Vengeance

by George Jonas

In 1972, 11 Israeli athletes were murdered at the Munich Olympics. This is the chilling account of how they were avenged. First published in 1984, George Jonas’s #1 bestseller Vengeance has become a real-life espionage classic. The story of five ordinary young Israelis whose mission it was to hunt down and kill the terrorists responsible for the massacre of eleven athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Vengeance plunges the reader into an explosive world of terrorism and political murder.

This is an account of what happened when five idealistic volunteer agents were sent to track down and kill the central figures of the PLO's Munich operation, told from the point of view of "Avner," a member of the team chosen to avenge the monstrous crime, and the first Mossad agent to come out of "deep cover" to tell his story. His description of the mechanics, the horrors and the unrelenting suspense of this mission surpasses the wildest fabrications of today’s blockbuster movies and bestselling crime thrillers. As these men moved from country to country, changing identities and risking their lives, they soon became targets themselves—tracked, hunted and even killed.

A profoundly human story, Vengeance explores firsthand the revulsion and doubt that came to torment the Israeli agents, inexorably changing their view of the mission and ultimately how they felt about themselves. It is also a stark examination of the timeless concerns that continue to plague our consciousness today: the nature of good and evil, and the difference between right and wrong.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Israel, Politics, Middle East, Terrorism, Espionage

408 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 1984

About the author

George Jonas (born June 15, 1935) is a Hungarian-born Canadian writer, poet and journalist. Describing himself as a classical liberal, he is the author of 16 books.

Reviews

[Silvana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I owe Steven Spielberg a half-apology for bashing Munich two years ago. I still have objections toward his portrayal of the Mossad agents in the film. However, I was wrong when I accused him for disrespecting the Mossad (and the Israeli government, in that case), because they selected "Avner" (not a real name, obviously) who was an inexperienced junior field agent to lead a five-man team to avenge the deaths of eleven Israeli athletes massacred by the Black September terrorists during the Munich Olympics in 1972.

Apparently, that WAS the truth. Of course, Avner used to serve as a commando in one of Israelis’ many special forces, but being an intel proves to be much different than being a mere soldier.

This book is written using a first-hand account notably from Avner himself. The description provided on the team’s activities was a horrifying/mesmerizing/heart-wrenching/mind-boggling one. The author admitted that certain details were incapable of being verified and he had to alter some of them (esp. names) to protect his sources.

In my opinion, the author had done a great job as a biographer/researcher. He clearly separated his own opinion from other people’s. The prologue about the Munich massacre…OMG. It made me shuddered. I just can’t believe the Germans were so stupid – whilst they wanted to erase their bad image after more than 30 years anniversary of Nazi’s atrocities – they acted carelessly in dealing with the hostage situation. Thank goodness finally they came to their senses, admitted they did not have a special unit for counter-terrorism by then, so they asked Israel to help them establishing the GSG-9.

Anyway, the following chapters told about the journey of Avner’s team, mostly in European countries (Rome, Paris, Athens, etc) and also Beirut and Cyprus. His team consisted of five very different individuals: the ex-commando, youngest-of-the-lot Avner (team leader), the quiet, laid-back Hans (document forger), the eccentric Robert (bomb maker), the happy-go-lucky, practical Steve (driver, route strategist), and last but not least, the oldest, most experienced, calm, cautious Carl.

Avner was asked to do the assignment (i.e. assassinating 11 top terrorists responsible for the Munich massacre) by Golda Meir herself in her apartment. Well, who could refuse that great woman’s request? Not Avner of course. There's a catch. Mossad and the government would not acknowledge them and their operation.

Mossad was genious, gotta admit that. They used one team as a self-contained unit, supplied with nothing but a hit-list and funds, to make its own way in the Europe underground in exactly the same way as any other small terrorist cell. To their credit, the Mossad also strongly prohibited collateral damage. They’d rather have the team to tail a person for months rather than kill him at the spot but with a non-combatant also killed.

The narrations for each mission blew me away. Amazingly real and meticulous. The methods used were varied, from simple assassination using Berettas, or putting six tailor-made, localized bombs under the target’s bed. I was amused by the fact that Avner’s team “outsourced” some of the supporting works to a French privateer group called “Le Group” (not a real name again, I assume). Well, well, living underground is expensive and difficult. One always needs supports for safe houses, logistics, weapon materials, surveillance, etc.

Another interesting aspect in this book is the human-interest issue. Two years living underground, with rare visits to their families, would definitely take its toll on the team members, including Avner. He's a sabra (an Israeli who is born in Israel), but he never really felt home in Israel. This is where Spielberg was wrong. In Munich, Eric Bana played a more frustrated Avner (close to going loco, I daresay). This book, which was supposed to be Spielberg’s main source, told otherwise. Yes, Avner was having reasonable and not-baseless paranoia, but he neither regretted doing the mission, or whether it made any difference (which it did) nor completely blaming the Mossad’s ruthless and cynical actions for everything bad that happened.

In general, I think counter-terrorism will always be controversial. However, counter-terrorism could be classified as an act of war, and terrorism as a war crime. The maps of the world are drawn in blood. That's the sad fact. Le monde, c'est la f*cking guerre, no?

[Raymond · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. The movie Munich by Stephen Spielberg was based on this book. I have to say, the movie adaptation was much more dramatic & enjoyable. However, I do love the suspense & action elements in this book. I was really rooting for the Israeli assassination team lead by Avner, to succeed in all their plans & activities… The ending in the book I felt was a real big letdown. Even so, this novel is still a strong recommend.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book. True? The author spends a number of pages at the end addressing criticisms that it is not accurate. Published in the early 80’s, I can imagine the story seemed out of normal expectations. I don’t think anyone would question it in today’s world. I haven't seen "Munich" so perhaps this appears in the film. The team is on Cyprus and need to take out a terrorist staying in a hotel. A slight complication:

Steve and Carl reported—the first with some amusement and the second with some concern—that the target was apparently occupying a room next door to a newly-wed couple from Israel who had come to Cyprus to get married because the girl was not Jewish. This was quite common, because the religious authorities in Israel would not solemnize mixed marriages.

“Well,” Steve offered, much to Hans’ dismay, “sounds as if there will be some banging in both rooms.”

“I take it there is no way they could get hurt?” Avner asked Robert.

“No way,” Robert said firmly. Then, less firmly, he added: “Of course, I’m not giving you a written guarantee. If it's a written guarantee you need, call it off.”

“Or warn them, maybe?” asked Hans, then shook his head to give his own reply. In an operation of this kind no one could be warned. The team would either assume the risk or not. Which was up to Avner.

“We'll take a chance,” Avner said.

“You mean, we'll make them take a chance,’ Hans said unexpectedly. “Would you like to be next door when Robert's six little bombs go off?” It was a surprising statement for a team member to make after Avner had spoken, but Hans’ concern was genuine and everybody felt it. After a little silence Robert said: “Oh, for heaven's sake! I’m giving you a written guarantee.”

That settled it.

This would certainly get in your mind if you have to check under your bed before you go to sleep or under your car seat before you get in:

This time Robert's infernal machine was essentially a pressure bomb, consisting of six small explosive packages connected to a double frame. The two frames were held apart by four powerful springs with a metal screw running down the middle of each. Placed under a car seat or a mattress the springs would prevent the Screws in the top frame from touching four contact points in the bottom. However, the weight of a human being would depress the springs sufficiently for contact to be made. In a simple pressure bomb, the explosives would be detonated at this stage.

However, in Robert's device the weight would serve only to arm the bomb. Once armed, it could be exploded by a human agent using a radio signal. If no signal was sent, the device would remain inactive. Similarly, no stray signal could explode it accidentally or prematurely, until the target had put his weight on the object under which the bomb was hidden.

It seems there were independent groups that would support any side, as long as the money was good. The Israeli team goes to a safe house in Athens prior to a hit. There are other guests:

In Athens, all the team would have to do was rely on Louis one tiny bit more than had been necessary in the past. Since there was no time for Robert to go to Belgium and have the explosives prepared by his usual source, they would use whatever Louis’ man could supply in Athens. It was taking a chance—as Robert put it, terrorists blow themselves up with boring regularity—but it was not an unreasonable chance. Terrorists also managed to blow up their intended targets often enough; and, according to Louis, his man in Athens had supplied explosives for Baader—Meinhof’s urban guerrillas on several occasions. As in the past, Avner, Robert and Hans also intended to use Louis’ safe houses and surveillance teams.

They arrived in Athens on 11 April—a Wednesday—to find the safe house in which they spent that first night filled with Arab terrorists Believing Avner and his companions to be from the Red Army Faction of the German underground, the Arabs talked freely in front of them, not only because of their presumed ideological affinity but also because they did not expect the German comrades to understand Arabic. The topic was the recent Israeli raid in Beirut and the Arabs seemed gratifyingly afraid as they talked about lying low in Cairo or Baghdad for the time being. Though Avner had no doubts about the efficacy of counter-terrorism, the way the Arabs were talking helped reinforce his conviction that his team was doing the right thing. Thanks partly to their efforts, the mechablim were on the run.

