About 5 years ago, he decided to write it all down, got all the sensitive national security material cleared for publication or removed, and published his book in June of this year. It is the story of one helluva career
I read a lot. Always have, except for a 4 year period of time after I got out of Yale which so soured me on books that I didn't even pick one up during that time. Even now, my reading is either total fantasy (leaning heavily to science fiction) or documentaries. Well, I decided to buy Ray's book (he's a classmate after all). It had such an impact on me that I even wrote a review of the book for Amazon, where the book is available in either hard cover or Kindle. This is the review I wrote:
The exploits of this career-FBI counter-terrorism agent are quite enough to propel the narrative of Endless Enemies to a satisfying if not cautionary conclusion. This can be said of many first person documentary writings. This tale rewards the reader in many other ways.The narrative is a historical zoom lens. On the one hand, Mr. Holcomb zooms in and describes the milestones of his career in the Bureau in astonishing and often amusing detail that could only come from a field operative on the inside; on the other he pulls back and is able to place these events in context on a strategic international stage. He presents the dynamic of the domestic and international roles played by the FBI; he covers budgetary constraints and internal political and personal agendas; he intelligently discusses the difficulties of recasting a large law enforcement agency into an effective tool against new and evolving foes; he caringly describes the human toll that its agents continually pay to adapt to that changing role. On a personal level, Ray wistfully recalls the emotional pull of the comfort and safety of a career in corporate law against his visceral desire to meet the security needs of the country.
What makes this narrative so compelling is that Mr. Holcomb is a self-aware narrator. He has clearly given great thought to his role in these sadly real events and it is the depth and clarity of his thinking that makes this book special. He does not posture about his role. He simply lived a life of understated patriotism to the best of his ability and to the extent of his character, and that has taken him farther than most are willing to go. Endless Enemies deserves a read. When you're done, you'll come away with a much deeper appreciation for the dedicated people like Ray Holcomb who are doing their best to protect us amid all the political ambitions and drama being played out in the national headlines of the past 30 years.
Yeah, sure, Ray is a classmate of mine. That does not change the fact that this man is an unsung national hero and that the book is a real thrill ride precisely because it relates true events from the life of a very modest man.
Speaking of patriots, thanks to all the Reitz vets who have provided information about their military service. This is something that has resonated with this class as well as my own in New Jersey. It wouldn't surprise me if you served in the same units as some of my own classmates.
I also want to take this opportunity to thank the Reitz Class of 1967 for teaching me some very valuable lessons which have proved very useful in my chasing down the Wayne Valley High School Class of 1967. It has also taught me a great deal about the importance of old friends and common memories and appreciate my own a great deal more.
And now for the Christmas wishes part:
*
From
Howell
To Hitch Peter
We all started anew.
An Orange Beach Condo
To watch Blue Angels
that flew
A new website to see all as we were
A Get Together with friendships renewed.
Now the
Mother of all Reunions and football Game
and then a Cruise to Somewhere to top it all off. Whew.
Merry Xmas
From
Milton
And
Linda Yuan
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