Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not quite what I expected
Review: ... The book itself is a pretty fast read and Haney shares some interesting insights into his life as a Delta operator. One thing that struck me was my perception that Haney came across as somewhat egotistical and arrogant. It shocked me because most "elite" soldiers are humble in real life and don't show off their bravado. Haney seemed to be patting himself on the back a lot. Obviously, he was a very good soldier or he would never have become a Ranger and then a Delta operator and retire as a Command Sergeant Major, but I expected him to be a bit more humble. Maybe my perception is wrong, though.One of the things that I liked most about the book is that Haney wasn't afraid to voice his thoughts about operations that he participated in and the possible secret motivations that the US government or CIA had. Haney was a soldier who followed orders, but in his book he isn't afraid to speak his mind when he wonders aloud whether or not some of his operations were to cover up CIA foul-ups. I wish Haney would have included more stories of some his operations, though. He included some operations of some of his fellow operators, but couldn't he have replaced those with some of his own? Although he served in Delta for 8 years, the inclusion of stories about other operators instead of his own stories led me to believe that maybe Haney's Delta life wasn't worth sharing. Most likely, though, is that those missions are still classified and he knows better than to publish those stories in his book. This book is a good read and there aren't many books that give the public insight into one of America's premiere counterterrorist units (the FBI Hostage Rescue Team and Navy SEAL Team Six are others). I recommend this book and also recommend the aforementioned book by Charlie Beckwith, the founder of Delta. Beckwith's book mainly deals with the history of Delta and how it started as the US version of the British Special Air Service. Both books are good reads to potential Delta candidates and anybody else interested in what these brave men do for our country. Recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Can't Put It Down!
Review: This is a stunning true account of the formation of the Army's secret Delta Force Unit and the missions it performs. Author, Command Sergeant Major (Ret.), Eric Haney, writes an intriguing tale of the winding road during the creation of a new unit in the United States Army, the facinating personalities who were there in the beginning, how they trained, and how the Army learned to fight terrorists. From the inception to completion and on into real missions, this book tells it all. Anyone who has served in the armed forces will be glued to pages. So too will anyone who enjoys a captivating true story read. All along the way Haney captures the dry and sometimes ironic sense of humor thal comes with serving in the military. Never mind everything is true, it reads like a novelized piece of fiction. This is a first person historical journey that fills in so many questions about major events like the Iran hostage rescue attempt and the Grenada invasion. At the same time, Haney opens up questions that, quite frankly, are troubling to ponder. In this day of "The War On Terror" it is a must read.
Rating:
Summary: What a page turner
Review: Wow. From the moment I picked up Haney's book, I literally only put it down to Sleep. I left the store, sat down to dinner with the first chapter, took a break to walk to my bedroom and lie down, and fell asleep reading it. I woke up with the book still in my hand in the early hours of morning and set about finishing it, and did so by noon. This book is an incredible account of an even more incredible group of men, one of which Is Haney himself. After reading several other books about special operations in Iran, Beirut, Grenada, etc. It was amazing to read an account from someone who was on the ground in all of these operations and more. I recently signed up under the Army's new 18x enlistment with hopes of one day becoming chosen to "try out" for the Army's Elite CT force. Until now, the mystic of selection and the Operators training course were all myth and mysteries shrouded by rumor and hearsay, and Haney lifted that shroud just enough for us to see the beginnings of what goes on inside the walls of Delta's Secret compound, while going to great lengths not to compromise his brother operators most trusted and well kept secrets. I think that aside from the stories of personal sacrifice and superhuman feats performed by Haney and his Comrades, this was the most impressive part of the book. Haney masterfully reveals only enough for us to see a part of the delta world. Not once does he leak any vital information or intelligence that a misguided person could use against us, all the while painting a clear, laymen's picture of everything that a delta team member learns and experiences in 8 years as an operator. Thanks, Haney... After reading your book I've stepped up my training regimen to a furious pace so that I can really and truly "Have a good 'un" if I'm lucky enough to get my shot.
Rating:
Summary: Inside SSG Eric L. Haney: (One Ranger's Opinion)
Review: Reading the first chapter of this book opened an old wound for me because I was a 19 year old M-60 Gunner in 3rd Platoon, Charlie Co. (Tigers), 1st/75th RGR Inf. stationed at Ft. Stewart, Georgia, when SSG Haney took the reins as Platoon Sargeant. He was an odd looking character, maybe a buck-forty fully clothed and soaking wet. His toothpick thin arms and legs were further accentuated by the skintight tailored fatigues that he wore. This was topped off with a pair of standard issue Army eyeglasses with coke bottle lenses and an elasic strap around the back of his head to keep them from falling off. Although he had what most, at the time, would describe as a "lifer" attitude, who's favorite saying was: "Get Right", I personally had a great deal of admiration for his military bearing, it is, as he states in his book, as if he were born to serve in the Army. He was, by all accounts, a by-the-book soldier, however, in the imperfect world of a combat soldier, those who live-by-the-book tend to die by it as well. By his personal accounts in his book I see that he later learned this lesson to some degree. ...
If, as he describes in his semi-factual meanderings given a tearful and heartfelt sendoff from the Platoon, I can only surmise that these were tears of joy on the part of the Platoon members because he was not at all popular and most of the Platoon found him to be egotistical, selfish, self-centered and despicable. ...
Rating:
Summary: Compelling Reading
Review: Insightful and compelling story from the man was at the founding of one of America's least known branches of the military. His perspective as the point of the spear enables the reader to move beyond the one-dimensional media hype that we are given to better understand the brave soldiers, the politics and the overseas perils that face the United Sates of America at the beginning of the 21st century. A must read for anyone wanting to understand how the USA will combat terrorists.
Rating:
Summary: Silent Professionals
Review: A very well written book that gives you an insight into the lives and committments of these silent professionals. As a 24 year veteran of the Army who also spent some time in this unit, it was interesting to hear CSM Haney's spin. I had the pleasure to meet Col Beckwith and have the utmost respect for any man who puts the safety and lives of others before their own. I would recommend to anyone, especially a military person who wants to know what happens inside that fence..
Rating:
Summary: The inside story about Delta Force...
Review: This book, written by a founding member of Delta Force, gives you an insiders perspective on the elite counter-terrorist squad. The book will give you the details from selection to operational events that took place in the 1980's. Highly readable, after reading this book you will know the true story about Delta Force and realize why the unit has been so successful with covert missions.
Rating:
Summary: Appropriately titled!!
Review: Haney's book inspires me to be a better soldier. I've read the book three times in the last year, and it is just as good a read the third time as the first. His writing style is captivating, and where he chooses to inject humor into the book it is absolutely hilarious. I literally laugh out loud each time I read several parts of the book. Haney takes the reader not just inside the unit, he takes the reader inside the hearts and minds of these elite warriors. I can't say enough good things about this book. It is an absolute must-read for anyone interested in the military. In fact, I think the new CSA (Chief of Staff, Army) should put it on his reading list for soldiers of all ranks.
HC
Rating:
Summary: Great Read
Review: I thought this book was about as good a book as I've read in quite awhile. Mr. Haney makes interesting observations about everything from U.S. policy to the CIA. Highly recommended!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding.
Review: One of the best books I have ever read. Highly recommend it to everyone.
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