Highly recommended, 4 Stars

[Nicko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This account by Mossad agent Yuval Aviv of Operation Wrath of God in which covert Israeli agents tracking down and killing the Palestinians believed to be responsible for the horrific Munich massacre

This gripping book succeeds on at least three levels:

First, its a terrific thriller, full of suspense and cool spy tricks.

Second, it raises thought-provoking contemporary questions of the war on terror. For example, is it better to assassinate terrorists based on secret evidence, or to arrest and try terrorists in an open court? Does retaliation deter terror, or does it just help recruit more terrorists? How much collateral damage (i.e. the killing of innocent civilians) should be tolerated in the fight against terror? Finally, the book succeeds as a character study. Its fascinating to see how Yuval negotiates the tradeoffs among his patriotism, his professionalism, his family obligations, and his own sense of justice. He starts the book as a family man with 'the most boring job in the world', but gradually becomes a skillful assassin (and hunted target). By the end, his aggression and paranoia have tragically seeped into his home life. On the whole, this is one of the best and most thoughtful books I have read in awhile.

After putting down the book and some reflection, I've come to the conclusion Vengeance is a very subtle book, and probably not for everyone, but here is a story that flays every irony of the Isreali/Palestinian situation wide open. There are no good guys in this book, but there aren't really any bad guys either. This is not a book degigned to amaze; it is an accounting that grows in your mind for weeks and years.

[Zak · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book behind the movie "Munich", starring Eric Bana as "Avner", the secretive leader of the undercover team sent to eliminate the terrorists responsible for the massacre of Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic Games. I shelved this under non-fiction, even though till today no individual or government has officially come out to confirm the veracity of Avner's story or even his existence.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having seen the Spielberg movie "Munich" this book was always on my TBR list, however lacking a copy the rest was kinda moot.

When terrorists started their reign of terror in Europe including the excessive murder of Israeli athletes at the Olympic Games in 1972 I was too young to really grasp its seriousness.
untill I lived in England and encountered people in my backyard in protective suits who where very Cross with me because I did not stay indoors. Truth be said I was not knowledgable on any signs concerning a possible bomb alert. It did shake my nerveus a bit to be very honest.

This story is about counter-terrorism enabled by the Israeli state as a response to the killing of unarmed athletes on an international sporting event. The European response in those days would be considered kinda weak.
Five men are send on a mission to assassinate various people involved behind the scènes of the Munich massacre. They live and search for the culprits while living in Europe. Their job was to only Hurt the people on their list and no innocent bystanders because that is what terrorists do. Which immediately shows the difference between counter-terrorists and actual terrorists who do not care about casualties even if it is their own.
The book is somewhat more extensive on the whole affair including the betrayal of the main character by the state of Israël.
And of course the story was disavowed by Israël and various leftwing publications. But in essence the story stands well grounded and will have happened even if there is space for doubt concerning the exact history..

I come from a country where two terrorist acts at the same time were stopped with violence and the idea that negotiations would invite more such actions. The terrorists were taken down with extreme violence, and attacked by the military at the same time (kindergarten & Train). Recently family wanted acknowledgement by the courts that their beloved ones were executed. I turned out that the courts and general audience and even their own countryfellows were of the opinion that terrorists deserve no sympathy.

This book is about extreme violence againt humans, assassination is always wrong and does things to humans. Faith in a cause may blind people for the human cost, and perhaps some people remain blind towards humanity while others pay a price.
In any case this book is about humans versus terrorism and the price paid for vengeance.

[Sherri Vigil · Rating 5 out of 5]

My husband and I were newly married when this tragedy occurred. I remember it as if it happened yesterday. I did see the movie but hadn't read the book until now. This was republished in 2005, with a updated Introduction by the author and a Foreward to this edition by "Avner". We had very good Israeli friends at the time and we were excited for the games. We didn't watch them. Since that time, the "face" of war has definitely turned a corner and there is no going back. 9/11 was our reality check, whether we like it or not.
This was the best book I have ever read and I say that honestly. I must agree with others who have written reviews, that reflecting back on this story stays with you for long time.

[Audrey K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eye-opening book for me, a fan of spy/espionage fiction, as this book is considered factual. I was a teenager in 1972, and I remember when eleven Israeli Olympic athletes were murdered in Munich by the PLO. After reading Vengeance, this viewpoint from the protagonist Avner - from the Epilogue on page 336 - sums up some of the feelings I have also.

"Though he feels wronged, and his confidence in the honesty of Israel's "Galicianer" power-elite is thoroughly shaken--he now believes that they demand full loyalty but return none, and cynically use trusting and enthusiastic young people as pawns with no regard for their feelings and welfare--his overall patriotism as an Israeli remains undiminished......He allows that it is perhaps in the nature of all government agencies engaged in clandestine work to be cynical and ruthless--with their own employees as well as with outsiders--and that it was probably foolish of him to expect anything else."

