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Mirage
It is the late 1960s, and De Gaulle has cancelled Israel's order for 50 Mirage 5 jet fighters and five missile-carrying high-speed naval craft. Against this background, an Israeli fighter pilot is given an extraordinary mission by Mossad. By the author of "Swift", "Ice", "Denominator" and "Savant".
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
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784 people want to read
About the author
James Follett
49 books37 followersJames Follett (not "Follet") was an author and screenwriter, born in 1939 in Tolworth, England.
Follett became a full-time fiction writer in 1976, after resigning from contract work as a technical writer for the British Ministry of Defence. He has wrote over 20 novels, several television scripts (including episodes of the BBC's Blake's 7), and many radio dramas. Follett was one of the 400 most popular British authors, measured by the numbers of books borrowed from public libraries in the UK, having spent 11 years in the public lending right's top two bands of authors.
Follett became a full-time fiction writer in 1976, after resigning from contract work as a technical writer for the British Ministry of Defence. He has wrote over 20 novels, several television scripts (including episodes of the BBC's Blake's 7), and many radio dramas. Follett was one of the 400 most popular British authors, measured by the numbers of books borrowed from public libraries in the UK, having spent 11 years in the public lending right's top two bands of authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
April 22, 2025
Aslında konusu itibariyle bilmediğim pek çok şeyi öğrendiğim, hikayesi de gayet ilgi çekici olabilecekken yazım tarzı ve düşük temposu ile bekleneni vermeyen bir kitaptı. O yüzden yine ne diyoruz: Ken Follett > James Follett.
December 17, 2017
I have read A Cage of Eagles by James Follet and enjoyed it a lot (would highly recommend to adults) so I wanted to try another book with a facinating (based on truth) story.
The writing was just as gripping and the story was just as facinating as I expected; however, all through the book were explicit, highly disturbing and unnecessary sex and violence details which just got in the way of the story. A hideously grotesque and obscene torture scene near the end is probably the worst but there are several other lurid scenes throughout. The story would have easily rated 3 stars if it had not jarred all the way through with this lazy style of writing. The bad scenes and their effects outwayed any benefit or interest the book had. I would not recommend it.
The writing was just as gripping and the story was just as facinating as I expected; however, all through the book were explicit, highly disturbing and unnecessary sex and violence details which just got in the way of the story. A hideously grotesque and obscene torture scene near the end is probably the worst but there are several other lurid scenes throughout. The story would have easily rated 3 stars if it had not jarred all the way through with this lazy style of writing. The bad scenes and their effects outwayed any benefit or interest the book had. I would not recommend it.
December 18, 2016
Another tough one to rate. 3.5 stars for sure, but short of a four due to the story dragging in the middle. It was very interesting to learn about the desperate plight of Israel following the six day war to source a modern fighter plane that could compete with the Russian sourced Migs that were supplied to her Arab enemies.
The actual theft of plans and engineering drawings for the Mirage fighter was engaging and to its credit, the story virtually races to the ending. But for some more rigorous editing this was an easy four star, with a strong opening and finish. Anyone interested in the history of the late sixties and Israel should enjoy this book.
The actual theft of plans and engineering drawings for the Mirage fighter was engaging and to its credit, the story virtually races to the ending. But for some more rigorous editing this was an easy four star, with a strong opening and finish. Anyone interested in the history of the late sixties and Israel should enjoy this book.
January 6, 2017
The author's writing style is good but the plot towards the end is not as good as one would expect.
July 5, 2022
Did not finish - bad dialogue and too slow
July 11, 2024
3.5/4
There are events which prove the old saying that truth is stranger than fiction. The story of the lengths that Israel went, in the aftermath of the Six-Day War in the 1960s, to obtain plans for the French built Mirage 5 fighter plane following that country’s embargo, is among them. It’s no surprise then that the story found itself fictionalized two decades later by one of the bestselling thriller writers of the time: James Follett.
