90 minutes at Entebbe [Paperback]

William Stevenson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1976

The first full inside story of Operation Thunderbolt, the spectacular Israeli strike against terrorism.

Product Details

• Paperback: 216 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Books (1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553104829
• ISBN-13: 978-0553104820
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #558,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible heroism in history's most memorable rescue., December 20, 2002

By 

M. D Roberts (Gwent, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: 90 minutes at Entebbe (Paperback)

This is the incredible story of one of the most heroic rescues of modern times, an incident that has become a virtual legend without equal in the archives of anti-terrorist operations.

There can be few readers who are not already familiar with the spectacular rescue by Israeli forces at Entebbe Airport, Uganda during July 1976. A rescue that has been committed to both film, documentary and the written page.

This captivating book by William Stevenson records in minute detail the hour by hour events throughout the period of this critical event, beginning with the actual in-flight hijacking of Air France Flight 139 en route from Athens to Paris, carrying over 262 passengers and crew.

A hijacking endorsed and supported by the then President of the Republic of Uganda, Idi Amin. Possibly the first time that any modern nation and it's leader actually became the protector and spokesman for terrorists and political blackmailers. The writer taking time to document the `behind the scenes' sponsorship and relationship between the hijackers, Uganda, Libya and Palestinian terrorist groups towards this methodically planned and carefully executed act of air piracy by Palestinian terrorists.

The book continues at a rapid pace and is difficult to put down. It may appear dated but it's relevancy to our day is unquestionable.

From the outset, the book shows in alarming clarity the political climate of the time in that no country other than Israel was prepared to do little other than negotiate with the terrorists. What is meant by this is that no other country was prepared to take on the responsibility of a rescue mission of any description. (One is left to ponder how much the heroic actions of the Israeli armed forces during this incident have had on the change in Worldwide perception of dealing with hijackings and terrorist attacks of this nature which had previously served to bully and hold to ransom democracies across the globe.)

The book illustrates that with the sudden early release of some 47 passengers, coinciding with the separation of the Israeli/Jewish hostages from the others, the obvious agenda of the terrorist mission became only too apparent. Israel and Israelis were the target.

This excellent book reconstructs the critical events throughout this incident, including the terrorists' demands, ultimatums and deadlines towards the bartering of the innocent passengers for convicted terrorists being held in custody. The individual make-up of the terrorist group is also examined, as are the political and military reactions of those on the Israeli side, together with the military preparations for the rescue mission.

This is a rivetting read of how, just hours before the deadline for the execution of the hostages expired, Israeli commandos travelled silently over 2,500 miles from Israel to Entebbe, landed in darkness at the airport, fought with Ugandan troops & the terrorists and rescued some 103 hostages taking them back to the safety of the Jewish state.

On this scale, as an operation of pure heroism this surely must stand alone. As a military task it was considerable, almost miraculous. To travel such a distance across International boundaries to carry out such an action is surely without precedent. One can only stand back in admiration for those rescuers described in this book.

The writer describes how sadly, the Israeli operational leader Colonel Yehonatan Netanyahu, was killed during the rescue. Known among his friends, family and compatriots as `Yoni', the heroism of this leader of the young Jewish state is legendary. Words alone are difficult to find & perhaps inadequate to pay tribute to `Yoni' and his men. As an ex-serviceman myself, I can only say that everyone that I have served with holds them in the highest reverence and honour. (Most readers will be aware that Yoni's brother, Benjamin Netanyahu, later became Israeli Prime Minister.)

This indeed is an essential addition to anyone's library on Middle East history. In a time when security and safety during air travel is again at the forefront of everyone's minds following the September 11th atrocities, this is a stirring reminder of how the heroism of ordinary people will not, and indeed cannot, submit to the demands of those who would hold the innocent to ransom amid threats of violence. Highly recommended.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book, March 8, 2000

By 

Joe Mundia - See all my reviews

This review is from: 90 minutes at Entebbe (Paperback)

I read this book in 1981. It was captivating. I knew some of the characters and places mentioned in the book (associated to Kenya). I was very young when it happend and when I read the book. I was in Kenya and not far from the action itself. The book I read had title related to Operation Thunder bolt-The Entebbe Raid. I am currently searching for this book. Kenya helped a lot in the rescue since the Hacules`s refuel in Kenya before the last trip to Entebbe. There was fear for retaliation for the help, but Kenyans helped anyway. Sure as death, retaliation came in form of a bomb in a Nairobi Hotel. What a world we live in!

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars who says new/big=better?, August 20, 2002

By 

Cookie Goddess (Berkeley, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 90 minutes at Entebbe (Paperback)

This book was easy to read, yet detailed and captivating. i doubt there is a better account of the hijacking to be found. for a short book its quite detailed and enjoyable. who says that old books cant be good?