Lonely Soldier: The Memoir of an American in the Israeli Army [Hardcover]

Adam Harmon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 27, 2006

He is an American citizen and an Israeli soldier. Now, in a stunning memoir, Adam Harmon recounts his service with one of the most effective and admired fighting forces in the world.

Raised with a strong Jewish identity in New England, Harmon visited Israel as a teenager in 1984. He immediately knew he wanted to live there. Six years later, the Palestinian Intifida was under way and Iraq had invaded Kuwait. Just out of college, Harmon was back in Israel, joining the military. Without family in the country, he was designated a chayal boded, or lonely soldier.

One of the few nonnatives to become an Israeli paratrooper and already an old man in a country where service is compulsory after high school Harmon describes the tough training and strict standards that define the Israeli combatant. From the very first push-up to ambushes in Lebanon and operations in the West Bank, readers march alongside Harmon and discover the value of having retsach bi anigh (murder in your eye) and learn why time is holy.

The Israeli military culture surprised Harmon. It was very different from the one he expected to find. As within the U.S. military, Israeli soldiers avoid punishment only by being perfectionists, but the Israeli military has an unusually high regard for individualism. Commanders rely more on achieving consensus than on issuing orders; and every soldier is free to disobey an order he finds immoral.

Over the next thirteen years, Harmon was in the ranks of a military that was adapting to ever-changing threats. In 1990 killing was always used as a last resort, but by 2002 targeted assassinations were employed to decapitate terrorist gangs. Harmon s own wish for a separate Palestinian state never wavered, but his dismay at the increasing violence by Palestinians, desperate to achieve independence, mirrors the growing belief in Israel that a true rapprochement is not on the horizon.

Lonely Soldier, completed as Israel was beginning to disengage from Gaza, is a unique and thrilling glimpse into a revered yet misunderstood institution that is integral to Middle East peace.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Released at a time when soldier memoirs seem to be a dime-a-dozen publishing phenomenon, Harmon's entry should be celebrated as much for what it isn't as what it is. This is an even-paced, detailed, deliberate account of a sincere New Englander's move to Israel in 1990, where he enlists as a paratrooper just before the beginning of the Gulf War. Despite his weak grasp of Hebrew, Harmon graduates from basic training and soon finds himself guarding the country's borders and volunteering for raids against known and suspected terrorists. Throughout his service in the West Bank and Lebanon, he maintains a measured tone sympathetic to the hardships of neighboring Palestinians, even as he's called back from civilian life following an upswing in violence. For such a strictly chronological account-not merely day-to-day but at times moment-to-moment-Harmon's work is surprisingly captivating. Though he isn't always able to distinguish between pertinent and expendable information, Harmon's voice is so consistent and genuine that it's impossible not to identify with his steadfast journey. An illuminating account of a much-covered conflict, this is a memoir for anyone who wants a look behind the daily headlines.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

This well-told tale of an American Jew in the Israeli army adds notably to our knowledge of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) during the 1990s. Harmon traveled to Israel during his college years and decided on a permanent move after graduation. He was fit enough to be accepted for the elite parachute and recon units, donning an IDF uniform for the first Gulf War and the second intifada. Thereby he adopted the perspective of being early on the scene when terrorism struck the local shopping mall, riots arose outside a favorite nightclub, and a pitched battle was only a commute away. He provides many vivid portraits of fellow soldiers in the world's most reticent army but not much on weapons and tactics, for which the IDF is no doubt grateful. His attitude is that of an observant Jew and a strong Zionist, and with passion and clarity he enlightens us about a crucially significant fighting force not covered with this kind of intimacy by the general media. Roland Green
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Presidio Press; First Edition edition (June 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891418741
• ISBN-13: 978-0891418740
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,187 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #19 in Books > History > Military > United States > Operation Desert Storm

More About the Author

Born and raised in New Hampshire, I moved to Israel because I felt a deep connection to the country and the people. Joining the military was more about shouldering my responsibility as a member of the community than a personal mission to experience life as a soldier.

To my great surprise, I soon discovered that the Israeli military culture - it's pursuit of excellence, focus on collaboration without regard for rank, and high moral standards - was a very good fit for me.

Since 1990, I have served with the Israeli Paratroopers and a Special Operations reserve unit. Even though I live and work in the US today, I still return for reserve duty.

As such, I have conducted operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, carried out missions in the West Bank and Gaza during the first Intifadah - including the capture of the PLO headquarters in Ramallah) - and served as a reservist throughout the Oslo Peace Process.

In 2002, when the second Intifadah reached its peak and the IDF called up its military reserves in order to retake control of the West Bank and Gaza, I flew back to Israel from the US, where I was working.

And in 2003, I returned to serve in the Jenin region. My unit took part in operations that led to the capture of a leader of the Islamic Jihad, several suicide bombers, and other organizers of terror.

Given my age and background, my ability to contribute directly to the security of the US is limited. As a way to do my part, I have volunteered a considerable amount of time briefing members of the US Marine Corps, the US Army, and RAND on my experiences with the IDF. The information I provided was incorporated into US Marine Corps officer training prior to deployment in Iraq.

In 2006, I participated in the US Army's premiere wargame, Unified Quest. Participant input is an important part of US military efforts to improve current capabilities and prepare for future conflicts.

In addition, I have lectured at the US Army Combat Institute at Fort Leavenworth on the political consequences of military operations.

As a guest on several CNN and Fox programs, nationally syndicated radio programs, and local news talk radio shows, I discuss current events in the Middle East and counter-insurgency best practices.

And when I'm not lecturing at universities, community events, or at government agencies around the country, I live near Washington DC with my wife and young son.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A well-written, insightful account of an American's path to becoming an Israeli paratrooper, June 28, 2006

By 

Yaron (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Soldier: The Memoir of an American in the Israeli Army (Hardcover)

As a veteran of the IDF, I had been looking forward to Adam Harmon's "Lonely Soldier" for a few months. I am happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Even though my service took place 12 years before Adam's, most of the training methods were exactly as I recalled them. The first few hours and days at the Bakum (induction center), the sudden immersion into military life, the all-important interview about where you'd like to serve and the rigors of Tironut (boot camp).
Adam, who grew up in the United States, visited Israel in 1984 after his sophomore year in high school. He very quickly realized that he loved the country and wanted to live there, knowing that he would have to serve in the Israeli Defense Forces. After earning his bachelor's degree, he left his family behind and immigrated to Israel, joining the IDF during the Intifada. The 22-year-old volunteered to join the Tsanchanim (paratroopers) and, more importantly, an elite unit within the paratroopers. Even when things didn't always go his way and despite speaking very little Hebrew, Adam was intent on proving himself worthy of the coveted red beret and underwent the long and grueling training to become a full-fledged Tsanchan.
Adam vividly describes the classic IDF training doctrines and the less-than-formal interaction between commanders and soldiers, even in basic training. There is an emphasis on respect for the person, not the rank, and an egalitarian philosophy permeates the military service. Adam's first few months in the army were particularly challenging not only because of the rigorous drills and forced marches, but because he was still learning the language.
During his training, Adam took part in patrols in the West Bank during the Intifada and experienced Iraq's Scud missile attacks on Israel in 1991. He emerged as a dependable, enthusiastic paratrooper, always willing to volunteer for dangerous missions and always welcoming the challenges of hard training. One of the most important rites of passage for an Israeli paratrooper is the 90-kilometer forced march from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem, the "Massah koomtah" (march for beret), at the end of which the feldgling paratroopers are given the red berets. Adam's description of this ordeal is vivid and inspiring.
My recommendation for this book comes with a caveat: I could identify with much of what Adam writes about because I underwent similar training. The book struck a responsive chord, basically. For those without this background, the book may not meet the same expectations. Adam does not purport to have engaged in any vital military campaigns or left an indelible mark on the IDF. He was a "cog" in the military machine and his account is that of a soldier who took orders and executed them well -- nothing more, nothing less. The book is a grunt's-eye- view account of an idealistic immigrant.
NOTE: Nitpicking, perhaps, but for the sake of accuracy, I want to point out that the book contains two misspellings that are repeated too many times to be ignored. The special forces unit Duvdevan (which literally means "cherry") is spelled Duvedan. And Sayeret (recon unit) is spelled Sayerit.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars All Honor and Respect to You, August 3, 2006

By 

Joshua Lang (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Lonely Soldier: The Memoir of an American in the Israeli Army (Hardcover)

While Adam Harom may not write with the prose of Joyce or Steinbeck, his book The Lonely Soldier captivates you with its emotion. Harmon writes in a very simple, easy to read style, which makes it an enjoyable sunday afternoon read.
In his narrative Adam takes the reader through the details of his service in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force), which I found extremely fascinating. We come to understand Adam's calling back to Israel, and in turn perhaps come to understand Israel in a different light.
In short, if you are looking for a novel that makes litterary allusions to death, or the meaning of life, this book may not be the place to look.
But, in light of recent events in the Middle East, and the ongoing conflict in the Region, I could not recomend more strongly to read this book. Harmon provides a great, captivating, first-hand perspective on the region and into the life of an American who did something unique.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It is like having the Author right in front of you., July 28, 2006

By 

D. Burke "average reader" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lonely Soldier: The Memoir of an American in the Israeli Army (Hardcover)

This could not be more timely for what is happening around the world. It is interesting to hear what it is like for an Israeli soldier and what him/her goes through. I can't imagine what it must be like to train with such an elite army and not always be able to understand what was being said. The book makes you feel like the writer is right in front of you telling his story. I can't wait to read more by the Adam Harmon.