Customer Reviews

Secret Soldier: The True Life Story of Israel's Greatest Commando

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in this turn pager muki betser reveals the secretive world of isrel's elite special operation units. told with great credability and a cocky attitude muki guides the reader through israel's wars , terrorist attacks and fight for survival. revealing not only succeses but also failures and tragedy.

I read this one a while ago, but recent events brought it back into the forefront of the mind. I remember that this was a really good book and gave me a perspective of the Israeli military that I never saw before. I knew they were very good, but I had no idea.
I just hope that we don't have to resort to the level of security that they have in Israel or Northern Ireland. Also, this book makes me want to read other books about the Israeli military.

I have never read a book that was more addicting than the SECRET SOLDIER. I have read it 4 times and I am still amazed at what the IDF can do. The missions that are described within this book will blow your mind from Entebbe to Prime Minister Ehud Barak running through the streets if Beirut in a dress and firing an Uzi. THIS BOOK IS FAR AND WAY THE BEST BOOK I HAVE EVER READ!

Muki Betser tells an intense account of his experiences as one of Israel's greatest commandos. Awesome book highly recommended. I read it in one day - couldn't put it down. Covers his experience in Shaked, Tsanchanim, and Sayeret Matkal - bascially starting from 1967. Despite the fact that his political views are outdated, (i wonder if he still thinks the same) this is a man who gave his entire life for the state of Israel.

As good as Marciko's Rough Warrior. True account no holds barred combat stories. Get it!

A first hand account of what it is really like to be in battle, to shoot and get shot, to kill the enemy and see your own comrades killed Secret Soldier is an informative, enlightning and fascinating book. At times it is hard to believe the book is non fiction. Secret Soldier does have its lulls but the action is at least as good as any fictional war novel. From infiltrating Buruit and Entebee to strike at terrorists or tank hunting on the Golan Heights Betser takes you with him into the thick of the action and danger. Not for the squemish or faint hearted.

The eminence of the IDF as one of the world's premier fighting forces is beyond doubt. Muki Betser's narrative, however, goes beyond the usual flag-waving descriptions of fire-fights with odds of 1 to 500 that we often read.

There is more than a hint of professional incompetence in the deskbound commanders isolated from the very men they command, as well as attempts by the self-same people to gloss over the unnecessary loss of young lives, caused in part by poor judgements and decisions made by the former.

The book is very much the tale of a man among men, as they fight for their nation's survival in real situations where victory cannot overwhelm the loss of a comrade-in-arms in conventional and unconventioanl warfare.

I found the accounts of the anti-terrorist war particularly real in the description of frustration and loss experienced by the combatants and civilians on both sides.

In a deluge of war biographies, Secret Soldier stands out for its realistic and balanced account of 1 man's part in Israel's national survival.

I'm reading this book for the second time now, and I have to agree with all the praise of my pre-reviewers. It is a very gripping read, emotional but never sentimental, and Muki Betser comes across as a man of great integrity, a truly gifted leader of men. I felt actually reminded of the Old Testament heroes of King David's time. I highly recommend this.