Title: Communist China: Ruthless Enemy or Paper Tiger? (A Bibliographic Survey)
Publication: Department of the Army Pamphlet (DA PAM 20-61)
Publisher: Headquarters, Department of the Army, Washington D.C.
Format: Large Softcover / Military Pamphlet
Publication Date: January 1962 (First Edition)
Up for sale is an incredibly scarce and historically significant Cold War military intelligence document: "Communist China: Ruthless Enemy or Paper Tiger? (DA PAM 20-61)", compiled by the Army Library and published by the Headquarters of the Department of the Army in January 1962.
This massive bibliographic survey was produced at the height of the early 1960s geopolitical tension. The striking title directly references the intense global debate of the era—responding to Mao Zedong's famous public dismissal of the United States and its nuclear arsenal as a "paper tiger." This official intelligence survey analyzes China’s internal politics, economic stability, and military capabilities to determine if the regime posed an immediate global threat or a regional, unstable power.
Important Maps Note:
This volume is highly sought after because it includes the original, large, fold-out color intelligence maps tucked inside the rear pocket, detailing Chinese military regions, logistics networks, and geographic boundaries.
⚜️ Distinguished Provenance: From the Library of Carl W. Ford, Jr.
This exceptional copy comes directly from the personal library of Carl W. Ford, Jr., one of the United States' premier Cold War intelligence officials and East Asian specialists. His distinguished career in public service and national security includes serving as:
Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (INR) under Secretary of State Colin Powell (2001–2003).
China Strategic Intelligence Officer for the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Senior China Military Analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
National Intelligence Officer for East Asia at the CIA and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for East Asia and the Pacific.
Note on Provenance Verification: A cropped copy of the original estate sale flyer (Vintage Vibes Flyer Honorable Carl W. Ford.jpg) has been included in the photo gallery as visual verification of this book's origin from the Ford estate.
This volume is part of a premier, 100-book collection acquired directly from the private reference library of the Honorable Carl W. Ford, Jr. over the July 4th, 2026 weekend. His lifetime collection features an extraordinary depth of Asian history books, rare publications, political documents, and cultural memorabilia spanning decades of international service.
Over the coming days, I will be listing many more scarce volumes from this incredible estate.
View My Other Listings: Please check my other items to browse the collection as it goes live.
Combined Shipping: I am happy to combine shipping on multiple book purchases to save you money.