Last Man Out

As a young army lieutenant in 1965 and 1966, Parker was among the first Americans to serve in the early phase of the Vietnam War. Years later, as a CIA paramilitary operative, he was among the last U.S. government stragglers desperately trying to tie up loose ends before Saigon fell. In his second memoir (after Codename Mule: Fighting the Secret War in Laos for the CIA), Parker traces his development from fun-loving country boy into savvy intelligence officer. Clearly proud of his country's involvement in Vietnam, Parker is no run-of-the-mill war memoirist but a skilled storyteller with a knack for weaving quick tales with revealing punch lines. He introduces a memorable cast of supporting characters to illustrate his thesis: ""The Vietnam War was dearly expensive-some of the best in our society died-but, through it all, the proud American tradition of service and sacrifice was not broken. We kept the faith."" These include Vietnamese CIA contract agents, bodyguards, military officers and civilians abandoned by the U.S. though in its employ. Some will take comfort from Parker's conclusion that ""History will look kindly on our good intentions to save a country from being overrun by an aggressive neighbor."" Uplifting and insightful, this book may sell well. Photos. (Mar.)