In 1969 a regular line officer is pressed into the Naval Intelligence Service as the Cambodian Analyst to Admiral Zumwalt, the Commander of US Naval Forces in Vietnam. Responsible for targeting Naval agent networks into Cambodia, on his first day in Vietnam Lieutenant Becker finds himself in the midst of a power struggle between South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu and South Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Cao Ky that already resulted in the death of Becker's predecessor. Before the power struggle can be resolved, the head of the North Vietnamese Intelligence Service contacts Becker to arrange safe passage for the ailing President of North Vietnam to visit his grandfather's grave in a small village not very far from Saigon. As Becker negotiates for the release of ten American POWs, rivalries among the various intelligence services threaten to sabotage the politically sensitive operation.The author served as the Navy's Cambodian Analyst in Saigon from May 1969 to May 1970. During his tour of duty, the US established diplomatic relations with Cambodia, Ho Chi Minh died, Prince Norodom Sihanouk was overthrown and the US Army invaded the Cambodian border areas leading to the Kent State Massacre. The events of this novel are based on the author's reflection and recollection of his experiences in Vietnam.