Russell Jones' engrossing memoir, Honorable Intentions, is a story of adventure and heroism that becomes a personal journey of enlightenment as he breaks the bonds of supreme religious authority embedded at childhood and becomes immersed in public service as a police officer, soldier and spy, all with aspirations to contribute to the betterment of his fellow man. But along with the excitement and satisfaction of public service he comes to understand the dark corrupting influences imposed by those in leadership positions who depend upon men of his caliber to strip themselves of their individuality and become part of the collective though obedience, discipline, dedication, and pride, while they are exploited and used as the hunter/gatherers to feed the quota-based propaganda machines— traffic tickets, drug arrests and seizures, battlefield body counts— used to justify the tyrannical enforcement of failed public policy while the institutions they lead, once established to protect and serve, erode from the inside-out from the corruption of totalitarian ideology that always accompanies the perversions of coerced morality. This journey of enlightenment has served Russell Jones well as his voice today is an experienced, credible weapon used effectively in this book to expose and counter the failed 40-year ideology of totalitarian paternalism that we call the War on Drugs.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Joseph D. McNamara, Police Chief San Jose CA. (ret.)
“A fast moving, gripping account of Jones' adventures as a combat soldier, dedicated cop and narc. The account of his training, indoctrination, sense of camaraderie, and disappointment in the bureaucratic leadership in both professions is mesmerizing and as good as it gets. Jones presents a moving and valuable saga representative of the millions of patriotic Americans who made the United States the most free and powerful nation in the world.”
Judge James P. Gray (Ret.), Superior Court of Orange County
"Russell Jones' insights into the failed War on Drugs come directly from his first-hand experiences as a Vietnam helicopter pilot, police officer, Narcotics detective, DEA task force officer and intelligence agent in Central America during Iran-Contra. No one can have a reasoned opinion on drug policy without considering his vast and hard-hitting experiences."
Judge James P. Gray (Ret.), Superior Court of Orange County, California and author of "Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed and What We Can Do About It" (Temple University Press, 2nd edition, 2012)
Friday, January 6, 2012
Review from retired Chief of Police
I am amazed, delighted, and honestly surprised by the author’s candor, truthfulness, honesty and clarity. I’ve read intently of the Vietnam experience in detail. Although I was drafted, I never went to Vietnam and I’ve lived with a chip on my shoulder as to why I stayed stateside. I believed for a long time I should’ve gone, like I let people down…including myself. After reading this book, (and 42 years have passed), I know longer feel "Why me?" With that said, the author’s police writings I can intimately relate to— as a retired Police Chief, former chief of detectives, DEA Interdiction supervisor, FBI task force and weapons instructor, and New York State police instructor. Believe me, I can relate to the authors writings. After 34 years of police service, I retired in 2007, beat cancer, live with the loss of my 21 year old son, ride my old HD Road King, winter in Florida, and smile at the amazement of sunshine, palm trees, a good steak, family, and friends. And now I no longer ask "Why me?"...Thank you again, Russell Jones. I sincerely hope we have a chance to meet one day. Be well, Rich Colozzo.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
More reviews
From Ted Sumner : Honorable Intentions is a fabulous work of reality. The author brings the reader face to face with the sinister evil that is war, drugs and international criminal enterprise while recounting his own participation in the application of the woefully inadequate government policies that continue to prevent any satisfactory solution to these perversions upon society. Russ Jones takes you with him to the controls of a combat helicopter over the steamy jungles of Viet Nam, to the perilous lairs of a notorious outlaw motorcycle gang as an undercover narcotics operative, to the duplicitous backroom dealings of revolutionary Central America. Honorable Intentions strips away the delusional misconceptions about the Viet Nam War, the War on Drugs and international government machinations that continue to be perpetuated as common knowledge.
(Note: Ted Sumner is author of Deep Cover Cop, which can be found at www.deepcovercop.com )
From Chuck Teeter, Major General, USA, retired: Read it straight through. It’s a fine piece of work and the author has been successful in causing this reader to think about the drug problem from an entirely different perspective.
