Operation Voodoo Doll was a covert military operation conducted by the United States during the 1960s, specifically during the Vietnam War. The objective of this operation was to gather intelligence on North Vietnamese forces and disrupt their operations using psychological warfare tactics. The operation was based on the idea that by spreading fear and superstition among the enemy troops, their morale would be significantly weakened. This was done through the use of various psychological warfare techniques, including the distribution of voodoo dolls among North Vietnamese soldiers. The voodoo dolls were designed to resemble the soldiers and were believed to have a mystical power by North Vietnamese troops. The dolls were distributed in areas where the enemy troops were known to gather, such as villages and military bases.
The dolls were distributed in areas where the enemy troops were known to gather, such as villages and military bases. It was hoped that the belief in the supernatural powers of the dolls would create a sense of fear and paranoia among the enemy soldiers, leading to decreased morale and effectiveness in combat. In addition to the distribution of the voodoo dolls, other psychological warfare tactics were employed, such as the broadcasting of spooky sounds and messages over enemy communication channels.
Ordinary Magic
F rom a pioneering researcher, this book synthesizes the best current knowledge on resilience in children and adolescents. Ann S. Masten explores what allows certain individuals to thrive and adapt despite adverse circumstances, such as poverty, chronic family problems, or exposure to trauma. Coverage encompasses the neurobiology of resilience as well as the role of major contexts of development: families, schools, and culture. Identifying key protective factors in early childhood and beyond, Masten provides a cogent framework for designing programs to promote resilience. Complex concepts are carefully defined and illustrated with real-world examples.
“Sheer joy….All scholars wishing to better acquaint themselves with the resilience in development literature would do well to pick up Masten’s book and read it solicitously….Applicable for scientists, practitioners, family members, teachers, early interventionists, policymakers, and countless others who genuinely strive for equity and equanimity among all—especially the vulnerable.”
—Infant Mental Health Journal
“I do so wish that this book had been available before I did my doctorate in resilience studies and when I had been teaching this subject….I continue to be very grateful for resilience research and theorizing as a practitioner and, in particular, for this unique summary and stock take of the discipline that Professor Ann Masten provides. Ordinary Magic will be of very great assistance to postgraduate students, and to beginning researchers, because it details the waves of resilience investigations that have brought us to the present day….In my teaching experience, even postgraduate students can have trouble really understanding the resilience perspective, and they will surely benefit from Masten’s commitment to expressing complex ideas in straightforward language.”
—Psychology Aotearoa
“Masten's book deserves reading because of its extraordinary synthesis of selected theories and research….Masten has pulled together the wide range of approaches to the concept and its empirical grounding to this date. This has been a difficult task but the result is essentially a truly new 'manual on resilience,' which will last as a guide to further research for at least the next decade.”
—PsycCRITIQUES
“Ann Masten writes in an accessible narrative style while drawing on her vast personal and professional experience as a professor and international resilience expert….An illuminating and useful text for students, researchers, and anyone interested in this field.”
—Therapy Today
“Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.”
—Choice Reviews
“Nobody understands resilience as well as Ann Masten, and nobody writes about it as clearly, wisely, and deeply as she does. Dr. Masten is both a creator of new knowledge and a compelling narrator of the science and interventions that address how children manage to thrive in spite of adverse conditions. This indispensable book conveys the many facets of resilience, from neurobiology to cultural context to the importance of supportive relationships. Accessibly written, it makes complex concepts and processes easy to understand and impossible to forget. The book can be used as a text for undergraduate and graduate courses on typical development and developmental psychopathology, as well as in seminars for clinical interns and postdoctoral fellows.”
—Alicia F. Lieberman, PhD, Irving B. Harris Endowed Chair in Infant Mental Health and Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco
“I consider Masten to be the preeminent thinker on resilience—and one of psychology's very best writers. Few authors possess the theoretical, empirical, clinical, and translational prevention skills to write such an integrative, well-presented volume. Masten makes a critical contribution to understanding the multiple pathways toward resilient outcomes for individuals who have experienced significant adversity. She does an amazing job of integrating literature from a variety of disciplines and levels of analysis. This is by far the best book I have ever read on resilience, and will set the standard for a long time to come.”
—Dante Cicchetti, PhD, McKnight Presidential Chair of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Institute of Child Development, University of Minnesota
“Resilience is an invaluable concept for our turbulent times. Masten, a highly esteemed developmental psychologist, has been at the forefront of resilience theory and research for decades. In this beautifully crafted volume, she guides readers through the advances in our knowledge of the multilevel processes—the interactions of neurobiological, psychological, family, and sociocultural influences over time—that enable children and adults to survive and grow stronger from serious life challenges. Essential reading for scholars, students, and mental health professionals who strive to understand and promote positive adaptation in traumatic situations and multistress contexts.”
—Froma Walsh, MSW, PhD, Mose and Sylvia Firestone Professor Emerita, School of Social Service Administration and Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, and Codirector, Chicago Center for Family Health
“Ordinary Magic is an extraordinary achievement. Ann Masten has succeeded in integrating, synthesizing, and extending 40 years of resilience research into a compelling and highly readable volume. The book is audacious in scope, with Masten moving easily from genes to culture writ large. It is a ‘must read’ for a broad audience, including mental health practitioners, senior scholars, educators, and students.”
"For nearly 40 years, Ann Masten has been at the forefront of the ever-changing science of resilience. " read more »
— Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
F rom a pioneering researcher, this book synthesizes the best current knowledge on resilience in children and adolescents. Ann S. Masten explores what allows certain individuals to thrive and adapt despite adverse circumstances, such as poverty, chronic family problems, or exposure to trauma. Coverage encompasses the neurobiology of resilience as well as the role of major contexts of development: families, schools, and culture. Identifying key protective factors in early childhood and beyond, Masten provides a cogent framework for designing programs to promote resilience. Complex concepts are carefully defined and illustrated with real-world examples.
—Froma Walsh, MSW, PhD, Mose and Sylvia Firestone Professor Emerita, School of Social Service Administration and Department of Psychiatry, University of Chicago, and Codirector, Chicago Center for Family Health
This further added to the atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among North Vietnamese troops. While the exact effects of Operation Voodoo Doll are difficult to measure, it is believed that the psychological warfare tactics used during the operation did have some impact on enemy morale. However, it is important to note that the overall success of the operation is still a topic of debate among military historians and experts. Operation Voodoo Doll serves as an example of the lengths that the United States military was willing to go to disrupt enemy operations during the Vietnam War. It also highlights the importance of psychological warfare as a tool in modern warfare, and the ongoing research and innovations in this field..
Reviews for "Operation Voodoo Doll: The Intricate Web of Counterintelligence"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Operation Voodoo Doll" as someone who enjoys mysteries and detective novels. However, I found the plot to be lackluster and predictable. The characters were one-dimensional and the dialogue felt forced and unnatural. Overall, I was left feeling disappointed and unimpressed by this book.
2. Robert - 1 star - I couldn't even finish "Operation Voodoo Doll". The writing was disjointed and poorly executed, making it difficult to follow the storyline. The author seemed to rely on cliches and tired tropes rather than creating unique and memorable characters or a captivating plot. I regret wasting my time and money on this book.
3. Samantha - 1 star - "Operation Voodoo Doll" was a complete letdown. The pacing was off, with long stretches of boring and unnecessary information while the action scenes felt rushed and poorly developed. The author failed to create a believable and engaging world, leaving me feeling disconnected from the story. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a satisfying read.
4. Michael - 2 stars - While "Operation Voodoo Doll" had an intriguing premise, the execution fell short. The writing style was overly simplistic, making it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the story. Additionally, the resolution of the mystery felt forced and convenient, lacking the depth and complexity that I typically enjoy in this genre. Overall, I was underwhelmed with this book and would not consider it a standout in the detective fiction category.