Cold Zero

[zeroalpha]

Anyone read the book 'Cold Zero' re FBI / HRT?

Interested in what other people thought about it.

Z

[This message has been edited by zeroalpha (edited 11-20-2001).]

[dsumner]

Good read. It diffenately presents a different perspective on Ruby Ridge, Waco, and several other high profile events.

[mdb23]

Thumbs down.

The author is too fond of himself and his accomplishments. Remember the part when he talked about "being able to see the muscles ripple in his chest" on the first day of HRT selection? Give me a break.

mdb23

[Sapper12B]

mdb,

I actually met Chris when he was at the Springfield office in '90. I had just gotten out of the Army and was working at a guitar shop. My boss introduced us, me as the ex-Army paratrooper/Sapper guy, him as the FBI guy getting ready for HRT tryouts. I didn't know what HRT was at the time ( or SEALs, CCT, Force Recon, DELTA, just heard OF them) so I didn't acknowledge the effort. I guess that may have put him off a bit because over the course of several return visits, he didn't have much to say to me. I had the impression that maybe he didn't feel the need to speak with a 21 year old cop wannabe ( I moved to Springfield to begin the hiring process as a police officer), but arrogance is not selective.

As for Springfield's "fledgling SWAT team", I trained then SGT Steve Ijames' CAT team in rappelling and field patrolling (stuff I taught at the Sapper School), and they were a very professional, active, well trained team with a lot of experience. Just looking at the rear jacket photo brought back memories of him. I got recalled to the Army in JAN 91 for the Gulf War, then went directly to KC and got hired by the KCPD, so I never saw him again.

[mdb23]

Sapper,

You play guitar? I have been playing for about 8 yrs, though you probably can't tell by listening to my playing. Ahh well, it is mostly for stress relief anyway.

Did you get my emails?

mdb23



[This message has been edited by mdb23 (edited 11-21-2001).]

[Sapper12B]

mdb,

I've been playing for over 20 years now. If I could make a living doing that, I would.

Got your e-mails, thanx. I know MF, we were in Tac together, different squads (mine was the best in the city).

Later

[drunyon]

I thought Cold Zero was a pretty decent read. Hated the name changes and the lack of photos though.

Since leaving the Bureau, Chris Whitcomb is now, among other things, an on-air analyst for NBC and MS-NBC. He is also writing a monthly column for GQ magazine.

Whitcomb has a web site. It can be found at <a href=http://www.christopherwhitcomb.com>. He is (or was last week) currently in Afghanistan on assignment for GQ magazine.

For HRT fans, you might also want to read Danny Coulson's book entitled "No Heroes". Coulson was the first commander of HRT when it went active in 1983.

Kind of interesting to read both books and compare the treatments the authors gave to the Ruby Ridge and Waco incidents.

[jnc36rcpd]

While I suppose Springfield PD SWAT might have been "fledgling", I cannot imagine them being anything but highly professional.

While Whitcomb does seem to have a high opinion of himself, I suppose it is, to some extent, justified. He does seem to be a firm supporter of local and state law enforcement in his book. I didn't interpret "fledgling" as a criticism, but as a description.

Overall, Whitcomb's book is a good read. It is interesting to contrast his views with Coulson's. Whitcomb's conclusion, where he describes the WMD exercise, is rather ironic in light of September 11.

Be safe.

[Sapper12B]

I agree that Mr . Whitcomb was not overtly criticizing any law enforcement organizations, however "fledgling" defined is an "immature or inexperienced person". If one is to author a personal account of their experiences concerning an area with which the general public is not familiar with, then descriptions should be clear cut. When I read that paragraph, I immediately took it as a less than favorable description of the SPD CAT. New, young, recently organized, etc., would not allow the reader to interpret much of the comment toward the team. Inexperienced was not a fair description of the SPD CAT. Major Ijames is currently recognized nationally as an expert in less lethal munitions, and one does not obtain his rank and stature from being nominal.

You guys may think I am over doing it here, but I find it frustrating when people write books about sensitive subjects while placing themselves above other hardworking people. Yes, most of us do have a high opinion of ourselves, but to publish that in a book? No way. I have nothing against Mr. Whitcomb, don't know him. I just don't understand what motivates one to write books about how great they are, how nominal everyone else is, and I'll take my royalty check now. Most of the guys on here have done just as much, if not more, than these kind of authors, yet we don't peddle books about it.

I wouldn't be surprised if some of the HRT guys aren't shaking their heads about this one. I am.

All The Way

[Huey One Four]

I thought he didnt go into enough detail. For example the Ruby Ridge incident. He seemed to assume that people knew all the details and that they knew what happened. I for one only knew that there was a shooting there and didnt know any details.
Overall, 7/10. Not enough photos(maybe some from waco or ruby ridge?), but a good description of what HRT does and what they have evolved into.

RH

[jcollettusa]

Is the book worth buying or not? I plan on purchasing it in the next couple of weeks.

[Huey One Four]

Yep, buy it. A good read.