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מלחמות הצללים - המוסד וקהילת המודיעין
קהילת המודיעין של ישראל משולה לתמנון שזרועותיו פועלות בחסות החשכה. תנועותיו אמנם נסתרות מן העין, אך ברור לכול שהן רוחשות כל העת. מה שלא ברור הוא היכן עובר הגבול בין אמת לבין מיתוס, והאם כל מה שנחשב דמיוני הוא אכן כזה, או שמא פריצת אופק המחשבה היא בדיוק אומנותם של אנשי המודיעין, אמני הלוחמה הפסיכולוגית (ל"פ). הדברים הגיעו לידי כך שהאיראנים טענו כי חשפו רשת ריגול ישראלית המורכבת מ... סנאים. אנו יודעים מעט מאוד על פעילות המודיעין, רבים אף אינם יודעים שהמוסד אפוף המיתוסים אינו הגוף הגדול ביותר או החשוב ביותר במערך המודיעין הישראלי. "התמנון הישראלי" כולל גופים נוספים כמו אמ"ן, שב"כ, לק"ם, נתיב, מלמ"ב. תרומתו של אמ"ן עם יחידות 200 ומ"מ (מבצעים מיוחדים) לביטחון הלאומי הישראלי, אינה נופלת בחשיבותה ואולי אף עולה על זו של המוסד.
מלחמות הצללים מפזר בזהירות את מעטה הערפל הנח סביב זרועות המודיעין השונות וחושף את פעילויותיהן, על הצלחותיהן וכישלונותיהן. הוא שופך אור על המבצעים נגד תוכנית הגרעין של איראן, על עסקי הסמים בלבנון כמו גם על השמדת הכור הגרעיני בסוריה. הספר חושף מעט מדפוסי הפעולה של "כידון", חוד החנית של המוסד, ומשיטות גיוס הסוכנים, עוסק בפרשיות עלומות של העלאת יהודים לארץ ובאתגרי ההגנה עליהם ברחבי העולם, וחושף סיפורי עבר מאלפים על אודות הקמת הכור הגרעיני בדימונה.
22 שנים לאחר שמרגלים לא מושלמים היה לרב־מכר בארצות הברית ובישראל, חוזרים יוסי מלמן ודן רביב עם ספר חדש המשלים את תמונת פסיפס של המודיעין הישראלי.
יוסי מלמן הוא עיתונאי ופרשן לענייני ביטחון, שהתמחה עשרות שנים בסיקור קהילת המודיעין של ישראל עבור עיתון “הארץ" וכיום עבור אתר החדשות “וואלה". הוא חתן פרס סוקולוב לתקשורת, עמית בקרן נימן בהרוורד ומחברם של עשרה ספרים בנושאי מודיעין וטרור.
דן רביב הוא עיתונאי ותיק ב"סי־בי־אס" בעל ידע מעמיק על המזרח התיכון. הוא מתגורר בוושינגטון, מגיש תוכנית רדיו שבועית המשודרת ברחבי ארצות הברית וזכה בפרס מטעם “מועדון כתבי החוץ של אמריקה".
מלחמות הצללים מפזר בזהירות את מעטה הערפל הנח סביב זרועות המודיעין השונות וחושף את פעילויותיהן, על הצלחותיהן וכישלונותיהן. הוא שופך אור על המבצעים נגד תוכנית הגרעין של איראן, על עסקי הסמים בלבנון כמו גם על השמדת הכור הגרעיני בסוריה. הספר חושף מעט מדפוסי הפעולה של "כידון", חוד החנית של המוסד, ומשיטות גיוס הסוכנים, עוסק בפרשיות עלומות של העלאת יהודים לארץ ובאתגרי ההגנה עליהם ברחבי העולם, וחושף סיפורי עבר מאלפים על אודות הקמת הכור הגרעיני בדימונה.
22 שנים לאחר שמרגלים לא מושלמים היה לרב־מכר בארצות הברית ובישראל, חוזרים יוסי מלמן ודן רביב עם ספר חדש המשלים את תמונת פסיפס של המודיעין הישראלי.
יוסי מלמן הוא עיתונאי ופרשן לענייני ביטחון, שהתמחה עשרות שנים בסיקור קהילת המודיעין של ישראל עבור עיתון “הארץ" וכיום עבור אתר החדשות “וואלה". הוא חתן פרס סוקולוב לתקשורת, עמית בקרן נימן בהרוורד ומחברם של עשרה ספרים בנושאי מודיעין וטרור.
דן רביב הוא עיתונאי ותיק ב"סי־בי־אס" בעל ידע מעמיק על המזרח התיכון. הוא מתגורר בוושינגטון, מגיש תוכנית רדיו שבועית המשודרת ברחבי ארצות הברית וזכה בפרס מטעם “מועדון כתבי החוץ של אמריקה".
517 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
May 11, 2019
Fajna książka. Jestem w tej dziedzinie kompletnym laikiem, więc trudno mi ocenić, czy jej treść to dyrdymały, czy też rzetelnie zrobiona dziennikarska robota. Ale sprawia wrażenie tego drugiego. Co prawda trudno się uwolnić od wrażenia, że sama książka jest elementem białego wywiadu, która ma wywołać wrażenie, że Mossad to "good guys", ale - jeżeli tak jest - to jest to zrobione inteligentnie. Ta książka nie robi z agentów Jamesów Bondów, nie wybiela ich działalności, równie rzetelnie (chyba) opisuje sukcesy jak i porażki, błędy a nawet przestępstwa i zbrodnie. Więc jest to ciekawa, popularno-naukowa książka opisująca rzeczy, o których nie za często pisze się w gazetach. Szpiegowskie okoliczności niektórych wydarzeń, które znałem z gazet, są na prawdę ciekawe, ale generalnie wynika z tego, że praca szpiega jest niebezpieczna także dlatego, że czasem można umrzeć z nudów.
December 20, 2012
Spies Against Armageddon is a history of Israel as passed through the prism of its intelligence and security services, stretching from before the 1948 War of Independence through operations against Iran in 2011. It re-plows ground the two authors tilled in 1990’s Every Spy a Prince, bringing that story up to date by making use of new material available from archives and recent interviews.
Unlike some other books covering this subject, Spies isn’t all about Mossad. The various other Israeli intelligence agencies get their time in the sun, too, even some of the more obscure. A few of the more familiar tales (the post-Munich hunt for Black September, for instance) don’t get a lot of airtime, which is fine since they’ve been done elsewhere. In their place we get profiles of some of the agents the agencies recruited. “Agents” are the people who do the actual stealing of secrets and usually aren’t trained intelligence operatives, but instead normal people who volunteer for or are suborned into their roles. They face the greatest dangers and often have the unhappiest stories, but often don’t get much attention in true-life spy accounts. The authors’ inclusion of these often-unsung figures helps round things out by showing that not all Israeli espionage victories are down to the professional spooks.
Raviv and Melman are clearly sympathetic toward Israel. Luckily, they don’t let that get in the way of recounting some of the security failures, bungles, bureaucratic wrangles, political maneuvering and shady tactics that are part-and-parcel of intelligence and security operations. For instance, the botched handling of the pre-Yom Kippur War indications-and-warning intel gets its own chapter; while apparently some of the details of this subject released earlier this year came out after the book was written, the parts we get paint a picture that’s unflattering enough.
Spies is nonfiction, and while not a textbook, it’s not exactly light reading. It’s no surprise the prose is spare and journalistic, given that both authors are veteran journalists. The narrative tends toward the episodic and you get a lot of names and places and dates thrown at you in a short time. It’ll be a rough go if you’re not used to foreign names. Once you forge past this, however, you get a good, chewy recounting of the continuous shadow war Israel has fought since before there was an Israel. Spies Against Armageddon is a solid introduction to the Israeli intelligence/security complex that will give you the grounding you’ll need to move on to weightier specialist works.
Unlike some other books covering this subject, Spies isn’t all about Mossad. The various other Israeli intelligence agencies get their time in the sun, too, even some of the more obscure. A few of the more familiar tales (the post-Munich hunt for Black September, for instance) don’t get a lot of airtime, which is fine since they’ve been done elsewhere. In their place we get profiles of some of the agents the agencies recruited. “Agents” are the people who do the actual stealing of secrets and usually aren’t trained intelligence operatives, but instead normal people who volunteer for or are suborned into their roles. They face the greatest dangers and often have the unhappiest stories, but often don’t get much attention in true-life spy accounts. The authors’ inclusion of these often-unsung figures helps round things out by showing that not all Israeli espionage victories are down to the professional spooks.
Raviv and Melman are clearly sympathetic toward Israel. Luckily, they don’t let that get in the way of recounting some of the security failures, bungles, bureaucratic wrangles, political maneuvering and shady tactics that are part-and-parcel of intelligence and security operations. For instance, the botched handling of the pre-Yom Kippur War indications-and-warning intel gets its own chapter; while apparently some of the details of this subject released earlier this year came out after the book was written, the parts we get paint a picture that’s unflattering enough.
Spies is nonfiction, and while not a textbook, it’s not exactly light reading. It’s no surprise the prose is spare and journalistic, given that both authors are veteran journalists. The narrative tends toward the episodic and you get a lot of names and places and dates thrown at you in a short time. It’ll be a rough go if you’re not used to foreign names. Once you forge past this, however, you get a good, chewy recounting of the continuous shadow war Israel has fought since before there was an Israel. Spies Against Armageddon is a solid introduction to the Israeli intelligence/security complex that will give you the grounding you’ll need to move on to weightier specialist works.
January 27, 2023
Lektura typu twój stary na wakacjach ale fajne było szpiedzy strzelanie pew pew zamachy bomby
A i autorzy fajny serial zrobili tez - “inside the mossad”
Nawet nie jest super syjonistyczne
A i autorzy fajny serial zrobili tez - “inside the mossad”
Nawet nie jest super syjonistyczne
October 29, 2014
“Mossad – espiões contra o Armagedão”, da autoria de Dan Raviv e Yossi Melman – ed. Marcador – é um estimulante e deveras viciante livro para todos quantos se interessam pela temática dos serviços secretos, nomeadamente os que estão directamente relacionados com o moderno Israel. Quer se goste, quer se reprove as acções desses serviços de “inteligência”, certo é que os mesmos nunca deixaram de despertar desde a sua criação a curiosidade e admiração em milhões de pessoas, até mesmo naquelas que são as primeiras a criticar a existência destas organizações e, concomitantemente, do estado-nação que protegem.
Inserindo-se no género de publicações mais recentes que abordam o assunto em questão, como são os casos de “Os espiões de Gedeão”, de Thomas Gordon, e “Mossad – os carrascos de Kidon”, de Eric Frattini, este livro da dupla Raviv/Melman vai mais além, atrevendo-se mesmo a “passar o Bojador” ao abordar temas desde sempre considerados “tabu” pelas instâncias que zelam pelos serviços de vigilância e espionagem da nação judaica.
Seguindo uma sequência que se poderá considerar cronológica, os autores, numa linguagem escorreita corroborada por tradução exemplar a cargo de Óscar Mascarenhas, dão a conhecer uma mão cheia de operações efectuadas pela Mossad, assim como pelos demais serviços secretos israelitas, que, de certo modo, passaram a figurar em qualquer antologia quando se procura informação acerca da temática abordada. Para além dos sucessos dos agentes judeus, os autores não se coibiram de relatar também os grandes e estrondosos fracassos e as humilhantes consequências resultantes de algumas acções levadas a cabo de um modo precipitado, estranho ao normal “modus operandi” tradicional das agências responsáveis pela manutenção de um nível de segurança que permite uma vida estável às populações de Telavive e de Jerusalém, principalmente quando pelo meio havia – ou há - ingerências de índole política e pessoal que em nada abonam em prol da folha de serviços dessas organizações.
Este livro tem também a grande mais-valia de ter sido escrito por quem conhece bem os meandros deveras sinuosos do mundo da espionagem, tendo os autores contado com os testemunhos de dezenas de entrevistados recolhidos ao longo de vários anos. Como é de esperar, a maior parte daqueles que revelaram determinados segredos não quis ser identificada. Outros, no entanto, sentindo que a vida se aproxima rapidamente do seu nadir e ocaso, aproveitaram o ensejo proporcionado pelos autores para levantar um pouco o denso véu que envolvia os seus respectivos passados obscuros, movidos quiçá por um certo orgulho pelo que fizeram e para que essas memórias não caíssem eternamente no esquecimento. Outros ainda, como sucedeu com alguns, levados por sentimentos revanchistas silenciados durante décadas, mas que jamais se atenuaram, tiraram proveito das entrevistas concedidas para sacudir a “água do capote”, dando a sua versão pessoal dos acontecimentos em que estiveram pessoalmente envolvidos.
Em suma, um livro estimulante, bem estruturado, convincente, que merece uma leitura atenta, mais não seja para descobrir a página onde é referenciado, com base em testemunhos de quem presenciou isso na primeira pessoa, que Saddam Hussein – aquele que ameaçou destruir para sempre o estado de Israel – chegou, na década de 70 do transacto século, a fazer parte da lista de pagamentos que a Mossad fazia àqueles que lhes forneciam informações sobre o que se passava na agitada e conturbada periferia que desde sempre existiu em torno da pátria dos judeus.
Inserindo-se no género de publicações mais recentes que abordam o assunto em questão, como são os casos de “Os espiões de Gedeão”, de Thomas Gordon, e “Mossad – os carrascos de Kidon”, de Eric Frattini, este livro da dupla Raviv/Melman vai mais além, atrevendo-se mesmo a “passar o Bojador” ao abordar temas desde sempre considerados “tabu” pelas instâncias que zelam pelos serviços de vigilância e espionagem da nação judaica.
Seguindo uma sequência que se poderá considerar cronológica, os autores, numa linguagem escorreita corroborada por tradução exemplar a cargo de Óscar Mascarenhas, dão a conhecer uma mão cheia de operações efectuadas pela Mossad, assim como pelos demais serviços secretos israelitas, que, de certo modo, passaram a figurar em qualquer antologia quando se procura informação acerca da temática abordada. Para além dos sucessos dos agentes judeus, os autores não se coibiram de relatar também os grandes e estrondosos fracassos e as humilhantes consequências resultantes de algumas acções levadas a cabo de um modo precipitado, estranho ao normal “modus operandi” tradicional das agências responsáveis pela manutenção de um nível de segurança que permite uma vida estável às populações de Telavive e de Jerusalém, principalmente quando pelo meio havia – ou há - ingerências de índole política e pessoal que em nada abonam em prol da folha de serviços dessas organizações.
Este livro tem também a grande mais-valia de ter sido escrito por quem conhece bem os meandros deveras sinuosos do mundo da espionagem, tendo os autores contado com os testemunhos de dezenas de entrevistados recolhidos ao longo de vários anos. Como é de esperar, a maior parte daqueles que revelaram determinados segredos não quis ser identificada. Outros, no entanto, sentindo que a vida se aproxima rapidamente do seu nadir e ocaso, aproveitaram o ensejo proporcionado pelos autores para levantar um pouco o denso véu que envolvia os seus respectivos passados obscuros, movidos quiçá por um certo orgulho pelo que fizeram e para que essas memórias não caíssem eternamente no esquecimento. Outros ainda, como sucedeu com alguns, levados por sentimentos revanchistas silenciados durante décadas, mas que jamais se atenuaram, tiraram proveito das entrevistas concedidas para sacudir a “água do capote”, dando a sua versão pessoal dos acontecimentos em que estiveram pessoalmente envolvidos.
Em suma, um livro estimulante, bem estruturado, convincente, que merece uma leitura atenta, mais não seja para descobrir a página onde é referenciado, com base em testemunhos de quem presenciou isso na primeira pessoa, que Saddam Hussein – aquele que ameaçou destruir para sempre o estado de Israel – chegou, na década de 70 do transacto século, a fazer parte da lista de pagamentos que a Mossad fazia àqueles que lhes forneciam informações sobre o que se passava na agitada e conturbada periferia que desde sempre existiu em torno da pátria dos judeus.
February 21, 2019
"Mięsa" starczyłoby na 20 typowych poradników biznesowych. Czego tutaj nie było: tajne służby, wojny, zamachy, polityka, stosunki międzynarodowe, polityka wewnątrz organizacji i wiele innych. Łowcy "polskich wątków" znajdą tutaj sporo dla siebie.
Na tę książkę zdecydowałem się, bo z tą tematyką nie miałem wcześniej styczności i nie żałuję - sporo cennych historii o ludziach, których dokonania z jednej strony imponują, z drugiej cześć z nich jest wątpliwa pod względem etycznym. Jednak to pragmatyzm, a nie sentymenty cechuje działaność tajnych służb Izraela.
Na tę książkę zdecydowałem się, bo z tą tematyką nie miałem wcześniej styczności i nie żałuję - sporo cennych historii o ludziach, których dokonania z jednej strony imponują, z drugiej cześć z nich jest wątpliwa pod względem etycznym. Jednak to pragmatyzm, a nie sentymenty cechuje działaność tajnych służb Izraela.
September 20, 2012
As an enthusiast of Israeli history, especially when involving intelligence or espionage operations, this book was a wealth of information, an unprecedented compendium from minor anecdotes to major sagas detailing the history of the Mossad, the Shin Bet, Aman—their heads, their operations, their rivalries, their politics, their offshoots and affiliates (Kidon, Sayeret Matkal, etc.), their successes, their failures, and more. While some of the stories are known legends (e.g., Osirak, Entebbe, Eli Cohen), I am quite certain that this book will contain quite a few heretofore unknown stories and details for most. There were also quite a few details (e.g., some regarding the Syrian nuclear reactor operations) that really caught me by surprise.
That said, I only have two complaints. The first is one of politics. The authors apparently take a left-of-center political position and from time to time make no effort to hide it. While most politicians in the books are simply named, many of the Likud politicians have the “right-wing” descriptor prepended to their names, as does the Likud party itself (a simple search will reveal that “right-wing” turns up twice as many times in the book as “left-wing” does). As another example, Ariel Sharon is unabashedly and overtly scorned in part of the book with a tangential anecdote that needn’t have been cited and, having been cited, needn’t have been done so in such a wryly opinionated way by the authors. Even references to Obama (and his not-so-subtle anti-Israel actions) seem slightly overly forgiving, excusing, and optimistic. Granted, these things are only little, random bumps in the long, generally smooth road of an enjoyable book, but they still feel unnecessary and serve as tiny unwelcome jabs reminding the reader that this book could have been just a wee bit better had it been written without those little references.
The second complaint I have is one of organization. While the stories were highly informative, interesting, and entertaining, they were also seemingly all over the place with segues or threads sometimes hard to even detect or identify. It was not written ordered chronologically, nor was it written grouped by subject. It seemed to bounce sometimes back and forth through the decades, back and forth across the different intelligence organizations, and back and forth across topics of concern to Israel. Would it have had a more identifiable sequence, I would have enjoyed it much more so.
Those two complaints notwithstanding, though, this was an excellent book and one I would recommend to just about anyone—regardless of one’s position on Israel, politics, or even one’s enthusiasm for historical books, as this was far from your typical, dry narrative. In fact, I read it in only a few days, not having been able to put it down for very long at a time!
That said, I only have two complaints. The first is one of politics. The authors apparently take a left-of-center political position and from time to time make no effort to hide it. While most politicians in the books are simply named, many of the Likud politicians have the “right-wing” descriptor prepended to their names, as does the Likud party itself (a simple search will reveal that “right-wing” turns up twice as many times in the book as “left-wing” does). As another example, Ariel Sharon is unabashedly and overtly scorned in part of the book with a tangential anecdote that needn’t have been cited and, having been cited, needn’t have been done so in such a wryly opinionated way by the authors. Even references to Obama (and his not-so-subtle anti-Israel actions) seem slightly overly forgiving, excusing, and optimistic. Granted, these things are only little, random bumps in the long, generally smooth road of an enjoyable book, but they still feel unnecessary and serve as tiny unwelcome jabs reminding the reader that this book could have been just a wee bit better had it been written without those little references.
The second complaint I have is one of organization. While the stories were highly informative, interesting, and entertaining, they were also seemingly all over the place with segues or threads sometimes hard to even detect or identify. It was not written ordered chronologically, nor was it written grouped by subject. It seemed to bounce sometimes back and forth through the decades, back and forth across the different intelligence organizations, and back and forth across topics of concern to Israel. Would it have had a more identifiable sequence, I would have enjoyed it much more so.
Those two complaints notwithstanding, though, this was an excellent book and one I would recommend to just about anyone—regardless of one’s position on Israel, politics, or even one’s enthusiasm for historical books, as this was far from your typical, dry narrative. In fact, I read it in only a few days, not having been able to put it down for very long at a time!
February 16, 2017
Fascinating peek behind the Israeli secret curtain. I'm old enough to remember much of this happening but it was often hidden in the clutter of life, viewed out of context, or simply misunderstood by me. My perspective of Israel's history has significantly changed as a result of this book.
It's not an easy read because the story jumps around in history a little too much, and the publisher/printer didn't help with the small print and compression to cram more onto each page.
You'll love this one if you have an interest in Israel and/or middle east history.
It's not an easy read because the story jumps around in history a little too much, and the publisher/printer didn't help with the small print and compression to cram more onto each page.
You'll love this one if you have an interest in Israel and/or middle east history.
February 13, 2013
absolutely riveting book. Written like a novel. Ian Flemming would have been proud to have written a book this vivid.
By far the best book regarding Israel I've read. I've recommended this to a ton of people and even those with no relationship to Israel find it fascinating. (its also significantly better than the other mossad books out there).
With that said, this book is not without its faults. However, the faults (obviously written by two different people with somewhat flawed integration -- political opinion gets in the way of analysis regarding current issues) are small enough in comparison to how great the overall quality of the book is that it still deserves 5 stars.
By far the best book regarding Israel I've read. I've recommended this to a ton of people and even those with no relationship to Israel find it fascinating. (its also significantly better than the other mossad books out there).
With that said, this book is not without its faults. However, the faults (obviously written by two different people with somewhat flawed integration -- political opinion gets in the way of analysis regarding current issues) are small enough in comparison to how great the overall quality of the book is that it still deserves 5 stars.
March 23, 2014
Buku ini memberi banyak sekali inside story soal sepak terjang intelijen Israel, khususnya Mossad. Penulis buku ini mengkonformasi kasus-kasus pembunuhan politik yang dilakukan Mossad terhadap tokoh-tokoh Palestina, Suriah dan Iran, yang selama ini tak pernah diakui pemerintah Israel secara terbuka.
May 23, 2023
Wydaje się, iż tego rodzaju pozycje pisane są na zlecenie służb specjalnych Izraela. W infantylny sposób mają budować mit ich sprawności oraz zorganizowania. Jakby żenujące są opisy rzekomych dylematów moralnych szpiegów. Prawda jest taka, że w szpiegowaniu obowiązuje tylko jedna zasada: żadnych zasad. Jako że książka jest tanią reklamą Mossadu daję tylko 3 gwiazdki.
March 8, 2013
The information was incredible. The sentence structure and the type-face were not to my liking, therefore the 4 stars instead of 5.
September 14, 2013
Great book. If you haven't read about any of Israel's covert-ops so far, this book is for you.
November 27, 2017
Osinskipoludzku.blogspot.com
Mówi się, że najlepsze historie pisze samo życie i ta książka jest tego najlepszym dowodem. Opisywane tu akcje pod egidą jednej z najsłynniejszych agencji wywiadowczych na świecie mogą śmiało służyć jako scenariusz dla niejednego filmu sensacyjnego co zresztą niejednokrotnie stało się faktem. Przyznam, że nie sięgnął bym po tą książkę gdyby nie fakt, iż ukazała się nakładem Wydawnictwa Czarnego. Tylko ono jest w stanie zagwarantować literaturę faktu najwyższego lotu w odróżnieniu do taniej sensacji.
Państwo Izrael ma jedną z najbardziej skomplikowanych historii i jego miejsce na nowożytnej mapie Europy jest okupione krwią przelaną na polu walki, ale i nie tylko. Smutna jest bowiem droga jaką przyszło przejść narodowi żydowskiemu raz poraz dziesiątkowanemu przez nacjonalistyczne systemy i doktryny polityczne oparte na nienawiści i rozmaitych fobiach. Właśnie z uwagi na liczne rany odniesione przez Izrael jak również pełną nieufności postawę wobec jego obywateli na świecie, zrodziła się konieczność stworzenia agencji mającej zapewnić spokój i bezpieczeństwo dla każdego Żyda gdziekolwiek ten by się znalazł.
Jak dowiemy się z tego opracowania Mosad i powiązane z nim agencje rządowe funkcjonowały nie tylko do działań prewencyjnych, ale aktywnie działały też jeśli chodzi o wyprzedzające ataki na obszarze tak naprawdę całej kuli ziemskiej. Właśnie ten aspekt działalności Izraela na arenie międzynarodowej budził największe bodaj kontrowersje. Podczas gdy mało kto upomniał się o zbrodniarzy wojennych jak na ten przykład Eichmann, który był jednym z autorów planu ostatecznej zagłady narodu żydowskiego i którego sprowadzono na sprawiedliwy proces , to już inaczej sprawy mają się w przypadku zabójstw na "wrogach" Izraela, które miały miejsce na terenie całej Europy. Tym większe kontrowersje rodzą się w tym przypadku gdyż te ataki niosły ze sobą przypadkowe ofiary wśród ludności cywilnej. Podobnie rzecz się ma z ofensywnym nastawieniem Izraela i agencji wywiadowczych tego państwa wobec Palestyny, Egiptu czy też Libanu. Pojawia się tu według mnie zasadne pytanie o granicę obrony i usprawiedliwienia dla przemocy. Odwieczna prawda, iż "przemoc rodzi przemoc" może i brzmi kolokwialnie, ale w przypadku państwa Izrael nabiera wymownego znaczenia.
Podsumowując,, "Szpiedzy Mossadu i tajne wojny Izraela" to książka po którą powinien sięgnąć każdy fan literatury szpiegowskiej. Znajdziemy tu wartką akcję, tajemnica goni tajemnicę, rzeczy oczywiste z początku przestają takie być w miarę rozwoju wydarzeń, q ponadto dodatkową grozę budzi fakt, iż wszystko o czym czytamy wydarzyło się naprawdę. Mało tego, takie wywiadowcze rozgrywki dzieją się co dnia i może bierzemy w nich nawet pośredni udział sami nie mając takiej świadomości :)
Mówi się, że najlepsze historie pisze samo życie i ta książka jest tego najlepszym dowodem. Opisywane tu akcje pod egidą jednej z najsłynniejszych agencji wywiadowczych na świecie mogą śmiało służyć jako scenariusz dla niejednego filmu sensacyjnego co zresztą niejednokrotnie stało się faktem. Przyznam, że nie sięgnął bym po tą książkę gdyby nie fakt, iż ukazała się nakładem Wydawnictwa Czarnego. Tylko ono jest w stanie zagwarantować literaturę faktu najwyższego lotu w odróżnieniu do taniej sensacji.
Państwo Izrael ma jedną z najbardziej skomplikowanych historii i jego miejsce na nowożytnej mapie Europy jest okupione krwią przelaną na polu walki, ale i nie tylko. Smutna jest bowiem droga jaką przyszło przejść narodowi żydowskiemu raz poraz dziesiątkowanemu przez nacjonalistyczne systemy i doktryny polityczne oparte na nienawiści i rozmaitych fobiach. Właśnie z uwagi na liczne rany odniesione przez Izrael jak również pełną nieufności postawę wobec jego obywateli na świecie, zrodziła się konieczność stworzenia agencji mającej zapewnić spokój i bezpieczeństwo dla każdego Żyda gdziekolwiek ten by się znalazł.
Jak dowiemy się z tego opracowania Mosad i powiązane z nim agencje rządowe funkcjonowały nie tylko do działań prewencyjnych, ale aktywnie działały też jeśli chodzi o wyprzedzające ataki na obszarze tak naprawdę całej kuli ziemskiej. Właśnie ten aspekt działalności Izraela na arenie międzynarodowej budził największe bodaj kontrowersje. Podczas gdy mało kto upomniał się o zbrodniarzy wojennych jak na ten przykład Eichmann, który był jednym z autorów planu ostatecznej zagłady narodu żydowskiego i którego sprowadzono na sprawiedliwy proces , to już inaczej sprawy mają się w przypadku zabójstw na "wrogach" Izraela, które miały miejsce na terenie całej Europy. Tym większe kontrowersje rodzą się w tym przypadku gdyż te ataki niosły ze sobą przypadkowe ofiary wśród ludności cywilnej. Podobnie rzecz się ma z ofensywnym nastawieniem Izraela i agencji wywiadowczych tego państwa wobec Palestyny, Egiptu czy też Libanu. Pojawia się tu według mnie zasadne pytanie o granicę obrony i usprawiedliwienia dla przemocy. Odwieczna prawda, iż "przemoc rodzi przemoc" może i brzmi kolokwialnie, ale w przypadku państwa Izrael nabiera wymownego znaczenia.
Podsumowując,, "Szpiedzy Mossadu i tajne wojny Izraela" to książka po którą powinien sięgnąć każdy fan literatury szpiegowskiej. Znajdziemy tu wartką akcję, tajemnica goni tajemnicę, rzeczy oczywiste z początku przestają takie być w miarę rozwoju wydarzeń, q ponadto dodatkową grozę budzi fakt, iż wszystko o czym czytamy wydarzyło się naprawdę. Mało tego, takie wywiadowcze rozgrywki dzieją się co dnia i może bierzemy w nich nawet pośredni udział sami nie mając takiej świadomości :)
September 27, 2018
Going back to the pre-state days of the Hagganah the Jews of Israel have had an intelligence agency. After Israel became a state the intelligence branch of the Hagganah morphed into what is today three ore four agencies. The most infamous is the famed Mossad which spies on other countries. The Shin Bet is Israel’s version of the FBI. They spy on internal domestic enemies. There are two others. The first is Aman and they spy on foreign militaries , gathering secrets about the milititary and sometimes stealing weapon secrets . Lakam spies on the technological details of other countries and try to get it for Israel.
During Israel’s early years the state was run by the Labor or Israeli left. They did not trust the right wingers very much. That would change over the years with Yitzhak Shamir becoming head of the Mossad. The intelligence agencies often gained information by compromising or making an agent out of someone working for the enemy. They would either pay them or coerce them. The Mossad and other spy agencies have made their share of mistakes. Such mistakes would include getting caught spying on an ally or getting your agents caught using the passports of other nations. Those nations did not like that too much. Israel bungled an assassination attempt of aa Hamas operative in Jordan and this caused a real flap between the two nations.
The book recounts all the intelligence agencies operations from the states beginning all the way to the present. This includes some pretty major screw ups and some major victories. If you have followed up on Israel’s history then most of this will not be new to you. There are a few tidbits in the book that even surprised me. Perhaps that is what makes the book worth reading.
In the end you realize that whether you think Israel is good or bad we are all just humans willing too do nasty stuff in order to survive. If you are not up to date on Mossad history then I recommend this book.
During Israel’s early years the state was run by the Labor or Israeli left. They did not trust the right wingers very much. That would change over the years with Yitzhak Shamir becoming head of the Mossad. The intelligence agencies often gained information by compromising or making an agent out of someone working for the enemy. They would either pay them or coerce them. The Mossad and other spy agencies have made their share of mistakes. Such mistakes would include getting caught spying on an ally or getting your agents caught using the passports of other nations. Those nations did not like that too much. Israel bungled an assassination attempt of aa Hamas operative in Jordan and this caused a real flap between the two nations.
The book recounts all the intelligence agencies operations from the states beginning all the way to the present. This includes some pretty major screw ups and some major victories. If you have followed up on Israel’s history then most of this will not be new to you. There are a few tidbits in the book that even surprised me. Perhaps that is what makes the book worth reading.
In the end you realize that whether you think Israel is good or bad we are all just humans willing too do nasty stuff in order to survive. If you are not up to date on Mossad history then I recommend this book.
July 4, 2019
Israel is a small, new country surrounded by enemies. News reports have led me to believe that their Mossad intelligence services combined with their IDF fight far above their weight. Independently, they also are a key allied for Western values near "our" energy resources. I wanted to read something to learn more about this and the best I could find was this compendium of history.
The book was instructive in how Israel's Mossad formed during pre-statehood largely from WW2 people. I learned about how they acquired atomic know how from the French needs following their own N. African colonialism. The USA also helped with the Atoms for Peace reactors. I learned about the various intelligence agencies and how re-nationalization of the Jewish diaspora contributes. There are plenty of tales of bombings and assignation in this true but Israel-vetted propaganda.
The book was instructive in how Israel's Mossad formed during pre-statehood largely from WW2 people. I learned about how they acquired atomic know how from the French needs following their own N. African colonialism. The USA also helped with the Atoms for Peace reactors. I learned about the various intelligence agencies and how re-nationalization of the Jewish diaspora contributes. There are plenty of tales of bombings and assignation in this true but Israel-vetted propaganda.
May 24, 2017
Ganhei este livro num passatempo da página "Efeito dos livros" (https://www.facebook.com/efeitodosliv... e http://efeitodoslivros.blogspot.pt/)
Pela primeira vez, desisto da leitura de um livro. Ao iniciar a sua leitura, percebi logo que não era do meu género e que não o ia conseguir terminar, após 24 páginas de leitura, não consegui mais. Tenho pena, ainda tentei, mas infelizmente o tema não me entusiasmou e o livro é meramente descritivo, pouco de história tem. E se realmente tem, desisti antes do tempo.
Sendo assim, este não irá contar para o "Reading Challenge" (por enquanto). Talvez tente noutra altura, ou não tente mesmo. Logo se verá.
Aconselham continuar a lê-lo? Já vos aconteceu alguma vez? O que fizeram: continuaram a leitura ou desistiram de vez?
Pela primeira vez, desisto da leitura de um livro. Ao iniciar a sua leitura, percebi logo que não era do meu género e que não o ia conseguir terminar, após 24 páginas de leitura, não consegui mais. Tenho pena, ainda tentei, mas infelizmente o tema não me entusiasmou e o livro é meramente descritivo, pouco de história tem. E se realmente tem, desisti antes do tempo.
Sendo assim, este não irá contar para o "Reading Challenge" (por enquanto). Talvez tente noutra altura, ou não tente mesmo. Logo se verá.
Aconselham continuar a lê-lo? Já vos aconteceu alguma vez? O que fizeram: continuaram a leitura ou desistiram de vez?
September 2, 2018
An interesting book, which greatly expanded on my knowledge on the Israeli intelligence community.
While the first half, telling of the early days of the different intelligence agencies, felt a bit dry and abrupt, I found the latter half of the book to be an easier read and very intriguing. Maybe it's because it goes into details of events I've heard about before (or lived through).
This book goes to show the varied areas of operation of the Israeli intelligence community, whether inside Israel and the West Bank or in Lebanon, Egypt and other Middle-East countries, and how operation differs around the world. It also explains the differences between the different intelligence bodies and how politics have affected their work through the years.
While the first half, telling of the early days of the different intelligence agencies, felt a bit dry and abrupt, I found the latter half of the book to be an easier read and very intriguing. Maybe it's because it goes into details of events I've heard about before (or lived through).
This book goes to show the varied areas of operation of the Israeli intelligence community, whether inside Israel and the West Bank or in Lebanon, Egypt and other Middle-East countries, and how operation differs around the world. It also explains the differences between the different intelligence bodies and how politics have affected their work through the years.
August 14, 2019
At some point I found myself thinking - "this book made me think violent solutions are the only ones that make sense in the Middle-East". Then I stopped, took a step back and reflected on whether it's true or not.
One story after another the book portrays operations of one of the most effective spy agencies in the world. They have a wide range of specialties. Many of them involve killing people. I don't think that's the only solution, but it seems like it's bread and butter to Mossad. There's a wide context to the stories. They seem easily digestible and nuanced.
The book seemed like the Israeli spy version of "Innovators" by Walter Isaacson. It provides an additional lens to help understand the last 70 years of World History.
One story after another the book portrays operations of one of the most effective spy agencies in the world. They have a wide range of specialties. Many of them involve killing people. I don't think that's the only solution, but it seems like it's bread and butter to Mossad. There's a wide context to the stories. They seem easily digestible and nuanced.
The book seemed like the Israeli spy version of "Innovators" by Walter Isaacson. It provides an additional lens to help understand the last 70 years of World History.
February 21, 2017
I read this book after reading "Mossad: The Greatest Missions of the Israeli Secret Service
by Michael Bar-Zohar, Nissim Mishal" so I felt I could have skipped this book. My intension is understanding Isreli intelligence in deeper way. This book fulfilled my intention of reading this book as the book deals in detail with all three isreli intelligence agencies, Aman, Shin-bet, and famous Mossad. All missions explained in another book is mentioned in this book along with some more missions. Narration is good. If you are looking for mission related book, you skip this. If you like to get deeper understanding of Isreli Intelligence agencies, you should read this book.
by Michael Bar-Zohar, Nissim Mishal" so I felt I could have skipped this book. My intension is understanding Isreli intelligence in deeper way. This book fulfilled my intention of reading this book as the book deals in detail with all three isreli intelligence agencies, Aman, Shin-bet, and famous Mossad. All missions explained in another book is mentioned in this book along with some more missions. Narration is good. If you are looking for mission related book, you skip this. If you like to get deeper understanding of Isreli Intelligence agencies, you should read this book.
February 9, 2022
کتاب اطلاعات خوبی درباره ساختار کلی نیروهای اطلاعاتی اسراییل ارائه میده اما در جزئیات عملیاتها عموما چیز زیادی دست خواننده نمیده و یه کلیات اکتفا میکنه که در قیاس با کتاب برخیز و اول تو بکش، عملا حرفی برای گفتن نداره.
اما این کتاب و کتاب برخیز و اول تو بکش، مکملهای خوبی برای هم هستن و خلاهای همدیگر رو به خوبی پر میکنن و میتونن علامت سوالهای هر کتاب رو با کتاب دیگه پاسخ داد تا حدودی. به عنوان مثال در قضیه جاسوسی پولارد، کتاب برخیز و اول تو بکش خیلی سطحی و سرسری از موضوع رد میشه اما این کتاب تقریبا به خوبی موضوع رو باز میکند.
اما این کتاب و کتاب برخیز و اول تو بکش، مکملهای خوبی برای هم هستن و خلاهای همدیگر رو به خوبی پر میکنن و میتونن علامت سوالهای هر کتاب رو با کتاب دیگه پاسخ داد تا حدودی. به عنوان مثال در قضیه جاسوسی پولارد، کتاب برخیز و اول تو بکش خیلی سطحی و سرسری از موضوع رد میشه اما این کتاب تقریبا به خوبی موضوع رو باز میکند.
April 6, 2025
Ta książka to taka hasbara w wersji soft. Niżej dwa cytaty, które wspaniale oddają kłamstwa i manipulacje autorów :)
„Planując poszczególne ataki, Izraelczycy zawsze zastanawiali się jakie mogą być ich konsekwencje. Starano się unikać ofiar wśród ludności cywilnej, bywało, że w ostatniej chwili odwoływano zamach, gdy w pobliżu ofiary przebywały dzieci lub inni niewinni ludzie.”
„To zaświadczyło dobitnie, że choć izraelscy premierzy czasami z zimna krwią podejmowali ryzykowne decyzje, czuli się zobowiązania do przestrzegania międzynarodowych umów.”
„Planując poszczególne ataki, Izraelczycy zawsze zastanawiali się jakie mogą być ich konsekwencje. Starano się unikać ofiar wśród ludności cywilnej, bywało, że w ostatniej chwili odwoływano zamach, gdy w pobliżu ofiary przebywały dzieci lub inni niewinni ludzie.”
„To zaświadczyło dobitnie, że choć izraelscy premierzy czasami z zimna krwią podejmowali ryzykowne decyzje, czuli się zobowiązania do przestrzegania międzynarodowych umów.”
October 25, 2023
Really good mix of Israeli intelligence, as well as gritty details of some of its most spectacular actions. Covers the brief history of all branches of intelligence since the inception of the Israeli state, so the added benefit was that it allowed me to understand some background of the Arab-Israeli conflict. It also demystified Mossad for me, which I knew mostly from watching "Munich" so far. A really well-researched and well-written book.
May 6, 2025
I’m sure that many books have been written about Israel’s Intelligence Services - though this was a first for me. It covers the past 60 years and includes “warts and all” of so many of Israel’s highs and lows …. successes and failures. I was interested also to read of so many names and events I had at least some familiarity with. It was obviously very well-researched and covered so much. Even the end notes were impressive. Solid reading - but well-worthwhile.
January 29, 2025
Impressive....
Israel's many struggles to survive so many unknowns for so many years under such constantly changing times is truly remarkable. Were I Jewish, my entire family (son and myself) would've been there in Israel to support in whatever way possible. Godspeed Blessed Nation.
Israel's many struggles to survive so many unknowns for so many years under such constantly changing times is truly remarkable. Were I Jewish, my entire family (son and myself) would've been there in Israel to support in whatever way possible. Godspeed Blessed Nation.
May 31, 2017
Excellent history of the Mossad. More detail than necessary but gives good appreciation of this elite team. Eichmann kidnapping, Munich Olympics, Iran nuclear buildup are all covered. Interesting stories about operations - not always successful.
November 20, 2017
This was very informative about the inner workings of Mossad and other Israeli spy agencies since the country's founding. I would have liked to see more about how other countries were viewing their actions, but understand that wasn't the point of the book. I definitely learned a lot.
October 10, 2024
Real life James Bond stories, always entertaining. One could question the morality of such attacks, however if your nation is surrounded by hostile neighbours hell bent on eliminating your state, perhaps that's what you have to do.
October 3, 2018
Very similar to other exciting works about Mossad and thus with many repetitions but perhaps written in a better way and with more political and historical context.
January 4, 2019
Great book. Little bit long but enjoyable. I definitely recommend.
December 9, 2019
Eye-opening..very good book.
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