From Stan Tice, San Jose Police Sgt, Retired: The book was fascinating. What a great read!
I especially liked the sailing stories. They brought back memories of our three round trips in the ICW, from the Bahamas to Chesapeake Bay each summer, and the wonderful times we had in the Bahamas during the winters. You stopped at many of the same places that we explored and enjoyed.
The book also brought back some not so happy memories. I've only cried twice in my adult life. The first was when my grandfather died, the second was when Simpson and Silva were killed. Although I was back in the bureau when that happened, both were on my team when I was a patrol sergeant. They were such good friends and so being murdered on the same day sort of hit me pretty hard.
When I started to read the book, I thought that it would be just a good adventure story, but as I continued, I realized that you had a serious agenda. I too believe that our War on Drugs is a failed policy. Wonder when those in power will realize it.
From Howard Wooldridge, retired police detective, currently serves as a drug policy expert in Washington DC. He is the author of “Misty’s Long Ride.”
If you desire an ‘insider’s view’ of how narcotics officers operate, this book is pure gold. Couldn’t stop until I finished it. Speaking as an author, I celebrate Russell Jones’ courage to write it. I am confident it was difficult, probably lots of tears & such.
From James Gray, California Superior Court Judge, retired: Russell Jones has written a first-person narrative about his own experiences as a veteran Vietnam helicopter pilot, San Jose California police officer and narcotics detective (serving under Joe McNamara for a while), DEA task force officer and intelligence agent in Central America during Iran-Contra. Many books have been referred and sent to me, but Russell’s book, “Honorable Intentions” (Hill Country Ink, 2012) is certainly the best. I recommend you get it, read it and use it.
Well done Russ!
From Bob Allen, Deputy Chief of Police, San Jose, retired. Chief of Police, Capitola, retired : The book is a good read, a nostalgic visit to the Valley of the Heart’s Delight: the San Jose Police Department in what some young officers might call “the old days”, the Viet Nam war as seen out of the open door of a helicopter, and a lot about our federal government agencies that we’ve always known or at least suspected.
People who thought they knew Russ Jones will learn they were only partly right. People, like myself, who thought they knew what Jones was doing when he worked for the police department may be equally surprised. The book has lots of little bits and pieces of stories that I only knew other bits and pieces of. This is a must-read for anyone who’s ever been to Bini’s, Bruni’s, or The Foghorn, and I recommend it.
The overall theme may be uncomfortable for people dead set on how we should deal with the drug problem, but he presents many ideas we all need to think about.
(Note: Ted Sumner is author of Deep Cover Cop, which can be found at www.deepcovercop.com )
From Chuck Teeter, Major General, USA, retired: Read it straight through. It’s a fine piece of work and the author has been successful in causing this reader to think about the drug problem from an entirely different perspective.
From Stan Tice, San Jose Police Sgt, Retired: The book was fascinating. What a great read!
I especially liked the sailing stories. They brought back memories of our three round trips in the ICW, from the Bahamas to Chesapeake Bay each summer, and the wonderful times we had in the Bahamas during the winters. You stopped at many of the same places that we explored and enjoyed.
The book also brought back some not so happy memories. I've only cried twice in my adult life. The first was when my grandfather died, the second was when Simpson and Silva were killed. Although I was back in the bureau when that happened, both were on my team when I was a patrol sergeant. They were such good friends and so being murdered on the same day sort of hit me pretty hard.
When I started to read the book, I thought that it would be just a good adventure story, but as I continued, I realized that you had a serious agenda. I too believe that our War on Drugs is a failed policy. Wonder when those in power will realize it.
From Howard Wooldridge, retired police detective, currently serves as a drug policy expert in Washington DC. He is the author of “Misty’s Long Ride.”
If you desire an ‘insider’s view’ of how narcotics officers operate, this book is pure gold. Couldn’t stop until I finished it. Speaking as an author, I celebrate Russell Jones’ courage to write it. I am confident it was difficult, probably lots of tears & such.
