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Shadow Soldier
He does not relish killing, but in a world of wars every fighter knows it is the only way to survive.
Erez Eliav, an Israeli soldier in an elite unit, leads his life according to the code of warriors— morality, loyalty, responsibility, respect for others and the enemy, and cruelty alongside generosity.
Like many warriors, he has no desire to kill, but in a country that is fighting for its existence, he has no choice. Nothing, however, has prepared him for the moment when terrorism reaches him, turning his life into scorched earth. He returns to the place he knows best, but this time motivated only by revenge.
In a poignant, uninhibited and sometimes even crude style, the author, who served in a secret unit of the Israel Defense Forces, tells an enlightening story spanning forty years. From his childhood to his enlistment, through to his experience as a soldier who becomes an officer and a leader. The impossible operations, some of which succeed and some of which fail. The fascinating women. The passion surrounding life as a fighter.
Roni Eliav still serves in the reserve forces with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was part of an elite unit during his mandatory service and stayed on as a career officer. Today he lives in Ashkelon, Israel with his partner.
Erez Eliav, an Israeli soldier in an elite unit, leads his life according to the code of warriors— morality, loyalty, responsibility, respect for others and the enemy, and cruelty alongside generosity.
Like many warriors, he has no desire to kill, but in a country that is fighting for its existence, he has no choice. Nothing, however, has prepared him for the moment when terrorism reaches him, turning his life into scorched earth. He returns to the place he knows best, but this time motivated only by revenge.
In a poignant, uninhibited and sometimes even crude style, the author, who served in a secret unit of the Israel Defense Forces, tells an enlightening story spanning forty years. From his childhood to his enlistment, through to his experience as a soldier who becomes an officer and a leader. The impossible operations, some of which succeed and some of which fail. The fascinating women. The passion surrounding life as a fighter.
Roni Eliav still serves in the reserve forces with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He was part of an elite unit during his mandatory service and stayed on as a career officer. Today he lives in Ashkelon, Israel with his partner.
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 6, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 23, 2020
‘I’m a predator, not a clerk’
Israeli author Roni Eliav was in an elite secret unit during his mandatory service with the Israeli Defense Forces and continues to serves in the reserve forces as a lieutenant colonel. SHADOW SOLDIER marks his debut publication
The initial exposure to this novel appears to be the author’s memoir, but in his opening comments Roni offers the following: ‘This is a story about Erez Eliav – a boy, a soldier, and a man. Erez Eliav does not exist outside the pages of this book; I wish he had, since we share many values and convictions. He’s my kind of guy, I’d love to invite him for a pint of beer at the beach. The events described in this book are also fictional. But similar events might have happened to someone, yours truly included…The book contains no new insights or revelations regarding covert operations and events, nor about military strategy and tactics, and holds no unknown secrets.’
So much for the question of ‘memoir’ – the novel is so well written that the character Erez’s life and experiences feels quite credible, even to those of us who have served in the military during wartime – no matter what country. The artistic cover of the book conveys the mood of the story well. The facts are delivered from the start – August, 2000. A military base south of Nablus, the West Bank. Erez, 42 years old, is an army major on reserves duty. Company commander.’ And from that launch, a story of the impact of soldiering on the mind and outlook and personality and future is as rich as in any other military novel. Injecting snippets of Erez history into the canvas works very well indeed.
As the information on the back cover relates, ‘Erez Eliav, an Israeli soldier in an elite unit, leads his life according to the code of warriors— morality, loyalty, responsibility, respect for others and the enemy, and cruelty alongside generosity. Like many warriors, he has no desire to kill, but in a country that is fighting for its existence, he has no choice. Nothing, however, has prepared him for the moment when terrorism reaches him, turning his life into scorched earth. He returns to the place he knows best, but this time motivated only by revenge. In a poignant, uninhibited and sometimes even crude style, the author, who served in a secret unit of the Israel Defense Forces, tells an enlightening story spanning forty years. From his childhood to his enlistment, through to his experience as a soldier who becomes an officer and a leader. The impossible operations, some of which succeed and some of which fail. The fascinating women. The passion surrounding life as a fighter.’
This author has mastered the dialogue and the thought avenues of a soldier well indeed. The story related is penetrating, yet offered with a degree of lightness at times that keeps the scale balanced: it is raw where needed, while being philosophical and reflective. Very fine writing, especially for a debut book…
Israeli author Roni Eliav was in an elite secret unit during his mandatory service with the Israeli Defense Forces and continues to serves in the reserve forces as a lieutenant colonel. SHADOW SOLDIER marks his debut publication
The initial exposure to this novel appears to be the author’s memoir, but in his opening comments Roni offers the following: ‘This is a story about Erez Eliav – a boy, a soldier, and a man. Erez Eliav does not exist outside the pages of this book; I wish he had, since we share many values and convictions. He’s my kind of guy, I’d love to invite him for a pint of beer at the beach. The events described in this book are also fictional. But similar events might have happened to someone, yours truly included…The book contains no new insights or revelations regarding covert operations and events, nor about military strategy and tactics, and holds no unknown secrets.’
So much for the question of ‘memoir’ – the novel is so well written that the character Erez’s life and experiences feels quite credible, even to those of us who have served in the military during wartime – no matter what country. The artistic cover of the book conveys the mood of the story well. The facts are delivered from the start – August, 2000. A military base south of Nablus, the West Bank. Erez, 42 years old, is an army major on reserves duty. Company commander.’ And from that launch, a story of the impact of soldiering on the mind and outlook and personality and future is as rich as in any other military novel. Injecting snippets of Erez history into the canvas works very well indeed.
As the information on the back cover relates, ‘Erez Eliav, an Israeli soldier in an elite unit, leads his life according to the code of warriors— morality, loyalty, responsibility, respect for others and the enemy, and cruelty alongside generosity. Like many warriors, he has no desire to kill, but in a country that is fighting for its existence, he has no choice. Nothing, however, has prepared him for the moment when terrorism reaches him, turning his life into scorched earth. He returns to the place he knows best, but this time motivated only by revenge. In a poignant, uninhibited and sometimes even crude style, the author, who served in a secret unit of the Israel Defense Forces, tells an enlightening story spanning forty years. From his childhood to his enlistment, through to his experience as a soldier who becomes an officer and a leader. The impossible operations, some of which succeed and some of which fail. The fascinating women. The passion surrounding life as a fighter.’
This author has mastered the dialogue and the thought avenues of a soldier well indeed. The story related is penetrating, yet offered with a degree of lightness at times that keeps the scale balanced: it is raw where needed, while being philosophical and reflective. Very fine writing, especially for a debut book…
December 27, 2020
This book purports to be the fictionalized composite autobiography of an Israeli special forces soldier. I realize that the training of special ops soldiers is demanding and rigorous, but this felt unnecessarily brutal. If it was meant to scare the enemy, it might. The timeline jumps around a little from his days as a recruit to his reentry later in life as a reserve officer with a grudge, but is not hard to follow. If much of this is based on real exploits, these guys are phenomenal.
January 22, 2021
Israeli military story.
I liked the beginning and the end of the book. I am unfamiliar with foreign names, so it took a bit to keep everyone straight. There was a lot of training in the middle...more than I would expect. I'm not Sure I would consider it a thriller....defintely a foreign military story. It would be very appreciated by someone who is familiar with the Israeli war.
I liked the beginning and the end of the book. I am unfamiliar with foreign names, so it took a bit to keep everyone straight. There was a lot of training in the middle...more than I would expect. I'm not Sure I would consider it a thriller....defintely a foreign military story. It would be very appreciated by someone who is familiar with the Israeli war.
December 12, 2020
Reality, maybe, but not entertaining.
A soldier whose experience in training, trial, and physical stamina, may relate to this book. I could not. Perhaps , the psychological aspects redeemed it a bit.
A soldier whose experience in training, trial, and physical stamina, may relate to this book. I could not. Perhaps , the psychological aspects redeemed it a bit.
January 29, 2021
Satisfying Ending
Very readable book. Not a lot of filler. About half way through I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. Wasn't sure where the story was headed. But glad I stuck with it. Will read the sequel if there is one.
Very readable book. Not a lot of filler. About half way through I wasn't sure I wanted to keep reading. Wasn't sure where the story was headed. But glad I stuck with it. Will read the sequel if there is one.
March 4, 2021
Excellent book written from an odd perspective of the writer as he writes the attention to detail is Excellent and gives an insight into the workings of Israeli special forces. I look forward to the next book.
January 8, 2021
What inhabits the shadows.
Great story told with style and emotion! Makes one wonder if this is really fiction. I hope that there are more shadows to be revealed!!!
Great story told with style and emotion! Makes one wonder if this is really fiction. I hope that there are more shadows to be revealed!!!
January 11, 2021
Excellent. Great human characters. Hard to put down.
March 2, 2021
Authentic
Thoroughly enjoyed the human element behind the uniform a really great story and enough insight into the life of a soldier
Thoroughly enjoyed the human element behind the uniform a really great story and enough insight into the life of a soldier
March 30, 2021
Great story and well written, recommended.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews