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Title: Gideon's Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad by Gordon Thomas ISBN: 0312252846 Publisher: Griffin Trade Paperback Pub. Date: March, 2000 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.59
Rating: 3
Summary: In the Style of Geraldo
Comment: 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: 4
Summary: A fascinating mix of fact and speculation.
Comment: If only half of what Thomas divulges in this book is true, it's a blockbuster. And I would speculate that perhaps half has the ring of truth- but which half? Probably just the well-documented parts used to give a veneer of truth to the fabricated bits. Amid all the stories of the deceptions and intelligence games played by the world's secret services, it's tempting to suspect that Thomas is being played as much as any of the other dupes he tells of. Did Khomeni order the assassination of John Paul? Did the Mossad kill Robert Maxwell? Who knows?
The tales Thomas tells are often very critical of the Mossad, yet running through the book is the implication that the Mossad is the only competant intelligence organization on the planet, and that all other intelligence organizations are staffed with bumbling fools.
The book seesm to give the impression is that Thomas' principle source of information is one or more retired or discharged Mossad officers who have both a pride in the organization as well as an axe or two to grind, but the reader begins to doubt that at least halfway through the book. Many of the stories just don't add up. Some, like the story of Gerald Bull, are absolutely at odds with versions told by well-established sources and thoroughly documented. The Bull story in particular reads like a sloppy farbication by someone who hasn't done a lot of research.
Most of it is completely unverifiable, and a great deal of it strikes me as completely fabricated. And maybe, just maybe, the book is a piece of disinformation itself, designed to mislead and confuse. Who knows? File it on your bookshelves somewhere midway between Le Carre and Fleming.
Rating: 2
Summary: Gideon's Spies-I've read better
Comment: Gideon's Spies, while not as well written as By Way of Deception, still reveals Mossad's ruthlessness. Gordan Thomas seems to derive a sick pleasure in describing assassinations, deceit, espionage and taking advantage of the US that characterize Israel's secret intelligence agency. The author is in awe of this corrupt organization. If you can get past that, the events seem factual and are corroborated with other publications.
By Way of Deception is a far better book. It has many more organizational details and each horrible incident unfolds like plot of a good mystery novel. The author, Victor Ostrovsky, is a Jew who had high expectations of a moral code of the Jewish state, who was bitterly disappointed upon entering the secret world of Israeli intelligence.
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Title: Israel's Secret Wars: A History of Israel's Intelligence Services by Ian Black, Benny Morris ISBN: 0802132863 Publisher: Grove Press Pub. Date: June, 1992 List Price(USD): $18.00 |
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Title: By Way of Deception by Victor Ostrovsky ISBN: 0971759502 Publisher: Wilshire Press Inc. Pub. Date: 01 January, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: One Day in September: The Full Story of the 1972 Munich Olympics Massacre and the Israeli Revenge Operation, Wrath of God by Simon Reeve ISBN: 1559705477 Publisher: Arcade Publishing Pub. Date: September, 2000 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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Title: Profits of War: Inside the Secret U.S.-Israeli Arms Network by Ari Ben-Menashe ISBN: 1879823012 Publisher: Sheridan Square Pubns Pub. Date: 01 January, 1992 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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Title: Seeds of Fire: China And The Story Behind The Attack On America by Gordon Thomas ISBN: 1893302547 Publisher: Dandelion Books Pub. Date: November, 2001 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
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