Rating:  Summary: Interesting Information Review: A large section of this book is dedicated to the grueling selection and training process one must endure to be a part of the Delta community; that is exactly what I was looking for in this book. Delta selection pushes an individual to his emotional and physical limits and resets them. The few stories Mr. Haney is able to tell are fascinating; two of them made my stomach churn and my ... radar go up. ... That said, this book provides a timely look at one of the major players in the counter-terrorism arena.
Rating:  Summary: Excellent, thought-provoking read Review: This is a book of two halves - the first half is worth 5 stars, the second is worth only 4. Not because of any change in writing style, but because the author had to be less detailed (operational security rules), and because the 2nd half left a bad taste in my mouth (more on this later).I should state right here that I am not an American, and therefore feel no "patriotic feelings" when reading a book like this. However... I am filled with admiration for people who can live this kind of life, irrespective of nationality. I have read several books on Secial Forces, and was very impressed with the dedication of these particular operators! They all appear to be men of honour and integrity - no Rambo BS, and no physco .... I found the section on "Selection" interesting, but no different to many similar books on the SAS. The section on operator training, on the other hand, was fascinating! I cannot imagine the dedication required to clear a room (with hostages)in 3 or 4 seconds, and the explanations of the training required to do this was incredible. Fantasticing read so far! Now onto the 2nd half... obviously the author couldn't go into too much detail about any specific operations, so this section is not as detailed as the first half of the book. This made for good (4 star) reading, but still left me wanting more! I found the second half of the book fairly disconcerting, though.... not through any fault of the author, but rather because of the nature of the operations, and how seldom the operators actually KNEW exactly what they were doing. Maybe I felt this more as a non-American.... the U.S clearly has the most powerful military force around, and we would all like to think that when they deploy it is for a good reason! Not all that long ago there was another country with an awesome Army that was "directed" by lunatics.... WWII was the consequence. I am not suggesting that the people runnning the US are anything like Hitler, just trying to explain why I feel it is so necessary for the people directing any powerful military force to have GOOD reasons for sending troops into action. There are a number of missions described in this book where you get the distinct impression that the CIA and/or politicians where using Delta to further their own selfish ends rather than because the US had any moral right to be involved in the situation. This left me feeling distinctly dirty.... these honourable men were getting "used", and often hurt/killed, to perform what was basically a dishonourable mission. I had the strong wish that some U.S President would have the guts to say to Delta "OK, we have these ...politicians and career-minded paper-pushers who are actually hurting the country more than any terrorist- take them out!!" Reading this made me feel angry... the Delta operators deserve to get their orders from people of higher integrity.... On the whole, I recommend this book highly - it's good to know that there are people like this defending the planet from bad guys, and it's educational to discover that not all the bad guys are non-American.
Rating:  Summary: ok here it is Review: Interesting book. I recently saw Haney on CNN so I read the book. Light in details, a lot about Haney. I can see why Haney admits to being kept in the dark regarding operations. On CNN Haney stated that terrorists should be reminded that they could be turned over to their governments for harsher treatment (i.e. torture), plays well for the revenge seeking public no doubt. For a professional soldier to advocate releasing a HUMIT asset to a corrupt foreign government that in the end will only tell us what they want us to know is foolhardy. Once we have a terrorist in custody I say we keep him and interrogate him using our sound methods. Furthermore, then (80's) COL Bill Garrison was the true architect of the accomplishments of SFOD. Forget him? Good job slapping yourself on the back.
Rating:  Summary: Oh dear. oh dear, oh dear... Review: SAS 1st, Delta 2nd...'nuf said!
Rating:  Summary: Awesome book Review: Haney provides a rare glimpse into America's most secretive military unit at the actual operator level. It's very readable and informative as it can be, given the circumstances. You're left wanting to know more, but at the same time you appreciate the fact that you aren't supposed to. This book, along with Black Hawk Down (I mean the actual book, not the movie) can only begin to give you some idea to just how tough and committed our most elite soldiers are. Fantastic book.
Rating:  Summary: Oustanding! Review: I happened to meet Mr. Haney during the Washington shooting spree when he was doing expert commentary regarding the weapon involved. I was so impressed that I went out that night and bought his book. I've read numerous books on most every branch of the military past and present. While Col. Beckwith's book gives great background to the development of Delta there is something unique in Haney's inside, personal perspective about the mystery surrounding this Elite group of individuals. It makes me proud that men like this exist in our society and that we do have some military leaders that are able to put ego's aside and give these guys the resources to train to be the best at a job that few men have the capacity to succeed.
Rating:  Summary: A human side of a special forces op. Review: As a civilian coming from a military family I find intrest in military, CIA, and special ops. This book has all these things in bunches. As an avid reader of novels pertaining to such topics I had to remind myself time and again that this story is not a novel, these things are not fictional, these accounts are very real indeed, told from a front line perspective. All too often accounts are voluntered from people that are located behind a line or behind a laptop, this story is told by man who was directly impacted by each order, both right and wrong and carried each order out in the only way he could, with no real guarantee that he and his fellow troops would be coming home. CSM Haney lets us share his private thoughts on being a trained warrior and brings a very humanistic side to the men employed to carry out missions no matter what the cost. To people on the outside such as myself I appreciated the glimpse of what it was like to operate out of unit such as Delta Force. Sensitive subjects are addressed but no real state secrets are comprimised, after all CSM is first a patriot and his duty is to his country no-matter-what.
Rating:  Summary: SOF Excellence Review: Eric Haney captures the dramatic world of the Delta Force trooper through initial selection to actual operations. At times I've rubbed elbows with these superb soldiers during joint SOF operations and training. Delta, along with other national force units, are the unsung heroes of the American military. America must wholeheartedly support them and wish them safe returns from their hazardous duties.
Rating:  Summary: Forgotten Pledges Review: The writer is a great writer, the editor a great editor, but the titled author forgot his pledges to his comrades and to the military......enough said.
Rating:  Summary: Great book about the dedication to be the best Review: The only reason this book is not getting 5 stars is or the fact that a lot of the missions and scenarios he talks about leaves you asking more questions and for more details. For obvious reasons, he cannot divulge in the stories too far so the 4 star rating is more the fault of his apparent circumstance of not being able to tell us the whole story. The book is educational in the sense that you get an insiders account of what it takes to be in Delta Force. A shocking relevation for some will be the authors appearance during his time in service (especially training). He is not the Rambo looking type, but actually quite the opposite. He wears glasses and looks like he weighs a buck twenty soaking wet. The impression that this leaves is that training and being one of these elite warriors is more about strength of character and willpower than muscle or brawn. Mr. Haney leaves a lasting impression that these people are not the thrill seeking yahoos you see in movies, but intelligent, hard-working, dedicated and very professional in their work. It's a great book!
|