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. For a nonfiction book, it reads an awful lot like fiction, stylistically.

As for the controversy over its veracity all I’ll say is that [redacted].

[Dale Leever · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Vengeance by George Jonas. This is the story of the "hit squad" put together by Israel to avenge the deaths of the 11 Israeli athletes that were killed during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany by the terrorist group Black September. I remember this happening during the summer of 1972. There was really no security in the Olympic Village for the athletes which allowed the terrorists to take captive the Israeli athletes. There was a botched attempt by the West German government to stop the terrorists and save the athletes but, all were killed.
The book is an inside account by "Avner," a former Israeli Army Commando, who was selected to lead a team of 5 and hunt down and assassinate 11 identified terrorists in retaliation for the Olympic deaths. No one knows Avner's real name. This is his story. Written in 1984, the author went to many lengths that are discussed in the new intro and back of the book trying to research the story. Ultimately, some things could not be verified completely, but much of the story could.
His group worked independently to locate, track, plan and execute the terrorists then escaping without getting caught. The had access to money from Israel to pay for information and services. They used an organization called Le Group to supply much of the information and services. Le Group may have been selling information on them toward the end of their 2 and a half year mission to terrorist groups.
I found it interesting because of having seen the initial incident during the 1972 Olympics when the terrorists took the Israelis hostage. ( The 1972 Olympics were when the Men's basketball team was defeated by the USSR in the Gold Medal games after being given 3 chances on the last play. Watch that if you are unfamiliar. The US Team never did accept their Silver Medals to this DAY! The first loss by the Men's team in Olympic Competition.)
This story was made into a movie- "Munich" by Steven Spielberg, I believe.

[Gordon Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great page turner that has the added perk of possibly being true. It's the story of the Israeli team tasked with killing the PLO terrorists behind the 1972 Munich massacre of Israeli olympic athletes. It's a fascinating look into the training of intelligence agents, as well as the psychological burdens and the ethics of their role.

[Eslam الغني · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vengeance, the title & the substance of the whole book...
The depiction & Detalied account of Munich Olympic Games well-known events of kidnapping and killing agroup of Israeli athletes &the retaliation operation named" Wrath of God" by Mossad...

Mossad agent of German-Jewish descent , is chosen to lead an
assassination mission against 11 Palestinians "allegedly !!!" involved
in the massacre. To give the Israeli government plausible deniability and at the direction of his handler Ephriem, Avner resigns from Mossad and operates with no official ties to Israel....

Actually I will not waste my time or yours, in condemnation or defending of acertain side, coz I'm pretty sure where is the right really is, by the facts of Geography & History, not by just taking my own ppl one...

Afamous movie based on the book, and directed by Steven Spielberg, starred by Eric Bana as Yuval Aviv was released on 2005, and it had a certain point of few conerning the eternal, bloody struggle,,,

Apart from every thing the movie was interesting,,,

Cocerning the book, I will only say, those ppl are at their best in selling their own "Goods"!?...

[Marcel Santos · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENGLISH

Israel, October 7, 2023, 6 am. The first rays of light shine on what should be just another Shabbat.

Several people are still asleep. Many are just waking up. Quite a few are already going out for a jog. Nearby Be’eri, one of the closest kibbutzim to the Gaza Strip, a crowd of youngsters dance and celebrate life in an electronic music festival called “Supernova Music”, a rave created by Brazilian DJs.

The joy or calm are suddenly interrupted by sounds and the view of rockets being launched from Gaza. Paraglides fly towards the festival. Watching everything from a distance, some attendees at first don’t know what to do — until the first shots of machine guns are heard. First from a distance, then closer and closer. Festival attendees start to run out to their cars in desperation. Some manage to escape from what now is clear to be an invasion. Some of the first to run away think Israel is under an aerial attack, and seek protection in anti-bomb shelters. Many of them are killed or seriously injured by gunshots or grenades thrown inside the shelters. Many are killed while running; others inside their cars or hiding in bushes or chemical toilets.

Kibbutzim near the Gaza Strip, like Be’eri and several others, are also invaded by heavily armed terrorists, who kill everything that moves, including entire families and pets, and set homes and cars on fire.

In a country seeming defenseless, the terrorist invasion lasts around 6 hours. More than 1,200 people are killed in what became known as the worst massacre of Jews after the Holocaust. More than 200 are taken to Gaza and held hostage. In a few hours, Israeli government declares war on Hamas and starts the counter-offensive in Gaza.

