Rating: 
Summary: In the Style of Geraldo
Review: I love reading spy novels. This book fits right into that genre--however it is not intended to be a novel. I have always found it difficult to swallow any title that states that it's the "Secret History..." of anything. If it was so secret how on earth did a hack British reporter (reknown worldwide for their sensationalistic style) get the inside scoop on it?This book reminds me a lot of "The Puzzle Palace" a "secret history" about NSA. Compared to the CIA or MI6, both NSA and MOSSAD have virtually nothing of substance in the way of reference books. Most of the facts are based upon specualtion, innuendo and heresay. The authors in both books is probably gathering TONS of information from every source. But, since he can't publish all of it, he must filter it to create a story. But how? He is not an agent. He has never worked in the intelligence field and does not really have the background to choose what is fact or fiction--in the intell world it si sometimes blurred. So the auther instead falls back on what he DOES know. Which is writing stories. This book IS an incredably good story. As good as any Tom Clancy novel, and it even jumps around (Clancy-style) a lot just as it is getting intriguing. But, since this book is intended as a resource of non-fiction, what does the author give the reader to gain credibility? Answer: A 5 page "Note on Sources" which only elaborates on a few people he interviewed, but never cross-referencing with the stories within the chapters. There is an index, but so what? In some places Mr. Thomas also insinuates that he attended several of the events as a reporter, but never says who he talked to, about what subject. No doubt he had is tape-recorder running, but one never knows whether something was on or off the record. I would also think that since he makes reference to some books and newspapers, that he would document those, but alas! As I was reading this book, I could almost hear Geraldo Rivera in my head narrating it. (note to publisher: get Geraldo to narrate the audio book. You'll sell millions.) Both the author and Geraldo share an emphasis of the sensational and exaggeration. They never worry about sources, because they are journalists by habit and not historians. They have no need to be accountable, just in making sure they get credit for the story. Unfortunately, since this book is so compelling (which is why I at least gave it 3 stars), but lacks so much in the way of documentation, it could have been THE subject matter on Israeli intelligence. Instead it will be a popular read for a short time and wind up in the bargain bin in a few months.
Rating: 
Summary: A great book about the sometimes great, about Israel's most
Review: For the most part this is an excellent book about Israeli intelligence in General and in particular the Mossad.It shows the agressive and highly secrative war Israel has fought against terrorist networks like Hezbollah, Black September, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the PLO. It also shows how effective Mossad has been in hunting down and assassinating specific terrorists like the Red Prince, and the Engineer. It also however shows some of the highly misguided and in some cases imoral actions by some of the more ignorant Mossad leaders. Most agregious are the actions of Mossad cheif Rafi Eitan, who illegally used the Mossas to track members of the IRA in Spain, at behest of the British MI6. Apparently Eitan had forgotten (or didn't care) that Britian had once oppressed Jews in Palestine the same way they have oppressed Catholics in Ireland.
The Author correctly points out that Eitan was foolish to use Mossad to work against a group that is no different then the brave fighters of the Jewish Irgun. He also points out that the Mossad team was smart enough not to confront the IRA members, since it would have almost certainly led to the Mossad members deaths. Other then that incident, and a few other embarrasing incidents like the illegal gathering on intelligence about the relationship between Monica Lewinsky and Bill Clinto (An act apparently approved by Benjamin Netanyahu) The book shows the mostly excellent professionalisim of Mossad. This is a well written and informative book on one of the world's most successful spy agencies.
Rating: 
Summary: Gordon Thomas misses point
Review: Ok book, author forgets espionage is inherently a dirty business that capitalizes on human lying, deceit, weaknesses and fear. Author doesn't miss a chance to malign the Mossad while painting known terrorists and "family men" and men of cause in addition to their terrorist work. He paints the European, Russian and Asian intelligence agencies as caught in Israel's relentless assault against terrorists and missing a opportunity to list the successful relationship between the CIA & Mossad combating international terrorism and Communism.
Rating:
Summary: flawed, sensationalistic, but a damn good read
Review: First of all, any reviewer or potential reader of this book who expects to find pure, untainted historical truth in a popularized account of classified intelligence work like "Gideon's Spies" is suffering from a laughable case of naivete. Obviously, no layman author is going to have much verifiable inside dirt on the "katsas" and their intelligence coups, especially an amateur such as Thomas who has no particular expertise in Israeli affairs and is better known as a journeyman author on a wide range of non-fiction subjects. So, if you're looking for some kind of exhaustively researched bible of Mossad history, then I'm afraid this is the wrong book for you. Thomas is more interested in luring the casual reader's interest with shocking allegations, like the Princess Diana/Mossad connection, than he is in providing some kind of chronological encyclopedia of the Mossad's deeds, as several of the other reviewers have made us aware in just a bit too much detail. Well, sorry guys, we're all very impressed with your stinging criticisms about the proper date of the Entebbe rescue and the book's lack of footnotes, but they ring a little hollow considering that "Gideon's Spies" is a blatant piece of entertainment non-fiction and nothing more. I'm sure that Thomas himself would be the first to admit this. I've read other books on the Mossad, such as "Inside Stories" by Eisenberg, and I have to say that Thomas' book is just as well-researched as any of the others, if a bit meandering at times, and is quite excellent if you're in the market for a casual and entertaining look at the world's most fearsome spy agency.
