Indochina Hand

Barry Broman joined the CIA in 1971 straight out of the Marine Corps, choosing a career in intelligence largely because he wanted to spend his working life in Southeast Asia. Over the next thirty years, he had the privilege of working with brave men and women who were prepared to put their lives on the line in support of the free world during the Cold War, and he enjoyed the life of adventure he had been seeking since childhood. This book brings together tales from his career as a CIA case officer during the Cold War, giving fascinating insights into handling double agents, working in denied areas, assessing and recruiting Soviet targets, flying with Air America, acting to discredit Soviet agents with Moscow, and what happened when a case officer set a "scavenger hunt" around Bangkok for fellow spies--and at least one active target. A selection of stories told in engaging style proving that often the truth is more unbelievable than fiction. AUTHOR: Barry Broman was a teenage photographer for the Associated Press in Southeast Asia, then a Marine Corps infantry officer in combat in Vietnam before spending a quarter century in Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency as a 'head-hunter' with dozens of recruits in operations around the world.. Mr. Broman received a BA in Political Science in 1967 followed by an MA in Southeast Asian Studies a year later. A lifelong photographer and traveler he has published many articles and books. 50 photographs

"Broman's goal in writing Indochina Hand seems to have been, foremost, to entertain. Unquestionably, he is successful in this objective. Indochina Hand feels like encountering the most interesting patrons at a local watering hole and listening wide-eyed as they relate, always interesting, and often amusing, stories that well encapsulate why operational intelligence work intrigues so many."-- "Studies in Intelligence"
"Start with Risk Taker, Spy Maker and then continue on to Indochina Hand, for great storytelling -- not to mention terrific photos."-- "The Journal of America's Military Past"
"Part travelogue, part war story, part spy tale, Indochina Hand takes the reader back to the days when Southeast Asia attracted Americans looking for adventure in exotic lands."-- "International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence"
"Indochina Hand is a delightful smorgasbord--hardly a dry recitation of people, places, and events in an outstanding CIA case officer's life. I highly commend it to those readers wanting to expand their understanding of the world of human intelligence, as well as to fellow intelligence veterans."--Alex Goodale "CIRA Quarterly"
"Broman's sophomore effort, Indochina Hand, is an outstanding collection of intelligence vignettes that read like excerpts from a le Carré novel. The difference, of course, is that Broman is writing about actual CIA officers--himself included--who were involved in real-life exploits with actual stakes and consequences that had a direct bearing on the Cold War."--Ken Conboy, author of "Spies on the Mekong"
"Indochina Hand grippingly tells us how Barry Broman became the man he is and what role he played in events around the Cold War and after. I saw him in action for some of it and call him friend."--Tim Carney, retired ambassador, U.S. Foreign Service

Barry Broman was a teenage photographer for the Associated Press in Southeast Asia, then a Marine Corps infantry officer in combat in Vietnam before spending a quarter century in Clandestine Service of the Central Intelligence Agency as a 'head-hunter' with dozens of recruits in operations around the world.Mr. Broman received a BA in Political Science in 1967 followed by an MA in Southeast Asian Studies a year later. A lifelong photographer and traveler he has published many articles and books.

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