X6 - The Perfect Spy

I remember reading *X6 - The Perfect Spy* (published by First News and distributed by Hong Duc Publishing House) by Larry Berman, an American professor and historian, on a rainy evening and reading it continuously without stopping. It wasn't because the book was written in a sensational, dramatic style, but because it was so authentic that I felt like I was sitting before a storyteller, clearly seeing the eyes, the smile, and even the weariness of a renowned intelligence agent.

The person I'm referring to is a Vietnamese intelligence agent from the 20th century – a name known to anyone who loves history – Pham Xuan An (1927-2006). A man who lived two lives simultaneously: a renowned international journalist and a strategic spy for Vietnam.

Historian Larry Berman overcame numerous obstacles to travel to Vietnam more than 30 times to interview Pham Xuan An and his comrades, as well as other related individuals, in order to produce this highly valuable book.

Perhaps Larry Berman's connection with Pham Xuan An was more than just an academic interview. Between two men from two opposing worlds – an American professor and a Vietnamese spy who had worked against the United States – an inexplicable bond of trust emerged. Reading the book, I picture Larry Berman during his first meeting with Pham Xuan An: sitting before a man who had weathered countless storms of the times, his eyes both gentle and sharp, recounting his story in a low voice, sometimes tinged with wit.

There were times when I believed that author Berman wasn't just taking notes to write a book. He listened like a friend, a traveler tracing the remnants of a war they both witnessed, albeit on opposing sides. It was this listening, this patience, that gradually led Pham Xuan An—once known worldwide as a mysterious figure—to open up.

And so, after many years, the book X6 - The Perfect Spy is not just the story of a historical figure, but also a testament to the power of understanding: War may divide people, but memory and truth can connect them on a deeper level.

Professor Larry Berman and Major General Pham Xuan An, intelligence officer and journalist. Photo courtesy of nhandan.vn

Set against the backdrop of the turbulent Vietnam War, the book delves into the inner workings of the American and Saigon government's information machinery, where Pham Xuan An was both a respected international correspondent and a loyal communist fighter. With the meticulous writing style of a scholar, Larry Berman not only records crucial historical milestones but also reconstructs a picture of the times, encompassing intelligence networks, intense battles of wits, and silent dedication to national independence. The book is a vivid testament to the intelligence, courage, and resilience of the Vietnamese people in their struggle for sovereignty ; it is also a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Vietnam War from an international perspective.

More than just a biography, this book is a comprehensive portrait of Pham Xuan An, depicting him from his childhood, his time studying in America, his years as a reporter for Time, Reuters, and the New York Herald Tribune… to becoming one of Vietnam’s most important strategic spies during the war.

“Pham Xuan An was my colleague, my friend, my mentor—and the man who saved my life during the Vietnam War. I thought I understood Pham Xuan An like any other American, until I read Larry Berman’s book. There were many surprises on every page.”

ROBERT SAMANSON - author of War News: A Young Reporter in Indochina

What's special about this book is that author Larry Berman didn't write it to glorify or criticize, but to portray a real person with internal conflicts, torn between personal feelings and duty to his country.

In the eyes of his international friends, Pham Xuan An was an intelligent, witty, and knowledgeable journalist. But alongside that image was a "silent fighter," working for Vietnam's intelligence network, providing strategic information that greatly influenced the course of the war. The remarkable thing is that he fully embodied both roles without arousing suspicion. This required extraordinary courage, exceptional adaptability, and above all, immeasurable personal sacrifice…

In just under 400 pages, Larry Berman offers readers a perspective from both sides of the war. As an American scholar, the author is impartial in his research, interviewing witnesses to recount the story with respect for the truth. This reveals that Pham Xuan An was not only a "perfect spy" in terms of his professional skills, but also a man of peace . He cherished his American friends, appreciated Western culture, yet remained steadfast in his ideals of national liberation. His intelligence, tactful demeanor, and unwavering spirit serve as an example for young people in any field.

X6 - The Perfect Spy is a book not only for history lovers, but for anyone who wants to understand more about the power of intelligence, courage, and patriotism. Pham Xuan An's name will forever be etched in the golden pages of the nation's history, as an immortal testament to Vietnamese intelligence and unwavering courage in the journey to independence and freedom.

In September, the whole country looks forward to Independence Day - National Day on September 2nd. And coincidentally, strategic intelligence officer Pham Xuan An was born in September in Bien Hoa, Dong Nai. Reading "X6 - The Perfect Spy" again, I admire even more the strategic intelligence general Pham Xuan An. He lived a life of passion and courage, caught between two battle lines, two sides of the conflict.

Van Anh

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/dong-nai-cuoi-tuan/202508/x6-diep-vien-hoan-hao-728118c/