerous. I just wish we could have found more of the hundreds of millions in cash they diverted and spent on who knows what.

Yes he did a very good job. Things were very different back then. Every organization can have bad apples, and that includes not just SO types, but EVERY organization, military, police, congress, even churches. And, when the selectivity drops... so will the integrety. I was ask to sign a copy for a friend is why I bought.

The book is well written and reminds me of a time when covert ops were still in their growing pains after Desert One. Some got it right, though the "mission first, damn the rules" mentality did present its own challenges. I'm glad I'm not George (Ch 9).

Very good product and service!Thank you.

Falsely advertised condition of book and when returned for a refund only received 60% of price.

The book was not in as good a condition as was expected.