From James Gray, California Superior Court Judge, retired: Russell Jones has written a first-person narrative about his own experiences as a veteran Vietnam helicopter pilot, San Jose California police officer and narcotics detective (serving under Joe McNamara for a while), DEA task force officer and intelligence agent in Central America during Iran-Contra. Many books have been referred and sent to me, but Russell’s book, “Honorable Intentions” (Hill Country Ink, 2012) is certainly the best. I recommend you get it, read it and use it.
Well done Russ!
From Bob Allen, Deputy Chief of Police, San Jose, retired. Chief of Police, Capitola, retired : The book is a good read, a nostalgic visit to the Valley of the Heart’s Delight: the San Jose Police Department in what some young officers might call “the old days”, the Viet Nam war as seen out of the open door of a helicopter, and a lot about our federal government agencies that we’ve always known or at least suspected.
People who thought they knew Russ Jones will learn they were only partly right. People, like myself, who thought they knew what Jones was doing when he worked for the police department may be equally surprised. The book has lots of little bits and pieces of stories that I only knew other bits and pieces of. This is a must-read for anyone who’s ever been to Bini’s, Bruni’s, or The Foghorn, and I recommend it.
The overall theme may be uncomfortable for people dead set on how we should deal with the drug problem, but he presents many ideas we all need to think about.
From John C., CW4, US Army, retired:
Totally enjoyed it. I found your style, composition and grammar to be smooth and professional. I think you have a winner!
Monday, January 2, 2012
Honorable Intentions reviews
Gary B: This book gives credibility to my own belief that the same misguided policies which were used to legislate morality during the prohibition experiment are creating the same harmful results, empowering and enriching criminal enterprises, severely handicapping the future of our youth with minor possesion offenses, and allowing untold millions to be siphoned out of our economy. This extraordinary tale of a common man following his callings to the pinnacles of adventure makes his conclusions undeniable without the conscious suspension of veracity.
Besides being a powerful statement of the realities of wars on all fronts, it is a very enjoyable read that I shall promote at every opportunity.
Russell Jones takes you on a Journey you will never forget.
One moment you are standing to attention, being screamed at whilst in Army flight training school... next thing you know, you are in the heart of combat operations, dog fighting your helicopter with Vietnamese Ground soldiers shooting at you... Onto Policing the streets of CA in the 70's, entering into the dark and dangerous world of Hells Angels, undercover drug deals and Secret Government Operations.
His excellent use of the English language enable you to feel a part of Mr Jone's life; humour mixed with deep felt emotions of loss and disparity along with his courage, determination and quick mind will keep you on your toes. He will have you in stitches and then feeling melancholy all within a few paragraphs.
Mr Jones keeps you involved with his family life, his love of his son, his mistakes, downfalls and the joys he has outside of his career.
He clearly brings to your attention a different view of the War on Drugs.. and inspires new ideas on how it might one day be won.
I was quite sad to reach the end of this book, but realise that this is just a chapter in the life of Mr Jones as a writer and hope to be reading more of his amazing accomplishments, maybe on "How the War Was Won" !!!!!
Mr. Jones' book brings it home, full-force, and I would love to send everyone who opposes these views a free copy of his book, so that they might gain a better understanding of why the U.S.'s decades-long, utterly-failed Drug War must end.
By continuing to allow drug syndicates and cartels to dominate the market, name their price, and kill anyone or anything that gets in their way, we undermine our own freedoms. Especially disgusting are recently-published stories from Mexico, detailing how our own ATF allowed weapons to be sold to its cartels, resulting in the death of innumerable innocent civilians and police, alike.
I come away from this book knowing there are now folks who've witnessed this failure with their own eyes and have seen the heavy price of selfish governance over common sense. That men like Mr. Jones can come out of their long experience with a newfound recognition of its failures can only mean we're moving in the right direction.
Thank you, Mr. Jones, for demonstrating bravery in publishing your story. I hope its message is heard loud and clear: honorable intentions are not enough.
