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Mossad: Israel's Most Secret Service
No intelligence service is surrounded by more myth and mystery than Israel's Mossad.Hailed by the CIA as ‘the best in the world’, it is held in awe by its friends and feared by its foes.It can boast the most devoted, patriotic agents in the world.It was Mossad who pulled off the spectacular rescue of Israeli hostages from Entebbe and Mossad agents who pinpointed the target for Israeli bombers to destroy Iraq’s nuclear reactor.Since the 1940s, Mossad has been a crucial weapon in Israel’s constant struggle to survive.Now Ronald Payne has written the first full history of Mossad. It reads like a thriller, but every word is true.Here are the heroes, the dare-devils, the masters of intelligence, and their incredible stories of kidnappings, Nazi hunts, high-tech espionage, smuggling nuclear weapons and counter-terrorist operations.‘ Israel’s Most Secret Past’ is a penetrating, gripping and suspense-filled account.‘Brilliantly revealing’ – Daily ExpressRonald Payne (1926-2013) was a distinguished newspaper correspondent who focussed on espionage and international crime. He began covering the Middle East in the 1950s, reporting on the Suez crisis and the 1973 Yom Kippur War for the Telegraph. He also conducted a well-publicised interview with Colonel Gaddafi. As a writer he released several books on terrorism and warfare, including ‘The Carlos Complex’ about Carlos the Jackal, and a bestselling book about the Falklands War.Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent digital publisher. For more information on our titles please sign up to our newsletter at www.endeavourpress.com. Each week you will receive updates on free and discounted ebooks. Follow us on @EndeavourPress and on Facebook via We are always interested in hearing from our readers. Endeavour Press believes that the future is now.
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First published January 1, 1990
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 22, 2016
"Mossad is an institution not over-burdened with anxiety about Arabs murdering Arabs.......... The main concern was to keep their operation secure and private while they searched for further game among Palestinians connected with terrorism, either as enemies or as friends". This is an apt description about what the famous/infamous (depending upon which side of the fence you stand) Mossad is all about. The book reveals a lot about Mossad, their mode of operation, their sinister plots, and their successes and failures. However, the author concedes that "Mossad's present-day successes remain hidden under the law of secrecy, while its blunders are exposed". Operation Suzanne and the Suez Canal adventure stand out as failures. The abduction of Adolf Eichmann, the monster who had organized gas ovens under Hitler, and the Entebbe rescue operation were quite remarkable missions that were successfully carried out.
The book reads like a novel and is fast paced. There is an objective assessment of what Mossad "achieved" in enabling a nascent country to survive amongst hostile environment and how it became an envy of all the neighbours.
The book reads like a novel and is fast paced. There is an objective assessment of what Mossad "achieved" in enabling a nascent country to survive amongst hostile environment and how it became an envy of all the neighbours.
December 16, 2023
A page-turner
" Your King is a woman" Egyptian graffiti he spotted just before the Suez invasion in 1956.
A former Royal Marine, a Sunday Telegraph correspondent read history at Oxford.
So, this account is warts and all. Written in the 90s, it gives an insight into this shadowy " Institute" the translation of Mossad.
You may learn a lot about the more recent escapades as the Knesset became more open-minded, the Director of Mossad was a state secret until recently.
Highly recommended.
" Your King is a woman" Egyptian graffiti he spotted just before the Suez invasion in 1956.
A former Royal Marine, a Sunday Telegraph correspondent read history at Oxford.
So, this account is warts and all. Written in the 90s, it gives an insight into this shadowy " Institute" the translation of Mossad.
You may learn a lot about the more recent escapades as the Knesset became more open-minded, the Director of Mossad was a state secret until recently.
Highly recommended.
August 18, 2015
Having got to chapter 12, I gave up. I just didn't find it compelling reading. The author can recount facts but seemed to struggle to tell an engaging story.
Two factors in particular left me disinterested and frustrated. First, there is considerable emphasis on the politics of the service and the internecine warfare. I'm sure the politics are important and necessary for some, but I wanted to learn about the operations, not the leaders. Secondly, where there is opportunity to talk in detail about particular operations - such as the capture of Eichmann, or the Munich Massacres - the details are glossed over. The author seems to assume that the reader knows all about them. I didn't know about them in detail which is one of the reasons I started reading.
I was disappointed.
Two factors in particular left me disinterested and frustrated. First, there is considerable emphasis on the politics of the service and the internecine warfare. I'm sure the politics are important and necessary for some, but I wanted to learn about the operations, not the leaders. Secondly, where there is opportunity to talk in detail about particular operations - such as the capture of Eichmann, or the Munich Massacres - the details are glossed over. The author seems to assume that the reader knows all about them. I didn't know about them in detail which is one of the reasons I started reading.
I was disappointed.
October 4, 2015
Though written twenty years back, this book still has relevance in today's terror stricken world. Mossad as an organisation has singularly focused on fighting terrorism though by clandestine means.
The various diplomatic incidents (be it with the US or the UK) have been covered in a fairly detailed fashion giving one a visual account of each of the projects.
There has been considerable research and the slant of the narrative seems to suggest that Mossad as an organisation has started to lose its sheen over the latter part of the last century.
Nevertheless, a good addition to the understanding of the most feared agency across the globe.
The various diplomatic incidents (be it with the US or the UK) have been covered in a fairly detailed fashion giving one a visual account of each of the projects.
There has been considerable research and the slant of the narrative seems to suggest that Mossad as an organisation has started to lose its sheen over the latter part of the last century.
Nevertheless, a good addition to the understanding of the most feared agency across the globe.
May 31, 2020
This fine book is a very balanced and dispassionate biography of Mossad till late 1980s (as the book was published in 1990). It provides a succinct account of the service’s origins and gives good details of its major operations, victories & failures. Unlike some of the recent books which hero worships the Mossad, this book shows you the real and practical picture of the organisation. Also, it doesn’t take any moral stand for or against Israel or Palestinians due to which it is saved from any political & ideological propaganda. Anyone interested in Israel, secret services and the middle-east should read this book.
March 4, 2017
Fascinating reading
Putting aside politics this is a great read on what is a mysterious organization with a mixed history. How ever the book is well written and the stories are at times inspiring with agents working against the odds to attain the goals directed by the government. Good book.
Putting aside politics this is a great read on what is a mysterious organization with a mixed history. How ever the book is well written and the stories are at times inspiring with agents working against the odds to attain the goals directed by the government. Good book.
November 14, 2018
Interesting topics, good book
The book introduced lots of incidents and history of the Mossad. Very interesting. I'll like it more if the author follows the timeline of events more clearly.
There are many interesting discussions in the book as well.
The book introduced lots of incidents and history of the Mossad. Very interesting. I'll like it more if the author follows the timeline of events more clearly.
There are many interesting discussions in the book as well.
August 1, 2018
Dry as Dust
A reasonably full history of MOSSAD (well up to about 1995) and written well by someone who clearly admires the institute but without passion, or human interest . What happened to Jon Pollard and many of the other characters?
I finished the book, but was continuously going to Wikipedia to find out how the many players in this story ended up.
The assassination of Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh in Dubai 2010 is not mentioned, so clearly the story of MOSSAD has much yet to be revealed.
Too dated!
A reasonably full history of MOSSAD (well up to about 1995) and written well by someone who clearly admires the institute but without passion, or human interest . What happened to Jon Pollard and many of the other characters?
I finished the book, but was continuously going to Wikipedia to find out how the many players in this story ended up.
The assassination of Mahmoud Al-Mabhouh in Dubai 2010 is not mentioned, so clearly the story of MOSSAD has much yet to be revealed.
Too dated!
November 25, 2018
Read too much like a textbook. I wanted to know more about the Munich massacre at the Olympics in 1972 and the capture of Eichmann. Interesting at times but overall okay.
April 17, 2019
Good book
I liked it. Interesting. It's definitely not a must read but if you like this stuff, it's good. I do think it's little dated tho.
I liked it. Interesting. It's definitely not a must read but if you like this stuff, it's good. I do think it's little dated tho.
May 20, 2020
Tales of bravery
Tales of bravery concisely tied. Exposure to a world that exists secretly around us. Interesting and well written book by Ronald Payne.
Tales of bravery concisely tied. Exposure to a world that exists secretly around us. Interesting and well written book by Ronald Payne.
July 17, 2021
Interesting
Fascinating history about Mossad, and its various exploits over the years. Their ongoing battle against terrorism shows their dedication to protecting Israel.
Fascinating history about Mossad, and its various exploits over the years. Their ongoing battle against terrorism shows their dedication to protecting Israel.
November 21, 2021
Very gud
March 18, 2025
Author points out infallibilities of Mosod pre Oct 23 which they really missed. but nobody discount the bravery of the IDF., especially cutting off the head of the snake.
February 16, 2017
introduced to this by my brother in law, this book reads like a thriller but every word is true. By no means a comprehensive history on mossad but not a bad start..While focused on Arab nations and organizations throughout the world, it has participated in and been accused of a myriad of other activities. For example, the Mossad has been responsible for the clandestine movement of Jewish refugees out of Russia, the former Eastern block, Syria, Iran, and Ethiopia. It is one of the main services for Israeli intelligence alongside Aman (military intelligence) and the Shin Bet (internal security).
November 16, 2015
Mossad: Israel's Most Secret Service by Ronald Payne... An account of the Mossad from the Creation of Israel to the end 80's... Fight against terrorism had been the sole objective of this intelligence service, in the process being a terrorist outfit. Has the Mossad lost its charm? With the events happening at present, newer outfits have emerged like the AQI, ISI, ISIS, IS, the role of Mossad is to be seen on the ploy to eradicate the terror outfits. Though the book has been written 25 years back its better to know the history because history repeats....
December 6, 2016
While this book was of some interest showing the early workings of the Israeli intelligence community, it was published in 1990. Arafat and Anwar Sadat were still alive, giving one an idea of how dated the book has become.
There were many previously secret names mentioned, but I recognized very few beyond the very top people, including U.S. Jimmy Carter, British Margaret Thatcher, Israeli Begin, Sharon and several others. The information presented is at least 25 years old, making it of historical interest only, with no updates to the current time.
There were many previously secret names mentioned, but I recognized very few beyond the very top people, including U.S. Jimmy Carter, British Margaret Thatcher, Israeli Begin, Sharon and several others. The information presented is at least 25 years old, making it of historical interest only, with no updates to the current time.
May 19, 2016
A good book to read
Very detailed analysis of origin,development and growth of a secret service created in a new nation state created based only on religion. The style of writing is not racy and very often plays down the melodrama of the events described to emphasize the author's objectivity. A person who follows international politics and the contemporary events only can relate to this book. A bit scholarly book I would say.
Very detailed analysis of origin,development and growth of a secret service created in a new nation state created based only on religion. The style of writing is not racy and very often plays down the melodrama of the events described to emphasize the author's objectivity. A person who follows international politics and the contemporary events only can relate to this book. A bit scholarly book I would say.
December 8, 2016
This is a very interesting account of how Israel's Mossad has functioned for decades. From stunning coups to embarrassing failures, they have been a vital success factor for Israel's survival amidst committed enemies. At times they have crossed the boundaries of ethics and justified it due to the overwhelming odds faced in the region. Not all missions were smashing successes like Entebbe raid, nevertheless, the stories are very engaging. It's a worthwhile read.
December 6, 2016
Very interesting look at a fascinating Organization
I very much liked this look at agency that I have heard do much about for many years. Also believe the most interesting parts still can not be written down. Great Read!
I very much liked this look at agency that I have heard do much about for many years. Also believe the most interesting parts still can not be written down. Great Read!
June 10, 2016
Disappointing
Tries to cover to great a subject. As a result has limited substance. Somewhat boring. Also is out of date.
Tries to cover to great a subject. As a result has limited substance. Somewhat boring. Also is out of date.
June 18, 2016
Absolutely fascinating....
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews