According to the book description of Rainy Street Stories: Reflections on
Secret Wars, Espionage and Terrorism, "it is a composition of powerful
reflections on today's espionage, terrorism, and secret wars. These stories,
essays, and poems by John Davis, himself a retired intelligence officer, take
place from Europe, to Asia, and back to the Americas. He lived overseas for many
years, where he served as a soldier, civil servant, and gifted linguist. Davis
writes with a thoughtful, compassionate, and fair assessment of his lifetime
lived during wars and conflicts which were his generation's legacy from World
War II. He recounts mysterious, sometimes strangely suggestive, even curiously
puzzling tales. Each will cause the reader to think. Davis draws from actual
encounters in unusual circumstances, in conversations at utterly unexpected
times, and chance meetings, historical site visits, or his readings to
illustrate his reflections. Moreover, he is influenced by carefully listening to
others who experienced history, from careful study of human nature, observation
of international events, but also by remaining open to surprises, the better to
distill the essence of a hidden truth. Those people about whom he speculates,
events he interprets, motives he muses about, or wonders he reveals will remain
with you for a long time. These are not writings to be read in a night, but to
be reflected upon over the coming years."
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