Rating:
Summary: Credible...with some lapses
Review: GS:TSHOTM is a truly interesting book on-without a shadow of a doubt-one of The Best spy agencies in the world today. My sister bought a hardbound copy for me after I saw it at Borders. I've come upon references to Mossad while reading other books (such as the MIG theft, usage of kidonim), but they didn't prepare me for what I would read. As was stated in the book, the Mossad works as if the very survival of Israel is at stake. It has been involved (directly or indirectly) in some of the more controversial incidents (the Lillehammer fiasco, the botched 1997 assassination of a Hamas official in Jordan) but pulled off some incredible moves that leave the bigger players in the intelligence community (CIA, KGB, etc.) in avid disbelief: the theft of the MIG, which was such a premier fighter in the 60s that the West scrambled to learn more about it; the Entebbe rescue mission; the worldwide network of sayanim (Jewish expatriates) that the Mossad katsas discreetly use as support resources; the detailed intel-gathering in Egypt, which led to Israel's resounding victory in the Six-Day War, and most of all, the capture of Adolf Eichmann, as told by Rafi Eitan himself. I liked the stories about the directors-general themselves, especially the one on Meir Amit, credited for laying the foundation that turned Mossad into the powerhouse that it is today. Their stories must also provide a lesson for the heads of other intelligence agencies. I was a bit confused with the organization of events, specifically on the chapter of David Kimche: Mr. Thomas states he entered Mossad in 1968, but his name had been brought up in earlier operations in 1965! Another error was during the Dec.1972 PLO hijacking of the Israeli embassy in Bangkok, GT wrote of an Entebbe-type operation being considered-even though Entebbe was four years in the future! The chapters on Robert Maxwell (I believe GT wrote a separate book on him too.) gave me the impression that the Mossad would mercilessly exploit someone's resources to help Israel, especially during the Vanunu episode-and more creepier, now that he's out of jail as I write these words... In all, Gideon's Spies is a great book, flaws aside. I lent this to a friend, and he's impressed as I am.
Rating:
Summary: Not Worth the Effort
Review: Rather than providing a comprehensive assessment of Israel's intelligence community, it is apparent that Thomas uses his forum to provide a very subtle "anti-Mossad" (and dare I say Jewish) agenda throughout his book. Using half-truths and innuendos, Thomas creates an extremely sophisticated and authoritative platform in order to illustrate and expound upon classic "Jewish conspiracy" themes as undeniable fact. For instance, the notion of an extensive network of what Thomas refers to as "sayanim" or "Jewish collaborator" plays on the fear and belief that secretly all Jews conspire around the world to gain the upper hand on gentiles. Thomas presents the case in no uncertain terms that Jews of all nationality secretly feel that their commitment to Israel is stronger than that of their own country (and thus should not be trusted). The book was a sad and misleading account based primarily upon fiction and the fading stories of a few Ex-Mossad employees that somehow seem to have access to every mission the intelligence agency was conducting within its 50 years.
For me, the opening chapters where enough to draw quite a bit of suspicion after recognizing that the majority of "compliments" Thomas made about the Mossad where generally "back-handed" and snide. From there the book degenerated into an all out assault on the "ruthless" Mossad as if viciously wages an unjust/immoral war on Palestinian "revolutionaries." Bottom line, save your money!
Rating:
Summary: Not Worth the Effort
Review: Rather than providing a comprehensive assesment of Israel's intelligence community, it is apparent that Thomas uses his forum to provide a very subtle "anti-Mossad" (and dare I say Jewish) agenda throughout his book. Using half-truths and inuendos, Thomas create an extremely sophisticated and authoritative platform in order to illustrate and expound upon classic "jewish conspiracy" themes as undeniable fact. For instance, the notion of an extensive network of what Thomas refers to as "sayanim" or "Jewish collaborator" plays on the fear and belief that secretly all Jews conspire around the world to gain the upper hand on gentiles. Thomas presents the case in no uncertain terms that Jews of all nationality secretly feel that their committment to Israel is stronger than that of their own country (and thus should not be trusted). The book was a sad and misleading account based primarily upon fiction and the fading stories of a few Ex-Mossad employees that somehow seem to have access to every mission the intelligence agency was conducting within its 50 years.
For me, the opening chapters where enough to draw quite a bit of suspicion after recognizing that the majority of "compliments" Thomas made about the Mossad where generally "back-handed" and snyde. From there the book degenerated into an all out assault on the "ruthless" Mossad as if viciously wages an unjust/immoral war on Palestinian "revolutionaries." Bottom line, save your money!
Rating: 
Summary: Good read, hard to check facts though...
Review: Interesting read, especially PM Bibi Netanyhu and his wife Sara
gets a lot of grief.
As always it's hard to check if the stories are the full truth,
but I definitly buy most of them (Apo being caught with help of
Mossad)...
Rating:
Summary: Teller of Information
Review: I found this book to be lacking something that most readers of this subject look for. I've read books about the mossad and Israel before and this one is good, but not the greatest. The author is spontaneous with his literature. At times it was interesting and grabbing and i couldn't put the book down. But often I found myself in a factual slum, struggling to get through. If you've never read anything about the Mossad, this is a good place to start, otherwise I would look elsewhere.
Rating:
Summary: Good look into the Mossad.
Review: This is an interesting book about the Israeli intelligence agency, the Mossad. Filled with gruesome stories about espionage and assassinations, it's sure to catch your attention. I hope to see much more from Gordon Thomas!
|
