Passport - An Epic Novel of the Cold War

by Bruce Herschensohn

Book Overview

"In Passport, Bruce Herschensohn takes his personal experience and observations from one of the most prolific times in our history and puts flesh on the bones of the foreign policy of that time with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074347984X
• Release Date: July 2011
• Publisher: iBooks
• Length: 890 Pages
• Weight: 2.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.0" x 1.8" x 6.2"

Customer Reviews

As much history as fiction

Bruce Herschensohn's "Passport, An epic novel of the Cold War" is what its title suggests: a grand sweep of time taking in 37 years of history from 1960 to 1997 as seen through the eyes of 12 people. His own life deeply enmeshed in the twilight struggle between the free West and the Communist East, Bruce Herschensohn is perfectly situated to write this novel that is as much history as it is fiction. "Passport" explores many aspects of the Cold War: espionage, morality, diplomacy, and war. In doing so, Herschensohn gives an accurate account of the actual tactics used by the adversaries in the struggle, from blackmail to bluster. For those already familiar with Cold War history, "Passport" is a whirlwind reminder of the past's challenges. For those unfamiliar with the Cold War, reading "Passport" is a fine place to start. Reviewer: Chuck DeVore is a candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, a California State Assemblyman, he served as a Special Assistant for Foreign Affairs in the Department of Defense from 1986 to 1988, retired from the Army National Guard as a lieutenant colonel, and is the co-author of "China Attacks."

a journey

This book starts with a journey and ends with a journey, the end relating back to the beginning. "Journey" is as good a description as any for these reminiscenses of the cold war era. Those of us who participated in and remember these years will all find some friends in this book's cast of characters. This book is an elegant ellegy to a recent time past and to the types of people who brought us through it. Honor is due Mr. Herschensohn. I hope he writes another book of this caliber.

Tribute to those who fought the good fight.

This is a fabulous story, and basically so true! It is a tribute to all of those in uniform and out who fought Liberty's enemies throughout the world. Having played a modest part in hot and warm aspects of the "Cold" war, it reads like a vindication of all our efforts. We won! It should be a must read for everyone who followed the evnts of the "Cold" war, and for those too young to remember but need to be reminded that ours too was a "greatest" generation.

A Memorial to Freedom

For sentimentalists of a particular strain, the kind who believe unfettered capitalism (divorced from justice and devoid of morality), is the best political system - and there are many "conservatives" who celebrate such a model - Bruce Herschensohn's "Passport" has an extended way of yelling -- Stop! The real political ideal has more to do with freedom, not to consume or sell, but to live. And nowhere is that system both extinct (for Herschensohn) and extant (for the corporate drones who cannot look beyond the beauty of a spreadsheet) than in Hong Kong. Herschensohn opens his novel with a tribute to the former home of boundless freedom: refugees and entrepreneurs, diplomats and journalists, free peoples dedicated to a cause - enshrined by man and climaxed by history - that money without morality is worthless. In between, the reader learns about the high drama of the Cold War, from Kennedy to Nixon to Reagan to Bush. Even the grand dilemma of the Middle East receives Herschensohn's astute analysis. Spellbinding throughout, "Passport" is a pleasurable read and a political monument. Excellent!

FOEIGN POLICY REALITY & UNDERSTANDING

All through my life and through the thoughts of all the people that have affected my life, whether be just a mere acquaintence or friend, none of us has ever really understood the true meaning of the words "FOREIGN POLICY" and how this subject pertains to world and human events with all who live on this planet. Bruce Herschensohn's interpretation of what real foreign policy means has been brilliantly depicted through the creation of a non-fiction novel, fictionlized thru his characterization. Mr. Herschensohn makes you feel that you are traveling the world and living as one of the 12 characters he writes about in his novel, "Passport". This wonderful book is a modern day depiction of The Winds of War, but created as "The Winds of the Cold War" from the Ike era thru the Clinton administration and taking place on the world's stage.If you want to really know the meaning and understanding on the subject of "FOREIGN POLICY" and how it pertains to all of us,then this is a "one of a kind book" that explains all of this while taking you on a magic and entertaining journey on what really happens throughout the world of politics when pertaining to various world countries and their leadership. This is one of the best books I have ever read reminisent and compared, in my opinion, to the great works and spirit of a great James Mitchner novel. This story would be perfect for a mini series for the television audiences around the globe.A MUST READ..ENJOY THE JOURNEY