Follett, who had penned thrillers including Dominator with its own subplot involving Israeli politics and intelligence, proved up to the task. Beginning with a page-turning depiction of aerial combat in the Six-Day War, Follett takes readers through fictionalized events beginning nearly twenty years earlier with the country’s founding. From there, Follett takes the now-ground Daniel Kalen Israeli pilot to swinging sixties London and into Europe as he comes up with a plan to get the much-needed plans. Efforts that attract the attention of not only his father (who, unknown to Daniel, is the head of the Mossad) but also the American CIA and a beautiful young American who falls into the former pilot’s orbit.
It’s a fine tapestry that Follett pulls together to tell his story. Beyond the thrilling flying sequences and bits of intelligence tradecraft, Follett offers up a richness of period details, from music and fashion to cultural events such as Apollo moon missions bringing the world to a standstill, that add wonderfully to the verisimilitude. All building up to an extended chase sequence across the final quarter of the novel that (while almost certainly the author injecting a hefty dose of creative license into proceedings) brings the novel to a most satisfying conclusion.
There is a trade-off for all that, though. The flashback to the late 1940s is a lengthy one, taking up nearly a quarter of the novel’s length, causing literary whiplash after the action packed opening. Not that Follett doesn’t need it to set-up the large cast of characters and connections, but one can’t wonder if it couldn’t have been done in a more concise way. The same is true of the next quarter, as well, which involves another very lengthy set-up to get events established once more in the late 1960s. The second half of the novel picks up considerably, particularly in the final quarter with its extended chase sequence, but it’s something that leaves Mirage feeling oddly lopsided. Also showing the novel’s age (or perhaps that of its author) are a pair of overly graphic torture scenes (including one involving a woman) and an attempted rape that is essentially shrugged off in the next scene which even as a forgiving reader of older thrillers I struggled with accepting.
On the bright side, Mirage’s presentation on Kindle was an improvement over Dominator. Not that it was without issues with paragraphs and even lines of dialogue running together, but this was far easier to read. Indeed, of the various Follett novels currently available on Kindle, Mirage would be the one I’d be inclined to recommend both in terms being a good read and its Kindle presentation. Even if I make it with some caveats.
There are events which prove the old saying that truth is stranger than fiction. The story of the lengths that Israel went, in the aftermath of the Six-Day War in the 1960s, to obtain plans for the French built Mirage 5 fighter plane following that country’s embargo, is among them. It’s no surprise then that the story found itself fictionalized two decades later by one of the bestselling thriller writers of the time: James Follett.
Follett, who had penned thrillers including Dominator with its own subplot involving Israeli politics and intelligence, proved up to the task. Beginning with a page-turning depiction of aerial combat in the Six-Day War, Follett takes readers through fictionalized events beginning nearly twenty years earlier with the country’s founding. From there, Follett takes the now-ground Daniel Kalen Israeli pilot to swinging sixties London and into Europe as he comes up with a plan to get the much-needed plans. Efforts that attract the attention of not only his father (who, unknown to Daniel, is the head of the Mossad) but also the American CIA and a beautiful young American who falls into the former pilot’s orbit.
It’s a fine tapestry that Follett pulls together to tell his story. Beyond the thrilling flying sequences and bits of intelligence tradecraft, Follett offers up a richness of period details, from music and fashion to cultural events such as Apollo moon missions bringing the world to a standstill, that add wonderfully to the verisimilitude. All building up to an extended chase sequence across the final quarter of the novel that (while almost certainly the author injecting a hefty dose of creative license into proceedings) brings the novel to a most satisfying conclusion.
There is a trade-off for all that, though. The flashback to the late 1940s is a lengthy one, taking up nearly a quarter of the novel’s length, causing literary whiplash after the action packed opening. Not that Follett doesn’t need it to set-up the large cast of characters and connections, but one can’t wonder if it couldn’t have been done in a more concise way. The same is true of the next quarter, as well, which involves another very lengthy set-up to get events established once more in the late 1960s. The second half of the novel picks up considerably, particularly in the final quarter with its extended chase sequence, but it’s something that leaves Mirage feeling oddly lopsided. Also showing the novel’s age (or perhaps that of its author) are a pair of overly graphic torture scenes (including one involving a woman) and an attempted rape that is essentially shrugged off in the next scene which even as a forgiving reader of older thrillers I struggled with accepting.
On the bright side, Mirage’s presentation on Kindle was an improvement over Dominator. Not that it was without issues with paragraphs and even lines of dialogue running together, but this was far easier to read. Indeed, of the various Follett novels currently available on Kindle, Mirage would be the one I’d be inclined to recommend both in terms being a good read and its Kindle presentation. Even if I make it with some caveats.
August 11, 2021
The story focuses on a Israeli Air Force and it's attempts to modernise following Israeli independence in 1948. We meet Emil Kalen, a young man who follows a girl and get's into more trouble than he should as Israel battles for survival in it's infancy. We then move forward and follow the attempts of a young pilot after the Six Day War as he tries to help his country.
I first read this many years ago in paperback, and with that falling apart 'upgraded' to the kindle edition. The story is excellent (although the 'and true' comment on the front cover is a bit of a stretch) and the characters are nicely drawn - overall this is an excellent read.
The kindle edition has quite a lot of formatting errors - not as bad as some, but a number of cases where it takes a second reading to figure out who said what because the lines all blend into one.
I first read this many years ago in paperback, and with that falling apart 'upgraded' to the kindle edition. The story is excellent (although the 'and true' comment on the front cover is a bit of a stretch) and the characters are nicely drawn - overall this is an excellent read.
The kindle edition has quite a lot of formatting errors - not as bad as some, but a number of cases where it takes a second reading to figure out who said what because the lines all blend into one.
June 29, 2024
An interesting story about the early days of Isreal
I actually selected this book in error as I thought I had a Ken Follet book. I now have another Follett to read.
Daniel Kalen, a former Israeli fighter pilot who's badly injured foot forces him to leave his beloved role as a pilot for the Isreal airforce. As a civilian, he fought to lead a mission by Mossad: to steal the Mirage (fighter jet) blueprints - all 250,000 of them - so that Israel can build their own planes. An intriquing story of both the growth of A new country Isreal's miitary growth and its highly rated military force.
I actually selected this book in error as I thought I had a Ken Follet book. I now have another Follett to read.
Daniel Kalen, a former Israeli fighter pilot who's badly injured foot forces him to leave his beloved role as a pilot for the Isreal airforce. As a civilian, he fought to lead a mission by Mossad: to steal the Mirage (fighter jet) blueprints - all 250,000 of them - so that Israel can build their own planes. An intriquing story of both the growth of A new country Isreal's miitary growth and its highly rated military force.
August 21, 2025
Excellently written historically correct eloquently told tale.
Thank you, Mr. Follett, for another well written book in your elegant style if bringing history to life.
Once I got past the technically and politically based phraseology and descriptive framework
and background that set the stage for the actual stories, situations and people involved in this one real life tale of Israel's evolution from a pipe dream/ghetto state into an independent and serious power recognized by the world as well as in their own eyes, of which, I am sure there are many, but I have enjoyed this one immensely and learned a few things as well. Thank you, Mr. Follett and Amazon.
Thank you, Mr. Follett, for another well written book in your elegant style if bringing history to life.
Once I got past the technically and politically based phraseology and descriptive framework
and background that set the stage for the actual stories, situations and people involved in this one real life tale of Israel's evolution from a pipe dream/ghetto state into an independent and serious power recognized by the world as well as in their own eyes, of which, I am sure there are many, but I have enjoyed this one immensely and learned a few things as well. Thank you, Mr. Follett and Amazon.
December 6, 2022
Great story, terrible file quality
I enjoyed the story; it is a fanciful idea of how Israel MIGHT have obtained the Mirage.
However, the file I purchased to read from Amazon is no better than the junk easily downloaded free on the Internet. It appears Amazon Kindle files are nothing more than pages scanned with poor OCR software. Paragraphs run together. Characters and punctuation being interpreted as different characters. Absolutely awful.
But hey, it's Amazon so I'm stuck with a bad product a.nd Besos pockets my money.
I enjoyed the story; it is a fanciful idea of how Israel MIGHT have obtained the Mirage.
However, the file I purchased to read from Amazon is no better than the junk easily downloaded free on the Internet. It appears Amazon Kindle files are nothing more than pages scanned with poor OCR software. Paragraphs run together. Characters and punctuation being interpreted as different characters. Absolutely awful.
But hey, it's Amazon so I'm stuck with a bad product a.nd Besos pockets my money.
Read
August 23, 2022Mirage is a very good story. It provides, like many Follett stories a personal perspective on important events and places in history. The Kindle edition I have is full of grammatical errors and/or typos. Sometimes words are repeated or switched around into nonsense. Many times it was difficult to understand what was written. I don't know if this is a lazy author/editor problem or a Kindle copy problem. It should be fixed.
March 17, 2023
3.5* actually.
This was an enjoyable read based on actual events. The late 1960's aquistion/theft of blueprints and specs. of the French Mirage jet which enabled Israel to build and develop a supersonic fighter of their own. It was quite interesting to read and have some insight to the political views and isolation of Israel during their early stage of development (Mossad, armaments, armed conflict). Well worth the read.
This was an enjoyable read based on actual events. The late 1960's aquistion/theft of blueprints and specs. of the French Mirage jet which enabled Israel to build and develop a supersonic fighter of their own. It was quite interesting to read and have some insight to the political views and isolation of Israel during their early stage of development (Mossad, armaments, armed conflict). Well worth the read.
November 13, 2020
Great spy thriller
This book was an accidental discovery looking for old Ken Follett books. The book description looked interesting and it was Kindle Unlimited so it was "free". I am very glad I did as it was a great spy thriller based on real events in Israel and France. This is well worth the time to read as it is well written and plotted.
This book was an accidental discovery looking for old Ken Follett books. The book description looked interesting and it was Kindle Unlimited so it was "free". I am very glad I did as it was a great spy thriller based on real events in Israel and France. This is well worth the time to read as it is well written and plotted.
November 14, 2020
What a great book
Interesting fast reading, written with a passion and clarity worthy of a great historical novel, this is a book that anyone who loves the work of the great writers will enjoy. A truly good love story with a purpose, highly recommend as a relaxing fun read that will take you away from the stresses of the day.
Interesting fast reading, written with a passion and clarity worthy of a great historical novel, this is a book that anyone who loves the work of the great writers will enjoy. A truly good love story with a purpose, highly recommend as a relaxing fun read that will take you away from the stresses of the day.
February 6, 2021
Another great read
It seemed relatively calm for most of the book until the excitement started at about 3/4 through. It wasn’t boring though, just realistic. I continue to be amazed at Follett’s range: from Denmark to Israel to the Middle Ages and more. He is capable of bringing these varied worlds to life.
It seemed relatively calm for most of the book until the excitement started at about 3/4 through. It wasn’t boring though, just realistic. I continue to be amazed at Follett’s range: from Denmark to Israel to the Middle Ages and more. He is capable of bringing these varied worlds to life.
May 6, 2024
Second time reading it !
After reading German Wouk's "Hope" I was compelled to read " Mirage" for a second time because of its historical significance in Israeli conflicts throughout the years following their Independence.I
I remembered lots but learned a LOT more this time!
Thank you Mr. Follett
After reading German Wouk's "Hope" I was compelled to read " Mirage" for a second time because of its historical significance in Israeli conflicts throughout the years following their Independence.I
I remembered lots but learned a LOT more this time!
Thank you Mr. Follett
February 28, 2018
An excelleny book!
This was an amazingly engrossing read, with more plot twists than I could believe. As an old pilot I can identify with Daniel the lead character and wish for such a rewarding life.
This was an amazingly engrossing read, with more plot twists than I could believe. As an old pilot I can identify with Daniel the lead character and wish for such a rewarding life.
March 28, 2019
Great Book! Amazingly engrossing plot twists good intertwining of the characters. The fact that it is based on a true story is also intriguing. There are many funny sequences in the book also.
This book will keep you glued in your chair.
This book will keep you glued in your chair.
September 14, 2019
Not a bad yarn
This is a good story, rooted, I believe, in history but expanded for the tale. If you like a bit of intrigue, some aviation derring-do and an easy going page-turner, this could well be for you!
This is a good story, rooted, I believe, in history but expanded for the tale. If you like a bit of intrigue, some aviation derring-do and an easy going page-turner, this could well be for you!
April 13, 2020
Excellent read with heaps of suspense among a plausible group of characters with diverse backgrounds and expertise - well developed plot based on fact in the international competitiveness and intrigue - solid ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2020
As a Ken Follett fan I figured I'd give James look thinking he must be related. It turns out I don't think he us, but his writing is on par with Ken. I will definitely be reading more from him in the future.
January 10, 2021
Good historical fiction. I like a story that teaches me about a historical event through the eyes of people who are relatable.
Good historical fiction. I like a story that teaches me about a historical event through the eyes of people who are relatable.
Good historical fiction. I like a story that teaches me about a historical event through the eyes of people who are relatable.
February 14, 2021
A historical fiction describing the smuggling of plans to build airplanes for Israel.
The characters are likable and fit the story line. No real surprises however, if true the Israelis managed quite a coup.
The characters are likable and fit the story line. No real surprises however, if true the Israelis managed quite a coup.
March 9, 2022
A harrowing and partly true story that began with the end of the Israeli Six Day War. Circumstances of international politics led to a plan by Israel to steal plans for the French fighter jet Mirage. The story was full of intrigue and suspense... and intense love and mystery.
June 6, 2022
What a story!! Have to give Isreal a salute! The Kfir and the South African Cheetah were superior supersonic planes. I was fortunate to have worked with them during the first phase of the Cheetah project!!
December 21, 2022
History and intrigue
Fast moving and engaging. I found myself pulling for Daniel and Rachel all the way through. Another great history based story from James Follett. Keep them coming.
Fast moving and engaging. I found myself pulling for Daniel and Rachel all the way through. Another great history based story from James Follett. Keep them coming.
March 19, 2023
FANTASTIC READ
This is the second time I’ve read this book and I enjoyed it even more.
It has an amazing feel to everything that Israel had to go through even do the rest of world seemed against them.
I admire the Israeli’s and wish them all the best for the future
This is the second time I’ve read this book and I enjoyed it even more.
It has an amazing feel to everything that Israel had to go through even do the rest of world seemed against them.
I admire the Israeli’s and wish them all the best for the future
April 6, 2023
I don’t know how much is true
I’m sure there is fiction woven into the story but I’m also sure the bones are true. Great read and valuable learning about the past and our future. Don’t be France
I’m sure there is fiction woven into the story but I’m also sure the bones are true. Great read and valuable learning about the past and our future. Don’t be France
April 26, 2023
Mirage
Great plot, very well written, could not put it down for the last few chapters, I did not consider some of the sexual scenes very believable other then that an excellent read will definitely recommend the book.
Great plot, very well written, could not put it down for the last few chapters, I did not consider some of the sexual scenes very believable other then that an excellent read will definitely recommend the book.
August 27, 2024
This Book Covers The 6 Day War of Israel and it Explains How Israel Managed to Get The Plans to Build and Repair There Own Aircraft During that Troubling Time it is Really a Must Read Book I have Read the Book Years ago But Our Library Does not have it on There Shelves Anymore
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews