LtCol Peters has a way with words that I envy. If only I could speak as he writes! Loved the book. Chaplain Leo J. McDonald

LTC Peters' best work thus far---and I've followed his writings (fiction, non-fiction, columns---and the Army War College Quarterly, Parameters) for years. Peters lays bare the world as it is (or was during the late 80's/early 90's) warts and all. This isn't a collection of columns but a record of travel to places most people will never, nor would ever want to see.
I spent a great deal of time in the Former Soviet Union in the early 90's and can vouch for the conditions Peters' describes and the crack-pot/thug/mafia wannabes that rushed into the vacuum the communists left behind (in most cases---the communists changed hats/affiliations). One story which mirrors Peters experience in the FSU was during a humanitarian aid mission in the early 90's in Kazakhstan. We were delivering food-stuffs and medical supplies, but had no idea "what" was in the delivering railcars before the railcars appeared. One car was full of canned pork---and concerned about the Muslim populations dietary restrictions, we informed our counterpart---he quickly assured us that the product would be described as "American "white beef"". We laughed at the time, but truth is, we had no idea what happened to any of the "relief" supplies after our Kazak counterpart signed for custody----but we all guessed the materials ended up on the black-market and there was subsequent evidence to bear this out.
Back to Peters---great story of reflections/impressions and clear judgements. If policy-makers still did their own reading---this book would be high on the list. Perhaps someday, Peters will return to government as a SECDEF or CIA Director---now, that would be interesting.
Many thanks to LTC Peters for a great read. Highly recommended!!