Roger Warner

Roger Warner is an American author and journalist known for his historical non-fiction works focusing on Southeast Asia and China, particularly during World War II and its aftermath. His most acclaimed book, "Shooting at the Moon," chronicles the CIA's secret war in Laos during the Vietnam War era. Warner's research and writing have provided detailed accounts of lesser-known military conflicts and covert operations in Asia. His work "Back Fire: The CIA's Secret War in Laos and Its Link to the War in Vietnam" (1995) was one of the first comprehensive examinations of the CIA's involvement in Laos. As a journalist, Warner reported from various parts of Asia and contributed to publications including Time Magazine and The Atlantic. His experience living in Thailand and traveling extensively throughout Southeast Asia informed his understanding of the region's complex political and cultural dynamics. Warner's writing style combines meticulous historical research with firsthand accounts and interviews, providing both scholarly insight and narrative engagement. His books have become important resources for understanding the Cold War era in Southeast Asia and the complexities of American involvement in the region.

Readers highlight Warner's deep research and ability to unpack complex CIA operations in Southeast Asia through clear narratives. His interviews with key figures and incorporation of declassified documents add credibility to his accounts. What readers liked: - Makes covert operations understandable without oversimplifying - Balanced perspective on U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia - Personal interviews bring history to life - Clear explanations of complicated political relationships What readers disliked: - Dense historical detail can overwhelm casual readers - Some segments get bogged down in military terminology - Limited coverage of local perspectives and voices Ratings/Reviews: - "Shooting at the Moon" - 4.4/5 on Amazon (42 reviews) - "Back Fire" - 4.3/5 on Goodreads (89 reviews) One reader noted: "Warner avoids taking sides while exposing hard truths about the CIA's role in Laos." Another commented: "The level of detail is impressive but sometimes makes for slow reading."

Shooting at the Moon (also published as "Back Fire: The CIA's Secret War in Laos and Its Link to the War in Vietnam") - A detailed account of the CIA's covert operations in Laos during the Vietnam War, based on extensive research and interviews with key participants.

Stanley Karnow wrote extensively about Vietnam and the Philippines during the Cold War era, with deep coverage of American involvement in Southeast Asia. His book "Vietnam: A History" has become a standard text on the Vietnam War, while "In Our Image: America's Empire in the Philippines" won the Pulitzer Prize.

William Prochnau focused on war correspondence and American operations in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam era. His book "Once Upon a Distant War" chronicles early Vietnam War reporting, while his other works examine CIA operations and military conflicts in the region.

Barbara Tuchman wrote detailed histories of military conflicts and American foreign policy in Asia. Her works "Stilwell and the American Experience in China" and "The March of Folly" examine US military involvement in Asia with focus on decision-making processes and consequences.

David Halberstam reported from Vietnam and wrote about American foreign policy in Asia during the Cold War period. His books "The Best and the Brightest" and "The Making of a Quagmire" examine the development of US policy in Vietnam through extensive research and firsthand observation.

Bernard Fall specialized in Vietnam War coverage and wrote about French and American military involvement in Indochina. His books "Street Without Joy" and "Hell in a Very Small Place" combine military analysis with on-the-ground reporting from Vietnam and Laos.