The Black Tulip A Novel of War in Afghanistan

Set in the treacherous mountains of Afghanistan and the equally hazardous headquarters of the CIA Operations Directorate in Washington, The Black Tulip is a fast-paced thriller, based on real events, by the legendary spy who masterminded the plot to arm Afghan freedom fighters in their holy war against the Soviets. A longtime veteran of the CIA, Bearden knows the tricks of the trade, the price of honor, the bonds of blood, and the enduring lure of retribution.

A 30-year veteran of the CIA, Milton Bearden masterminded and ran the CIA’s covert operations in Afghanistan. He was station chief in Pakistan, Moscow, and Khartoum, and trained the Afghan freedom fighters who overthrew the Soviets—many of whom, like Osama bin Laden, have now turned against the United States. He received the Donovan Award and the Distinguished Intelligence Medal, the CIA’s highest honor. Bearden was born in Oklahoma and spent his childhood in Washington State, where his father worked on the Manhattan Project. He lives in Reston, Virginia.