The Heights of Courage: A Tank Leader's War On the Golan [Paperback]

Avigdor Kahalani (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0275942694 | ISBN-13: 978-0275942694 | Publication Date: February 28, 1992

In October 1973, the State of Israel was invaded by Egyptian and Syrian forces. Despite early losses, Israel managed to outfight its opponents. The brief and bloody Yom Kippur War stands as a unique chapter in modern military history. Fought primarily by tank units, the war became a story not only of battle strategy and tactics, but also one of human discipline, endurance and sacrifice. While many historians have chronicled the events of the Yom Kippur War, few have been seasoned by actual combat. Avigdor Kahalani, commander of a tank battalion on the Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War, describes this experience in The Heights of Courage. Beginning with a description of the initial Syrian offensive, he recounts the personal endeavors of his men, their fears and their ambitions, as well as their emotional and physical hardships. His stark account traces the efforts of the Israel Armored Corps as they struggle to overcome extreme difficulties and setbacks. The author describes their ultimate penetration into enemy territory and their approach to within forty kilometers of Damascus.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A gripping tale of battlefield action on the Golan Heights during the early days of the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, told by an Israeli tank battalion commander. The book originally appeared in Israel and was well received. It is an essential contribution to the study of military leadership, the combat situation, and the military history of the 1973 conflict. The author describes in great detail the containment action by Israeli armor, which led to offensive action against Syrian forces. The description is augmented by daily accounts that include conversations, orders, etc., which help to place the reader in the thick of things. More than a simple war story, this is recommended for a wide audience.”–Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Hebrew

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Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Paperback (February 28, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275942694
• ISBN-13: 978-0275942694
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #705,835 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > History > Middle East > Syria

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read, March 4, 2005

By 

Pearl Jam "Pearl Jam" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heights of Courage: A Tank Leader's War On the Golan (Paperback)

I have served in Iraq and Kosovo as an officer in the US Army and this is one of the best accounts of Tank Warfare I have ever come across. It was mandatory reading in my Military History Class at West Point.

After reading this book, I felt as if I had walked in the author's shoes and seen the war from his prospective. I could not believe that his Brigade Commander gave him only a few hours to attack into Syria.... amazing.

What is truly compelling to learn how Israelis viewed this war in a much different way from Americans. If an American is sent to war, it usually requires a one week boat ride or a 24 hour+ flight. Loved ones are a distant memory an ocean away. For the author and his men, defeat meant that their wives and children would die too, for they were living only a few hours behind the front line soldiers.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A in-depth, personal account of modern warfare., June 18, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Fort Leavenworth, Kansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heights of Courage: A Tank Leader's War On the Golan (Paperback)

I recommend this book for anyone who wants a glimpse at modern war from the eyes of a soldier and commander. Kahalani does a fine job at recording the details of one tank battalion's perspective of the 1973 war. He captures the essense of the desperate nature of the Israeli battle on the Golan. Detailed accounts and conversations draw the reader into the story.

11 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and quick read, but not great for study, October 8, 2001

By 

C. Sullivan "tankersully" (APO, AE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Heights of Courage: A Tank Leader's War On the Golan (Paperback)

To start,"Heights of Courage" is an outstanding book, and a very personally told story of what it is to lead and fight in armored combat. The best parts of this book come in three chapters, where Kahalani relived experiences of getting hit and wounded in Egypt, moving mounted in tanks through a village,and when Kahalani relives the attack into Syrian territory. I had to rate this book lower, becuase i was highly dissapointed in two things. 1. Kahalani constantly refers to units by individuals names...which can be confusing as to whether he is speaking of the Division Commander or his Tank driver. 2. the book is totally lacking in Maps or tactical drawings to clarify the situations he is describing. The scale of the 3 maps provided is so great and lacking in detail, that one can not gain any aspect of the lower unit tactical situation, and are truly political, not military maps.