This is the all-new special edition of the book that started it all back in 1980 or so. I will quote Roger Hull in the below introduction he wrote at the time, not realizing the next 46 years would have many a drop and tittle in them. With war with Iran looming again, we thought it would be useful to do an updated version that includes pictures and caftoons that went with the original, but could not be included in the first vic socotra book, or the pen name under which I scribbled while in government service.

Here is how Roger put it back then:

“The adventures of the USS Midway Battle Group through two Indian Ocean Emergency responses to the Iranian seizure of the U.S. embassy in Tehran, 1979. — Dick Ranger is the expression of an attitude. His adventures are far more than a chronicle of the Midway battle group through two Indian Ocean cruises. J.R. Reddig is a uniquely competent and professional intelligence officer. He was also a spokesman for the point of view that helped the men of Midway keep things in perspective. That was a real task during months at sea that seemed an eternity. It was the balance that helped. J.R. was astute and observant, the local expert on all that went on around us. Nick was an oblivious bungler, and J.R. wrote of him every day. The series was an escape when we all needed a little escapism. Nick was drinking and fooling around with Matilda. We needed a little of that, too. So Dick Ranger was a contribution. And he is a novel collection of the adventures, ideas, frustrations, and fantasies of some very real men in a time of national crisis. He is a part of all of us. In the style of our lives at the time, this book was written over about one hundred thousand miles, published in Japan, printed in Korea, and distributed by Midway Magic. —Roger K. Hull, Managing Editor

The expensive versions are for the people who were out there and may want to pass them along. The Kindle version is priced cheap for general interest. Have fun with this. I is what shaped what I like to think of as my life!

• Vic