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Entebbe
During the first hot days of July, 1976, the world watched a tense hostage situation unfold in Uganda. Palestinian and German terrorists had hijacked an Air France jet in Athens, then surprised everyone by flying to sanctuary in Idi Amin’s African dictatorship.
The airport at Entebbe provided the perfect haven for the hijackers, and a hellish wait for the 105 captives, who were threatened with execution if certain demands were not met. Israel’s government declared its intentions to negotiate the release of terrorists from its jails; the bold capture of the jet created a tense standoff.
It wasn’t nearly as dramatic as what happened next.
At midnight on July 4, Hercules transport planes loaded with Israeli commandos landed at Entebbe Airport. Traveling 2,500 miles in eight hours had given them the element of surprise. Within minutes, the most dramatic hostage rescue of all time was part of history. The resolve, daring, and skill of Israel’s finest preserved a hundred souls.
This is the story of the rescue at Entebbe, and the planning of the operation by the commander of the rescue force, Jonathan Netanyahu. Interviews with the members of the force, and the author’s gripping narrative, make this extraordinary story impossible to lay aside.
The airport at Entebbe provided the perfect haven for the hijackers, and a hellish wait for the 105 captives, who were threatened with execution if certain demands were not met. Israel’s government declared its intentions to negotiate the release of terrorists from its jails; the bold capture of the jet created a tense standoff.
It wasn’t nearly as dramatic as what happened next.
At midnight on July 4, Hercules transport planes loaded with Israeli commandos landed at Entebbe Airport. Traveling 2,500 miles in eight hours had given them the element of surprise. Within minutes, the most dramatic hostage rescue of all time was part of history. The resolve, daring, and skill of Israel’s finest preserved a hundred souls.
This is the story of the rescue at Entebbe, and the planning of the operation by the commander of the rescue force, Jonathan Netanyahu. Interviews with the members of the force, and the author’s gripping narrative, make this extraordinary story impossible to lay aside.
- GenresPoliticsHistorical
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2003
6 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 10, 2018
Wow! This book–no, this story–was incredible! I'd heard about the Entebbe before but had never read the story. I'm glad I decided to read it. All the planning and work that went into the rescue even before they knew if they would be allowed to attempt it showed the dedication of the people involved. And the fact that there were only a few days of planning showed just how well trained the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) was. It also told the amazing story of the commando unit's leader, Jonathan Netanyahu.
The first part of the book was a little slower as it was the preparations for the rescue, but once I reached the actual operation, I had to set the book aside and wait until I had a good chunk of uninterrupted time to read.
There were a few places where whiteout was used, but only about four or five total.
If you haven't read this book and you like reading daring rescues, the IDF, or anything like that, read it!
The first part of the book was a little slower as it was the preparations for the rescue, but once I reached the actual operation, I had to set the book aside and wait until I had a good chunk of uninterrupted time to read.
There were a few places where whiteout was used, but only about four or five total.
If you haven't read this book and you like reading daring rescues, the IDF, or anything like that, read it!
April 9, 2023
What a great book about an amazing, courageous man! Our world is in desperate need of men and women who will stand firmly for what is good and right and true, not giving into fear, brutality, or foolishness.
Jonathan Netanyahu was one of those who chose to lay down his life for others in the face of cruel adversaries and overwhelming odds of disaster! Yoni
was described as “…a combination of an extraordinary fighter and an intellectual…He seemed like a hero out of our ancient past”, “…the greatest fighter Israel has ever had”. He is an inspiration to those who are tired of being intimidated by evil!
Jonathan Netanyahu was one of those who chose to lay down his life for others in the face of cruel adversaries and overwhelming odds of disaster! Yoni
was described as “…a combination of an extraordinary fighter and an intellectual…He seemed like a hero out of our ancient past”, “…the greatest fighter Israel has ever had”. He is an inspiration to those who are tired of being intimidated by evil!
June 7, 2009
This was a fantastic book about Yonatan "Yoni" Netanyahu written by his younger brother Iddo Netanyahu. He didn't go into Yoni's whole life story but provided a portrait of a man who was loved by his fellow soldiers, was a remarkable tactician, and who believed very much in what he does. He details, through interviews of Yoni's fellow soldiers, the effort that Yoni made in putting together the Entebbe hostage rescue from Palestinian and German terrorists. The doubt that the soldiers had that the raid would even be approved by the government always hung over their heads -- they always, to the last minute when they were taking off from Sharm el-Sheik in the Sinai, believed that the government would not go through with it. However, it was Yoni's confidence in his men and their plans (which were only drawn up about 72 hours earlier) that got government ministers to agree.
Even though you know that Yoni dies at Entebbe (although, like many others I had erroneously believed that he had died well after the main part of the operation had been completed and that he was shot by the Ugandan soldier in the old terminal's control tower) it still hits you pretty hard when it happens. Here was a man -- like a hero from the biblical stories -- who comes out and does an amazing thing...and when it's done, his life is over. The next time I go to Israel I need to go and pay my respects to his grave. He truly was a hero.
Even though you know that Yoni dies at Entebbe (although, like many others I had erroneously believed that he had died well after the main part of the operation had been completed and that he was shot by the Ugandan soldier in the old terminal's control tower) it still hits you pretty hard when it happens. Here was a man -- like a hero from the biblical stories -- who comes out and does an amazing thing...and when it's done, his life is over. The next time I go to Israel I need to go and pay my respects to his grave. He truly was a hero.
December 20, 2013
While a really interesting book, the details bogged it down and I only managed to finish half of it. I wanted to get to the really interesting part, when they actually land in Entebbe but I just couldn't keep going. Maybe someday I'll pick it up again, but its just too much detail for me. The book could have been a lot shorter, and just as interesting. Definitely the definitive work on this event though!
March 4, 2024
What a book and what a story. I read this as a younger kid and this story became a Roman Empire to me. Tells such a brave story that I wish more people knew now. Picks up so quickly and piques interest well. Felt super informed after reading.
July 20, 2012
Intersting read. Lots of info about the Isralei Army and how they work. Interesting to see most goverments have read tape you have to wade through.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews