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

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The Israeli Defense Force has dazzled the world with its surgically precise antiterrorist missions, conducted with a minimal loss of human life. Many of these operations have been the work of the elite Sayeret Matkal commando unit. The group's former commander, Betser, now presents his life story, and in the process pulls back some of the shroud that has long concealed the inner workings of Sayeret Matkal. The result is a captivating personal view of high-stakes special warfare. With the help of mystery writer Rosenberg (The Cutting Room), Betser chronicles his own role in well-publicized victories, such as the 1976 rescue of passengers from an Air France flight held hostage in Entebbe, Uganda; and in lesser-known failures as well, including the bold hijack of an Iraqi commercial aircraft mistakenly thought to be carrying the infamous terrorist George Habash. The former commando doesn't skimp on detail, delighting with such tidbits as the revelation that a commando disguised as a female tourist stuffed his bra with hand grenades. He speaks eloquently of the role of commando units, but also deplores violence, capping his riveting combat stories with a paean to peace that's all the more poignant because it's penned by a warrior.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

The famous Israeli commando Betser, with the help of the Israeli detective novelist Rosenberg (The Cutting Room, LJ 2/1/93), tells the story of his life and the development of the famed commando unit, Sayaret Matkal. Betser's account includes many exciting episodes in Israeli military history, such the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and the 1976 Entebbe Airport raid. Not surprisingly, the last event provides one of the most gripping portions of the book. Betser describes how he assumed command of the rescue effort when his superior officer was killed in the fighting. His book reflects the viewpoint of a professional soldier who was not always in agreement with the civilian politicians to whom he reported. While the work is well written, undoubtedly thanks to Rosenberg, it adds little that is new to our understanding of Israeli affairs. For most popular collections.?Mark Weber, Kent State Univ. Lib., Ohio
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 276 pages
• Publisher: Atlantic Monthly Pr; 1st edition (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871136376
• ISBN-13: 978-0871136374
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,164,113 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a great read, August 3, 2000

By	amir arnon (beer sheva Israel) - See all my reviews

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this a while ago..., October 17, 2001

By	Ken Bailey "mikoyan" (Ypsilanti, MI United States) - See all my reviews

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.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Far and Away the best War Memoirs I have ever read!, November 8, 1999

By A Customer

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!