Munich, September 5, 1972, 4:30 am. Black September terrorists invade the Olympics dorms where Israeli athletes were, take eleven of them hostage to the Munich Airport, and in a frustrated attempt to flee the country, kill them all. Most of the terrorists also got killed by the German police.

A few months later, Arabs and Palestinians linked to the Palestinian cause start being killed one by one in often flashy attacks occurring in Europe and Beirut. Most of them exploded in cars or apartments, some shot dead. The killings seem targeted, as the number of casualties other than the individuals linked to the Palestinian cause is frequently zero or low. The attacks take around two years.

George Jonas’s “Vengeance” is a thrilling account of such series of assassinations of individuals allegedly involved in the organization of the 1972 Olympics massacre or with terrorism somehow. The book inspired Steven Spielberg’s film Munich — a film that impresses with its fidelity to the book.

The book starts with the narration of the horrific terrorist invasion of the dorm of the Israeli Olympics team and goes until the end of the action on the next day. Then it moves to the selection of “Avner”, a young Israeli agent to lead the team that will carry out the counter-terrorist operation. According to the book, Avner was selected within the ranks of the Mossad by the top Israeli military and political administration — including prime-minister Golda Meir herself.

The narration is especially detailed on the planning, execution, and escape from the crime scenes of the small, barely professional counter-terrorist group led by Avner — the youngest of the group by the way.

Apart from doubts about the veracity of the report due to some small gaps and especially on how some assassinations occur so close in time to each other, the report generally seems true.

Moral questions on the utility of counter-terrorist actions like this appear here and there, but the fact is that the operation didn’t seem to intend to decrease terrorist actions. The intention seemed to be pure vengeance. Period. Terrorism meanwhile seemed to respond at the same level in the 70s and 80s.

What is most disturbing — and sad — is that politic and terrorist groups involved in the uproar have changed a lot since 1972: Black September, PLO, Al-Fatah, Hamas… but the big questions underlying both the Munich massacre in 1972 (a tiny though strident act of terrorism comparing to others) and the Israel October 7 massacre remain the same to date. In a scene from the movie, but not the book, Avner and a Palestinian terrorist argue about the never ending dispute on who has the right to the land.

One point seems indisputable after reading this book. It should be no surprise if high-ranked individuals linked to Palestinian terrorist groups start being eliminated one by one again in the years to come.


PORTUGUÊS

Israel, 7 de outubro de 2023, 6h da manhã. Os primeiros raios de luz brilham no que deveria ser apenas mais um Shabbat.

Várias pessoas ainda estão dormindo. Alguns estão apenas acordando. Alguns já estão saindo para correr. Perto de Be’eri, um dos kibutzim mais próximos da Faixa de Gaza, uma multidão de jovens dança e celebra a vida num festival de música eletrónica chamado “Supernova Music”, uma rave criada por DJs brasileiros.

A alegria ou a calma são subitamente interrompidas pelos sons e a visão de foguetes sendo lançados de Gaza. Parapentes voam em direção ao festival. Observando tudo à distância, alguns participantes a princípio não sabem o que fazer – até que os primeiros tiros de metralhadora são ouvidos. Primeiro à distância, depois cada vez mais perto. Os participantes do festival começam a correr para seus carros em desespero. Alguns conseguem escapar do que agora parecia ser uma invasão. Alguns dos primeiros a fugir pensam que Israel estava sob ataque aéreo e procuram proteção em abrigos anti-bombas. Muitos deles são mortos ou gravemente feridos por tiros ou granadas lançadas dentro dos abrigos. Muitos morrem enquanto correm; outros dentro de seus carros ou escondidos em arbustos ou em banheiros químicos.

Os kibutzim próximos da Faixa de Gaza, como Be’eri e vários outros, também são invadidos por terroristas fortemente armados, que matam tudo o que se move, incluindo famílias inteiras e animais de estimação, e incendeiam casas e carros.

Num país que parece indefeso, a invasão terrorista dura cerca de 6 horas. Mais de 1.200 pessoas são mortas no que ficou conhecido como o pior massacre de judeus após o Holocausto. Mais de 200 são levadas para Gaza como reféns. Em poucas horas, o governo de Israel declara guerra ao Hamas e inicia a contra-ofensiva em Gaza.

Munique, 5 de setembro de 1972, 4:30 da manhã. Terroristas do Setembro Negro invadem os dormitórios das Olimpíadas onde estavam atletas israelenses, levam onze deles como reféns para o aeroporto de Munique e, numa tentativa frustrada de fugir do país, matam todos eles. A maioria dos terroristas também foi morta pela polícia alemã.

Alguns meses mais tarde, árabes e palestinos ligados à causa palestina começam a ser mortos um a um em ataques frequentemente chamativos, que ocorrem na Europa e em Beirute. A maioria deles explodidos em carros ou apartamentos, alguns mortos a tiros. As mortes parecem ser seletivas, uma vez que o número de vítimas, para além dos indivíduos ligados à causa palestina, é frequentemente zero ou baixo. Os atentados duram aproximadamente dois anos.

“Vengeance”, de George Jonas, é um relato frenético dessa série de assassinatos de indivíduos supostamente envolvidos na organização do massacre das Olimpíadas de 1972 ou ligados de alguma forma ao terrorismo. O livro inspirou o filme Munique, de Steven Spielberg — um filme que impressiona pela fidelidade ao livro.

O livro começa com a narração da horrível invasão terrorista do dormitório da equipe olímpica israelense e vai até o final da ação no dia seguinte. Depois passa para a seleção de “Avner”, um jovem agente israelense para liderar a equipe que realizará a operação antiterrorista. De acordo com o livro, Avner foi seleccionado entre as fileiras da Mossad pela mais alta administração militar e política israelita – incluindo a própria primeira-ministra Golda Meir.

A narração detalha especialmente o planejamento, a execução e a fuga das cenas de crime do pequeno e pouco profissional grupo antiterrorista liderado por Avner – o mais jovem do grupo, aliás.

Exceto por dúvidas sobre a veracidade do relato devido a algumas pequenas lacunas e especialmente sobre como alguns assassinatos ocorrem tão próximos uns dos outros no tempo, o relato geralmente parece verdadeiro.

Questões morais sobre a utilidade de ações antiterroristas como esta aparecem aqui e ali, mas o fato é que a operação não parecia ter a intenção de diminuir ações terroristas. A intenção parecia ser pura vingança. E só. O terrorismo, enquanto isso, parecia responder à altura nas décadas de 70 e 80.

O que é mais perturbador – e triste – é que os grupos políticos ou terroristas envolvidos na disputa mudaram muito desde 1972: Setembro Negro, OLP, Al-Fatah, Hamas… mas as grandes questões subjacentes tanto ao massacre de 1972 em Munique (um pequeno mas estridente ato de terrorismo comparando a outros) e o massacre de 7 de outubro em Israel permanecem as mesmas até hoje. Numa cena do filme, mas não do livro, Avner e um terrorista palestino discutem sobre a disputa sem fim sobre quem tem o direito à terra.

Um ponto parece indiscutível após a leitura deste livro. Não deverá surpreender se indivíduos de alto escalão ligados a grupos terroristas palestinos começarem a ser eliminados um a um novamente nos próximos anos.

[Luis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leer un libro escrito a mediados de los 80´s me pareció interesante, entre otras cosas al advertir la diferencia en el ritmo, la velocidad con que se narran los hechos. Ahora la inmediatez y la exigencia de que sucedan muchas cosas en pocas paginas me parece es una costumbre, en este libro de "Venganza" no es así.
Disfrute de la lectura y el conocer los detalles de la operación denominad la "ira de dios". Me parece a final de cuentas un libro muy recomendable.

[Alan Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Se hace un buen trabajo al relatar los eventos ocurridos durante la década de los 70, a pesar de lo difícil que es verificar los hechos contados por "Avner" al autor y lo registrado en fuentes oficiales y en la prensa local e internacional. Debo resaltar que, a mi parecer, lo que más destaca de la lectura son las anotaciones en vez del relato. Si como yo llegaste al libro por la película de Spielberg, continua leyendo por las anotaciones que la historia ya fue contada bastante bien en la cinta (a pesar de ciertas licencias creativas, pero que no afectan sustancialmente a la historia).

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Avner and Steve wondered if their mission, for which Carl, Robert and Hans had given their lives, had made even a dent in international terror. Ephraim’s many-headed monster was not slowing down. And even where it appeared to be slowing, as with Black September, it was probably just as much due to a policy decision by Arafat’ s faction of the PLO after the Yom Kippur War. It was possible that some of the mechablim now saw the United Nations and the conference tables in Geneva as better staging areas from which to push the Jews into the sea.” p.297

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book shortly after viewing the film Munich and I have to say that it affected my view of the book. The main points that the book presents which are absent or are not particularly strongly highlighted in the film are Avners internal turmoil over his actions, the aftermath of his mission and a discussion following the main story about the veracity of the information in the book. This definitely was a benefit to the enjoyment of the book and convinced me personally that the facts within are accurate.

The book was detailed, based on the information available to the author although I felt that some more information about the manner in which covert agents operate and what their methods were may have added to the level of interest the book held for me. It did have some information on this but I felt that the book could have been more informative on this topic.

For example, what were the difficulties which Avner faced in locating targets, how did they plan it and what difficulties faced them in doing so?

I would recommend this as a fair to middling book but don't rush out and buy it if you have already seen the film as there are too many questions left unanswered at the end of the book as is the case with the film, e.g. who was targetting Avners team towards the end? What became of Avner in the decades since? I expected more in this sense but it didn't materialise.

[Dhiraj Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recently concluded reading this book.

Vengeance is an exhaustive book about the Israeli response to the kidnapping and subsequent killing of 12 Israeli athletes during Munich Olympics at 1972 in West Germany by the Black September faction of PLO.

The book gives a behind the scenes look at how the Israeli agents were picked and trained by Mossad, how they carried out their retaliation in Europe thru a network of informers, leads and safe houses and how 3 of them (out of an initial team of 5) got killed towards the end.

The killing of each terrorist was carefully orchestrated by these agents, first by stalking him so as to familiarize his daily routine, then to devise the method of killing (bomb or gun), practice pre-arranged signals between the team members and then to finally escape from the scene and the country.

The agents (no longer on the rolls of Mossad) were very careful so as to keep collateral damage to the minimum something their adversaries the Palestinian terrorists never even thought of while targeting innocent Jewish civilians.

Steven Speilberg’s Munich is based on this book and the screenplay largely remains loyal to the book’s storyline.

Vengeance is a must read for those interested in Mossad’s counter terrorism methods.

[Jawahar Surti · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not easy to write about an operation which is clandestine to start with. And that too with such an interesting manner! The author must have taken some resort to his conclusions and imagination to fill in the gaps which is otherwise a true account of events. He clarifies the controversies at the end in a separate chapter which by itself is an interesting reading.

Really enjoyed the book. Now will watch Munich again in this context.

[Liza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast moving, intense book that held my attention from page one. I appreciated the additional notes and back story the book offered, and thought the psychological and emotional commentary was really interesting. Told from Avner's point of view, it made me want to know more about his partners' lives as well.

[Chiara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Libro interessante: viene narrato di come cinque agenti del Mossad riescano ad individuare e ad eliminare i responsabili della strage di Monaco del '72.
Oltre alla parte romanzata, si trovano anche i documenti, le foto, i reportage della vicenda reale.
Il tutto accompagnato da foto.
Da leggere

[Andre Ayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 geezers (rounding down to 2). Interesting read but it begins to drag on. Enjoyed learning about the kibbutz and Israeli culture, but more of a thought provoking read given current political climate between Palestine and Israel.

[Bettie]

Mr Projectionist is hunting down the film...

[Dennis Bolen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting account of the slow-but-deadly Israeli response to the Munich Olympics terrorist attack. Written in perhaps a too novel-esque style, its research was nonetheless so solid that Steven Spielberg more or less transcribed it straight onto the screen for his most excellent film Munich (2005).

In my opinion it is instructive in today's maelstrom of geopolitical strife to re-examine this 1972 incident. The book details the personal cost to the avengers, who each have their own spiritual integrity at stake amid the relentless terror they themselves are meting out in the name, supposedly, of deterrence. Sorrow and pity abound; no participant on either side is spared judgment. Both wonderful and terrifying, the book excels at making a reader consider the world from as near a place of sanity as might be possible in a time of wanton antipathy.

[Jennifer Somers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I got into this, I felt a little morally torn about how much I was sucked into the allegedly true story of these counter-terrorist assassinations. If you like real-life accounts of espionage, this book is for you.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the credibility of the sources behind the book remains in question 25 years after its original publication, Vengeance remains a thrilling narrative that addresses one of the great conspiracies of the late 20th century. “Avner” and his team are recruited by Israel’s Mossad to avenge the deaths of the athletes who were massacred at the Munich Olympics. They are given a list of targets and an unlimited source of funds to track down and kill members of the PLO and to send a message to other terrorists that Israel (though not condoning or admitting responsibility for the assassinations) will not sit quietly and let their countrymen be slaughtered.

One of the aspects I found most intriguing was Avner’s training as a Mossad agent prior to his covert mission. The few chapters that cover the skills he acquires to become a stellar agent (weaponry, observation, memorization) were like something out of James Bond training school. But it was the overall suspense of the mission that grabbed me and had me sitting on the edge of my seat while Avner’s team honed in on their objectives and even found themselves to be targets. Of course there were the moral implications of such an operation (eye for an eye). While killing a handful of international terrorists won’t stop terrorism, will it slow it down by any degree?

When the mission suddenly draws to a close and control slips out of Avner’s hands, there is an uncertainty as to who the victims really are. It is hard to fathom the lengths a fledgling nation would go to uphold justice and to defend its need for autonomy in the face of hatred even if it means abandoning their own.

Overall, though, it was a great book, reading like an action-packed novel if you take it at face value and put a limited trust in Jonas’s sources. Avner’s eye for detail and recollections to Jonas are remarkable and the writing is straightforward and exciting.

[Ilan Sonsino · Rating 5 out of 5]

During the 1972 summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, a Palestinian militant group, called “Black September” stormed the Olympic Village where the Israeli team was staying. The terrorists killed all five Israeli athletes and their six coaches. In response, five men were selected and trained by the Mossad, Israel’s CIA, for a secret mission called “Operation Wrath of God”. Vengeance is the true story of the revenge for those eleven cold-blooded murders.
Convinced that assassinating the Palestinian terrorists was the only way to prevent future terrorism, the young men dedicated themselves to a secret life and to their operation. They left their families in Israel and entered a world of surveillance in Europe. In this true account, “Avner”, whose real identity is never disclosed, describes the dangerous and violent activities carried out by the counter-terrorism group he led. Not only is the mission a challenge, but also the toll it takes on the members of the squad – guilt, self-doubt, secrecy, and trauma - changes their lives forever.
Vengeance is a great book for several reasons. First, as a Jew who has traveled to Israel several times and has learned a lot about religious persecution and tensions in the Middle East, I feel strongly for the events that are described in the book. I sympathize with the characters and their struggles and felt a strong emotional connection with this story. Also, each chapter of the book, like each stage of the mission, is filled with intrigue, suspense, fear, horror, and unexpected turns of events. In addition, even though the book was long and sometimes difficult to read, the writing and realism of the story always kept me engaged.
https://docs.google.com/a/neisd.net/d...

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vengeance (which the Steven Spielberg film Munich was based on) is the reported account told in sometimes narrative, but mostly story format of an Israeli Counter-Terrorist unit from Mossad sent into the field (Europe) with orders to assassinate eleven people who were responsible in one way or another for the 1972 attack on the eleven Israeli athletes at the Munich games. The book is extremely detailed in its account, from how Prime Minister Golda Meir came to the decision to use the units to Avner's training in the Mossad through a detailed account of each operation conducted and finally, the ending result for not only each member of the unit, but for Counter-Terrorism as a whole - was this type of assignment truly effective in destroying the terrorist cells?
I personally used this book as a case study regarding counter-terrorism operations; the book was articulate, thorough and indeed, a page turner. While none of us can really know if any of this is true (I believe that it is), the only living person on the list to die a natural death, Abu Daoud stated that no, this did not happen (after the book was released), but never refuted any points or specifics from the book. The author, George Jonas did a fantastic job of painstakingly verify and corroborating the details of each account as much as possible. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in or involved in counter-terrorism or anyone who has an interest in history.

[Vaibhav Anand · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Vengeance' - a journalistic retelling of Mossad's elimination of terrorists involved in the Munich Olympics massacre of Israeli athletes - is a fantastic book. George Jonas takes one through a journey with his almost mythical Mossad hero "Avner" - a man who leads an eclectic team of spies as they execute the terrorists one by one.

Even though the book has been made into a movie ("Munich") and a fantastic movie at that, it still deserves to be read. To me, the book was less about Israel's vengeance itself but more about the journey of "Avner" who transforms from an army man, wet behind the ears to a spy to a Mossad dropout, denied pay and recognition by the very organization he put his life at risk for. And, you have to admire Mossad's gall - like the CIA or the FBI, Mossad's mandate and expertise extended (and still extends) beyond its physical boundaries; and that is remarkable for a country the size of a thumb on the map.

Jonas has a steady writing hand; 'Vengeance' is the kind of book that will make you forget that you had to sleep, eat or go to office. Gripping and highly recommended. I dare say the book is far better than the movie.

[David Lucero · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that inspired Steven Spielberg's movie 'Munich,' about the 1972 murder of 11 Israeli athletes by the hand of terrorists. The movie followed the book closely, only the book provides greater detail (naturally) about how the Israeli Mossad agents were selected, and how they completed their mission undercover. It's pretty amazing for such an important mission that agents required on-the-job-training for this sort. I'd have thought they would want experienced agents to handle this job. However, as the book points out, the leadership of Mossad thought better to have inexperienced agents handle the work because they would be more unknown in the world of clandestine activity.

It reads like a fiction novel, which is great, because it's all true. It's gritty, dramatic, authentic, and engrossing. I highly recommend it.