- Paperback: 400 pages
- Publisher: Pan; 2 edition (24 Mar 2000)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0330375377
- ISBN-13: 978-0330375375
- Product Dimensions: 19.4 x 13 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 510,924 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Mossad, the Israeli secret service, remains one of the most unknown and covert organizations at work in the modern day. Thomas was allowed access to Mossad's leaders and field operatives over a three-year period and exposes the truth behind its involvement in the murder of Yasser Arafat's chief aide, the stealing of a MiG from Iraq and nuclear material from a Pittsburg plant, and assassinations authorized by Benjamin Netanyahu. More shockingly, he makes claims that Robert Maxwell was involved with Mossad during the Irangate scandal, that the agency infiltrated the White House, and that it was involved with Henri Paul immediately prior to the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed. This is an exciting and controversial expose of hidden agendas. (Kirkus UK)
Forget (largely) about the "history" part; this is an anecdote-rich, if sometimes factually questionable, series of tales about the extraordinary derring-do of Israel's vaunted elite foreign intelligence service. Prolific British journalist Thomas (Enslaved, 1991; Chaos Under Heaven: The Shocking Story Behind China's Search for Democracy, 1991; etc.), whose 38th book this is, spent over 100 hours interviewing Mossad heads and agents, as well as others whose lives have been affected by the agency, including Yasir Arafat (a frequent assassination target before the 1993 Oslo agreement). To his credit, he delves into the organization's more significant bungled operations, including the mid-1970s killing of an innocent Arab waiter in Norway who was thought to be one of the PLO perpetrators of the 1972 Munich massacre of Israel's Olympic team. Thomas also provides readers with a good sense of how the Mossad trains its operatives in the field and of how extensively Israeli agents have infiltrated even the most apparently inaccessible parts of the Arab world. (It was a Mossad case officer in the Iraqi desert who, days before the 1991 Gulf War began, discovered that Baghdad had far more SCUD missiles in advanced positions than the CIA knew.) For the most part, though, Thomas contributes to the mythologizing of the Mossad by portraying an endlessly resourceful, often ruthless service that seems straight out of a James Bond film. How many of his tales are true? As Thomas doesn't document, aside from a short list of "primary interviewees" and other sources, it's hard to say. Nor does he build credibility by getting certain basic facts wrong or by occasionally offering hyperventilating prose. In short, this fun read, while containing much juicy ready-for-film-adaptation material, should be approached with a skeptical eye by readers interested in serious history. (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Forget (largely) about the "history" part; this is an anecdote-rich, if sometimes factually questionable, series of tales about the extraordinary derring-do of Israel's vaunted elite foreign intelligence service. Prolific British journalist Thomas (Enslaved, 1991; Chaos Under Heaven: The Shocking Story Behind China's Search for Democracy, 1991; etc.), whose 38th book this is, spent over 100 hours interviewing Mossad heads and agents, as well as others whose lives have been affected by the agency, including Yasir Arafat (a frequent assassination target before the 1993 Oslo agreement). To his credit, he delves into the organization's more significant bungled operations, including the mid-1970s killing of an innocent Arab waiter in Norway who was thought to be one of the PLO perpetrators of the 1972 Munich massacre of Israel's Olympic team. Thomas also provides readers with a good sense of how the Mossad trains its operatives in the field and of how extensively Israeli agents have infiltrated even the most apparently inaccessible parts of the Arab world. (It was a Mossad case officer in the Iraqi desert who, days before the 1991 Gulf War began, discovered that Baghdad had far more SCUD missiles in advanced positions than the CIA knew.) For the most part, though, Thomas contributes to the mythologizing of the Mossad by portraying an endlessly resourceful, often ruthless service that seems straight out of a James Bond film. How many of his tales are true? As Thomas doesn't document, aside from a short list of "primary interviewees" and other sources, it's hard to say. Nor does he build credibility by getting certain basic facts wrong or by occasionally offering hyperventilating prose. In short, this fun read, while containing much juicy ready-for-film-adaptation material, should be approached with a skeptical eye by readers interested in serious history. (Kirkus Reviews) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Product Description
With exclusive access, Gordon Thomas gives a revealing and controversial insight into the highly secretive Israeli Secret Service.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gideons Spies - A great book!,
By
This review is from: Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad (Paperback)
I'm loving this book at the moment - I'm 170 pages in. It's really readable, and it gives a fascinating insight into the world of international espionage as well as a series of new perspectives on the recent history of the Middle East.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book,
By Dr. David Webb, PhD (Edinburgh, Scotland) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad (Paperback)
I bought this book for my Grandfather (a present from my Mother to her Father, for Father's Day). He said that after 7 or so pages, he felt like he couldn't put it down! If you're into the world of spies and government black ops, this is the book for you.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Mossad-not very nice people.......,
This review is from: Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad (Paperback)
Only part way through this but from what I have read I can tell you that I'm gripped-the death of Robert Maxwell, Princess Diana, the attempted assasination of pope John Paul II-it's all here. And the shadowy world that Mossad and it's agent's inhabit seems a cruel, dark mysterious place, and you wouldn't want to cross them or pit yourself against them, they are utterly ruthless in destroying their enemies. Spellbinding.
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