Killer Elite: The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team [Paperback]

Michael Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2008

A top-secret U.S. Army Special Operations unit has been running covert missions all over the world, from leading death squads to the hideout of drug baron Pablo Escobar to assassinating key al Qaeda members, including Iraqi leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and, in one of their greatest missions, capturing Saddam Hussein. 'The Activity,” as it became known to insiders, has achieved near-mythical status, even among the world's Special Operations elite. Hidden from the politicians and the government bean counters, The Activity has been carrying out deniable operations, preparing the way for Delta and SEAL Team Six.

Now journalist Michael Smith gets inside this clandestine military team to expose their explosive history and secrets. Smith has spoken to many former members of the Activity and reveals the incredible truth behind the world's most secret Special Operations organization, a unit that is at the forefront of the War on Terror.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[An] extensively researched and crisply written exposé….An important primer for anyone hoping to understand the successes and failures of U.S. intelligence in the last 25 years.” --Publishers Weekly

"Well written and authoritatively sourced, Killer Elite is the first detailed account of a Special Operations unit that Smith regards as America's most effective."--Sunday Telegraph

About the Author

Michael Smith writes on defense for the Sunday Times of London. A former member of the British Army’s Intelligence Corps, Smith covered the wars in the Balkans, Afghanistan, and Iraq and has broken a number of important stories. He is the award-winning author of numerous bestselling books, including The Emperor's Code, a true story of code-breaking during World War II. 

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Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312378262
• ISBN-13: 978-0312378264
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,925 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Don't judge this book by the title, March 23, 2009

By 

JMC (Virginia Beach, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Killer Elite: The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team (Paperback)

Smith's account of the special forces community from Desert One to Enduring Freedom offers an interesting glimpse into the byzantine workings of special operations. If you were expecting a white knuckle Clancy-esque account of operations reeking of cordite and sweat; FORGET IT.

Smith reveals that much of the work is in gathering and proper inmplementation of intelligence, through exploitation and signals gathering. There are myriad of operations recounted in this book: the killing of Pablo Escobar, SAS and Delta snatches of Serb war criminals and the current ops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Smith also covers the battles within the Penatagon, the scramble for funding and the decision makers.

The authors approach is academic and even handed, so if you expected "go-team-go" and techno-thriller action you're going to be VERY disappointed. Killer Elite is a great page turner for those of us who understand that "James Bond" movies are just that and the REAL shooters are quiet professionals.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty enlightening read, November 3, 2010

By 

J. Rhodes (Hopkinsville,KY) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Killer Elite: The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team (Paperback)

I have not finished reading this book yet, but it is for the people that want to be educated on the roots of the very special ops community. if you are looking for a blood guts and gore read, then you don't need to get this book. if you are looking to hear of the hardships these units go through and the paperwork our government makes them file in triplicate only to get lost along the way, just to go and complete a mission that shouldn't need more than an instant green light then this is a pretty good read. has everything from iran, beirut, and panama in the 80's up to present day missions. I am thoughroughly enjoying this book so far. and i'm sure anyone who appreciates gaining insight into things the general public are not entitled to know at the time of their going ons to give them a general idea of what might be going on behind the scenes today will enjoy it as well.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars interesting book, June 17, 2009

By 

T. lindquist (north carolina) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Killer Elite: The Inside Story of America's Most Secret Special Operations Team (Paperback)

this book shows another good idea brought forth by the military but never used to its full potential due to all the political bullcrap that always prevents units such as these from doing their job.