Golden Ghetto

"As the only American who has tackled the subject, Steve Bassett, in his book Golden Ghetto, has provided a one-of-a-kind insight into the sixteen-year life of an extraordinary air station closed by Charles de Gaulle's imperial edict. I found it fascinating reading and an accurate portrayal of a military life that will probably never be seen again."
--Air Force Major General John Riddle (Ret.)

"The book is one of a kind. There have been many books written by French authors about the Americans in France during the Cold War, but never one by an American writer. I know the books that have been written and have read many of them myself. There has been nothing to match what this book offers, an American insight into how the French and the Americans came together, first because of Cold War demands and eventually because of the deep friendship that had developed."
--Mme. Lydie Gerbaud, former Press Secretary for Jacques Chirac

"Excellent writing, excellent character development which brings the story to life. Strong theme that's personally interesting to me, having seen several Japanese cities rise out of the ashes and turn into big industrial centers with this help of Uncle Sam. Golden Ghetto's complex prism provides a rare snapshot of Cold War realities faced by more than 20 million men and women who served overseas. It more than deserves a place in the current celebrity driven publishing world."
--Pete Noyes, author of The Real L.A. Confidential

"I belonged to a communist family and I remember walking in the streets with petitions against the U.S. intrusion in France. People later realized that the Americans were manna from heaven who improved their lives. They were happy because of them. There were lots of communists on the base who wouldn't have budged. And it wasn't a contradiction for them. They were happy that the Americans were there. The American presence was our spell of sunny weather in all respects. But I must say, I am surprised that it is an American, not a Frenchman that is giving an in depth account of this period."
--Leandre Boizeau, La Bouinotte