Praise for Donovan's Devils
“Finally, thanks to Albert Lulushi, the Operational Groups of the OSS get their due. Along with the Jedburghs, the OGs were the forerunners of today’s Special Forces. Lulushi’s thoroughly researched and excitingly written narrative gives them their proper place in the history of the OSS.” —David Robarge, chief historian, CIA
“Donovan’s Devils left me spellbound by the tales of bravery contained in its pages. Every reader will have his favorites; mine were the fates of the Ginny Men and General Anton Dostler and the campaign in the Vercors. Lulushi has given us background essential to our understanding of today’s Special Operations Forces.” —Frank Wisner, former ambassador, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs
“Lulushi has produced a must-read book for any student of the OSS and for the general public at large. It is full of fascinating details about the little-known trials and tribulations of World War II OSS operations. It’s definitely worth adding to anyone’s intelligence library.” —Jack Devine, former deputy director for operations, CIA, and current president, the Arkin Group
“This book is an important contribution to our knowledge of the OSS—General Donovan’s ‘unusual experiment’—and mandatory reading for anyone interested in learning about one of the most fascinating and little-known aspects of the war.” —Charles Pinck, president, OSS Society
“Lulushi ably delineates these specific campaigns, from Corsica to Vercors, France, to the Balkans, and focuses on the appalling treatment of POWs by the Germans. . . . A proficient, well-wrought work that emphasizes the actual fighting men, their deeds, and their fates.” —Kirkus Reviews
"Lulushi’s engaging read will be of particular interest to those interested in the American immigrant experience and the history of special operations." —Publishers Weekly
"An outstanding treatment of wartime heroism, determination, and risk taking as the newly created OSS and its resistance partners found and played their role in fighting a brutal and clever enemy. The detail contained in each operation of the OGs covered in Donovan's Devils almost brings the reader into the operations themselves." —David Cohen, former deputy director for operations, CIA, and depute commissioner for intelligence, NYPD
"Lulushi’s rare descriptions demonstrate how bits of humanity – nicknames, hobbies, favorite drinks, sports, or music – can bring these heroic men to life." —Historical Novel Society
Praise for Operation Valuable Fiend
“In Operation Valuable Fiend, Albert Lulushi has told a fascinating story well and made excellent use of untapped archival resources.” —David Robarge, CIA chief historian
"[For the operation's dismal failure, h]istorians have blamed Soviet mole Kim Philby, who worked in British intelligence and knew of the operation, but Lulushi disagrees. His lively, detailed account of Hoxha’s viciously efficient intelligence service, the exiles’ terrible security, and CIA naïveté make a convincing case."—Publishers Weekly
"[Lulushi's] is the most complete account to date and well worth close attention." —Studies in Intelligence
“An important and well-researched account of one of the Cold War’s less known and often misunderstood clandestine operations . . . The book tells a lively and well-written if discouraging story. Any reader has a treat in store, and any student of the history of America’s role in the Cold War will find the book indispensable.” —Ambassador Frank G. Wisner, former ambassador to four countries, under secretary of defense for policy and under secretary of state for international security affairs
“In Operation Valuable Fiend, Albert Lulushi has done a splendid job in updating our knowledge of the clandestine activities that CIA and its partners conducted in Albania in the late 1940s and early 1950s.” —Nicholas C. Pano, professor emeritus of history, Western Illinois University
Praise for Donovan's Devils
“Finally, thanks to Albert Lulushi, the Operational Groups of the OSS get their due. Along with the Jedburghs, the OGs were the forerunners of today’s Special Forces. Lulushi’s thoroughly researched and excitingly written narrative gives them their proper place in the history of the OSS.” —David Robarge, chief historian, CIA
“Donovan’s Devils left me spellbound by the tales of bravery contained in its pages. Every reader will have his favorites; mine were the fates of the Ginny Men and General Anton Dostler and the campaign in the Vercors. Lulushi has given us background essential to our understanding of today’s Special Operations Forces.” —Frank Wisner, former ambassador, Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs
“Lulushi has produced a must-read book for any student of the OSS and for the general public at large. It is full of fascinating details about the little-known trials and tribulations of World War II OSS operations. It’s definitely worth adding to anyone’s intelligence library.” —Jack Devine, former deputy director for operations, CIA, and current president, the Arkin Group
“This book is an important contribution to our knowledge of the OSS—General Donovan’s ‘unusual experiment’—and mandatory reading for anyone interested in learning about one of the most fascinating and little-known aspects of the war.” —Charles Pinck, president, OSS Society
“Lulushi ably delineates these specific campaigns, from Corsica to Vercors, France, to the Balkans, and focuses on the appalling treatment of POWs by the Germans. . . . A proficient, well-wrought work that emphasizes the actual fighting men, their deeds, and their fates.” —Kirkus Reviews
"Lulushi’s engaging read will be of particular interest to those interested in the American immigrant experience and the history of special operations." —Publishers Weekly
"An outstanding treatment of wartime heroism, determination, and risk taking as the newly created OSS and its resistance partners found and played their role in fighting a brutal and clever enemy. The detail contained in each operation of the OGs covered in Donovan's Devils almost brings the reader into the operations themselves." —David Cohen, former deputy director for operations, CIA, and depute commissioner for intelligence, NYPD
"Lulushi’s rare descriptions demonstrate how bits of humanity – nicknames, hobbies, favorite drinks, sports, or music – can bring these heroic men to life." —Historical Novel Society
Praise for Operation Valuable Fiend
“In Operation Valuable Fiend, Albert Lulushi has told a fascinating story well and made excellent use of untapped archival resources.” —David Robarge, CIA chief historian
"[For the operation's dismal failure, h]istorians have blamed Soviet mole Kim Philby, who worked in British intelligence and knew of the operation, but Lulushi disagrees. His lively, detailed account of Hoxha’s viciously efficient intelligence service, the exiles’ terrible security, and CIA naïveté make a convincing case."—Publishers Weekly
"[Lulushi's] is the most complete account to date and well worth close attention." —Studies in Intelligence
“An important and well-researched account of one of the Cold War’s less known and often misunderstood clandestine operations . . . The book tells a lively and well-written if discouraging story. Any reader has a treat in store, and any student of the history of America’s role in the Cold War will find the book indispensable.” —Ambassador Frank G. Wisner, former ambassador to four countries, under secretary of defense for policy and under secretary of state for international security affairs
“In Operation Valuable Fiend, Albert Lulushi has done a splendid job in updating our knowledge of the clandestine activities that CIA and its partners conducted in Albania in the late 1940s and early 1950s.” —Nicholas C. Pano, professor emeritus of history, Western Illinois University