Warning!! "Honorable Intentions," becomes, "Super Glued," to your hands from page 1.
Russell Jones is a genuine & REAL American hero who served his country through three conflicts.
Fasten your seat belt and hold on tight as this unmatched communicator documents the brutal
truth about Vietnam, Iran/Contra, and the War on Drugs. At the same time, Russell Jones
presents real solutions to some of our greatest concerns today, and he does so in a candid
manner that will utterly entertain, provoke, and compel you.
Everyone should read, "Honorable Intentions," by Russell Jones--this one's a life-changer folks.
Besides being a powerful statement of the realities of wars on all fronts, it is a very enjoyable read that I shall promote at every opportunity.
Novel T: I love reading auto-biographies and this one fits right in there with the best of them.
Russell Jones takes you on a Journey you will never forget.
One moment you are standing to attention, being screamed at whilst in Army flight training school... next thing you know, you are in the heart of combat operations, dog fighting your helicopter with Vietnamese Ground soldiers shooting at you... Onto Policing the streets of CA in the 70's, entering into the dark and dangerous world of Hells Angels, undercover drug deals and Secret Government Operations.
His excellent use of the English language enable you to feel a part of Mr Jone's life; humour mixed with deep felt emotions of loss and disparity along with his courage, determination and quick mind will keep you on your toes. He will have you in stitches and then feeling melancholy all within a few paragraphs.
Mr Jones keeps you involved with his family life, his love of his son, his mistakes, downfalls and the joys he has outside of his career.
He clearly brings to your attention a different view of the War on Drugs.. and inspires new ideas on how it might one day be won.
I was quite sad to reach the end of this book, but realise that this is just a chapter in the life of Mr Jones as a writer and hope to be reading more of his amazing accomplishments, maybe on "How the War Was Won" !!!!!
Johnson B: As a Central American refugee of one of its many civil wars, I've had a first-hand look at how unqualified and undesired 1st-world meddling can destroy budding national identities, world-wide.
Mr. Jones' book brings it home, full-force, and I would love to send everyone who opposes these views a free copy of his book, so that they might gain a better understanding of why the U.S.'s decades-long, utterly-failed Drug War must end.
By continuing to allow drug syndicates and cartels to dominate the market, name their price, and kill anyone or anything that gets in their way, we undermine our own freedoms. Especially disgusting are recently-published stories from Mexico, detailing how our own ATF allowed weapons to be sold to its cartels, resulting in the death of innumerable innocent civilians and police, alike.
I come away from this book knowing there are now folks who've witnessed this failure with their own eyes and have seen the heavy price of selfish governance over common sense. That men like Mr. Jones can come out of their long experience with a newfound recognition of its failures can only mean we're moving in the right direction.
Thank you, Mr. Jones, for demonstrating bravery in publishing your story. I hope its message is heard loud and clear: honorable intentions are not enough.
Sylvia H: Not only is this book interesting and informative, it is very well written. I felt like I was right there with Mr. Jones. And in telling his story he is precise and to the point, giving the reader just enough to not want to put it down. Loved it!
Cherie R: I loved this book! Russell has a real way with words. At times he had me laughing hysterically and then crying real...literal tears. It's a good read.
Eyes Open: I bought a signed copy of this book from the authors website: Honorable-Intentions.com
Warning!! "Honorable Intentions," becomes, "Super Glued," to your hands from page 1.
Russell Jones is a genuine & REAL American hero who served his country through three conflicts.
Fasten your seat belt and hold on tight as this unmatched communicator documents the brutal
truth about Vietnam, Iran/Contra, and the War on Drugs. At the same time, Russell Jones
presents real solutions to some of our greatest concerns today, and he does so in a candid
manner that will utterly entertain, provoke, and compel you.
Everyone should read, "Honorable Intentions," by Russell Jones--this one's a life-changer folks.
SH4Books: The author methodically brings you, through his life experiences along with documented facts and evidence, to startling conclusions. Highly recommend it. I bought it off the authors web site but it should be available through Amazon shortly.
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