Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit (Paperback)

by Eric Haney; (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Haney, a founding member of Delta Force who retired a command sergeant major, was a career army man, having served in the elite Rangers; his memoir covers his experiences during the formation and early operations of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta. In the fall of 1978, Haney was recruited and ordered to report to a secret corner of expansive Fort Bragg, N.C., where he underwent a rigorous selection process familiar from similar memoirs. In the second section of three, Haney describes advanced work with explosives and weapons, studying airplanes to plan hostage rescues, and the "final exam," in which the class was sent to the nation's capital, given precise assignments and had to evade the FBI. (The result a red-faced FBI.) Haney then relates his assignments: he served three times in Beirut guarding the American ambassador, participated in the invasion of Grenada, served in several Central American countries and narrowly escaped death during the abortive rescue attempt of the American hostages in Iran. Will he and a partner successfully eliminate a sniper harassing the Marines in Beirut? Will his unit rescue hostages aboard a hijacked plane without losing any hostages? Readers of other special forces memoirs will find this one distinctive for Haney's attention to interservice rivalries (he has a lot of negative things to say about the CIA) that he believes compromised several missions, as well as for Haney's nuanced, often disgusted descriptions of the human cost of war.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist
Retired army command sergeant-major Haney paints a vivid portrait of the first decade of the elite U.S. counterterrorist unit, Delta Force, which has never had more than a few hundred men on its roster. An early volunteer for the force, he became one of the handful who survived dauntingly rigorous physical and psychological tests to join its initial cadre of men who then were dedicated to special-operations warfare. Haney does the special-ops soldier full justice as he depicts himself and his comrades in training and in action. Notable among the actions he reports is the abortive 1980 Iranian hostage rescue, which left Haney with an acute distaste for the U.S. Navy and more than a few suspicions about the intestinal fortitude and ethics of the U.S. government. He grants, however, that the fiasco led to major reforms within Delta Force and U.S. special warfare service generally. Adding considerably to public knowledge about basic and sophisticated security and antiterrorism issues, his valuable book is also, after 9-11, a compellingly timely one. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Delta (August 30, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385339364
• ISBN-13: 978-0385339360
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (167 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,925 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Books > Nonfiction > Current Events > War & Peace
  #9 in	Books > Nonfiction > Politics > Freedom & Security > International Security
  #39 in	Books > Nonfiction > Current Events > Terrorism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The birth of a remarkable fighting force, September 2, 2005

By	Michael J. Mazza (Pittsburgh, PA USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)

This review is from: Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit (Hardcover)

"Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit," by Eric L. Haney, is a gripping book written by one of the organization's founding members. Haney retired from the U.S. Army as a Command Sergeant Major with over 20 years service. Early in the book Haney introduces the reader to Delta Force founder Colonel Charlie Beckwith, who had a vision of "a compact, highly skilled, and versatile unit able to undertake and execute difficult and unusual 'special' missions."

Haney describes in detail how, starting from Colonel Beckwith's vision, Delta Force was created from scratch. An early section of the book describes the torturous tests used on candidates for the newly forming unit. He also reveals the elements that Delta Force's creators drew upon as they shaped the emerging organization. Fundamentally modeled on the British Special Air Service commando organization, the new force drew its research and training from many sources: Secret Service snipers, Delta Airlines, the Department of Energy's Nuclear Emergency Search Teams, a veteran CIA agent, and more, including convicted criminals who provided insights into breaching and demolitions. We get to see how each ingredient is added into the potent mix. This glimpse into Delta Force's "DNA" is absolutely fascinating. Equally gripping is Haney's account of the actual training received by selectees for the new unit; the training includes a detailed espionage exercise that reads like something out of a suspense novel.

A high point in the book is the official "birth" of the new Delta Force as "a fully grown and reasoning predator, armed with fangs and claws and intelligence, able to run and to fight." Haney takes the reader beyond this milestone and into many missions undertaken by himself and other Delta Force operators: the botched attempt to rescue American hostages from Iran, an anti-sniper mission in Beirut, a seagoing countersmuggling operation off the coast of Central America, and more. Particularly interesting is Haney's account of the U.S. invasion of Grenada during the Reagan years; this section of the book includes a particularly powerful description of a combat helicopter assault.

I have read many military memoirs and historical accounts, and this book stands out in a number of ways. Its exploration of the building of a brand new unit from ground up is striking and important. Also significant is the glimpse Haney offers us into what he calls "Mr. Reagan's secret wars in Central America," which the author further notes "were always merciless affairs." The book is very well written; Haney particularly shines in the mode of storyteller. He is equally skilled at describing colorful, heroic personalities and intense scenes of violence and destruction. Haney includes a post-9/11 postscript in which he offers words of encouragement to the reader. I highly recommend this book to those who love military nonfiction.

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The "Hardy Boys" Revealed!, May 18, 2002

By	Troy A. Lettieri "Professional Warrior" (NC, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit (Hardcover)

This book is an incredible look inside the United States most secretive/covert unit (incidentally they still refuse to admit its existence!) in the military, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-DELTA. This book provides all the background data Beckwith's book (Delta Force) does not cover, plus a lot more in-depth outline and descriptions of Delta selection and advanced training events (Operator Training Course). I found this to be one of the highlights. The book also goes in to first person detail of many operations conducted by Haney while serving in Delta, his insight and participation in these events gives a refreshing look at some of the more know escapades the unit has been involved with like, "Desert One" were he barely escaped with his life. The book also coves little know topics of Deltas operation and employment in Beirut, Grenada, and Honduras, which I found to be quite reveling and intriguing. I must let you know the book does not disclose any national secrets most of the information is over ten years old (as Haney retired from active duty in 1990.), but this work is probably the most current information one will find on this organization. I highly recommend this book to any one with an interest in special operations, or anyone thinking of given "Selection" a go. I also recommend reading Beckwith's book "Delta Force".

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Story -- Little Detail, July 14, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit (Hardcover)

Despite the provocative title there is very little insider detail in this book concerning Delta Force. It is simply one man's personal and deliberately vague account of his service with Delta from its early beginnings in the late '70's through the turmoil of the '80's. The author very masterfully tells his story without "spilling the beans" concerning Delta's operations.

This is of course understandable but if you are looking for a real "nitty gritty" look at America's secret counter terror force you will have to look elsewhere. If, on the other hand, you want to read a well written account of what Delta is all about and get a taste of what they do this book will not disappoint.

While specifically protective of Delta's secrets this is not some whitewashed PR piece. The author is quick to denounce fools and admit mistakes. His disdain for career-minded politicians and officers is obvious as is his dedication to his men and his country.

The author has a frank, smooth writing style that is very pleasant to read and his insights on what he did for a living are refreshingly thoughtful, mature and even occasionally poignant in a genre that often can be boastful, arrogant and at times shallow. Most authors from inside the special ops community that I've read gave me the impression that they would be hard to like personally but this book's author made me feel like he would be a man I could comfortably introduce to my family and respect not just because he can kick some tail but also because he seems to be a genuine class act all around.

Pass this one by if you want a gritty, "in your face" commando yarn but if you a well written soft-sell on what Delta Force is all about then definitely give this book a try.