Delta Force: America's Elite Counterterrorist Force (Power) [Paperback]

Terry Griswold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 12, 1992 | Series: Power

Go inside the secret world of the elite anti-terrorist force directed by the President and drawn from the very best of the CIA, Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. History and past operations, secret training, uniforms, patches, weapons, and hi-tech equipment are all examined.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Delta is an up close and personal look at the members of America’s counterterrorism force, how they are recruited, selected and trained. It describes the tactics they use to fight the ongoing war on terrorism. The reader is treated to a rare glimpse into the sub-rosa world of Delta warriors. If I had it in my power, it would be mandatory reading for every American… a fascinating look into the secret world of America’s elite counterterrorist force."

 

—CSM Jimmie W. Spencer, U.S. Army (Ret.), Director, Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Programs, Association of the U.S. Army

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Zenith Press (November 12, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879386150
• ISBN-13: 978-0879386153
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 7.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,666,489 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Book Considering..., November 8, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Cedarville, Ohio (United States)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Delta Force: America's Elite Counterterrorist Force (Power) (Paperback)

I have spent a great deal of both time and money on books in "The Power Series." By far, my favorite is Delta: America's Elite Counterterrorist Force. This book has a detailed background on the history of the Delta Force and Colonel "Chargin' Charlie" Beckwith's attempts to closely mirror the make-up and training of the British SAS, as well as gives several examples of recent operations (especially the failed hostage-rescue attempt in Iran and missions destroying Scuds during Operation Desert Storm.) Despite the fact that the Pentagon refuses to acknowledge the existence of Special Forces Operational Detachment--Delta, (loosely referred to as "The Delta Force"), this book alleviates any doubt as to whether or not they do indeed exist and are successfully eliminating the ever-growing terrorist threat to the United States. The book also gives a profile of the typical Delta trooper, and the day-to-day tasks and training that he will perform. Over all, I have to give this book a high rating; afterall, there are very few good books on the market today about this particular subject.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good, Solid, History of DELTA, October 30, 2002

By 

Karl56 - See all my reviews

This review is from: Delta Force: America's Elite Counterterrorist Force (Power) (Paperback)

This is a good, solid, history of DELTA. Note that I say "history." In it the reader will find a discussion of the unit's creation, its weapons and equipment, the selection process and training of troopers, and the rotary and fixed-wing assets available to DELTA. The book ends with two chapters examining DELTA's role in Desert Shield and Desert Storm (especially hunting Iraqi Scud missile launchers deep behind enemy lines). The text is clearly informed by authors who know their subject.

Again, note the word "history." Some knock the book for not including up-to-the-minute current capabilities, weapons, photos, etc. Think about it, is this what you expect should be in a book on DELTA -- current capabilities and methods? Let's not make it too easy for the bad guys. Besides the book came out in the first-half of the 1990s, so photos run from the unit's beginnings through Desert Storm and the funerals afterwards.

As regards the photographs -- they are good, and there are plenty of them -- maybe over 150 or so color and black & white shots. A few previous reviewers don't like many of them -- they aren't pretty, they appear "out of date." But this is what separates the amateurs from the pros. Amateurs and buffs like the pretty shots, everyone nicely arranged for the camera. But that's not the reality of training in special forces. You don't dress up in pretty attire and pose for the photographer -- you use stealth, you charge hard, but you don't preen for the camera (and live to tell about it!). Besides, full-up battle gear is actually worn in less than 5% of the unit training, and depending on the mission, often not during active operations either.

This issue of photographs also begs the questions -- how are contemporary pictures in a work of history, "out of date?" Are Matthew Brady and Alexander Gardner's Civil War photographs "out of date?"

As for the scurrilous charge of plagiarism (tough to charge it when you can't spell it!). I have read Beckwith's book and can say that none, zero, zip, nada is plagiarized in this book. I would challenge the alleged "reviewer" to provide one instance of plagiarism. What makes such a charge absurd is the fact that Beckwith told a colleague (an SF LTC) that he liked this book. Would he like a book that plagiarizes him?? Hardly! I do recommend that one read Beckwith's book along with Black Hawk Down, but these don't replace reading Giangreco and Griswold's DELTA.

Of all the American special operations assets, DELTA is the one most shrouded in secrecy -- it's great to have a book by these coauthors that gives us historical insight into the unit.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delta: America's Elite Counterterrorist Force, October 25, 2002

By 

Les Grau (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Delta Force: America's Elite Counterterrorist Force (Power) (Paperback)

After reading D.M. Giangreco's article "Special Forces" in the new edition of American Heritage (November-December 2002), I pulled out my copy of Delta from the shelf. It has stood the test of time well. It is a well-researched history of Delta Force from its founding in 1979 through various operations including DESERT ONE, URGENT FURY, and JUST CAUSE. It ends with DESERT STORM. Over time, Delta Force changed what was needed and didn't tinker with what worked. Recruiting and training obviously worked and have stayed fairly static. Technology has changed with time. The book is great history with great photos of real professionals-not the standard, glitzy public affairs shots. It is an excellent account of a highly secret -- and, consequently, highly misunderstood -- counterterrorist organization. I hope the authors put out a follow-on edition adding Somalia, and Afghanistan. Les Grau, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas