What do you think?
Rate this book
Hachette Military Collection
The Tiger Man of Vietnam
In 1963, Australian Army Captain Barry Petersen was sent to Vietnam. It was one of the most tightly held secrets of the Vietnam War: under the command of the CIA, Petersen was ordered to train and lead guerrilla squads of Montagnard tribesmen against the Viet Cong.
Petersen successfully formed a fearsome militia, named 'Tiger Men'. A canny leader, he was courageous in battle, and his bravery saw him awarded the coveted Military Cross and worshiped by the hill tribes.
But his success created enemies, not just within the Viet Cong. Like Marlon Brando's character in Apocalypse Now, some in the CIA saw Petersen as having 'gone native'. Some in US intelligence were determined Petersen had to go. He was lucky to make it out of the mountains alive.
A compelling true story of an Australian war hero and the forces that conspired against him.
Petersen successfully formed a fearsome militia, named 'Tiger Men'. A canny leader, he was courageous in battle, and his bravery saw him awarded the coveted Military Cross and worshiped by the hill tribes.
But his success created enemies, not just within the Viet Cong. Like Marlon Brando's character in Apocalypse Now, some in the CIA saw Petersen as having 'gone native'. Some in US intelligence were determined Petersen had to go. He was lucky to make it out of the mountains alive.
A compelling true story of an Australian war hero and the forces that conspired against him.
384 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2008
31 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
About the author
Frank Walker
79 books6 followersFrank Walker is a veteran journalist. His newspaper roles have included being chief reporter for the SUN-HERALD covering defence, veterans' affairs, national security and terrorism. He's also worked on the Sydney Morning Herald, the National Times, for News Limited in New York, and for Deutsche Welle international radio in Germany.
In 2009, Hachette published his first book, The Tiger Man of Vietnam - the remarkable true story of the secret war of Captain Barry Petersen in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It was a bestseller.
Frank followed this with his bestselling Ghost Platoon in 2012, Maralinga in 2014 and Commandos in 2015. He lives in Sydney with his family.
In 2009, Hachette published his first book, The Tiger Man of Vietnam - the remarkable true story of the secret war of Captain Barry Petersen in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. It was a bestseller.
Frank followed this with his bestselling Ghost Platoon in 2012, Maralinga in 2014 and Commandos in 2015. He lives in Sydney with his family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 26, 2012
A fascinating story of an Australian soldier running a covert program for the CIA, years before Australian combat troops went to Vietnam.
This book gives an Australian perspective on the Vietnam war that focuses on one part of the role that the CIA played, and Australia's participation. The story is engaging, and the subject matter compelling. Walker obviously has a lot of respect for his subject, but it never veers into the realms of hagiography as he seeks out the recollections of other people who were there at the time.
The book is well referenced with a comprehensive set of endnotes and bibliography.
I read the book in one sitting as I found it hard to put down, and very easy to read.
This book gives an Australian perspective on the Vietnam war that focuses on one part of the role that the CIA played, and Australia's participation. The story is engaging, and the subject matter compelling. Walker obviously has a lot of respect for his subject, but it never veers into the realms of hagiography as he seeks out the recollections of other people who were there at the time.
The book is well referenced with a comprehensive set of endnotes and bibliography.
I read the book in one sitting as I found it hard to put down, and very easy to read.
April 4, 2018
Fascinating revelations make this a riveting read. Barry Peterson is a legend of his time and this account of his experiences was a true page turner. I’m always amazed at how much history has been staged for the general media to brainwash the public. It’s first hand accounts like this that allow us to draw our own conclusions on what occurred. Job well done 👍
June 18, 2019
Really interesting but a bit difficult to get really into at times. I feel like there was a bit of repetition but this was kind of needed to be able to see all sides of the story.
August 5, 2020
A very interesting story of an Australian officer training Montagnard fighters during the Vietnam War. Well written, easy read. It certainly doesn't have much good to say about the CIA.
June 5, 2017
It isn't my favourite military reads, but still good nonetheless.
July 12, 2018
A good read, highly recommend.
November 24, 2022
Very compelling read, though styled like most pop-history books unfortunately.
January 25, 2023
Unbelievable read. To have experienced This war must have been awful on all accounts. Obviously no winners and so much unnecessary bloodshed!!
June 3, 2023
A biography ish
How's from biography to opinion piece and back again. Maybe more interesting for an Australian... Okay but
not a keeper,
How's from biography to opinion piece and back again. Maybe more interesting for an Australian... Okay but
not a keeper,
July 31, 2011
Reading this then a bit about the Phoenix Program gave me a new even more unpleasant feel for "Apocalypse Now".
The book itself is a bit flawed as the writing is not brilliant (a journo wrote it) and very subjective but at the same time detached. You never really get a feel for the man or his motivations, but you "know" that he was doing right and those rascally CIA men were wrong. I got real feeling that bits were missing or glossed over.
The final couple of chapters are not enough to balance out the one sided narative, but do at least hint that it is one man's recollection about things that most of the people involved in are not able or willing to discuss.
The book itself is a bit flawed as the writing is not brilliant (a journo wrote it) and very subjective but at the same time detached. You never really get a feel for the man or his motivations, but you "know" that he was doing right and those rascally CIA men were wrong. I got real feeling that bits were missing or glossed over.
The final couple of chapters are not enough to balance out the one sided narative, but do at least hint that it is one man's recollection about things that most of the people involved in are not able or willing to discuss.
March 1, 2023
a side of the Vietnam war I was unaware of. Interesting background to events that were not as they appeared in media. Is lack of media transparency and truth resulting in incorrect portrayals a surprise? I think not!
August 14, 2014
A very interesting and different view from an Australian officer who spent two years living and training hell tribesmen during the Vietnam war.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews