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Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit
Now the inspiration for the CBS Television drama, "The Unit." Delta Force. They are the U.S. Army's most elite top-secret strike force. They dominate the modern battlefield, but you won't hear about their heroics on CNN. No headlines can reveal their top-secret missions, and no book has ever taken readers inside—until now. Here, a founding member of Delta Force takes us behind the veil of secrecy and into the action-to reveal the never-before-told story of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-D (Delta Force). He is a master of espionage, trained to take on hijackers, terrorists, hostage takers, and enemy armies. He can deploy by parachute or arrive by commercial aircraft. Survive alone in hostile cities. Speak foreign languages fluently. Strike at enemy targets with stunning swiftness and extraordinary teamwork. He is the ultimate modern the Delta Force Operator. In this dramatic behind-the-scenes chronicle, Eric Haney, one of the founding members of Delta Force, takes us inside this legendary counterterrorist unit. Here, for the first time, are details of the grueling selection process—designed to break the strongest of men—that singles out the best of the the Delta Force Operator. With heart-stopping immediacy, Haney tells what it's really like to enter a hostage-held airplane. And from his days in Beirut, Haney tells an unforgettable tale of bodyguards and bombs, of a day-to-day life of madness and beauty, and of how he and a teammate are called on to kill two gunmen targeting U.S. Marines at the Beirut airport. As part of the team sent to rescue American hostages in Tehran, Haney offers a first-person description of that failed mission that is a chilling, compelling account of a bold maneuver undone by chance—and a few fatal mistakes. From fighting guerrilla warfare in Honduras to rescuing missionaries in Sudan and leading the way onto the island of Grenada, Eric Haney captures the daring and discipline that distinguish the men of Delta Force. Inside Delta Force brings honor to these singular men while it puts us in the middle of action that is sudden, frightening, and nonstop around the world.
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 14, 2002
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8364 people want to read
About the author
Eric L. Haney
7 books66 followersCommand Sergeant Major Eric L. Haney (U.S. Army, Ret.) is a former member of the United States Army's counter-terrorist unit, the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1SFOD-D), more commonly known as Delta Force. In recent years he has been writing on terrorism, guerrilla warfare, and special operations. Haney is the author of Inside Delta Force, a memoir of his time in the elite unit, in which he also writes about his participation in the aborted 1980 Operation Eagle Claw mission to Iran to free American hostages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 481 reviews
August 31, 2012
It humbles me to tears, that while most Americans attend movies, shop for new cars, sleep, and have barbecues in the backyard, there is a group of men and women who voluntarily spend time away from family, endure brutal tests of physical and mental endurance, risk injury, and even sacrifice their own lives, so that we can continue on in blissful ignorance of the dangers we face. "Inside Delta Force" is one man's account of the birth of one of our military's elite fighting units, and it is captivating!
This is the story of a small, secretive, military force whose goal is to defeat terrorism, anywhere in the world.
I had no idea there was even such a thing as a forty-mile-march while carrying a fifty-pound pack.
I had no idea you could shoot a gun until blisters and then calluses formed on your thumbs.
I had no idea you could get shot, and continue to fire a weapon and complete your mission.
I had no idea about a lot of things that are involved in our country's safety, and maybe that should be counted as one of the missions accomplished for our country's protectors, that I, as a civilian, remain mostly aware of the dangers, and the sacrifices my protectors make to keep me that way.
God bless our military!
This is the story of a small, secretive, military force whose goal is to defeat terrorism, anywhere in the world.
I had no idea there was even such a thing as a forty-mile-march while carrying a fifty-pound pack.
I had no idea you could shoot a gun until blisters and then calluses formed on your thumbs.
I had no idea you could get shot, and continue to fire a weapon and complete your mission.
I had no idea about a lot of things that are involved in our country's safety, and maybe that should be counted as one of the missions accomplished for our country's protectors, that I, as a civilian, remain mostly aware of the dangers, and the sacrifices my protectors make to keep me that way.
God bless our military!
May 27, 2009
This is quite simply the greatest SpecOps book written and probably the greatest autobiography of a soldier written on top of that. Eric Haney's humanity is the key. The operations and experiences are just utterly visceral and you'll find yourself frozen, jaw slightly open, while reading them. But it's Haney's own internal commentary that lifts the book from being a series of intense action pieces to something greater. When Haney writes about cradling the head of a Cuban-trained guerilla leader he just shot and killed and reflects on the waste of war, the bravery of the man in his arms and how that moment erases all differences among men...you know you're reading something very, very special. As with Chuck Pfarrer, Haney is a thinking man's warrior - philosophical yet possessing truckloads of the intestinal fortitude necessary for doing the things these men are tasked with doing. He is at once measured, reflective, almost stoic, and exuding honesty. Carnal episodes are absent. You won't find the acronym "LBFM" in this book. What you will find is an unflinching, honest account of incredible things witnessed by an incredibly measured man.
I first came to know Delta Force though Mark Bowden's classic "Blackhawk Down" and I was as impressed as everyone else with the cool professionalism of the men. Haney's book, like Delta-founder Charlie Beckwith's own "Delta Force," begins with the formation of the unit. Unlike Beckwith's book though, which is understandably focused on Pentagon turf battles and paperwork, you are dropped right in to the selection process along with Haney, sharing his incredulousness at the lack of "spit and polish, snap to and salute" military pomp in the group (the same incredulousness, I should add, that Beckwith felt when he first observed the SAS, Delta's template). You watch along with Haney as candidates drop like flies, some even comically, others through injuries, most from just saying "enough is enough" and quitting. "Inside Delta Force" lives up to its name, and Haney puts you right inside it.
For me one of the most fascinating parts of the book is the operations in Central and South America (Grenada, Honduras). This is a part of American military history that is, at least to me, very fuzzy. Reagan blitzed any and every foothold Castro attempted to make there but because of the scale, it was a battle tailor-made for special operations forces. There is a hair-raising ride in a Blackhawk convoy that gets fired upon in a pre-dawn raid that is one of the many jaw-droppers in the book. Haney masterfully describes the psychological processes at work when you're in the air and streams of tracers are ripping into the helicopter and there's nowhere to go except inward. The accounts of the men in these situations leaves you just speechless as you watch along with Haney as a Delta Commando takes a scalpel to himself to fish a bullet out of his leg while humming a tune. Another's foot hangs by a tiny piece of flesh as it was hit with a large piece of ammunition as they ran the machine gun gauntlet in the Blackhawks. But they are alive and you feel, as surely Haney did, that you are alive too.
Beirut is another of the highlights for me. Unlike the covert ground battles in South America though, Beirut was insidiously deadly by being mundane at the same time. Without warning, a shell could land from far away on the street you were walking down. There are few things I have ever read with more power than Haney's vignettes about the brutal day-to-day reality of living in Beirut, like a father who accidentally shoots his son while firing an AK-47 joyously into the air during his son's wedding (common practice in the Middle East) who then shoots himself. Or boys playing with hand grenades by tossing them into the water, only to accidentally have one boy jump in the water too close to one explosion and be killed. The Middle East has never been portrayed so brutally yet so real and underneath Haney's stoicism you can see a great pity and deep pathos. Haney was tasked with keeping our ambassador alive and left after three tours shortly before the entire embassy was leveled with a truck bomb. He was also at Desert One and inside the plane that was struck by an errant helicopter. You will be in awe of what the man lived through and forever thankful to him for putting these searing experiences into print and doing so with great humanity and an unflinching eye. This book is the best of the genre of special operations autobiographies. No question about it.
I first came to know Delta Force though Mark Bowden's classic "Blackhawk Down" and I was as impressed as everyone else with the cool professionalism of the men. Haney's book, like Delta-founder Charlie Beckwith's own "Delta Force," begins with the formation of the unit. Unlike Beckwith's book though, which is understandably focused on Pentagon turf battles and paperwork, you are dropped right in to the selection process along with Haney, sharing his incredulousness at the lack of "spit and polish, snap to and salute" military pomp in the group (the same incredulousness, I should add, that Beckwith felt when he first observed the SAS, Delta's template). You watch along with Haney as candidates drop like flies, some even comically, others through injuries, most from just saying "enough is enough" and quitting. "Inside Delta Force" lives up to its name, and Haney puts you right inside it.
For me one of the most fascinating parts of the book is the operations in Central and South America (Grenada, Honduras). This is a part of American military history that is, at least to me, very fuzzy. Reagan blitzed any and every foothold Castro attempted to make there but because of the scale, it was a battle tailor-made for special operations forces. There is a hair-raising ride in a Blackhawk convoy that gets fired upon in a pre-dawn raid that is one of the many jaw-droppers in the book. Haney masterfully describes the psychological processes at work when you're in the air and streams of tracers are ripping into the helicopter and there's nowhere to go except inward. The accounts of the men in these situations leaves you just speechless as you watch along with Haney as a Delta Commando takes a scalpel to himself to fish a bullet out of his leg while humming a tune. Another's foot hangs by a tiny piece of flesh as it was hit with a large piece of ammunition as they ran the machine gun gauntlet in the Blackhawks. But they are alive and you feel, as surely Haney did, that you are alive too.
Beirut is another of the highlights for me. Unlike the covert ground battles in South America though, Beirut was insidiously deadly by being mundane at the same time. Without warning, a shell could land from far away on the street you were walking down. There are few things I have ever read with more power than Haney's vignettes about the brutal day-to-day reality of living in Beirut, like a father who accidentally shoots his son while firing an AK-47 joyously into the air during his son's wedding (common practice in the Middle East) who then shoots himself. Or boys playing with hand grenades by tossing them into the water, only to accidentally have one boy jump in the water too close to one explosion and be killed. The Middle East has never been portrayed so brutally yet so real and underneath Haney's stoicism you can see a great pity and deep pathos. Haney was tasked with keeping our ambassador alive and left after three tours shortly before the entire embassy was leveled with a truck bomb. He was also at Desert One and inside the plane that was struck by an errant helicopter. You will be in awe of what the man lived through and forever thankful to him for putting these searing experiences into print and doing so with great humanity and an unflinching eye. This book is the best of the genre of special operations autobiographies. No question about it.
April 20, 2013
For me, this book began by watching the television show "The Unit". Before every show, there was a credit that the show was based on this book. In turn, it was only a matter of time before I read it.
The first half of this book, I loved. Though there is not much known or confirmed about DELTA Force, this book gives an amazing insight into the creation and establishment of the unit. Haney brings you into the "club" as he describes the circumstances leading to the creation of DELTA, as well as the selection process. After greatly enjoying the television show, it was interesting to see the similarities between the book and the show. Though as you can be sure, there are a great deal of details left out of the story, the way that Haney tells the story, it doesn't matter. You get the complete picture and can nearly feel the 40-mile march with him.
The story that Haney tells about Beirut not long prior to the US Embassy bombing give the reader insight on just how strange and bad things were. You learn things from a point of view of the men who were there, and who's job it was to protect the Embassy and those stationed there. Obviously, from what we read here, it was only a sad matter of time before a tragic event such as the bombing took place. The story about the invasion of Grenada had me riveted. This is a must read for any of those military and special operations enthusiasts out there.
The first half of this book, I loved. Though there is not much known or confirmed about DELTA Force, this book gives an amazing insight into the creation and establishment of the unit. Haney brings you into the "club" as he describes the circumstances leading to the creation of DELTA, as well as the selection process. After greatly enjoying the television show, it was interesting to see the similarities between the book and the show. Though as you can be sure, there are a great deal of details left out of the story, the way that Haney tells the story, it doesn't matter. You get the complete picture and can nearly feel the 40-mile march with him.
The story that Haney tells about Beirut not long prior to the US Embassy bombing give the reader insight on just how strange and bad things were. You learn things from a point of view of the men who were there, and who's job it was to protect the Embassy and those stationed there. Obviously, from what we read here, it was only a sad matter of time before a tragic event such as the bombing took place. The story about the invasion of Grenada had me riveted. This is a must read for any of those military and special operations enthusiasts out there.
October 28, 2010
As a former member of Special Forces I found this book very realistic and insightful. I think the way the narrative comes full circle in the end, with the left hand fighting the right hand, is the sad truth of the world of covert operations.
If you want the real deal, this book is it. I'd also recommend The Commandos which covers the training of Special Operations and Blackhawk Down, which I'll post a review on shortly.
If you want the real deal, this book is it. I'd also recommend The Commandos which covers the training of Special Operations and Blackhawk Down, which I'll post a review on shortly.
January 13, 2010
Elite forces have a certain mystique that attracts the military buff. They are about action. Eric Haney's "Inside Delta Force" will certainly deliver action, but the reader must be careful never to overlook what the action must deliver: a possible solution to an impossible situation. Conventional military units were useless in thwarting terrorism. Perhaps an unconventional unit devoted to anti-terrorism could do the trick.
Haney obeys the first law of authorship: write what you know. He takes the reader through the grueling qualification course that washes out nine out of 10 candidates. Grueling long-distance marches through rugged terrain with nothing more than a compass and an uncertain deadline were more a test of psychological endurance than physical stamina. Candidates could voluntarily give up any time they wanted to. This was an important benchmark for a unit that needed men that would never give up.
Then the talent must be refined by training. Haney continues his tour by showing how Delta must develop techniques for storming buildings, rooms and airliners in just seconds, killing the terrorists without harming the hostages. How was this practiced? With live ammo, of course, with each Delta member standing in for a hostage while his comrades massacre mannequins standing in for bad guys. The bullets came close, but they never hit the "hostages."
Then the talent must be put to use. Exercises help, but that is not the point of having Delta Force. The elite few are used in the abortive rescue of the American embassy staff in Tehran, with defeat teaching many harsh lessons. Delta then provides staff for protecting US ambassadors in some pretty rough environments, like Beirut, Lebanon during the protracted civil war there. Grenada gives Delta some action, as does Honduras as the Sandanista-Contra war rages in next door Nicaragua.
Haney foregoes a more flowery prose style inn favor of more descriptive, but stripped down writing. The book loses its footing in later chapters for lack of larger events to tie the narrative together. Some events of which Haney writes got no ink in the New York Times or the Washington Post. You will have to take the author's word that he was an instrument of some questionable policy that went un-noticed by the news media.
Haney's book provides the view of Delta Force from the bottom up. It is a worthy companion to Charles Beckwith's account of how he formed Delta. But Beckwith's battles with the army were the grist of his tale. Haney is in the thick of battle itself. What the Army does with Delta is of greater importance than what the Army does to Delta, and therein lies the substance of Haney's memoir.
DISCLAIMER: I contributed to an anthology edited by Haney and the late Brian Thomsen entitled "Beyond Shock and Awe." Please keep this in mind after reading my review.
Haney obeys the first law of authorship: write what you know. He takes the reader through the grueling qualification course that washes out nine out of 10 candidates. Grueling long-distance marches through rugged terrain with nothing more than a compass and an uncertain deadline were more a test of psychological endurance than physical stamina. Candidates could voluntarily give up any time they wanted to. This was an important benchmark for a unit that needed men that would never give up.
Then the talent must be refined by training. Haney continues his tour by showing how Delta must develop techniques for storming buildings, rooms and airliners in just seconds, killing the terrorists without harming the hostages. How was this practiced? With live ammo, of course, with each Delta member standing in for a hostage while his comrades massacre mannequins standing in for bad guys. The bullets came close, but they never hit the "hostages."
Then the talent must be put to use. Exercises help, but that is not the point of having Delta Force. The elite few are used in the abortive rescue of the American embassy staff in Tehran, with defeat teaching many harsh lessons. Delta then provides staff for protecting US ambassadors in some pretty rough environments, like Beirut, Lebanon during the protracted civil war there. Grenada gives Delta some action, as does Honduras as the Sandanista-Contra war rages in next door Nicaragua.
Haney foregoes a more flowery prose style inn favor of more descriptive, but stripped down writing. The book loses its footing in later chapters for lack of larger events to tie the narrative together. Some events of which Haney writes got no ink in the New York Times or the Washington Post. You will have to take the author's word that he was an instrument of some questionable policy that went un-noticed by the news media.
Haney's book provides the view of Delta Force from the bottom up. It is a worthy companion to Charles Beckwith's account of how he formed Delta. But Beckwith's battles with the army were the grist of his tale. Haney is in the thick of battle itself. What the Army does with Delta is of greater importance than what the Army does to Delta, and therein lies the substance of Haney's memoir.
DISCLAIMER: I contributed to an anthology edited by Haney and the late Brian Thomsen entitled "Beyond Shock and Awe." Please keep this in mind after reading my review.
September 25, 2017
As good as Eric Haney was as a warrior, and he was a founding member of Delta Force, he might have missed his less strenuous calling as a writer. In particular, he had the gift for being able to objectively narrate his own inner life while still moving forward the action briskly. Thus, the final product really gifts the reader the mental and the physical experience of being in the special forces. His anecdotes are well chosen and is likely to be self-deprecating and self-serving. Adding another star on this, my second read through.
November 15, 2018
This was an incredible book to read from one of the first members of Delta Force, including how the team was formed, the initial selection process, missions, and more. While there are dozens of Navy SEAL books, including those about SEAL Team 6, this is one of the only books on Delta Force. Listening to the stories have been interesting especially if you’re a fan of counterterrorist shows.
February 11, 2015
No mention of Chuck Norris, just a ton of discussion about real American patriots who spend their lives defending our great nation as an elite group of dedicated warriors.
Super disappointing.
Super disappointing.
July 11, 2018
there was some interesting information in the book and the author is hard as nails. sadly the book loses steam in the second half where it lacks any sort of decent cohesion to hold the narrative together. There are about 3 keys missions talked about in enough details to keep you interested , the rest felt too scattered.
It's a hard recommend unless you have a deep interest in special forces.
The author and the unit he was attached to undoubtedly deserve the respect and Fame attached to the units name. In the end though it felt like they were just pawns being pushed around doing others dirty work after starting off with a more noble cause
It's a hard recommend unless you have a deep interest in special forces.
The author and the unit he was attached to undoubtedly deserve the respect and Fame attached to the units name. In the end though it felt like they were just pawns being pushed around doing others dirty work after starting off with a more noble cause
February 19, 2012
I first heard of this book when I came about it in the footnotes of Kill Bin Laden: A Delta Force Commander's Account of the Hunt for the World's Most Wanted Man.
A very interesting account of how Delta Force came into being and the rigorous selection and training courses, as well as Delta tactics and how the Unit operates in a combat zone.
Unfortunately, Haney is very opinionated and full of himself.
On his account of the 1980 Desert One/Eagle Claw mission in Iran, he claims that he was the last person to board the last C-130 just as it was about to take off without him. Some of you may have read Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom by former Delta operator William Boykin, who makes the same claim. Since "Never Surrender" is a testament of Boykin's Christian faith and "Inside Delta Force" more crass-opportunist, I find Boykin's account more credible.
On operations in Lebanon, Haney and a staff officer get into an argument over an operation to deliver a radio to the US embassy. Haney unfairly portrays the officer as a complete idiot and himself as Superman.
When Haney finds out that Delta is about to invade Grenada shortly after the Hezbollah bombings in Beirut, Haney claims that he made a powerful case on how Grenada was not a legitimate target: "I mean, Grenada, for Chrissakes. If this is supposed to be in response to the bombing in Beirut, it's like shooting the dog that didn't bite you." He then complains so much that I doubt he ever said this in real life. It just sounds too eloquent, lengthy, and thought-out. Unless, of course, Haney is the all-knowing Superman he portrays himself to be.
In an operation in Honduras, Haney claims he shot and killed a former member of his Delta selection cadre that had washed out and returned to the regular Army. Haney portrays himself as the victim of an evil CIA conspiracy.
However, according to Mel Wick, the former command sergeant major of Delta, this incident never happened.
Also, during Operation Eagle Claw, Haney claims an Iranian punched Loan Fitch, his squadron commander, in the nose as Fitch led a team onto the bus. According to an interview with Fitch, that incident never happened.
What really turned me off:In pictures he put in at the middle of the book, Haney includes a letter from his Ranger commanding officer that personally commends him for how good of a soldier he is. Haney also includes one of his Annual Efficiency Reports from his time as Senior Instructor of the Delta Operators Training Course. According to this report, Haney got a 5 out of 5 on EVERY part of his Professional Performance Evaluation. The rater commends Haney for his high skill level, credibility, and professionalism. The Indorser calls Haney "outstanding" and "exceptionally talented in all aspects of low-visibility operations...the new operators readily respond to his positive, firm leadership...I want to continue to serve with this fine NCO." Also, there is no Indorser's signature on the report.
Also, according to some accounts, in the 1990s, Haney tried to claim copyright to the Delta insignia, but others had come up with it and his claim was rejected.
So, yeah, if you're into spec ops and Delta Force check this out. His writing style is very good, but take his opinions with a grain of salt.
A very interesting account of how Delta Force came into being and the rigorous selection and training courses, as well as Delta tactics and how the Unit operates in a combat zone.
Unfortunately, Haney is very opinionated and full of himself.
On his account of the 1980 Desert One/Eagle Claw mission in Iran, he claims that he was the last person to board the last C-130 just as it was about to take off without him. Some of you may have read Never Surrender: A Soldier's Journey to the Crossroads of Faith and Freedom by former Delta operator William Boykin, who makes the same claim. Since "Never Surrender" is a testament of Boykin's Christian faith and "Inside Delta Force" more crass-opportunist, I find Boykin's account more credible.
On operations in Lebanon, Haney and a staff officer get into an argument over an operation to deliver a radio to the US embassy. Haney unfairly portrays the officer as a complete idiot and himself as Superman.
When Haney finds out that Delta is about to invade Grenada shortly after the Hezbollah bombings in Beirut, Haney claims that he made a powerful case on how Grenada was not a legitimate target: "I mean, Grenada, for Chrissakes. If this is supposed to be in response to the bombing in Beirut, it's like shooting the dog that didn't bite you." He then complains so much that I doubt he ever said this in real life. It just sounds too eloquent, lengthy, and thought-out. Unless, of course, Haney is the all-knowing Superman he portrays himself to be.
In an operation in Honduras, Haney claims he shot and killed a former member of his Delta selection cadre that had washed out and returned to the regular Army. Haney portrays himself as the victim of an evil CIA conspiracy.
However, according to Mel Wick, the former command sergeant major of Delta, this incident never happened.
Also, during Operation Eagle Claw, Haney claims an Iranian punched Loan Fitch, his squadron commander, in the nose as Fitch led a team onto the bus. According to an interview with Fitch, that incident never happened.
What really turned me off:In pictures he put in at the middle of the book, Haney includes a letter from his Ranger commanding officer that personally commends him for how good of a soldier he is. Haney also includes one of his Annual Efficiency Reports from his time as Senior Instructor of the Delta Operators Training Course. According to this report, Haney got a 5 out of 5 on EVERY part of his Professional Performance Evaluation. The rater commends Haney for his high skill level, credibility, and professionalism. The Indorser calls Haney "outstanding" and "exceptionally talented in all aspects of low-visibility operations...the new operators readily respond to his positive, firm leadership...I want to continue to serve with this fine NCO." Also, there is no Indorser's signature on the report.
Also, according to some accounts, in the 1990s, Haney tried to claim copyright to the Delta insignia, but others had come up with it and his claim was rejected.
So, yeah, if you're into spec ops and Delta Force check this out. His writing style is very good, but take his opinions with a grain of salt.
January 28, 2019
4/5 because it’s always good to read memoirs with a grain of salt. Nevertheless I loved reading this as I felt like I was being shown a world of discipline, camaraderie and determination. It also felt like I was reading a real-life superhero story with soldiers like Haney putting their lives on the line for their country 🙏
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2008
My hero. When ever I'm slacking on something I should do I think of Haney and those like him, put my head down and move!
February 26, 2019
It's always fascinating to learn how much a human being can accomplish and which skills he can develop as long as he is dedicated to the limit and willing to endure stress and pain. This is a book not only about such a man but written by him.
The writing is easy to read, the stories are interesting, sometimes even exciting. And the book delivers insights into the training, tasks and development of an elite military unit.
But!
As a German I oftentimes find myself unable to understand the US-American mentality when it comes to the military. From my perspective, most of the books I have read that are written by US soldiers are propaganda. This book is no exception.
Of course, Haneys memoirs don't come near to the utter bullshit of 'American Sniper'. That one is not only bad literature but the story of a bad - I'm almost willing to say: evil - person who finds delight in murdering people "for the sake of his nation", although he is far, far away from his homeland and having invaded a foreign country under false pretenses.
But you won't hear a critical word of Haney, neither about the role of US-American invasions in so many countries around the world nor to America's role in installing dictators and causing social and economical and ecological problems upon problems rather than looking for real solutions. And when it burns, send the firemen - although it was you who caused the fire in the first place.
I am sure that Haney is a nice guy. But his complete lack of criticism for the crimes his country commits is despicable. The unreflected patriotism that shines through every line of his writing leaves a bad taste in my mouth that spoils the reading experience and makes for a bad verdict.
If you wanna read a book about what military and war really mean - brutality, dehumanization, murder -, I strongly recommend to read Kevin Powers' 'Yellow Birds' and, even more than that, 'Re-Deployment' by Phil Klay.
The writing is easy to read, the stories are interesting, sometimes even exciting. And the book delivers insights into the training, tasks and development of an elite military unit.
But!
As a German I oftentimes find myself unable to understand the US-American mentality when it comes to the military. From my perspective, most of the books I have read that are written by US soldiers are propaganda. This book is no exception.
Of course, Haneys memoirs don't come near to the utter bullshit of 'American Sniper'. That one is not only bad literature but the story of a bad - I'm almost willing to say: evil - person who finds delight in murdering people "for the sake of his nation", although he is far, far away from his homeland and having invaded a foreign country under false pretenses.
But you won't hear a critical word of Haney, neither about the role of US-American invasions in so many countries around the world nor to America's role in installing dictators and causing social and economical and ecological problems upon problems rather than looking for real solutions. And when it burns, send the firemen - although it was you who caused the fire in the first place.
I am sure that Haney is a nice guy. But his complete lack of criticism for the crimes his country commits is despicable. The unreflected patriotism that shines through every line of his writing leaves a bad taste in my mouth that spoils the reading experience and makes for a bad verdict.
If you wanna read a book about what military and war really mean - brutality, dehumanization, murder -, I strongly recommend to read Kevin Powers' 'Yellow Birds' and, even more than that, 'Re-Deployment' by Phil Klay.
April 1, 2014
(I normally don't post books to GR that I don't like/recommend, but for some reason, I feel okay doing that with nonfiction. Don't know why. Maybe because I'm not criticizing the plot. *shrugs*)
I've listened to a few of the recently published Navy SEAL memoirs (Lone Survivor, No Easy Day, American Sniper) and was gripped by them. I thought I'd mix things up a bit and try out a book on a different group of soldiers: Delta Force.
I started forwarding through the audiobook early on. The story was told in a way that made it difficult for me to identify with the main character (character seems like the wrong word) and his colleagues/friends/family. I don't think the narrator helped out the book either. His voice was very dry, and I felt like I was listening to a history text book, one that was written in first person.
This book might be informative, but it wasn't entertaining. If that makes sense.
I tried to forward through enough of the book to get to something interesting. The book spent so. much. time. on the selection process and training. Most of the SEAL books I read spent a significant amount of time on that as well, but I remember being so impressed by them and what they could survive. What they CHOSE to survive. Even though I know hiking 20, 30, 40 miles with a 40lbs pack isn't easy, it's not exactly interesting reading.
So, I gave up on this book after forwarding a few hours through it. It has high rankings, so if you're reading for information on Delta Force, it's probably a good book. Maybe I would have been more interested if I had read it, instead of listened.
I've listened to a few of the recently published Navy SEAL memoirs (Lone Survivor, No Easy Day, American Sniper) and was gripped by them. I thought I'd mix things up a bit and try out a book on a different group of soldiers: Delta Force.
I started forwarding through the audiobook early on. The story was told in a way that made it difficult for me to identify with the main character (character seems like the wrong word) and his colleagues/friends/family. I don't think the narrator helped out the book either. His voice was very dry, and I felt like I was listening to a history text book, one that was written in first person.
This book might be informative, but it wasn't entertaining. If that makes sense.
I tried to forward through enough of the book to get to something interesting. The book spent so. much. time. on the selection process and training. Most of the SEAL books I read spent a significant amount of time on that as well, but I remember being so impressed by them and what they could survive. What they CHOSE to survive. Even though I know hiking 20, 30, 40 miles with a 40lbs pack isn't easy, it's not exactly interesting reading.
So, I gave up on this book after forwarding a few hours through it. It has high rankings, so if you're reading for information on Delta Force, it's probably a good book. Maybe I would have been more interested if I had read it, instead of listened.
July 1, 2018
This book brings back plenty of memories of training and missions. It also brings back memories of the turbulence we lived through in the 1960’s-1970’s where the world seemed to be burning making today look very peaceful. As a modern commentator recently said, ‘the world is struggling to keep up with its prosperity surrounding it.’
Not only is it an intimate read of one of the world’s most elite forces, Eric Haney shares his wisdom learned from experience in shaping world events. His final afterword written in 2005 provides insight into what we are facing and how we might handle these circumstances. Heed these powerful words of his.
And this: “Don’t listen to our enemies or the weak sisters in our own ranks who accuse us of all sorts of purposeful atrocities around the world. If we were what our enemies said we were, Afghanistan would be a smoldering and uninhabited moonscape. Iraq would’ve the same, and quite possibly several other places on the map would be in similar shape.
We are a good and moral people, and we form a nation that is the hope of mankind - quite possibly, the last hope of mankind.”
Not only is it an intimate read of one of the world’s most elite forces, Eric Haney shares his wisdom learned from experience in shaping world events. His final afterword written in 2005 provides insight into what we are facing and how we might handle these circumstances. Heed these powerful words of his.
And this: “Don’t listen to our enemies or the weak sisters in our own ranks who accuse us of all sorts of purposeful atrocities around the world. If we were what our enemies said we were, Afghanistan would be a smoldering and uninhabited moonscape. Iraq would’ve the same, and quite possibly several other places on the map would be in similar shape.
We are a good and moral people, and we form a nation that is the hope of mankind - quite possibly, the last hope of mankind.”
April 9, 2010
Command Sergeant Major Eric L. Haney's INSIDE DELTA FORCE is a real eye-opener, which makes the reader appreciate what the men and women of our country's armed forces sacrifice to keep us safe in our beds on a day-to-day basis.
I found the selection process while Delta Force was being formed to be particularly interesting. Haney made the reader step into his shoes and want to press on: he on the field and us by the page.
Having said that, some parts of the book after Delta Force was formed were a bit slow and I did lose some interest at times. But I will say that I am glad I read the book to the end. The detail and emotion Haney uses to describe various battles are incredible. I commend him and the others for having fought for us, I commend the families for supporting our men and women to do so, and I commend Command Sergeant Major Haney for being brave enough to relive each battle - sharing them with us through his book.
J.R. Reardon
author, Dishonored and Confidential Communications
I found the selection process while Delta Force was being formed to be particularly interesting. Haney made the reader step into his shoes and want to press on: he on the field and us by the page.
Having said that, some parts of the book after Delta Force was formed were a bit slow and I did lose some interest at times. But I will say that I am glad I read the book to the end. The detail and emotion Haney uses to describe various battles are incredible. I commend him and the others for having fought for us, I commend the families for supporting our men and women to do so, and I commend Command Sergeant Major Haney for being brave enough to relive each battle - sharing them with us through his book.
J.R. Reardon
author, Dishonored and Confidential Communications
February 15, 2009
First you have to become a special ops soldier, which means that you can live in the forest with a broken leg, survive by eating bugs, and still achieve your mission of killing a platoon of soldiers with a spoon. As a special ops soldier, you are now eligible to become a Delta Force member, but you have to pass a series of tests. For example, you have to take that same broken leg, hike 55 miles through the MOUNTAINS and kill a platoon of special ops soldiers using only your left thumb. About 7% of special ops soldiers who apply pass the series of tests. I am being slightly sarcastic, but only slightly. These guys are uber super humans. Interesting read, especially if you enjoy The Unit.
July 8, 2009
I really enjoyed this book for two main reasons. First being that I am a huge fan of the show The Unit and it was based on this book by Eric Haney. A lot of the experiences Haney had are seen on screen in The Unit which raises it from entertainment to something more.
Secondly, this book was an eye opener to the men and women who serve our country doing what they do best. Haney has done extraordinary things, but is so human it made for a wonderful read and will have you thinking for years to come.
Secondly, this book was an eye opener to the men and women who serve our country doing what they do best. Haney has done extraordinary things, but is so human it made for a wonderful read and will have you thinking for years to come.
February 22, 2011
A fast read. Lots of interesting memoirs and history about the beginning of an elite, direct-action combat unit (which doesn't exist). Haney's fluid, straight-forward storytelling is perfect for soldiers aspiring to do black ops. He is honest and open, which I bet stirred controversy in such a tight, secretive community. I got a decent impression of what it really takes to be the best, and the qualities of such men are incredibly admirable. The mantra of this book, especially for the part about Delta Selection, is "never give up."
January 12, 2019
Thoughtful, articulate, and comprehensive. The author was a founding member of Delta Force and served in that unit for several years. This memoir is a solid record of both his own experience and the larger history of Delta Force.
As a veteran - my service was very ordinary, unlike Sergeant Major Haney's - I am awed by the standards achieved by Delta and by their accomplishments.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in military and political history, the psychology of soldiers in combat, or the training, organization, and practices of elite special forces units.
As a veteran - my service was very ordinary, unlike Sergeant Major Haney's - I am awed by the standards achieved by Delta and by their accomplishments.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in military and political history, the psychology of soldiers in combat, or the training, organization, and practices of elite special forces units.
June 29, 2012
really enjoyed this book about the creation of the famed Delta Force. great to read how far we have come and the guys who have brought us there. very well writen book and hard to put down, finished it in one day
July 27, 2017
Geen boek dat ik normaalgezien zou lezen... Gevonden bij het boekenjagen en dus toch maar een kans gegeven. Het las best vlot en ik denk dat voor lezers die echt geïnteresseerd zijn in het onderwerp het boek zeker aan te raden is.
December 5, 2019
The first half of this book was amazing and was packed full of the exciting history of the dawn of Delta Force. Then I totally lost interest in the book. The second half details a few of the missions which were a complete bore. It could have been exciting if written correctly.
October 31, 2008
Great book, especially since I like the TV show "The Unit" that was based on the book.
January 11, 2016
This is an awesome book if you like military stories.
June 15, 2020
This book mainly dealt with Delta’s selection process which is the usual torture culture used in most military selection processes. I’ve been put through a few of them myself. I’m not sure that this is the best way to obtain the best candidates for whatever job you have in mind, but the U.S. military just loves to fuck with people to the absolute limit, and then some.
I’m also of the opinion that the American military elite are the worst elite at the helm of our society, and that’s saying a lot. Our military commanders can never seem to admit that many of the world’s problems don’t have a military solution, so we end up having the same failures in policy time and time again.
One of the first missions discussed was the failed hostage rescue operation in Iran. Even if they hadn’t had the epic fuck up in the desert with the aircraft, the chance of the mission’s success was pretty far from certain. It could have gone even worse. But don’t expect anyone in the military to voice this sort of doubt.
Grenada. What in the fuck were we doing there and why? From Wiki:
Nearly 8,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines had participated in Operation Urgent Fury along with 353 Caribbean allies of the Caribbean Peace Forces. American forces sustained 19 killed and 116 wounded; Cuban forces sustained 25 killed, 59 wounded, and 638 combatants captured.
Fucking useless, yet our military commanders were stepping over each other to get into the act.
I like the fact that the author doesn’t reveal much in the way of political views in this memoir, something a lot of other ultracrepidarian (yes, I just learned this word) warriors vomit all over their own accounts of their deeds in uniform. It’s not that their views are so opposite of my own, but they generally are going against their own self-interests in their clamoring about the evils of the free press or liberals.
This was pretty boring, to be completely honest.
I’m also of the opinion that the American military elite are the worst elite at the helm of our society, and that’s saying a lot. Our military commanders can never seem to admit that many of the world’s problems don’t have a military solution, so we end up having the same failures in policy time and time again.
One of the first missions discussed was the failed hostage rescue operation in Iran. Even if they hadn’t had the epic fuck up in the desert with the aircraft, the chance of the mission’s success was pretty far from certain. It could have gone even worse. But don’t expect anyone in the military to voice this sort of doubt.
Grenada. What in the fuck were we doing there and why? From Wiki:
Nearly 8,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines had participated in Operation Urgent Fury along with 353 Caribbean allies of the Caribbean Peace Forces. American forces sustained 19 killed and 116 wounded; Cuban forces sustained 25 killed, 59 wounded, and 638 combatants captured.
Fucking useless, yet our military commanders were stepping over each other to get into the act.
I like the fact that the author doesn’t reveal much in the way of political views in this memoir, something a lot of other ultracrepidarian (yes, I just learned this word) warriors vomit all over their own accounts of their deeds in uniform. It’s not that their views are so opposite of my own, but they generally are going against their own self-interests in their clamoring about the evils of the free press or liberals.
This was pretty boring, to be completely honest.
November 4, 2023
Flew through this one. I have read a ton of non fiction history / war books over the years and have this right next to Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose as two of the best.
A perfect blend of history, but told from a first person lens of someone who was actually there and went through it. The book reads more like a story than history.
Great overview of the selection process, training, and preparation for the missions occurred. And getting to see behind the scenes of some of the missions was awesome.
Getting to learn about the formation of this unit was special and has continue to make me so grateful to those who are still serving our country.
A perfect blend of history, but told from a first person lens of someone who was actually there and went through it. The book reads more like a story than history.
Great overview of the selection process, training, and preparation for the missions occurred. And getting to see behind the scenes of some of the missions was awesome.
Getting to learn about the formation of this unit was special and has continue to make me so grateful to those who are still serving our country.
November 18, 2025
My daughter read this book and made mention of it through my wife….and I am glad I was listening to the title of this book.
I am a veteran having served 20 years in the Army, and must say there are soldiers who fall into categories we will never understand the sacrifices they make .,,,
The entire book from cover to cover was well written and the evolution of the Delta Force from its inception forward until present day.
I must salute those special operators that defend our country ..,,
Charlie Beckwith from the US military helped set up and lead an elite force of troops akin to the British SAS. Code-named Project Delta, this group of soldiers conducted long-range missions in Vietnam with great success. Notoriously tough, Beckwith is the legendary figure behind Delta Force, the US Army’s counter-terrorism and hostage rescue force.
I am a veteran having served 20 years in the Army, and must say there are soldiers who fall into categories we will never understand the sacrifices they make .,,,
The entire book from cover to cover was well written and the evolution of the Delta Force from its inception forward until present day.
I must salute those special operators that defend our country ..,,
Charlie Beckwith from the US military helped set up and lead an elite force of troops akin to the British SAS. Code-named Project Delta, this group of soldiers conducted long-range missions in Vietnam with great success. Notoriously tough, Beckwith is the legendary figure behind Delta Force, the US Army’s counter-terrorism and hostage rescue force.
March 2, 2018
-A page-turning military memoir full of action
This non-fiction, behind the scenes novel tells the classified story of America’s counterterrorist unit, Delta Force. The author, Eric Haney, is a retired Command Sergeant Major who was a member of Delta Force. He is an expert combat soldier who is trained to take down terrorists, hijackers, and enemy armies.
Inside Delta force is one of his many novels on the topic of terrorism. Haney’s goal is to have people know what Delta force is, why it was created, and what it took to be in it. No one is more qualified than Haney to write this book. Instead of giving a report of the training and missions, he mgives you a first person glimpse of what actually happens. He also reveals information that makes you doubt the intentions of the CIA.
The tone of this book has a casual vibe made for those who are not in the military.
He explains military terms and the combat differences between metropolitan police forces and military forces. My overall impression of this novel is that it is very descriptive considering the fact that some of the crucial details are still classified.The photographs that are included show him as a child and when he was in training. He also gives a detailed explanation of his training and mission. It gives you a sneak peek on what it’s like to be a Special Ops guy.
By the end of this book you will feel like you personally know Haney. One of my favorite things about the book is how Haney describes people. He not only describes them by their looks, but by what they are known for. Here is an example, “Maher Mokdad...at twenty two, he was the youngest man on the detail, but he demonstrated uncanny maturity. He was very intelligent (he had taught himself English), well built, and had the startling amber eyes of a lion”. In general, this novel feels like your grandpa telling you a story. If you are interested in military memoirs, then I recommend this book.
This non-fiction, behind the scenes novel tells the classified story of America’s counterterrorist unit, Delta Force. The author, Eric Haney, is a retired Command Sergeant Major who was a member of Delta Force. He is an expert combat soldier who is trained to take down terrorists, hijackers, and enemy armies.
Inside Delta force is one of his many novels on the topic of terrorism. Haney’s goal is to have people know what Delta force is, why it was created, and what it took to be in it. No one is more qualified than Haney to write this book. Instead of giving a report of the training and missions, he mgives you a first person glimpse of what actually happens. He also reveals information that makes you doubt the intentions of the CIA.
The tone of this book has a casual vibe made for those who are not in the military.
He explains military terms and the combat differences between metropolitan police forces and military forces. My overall impression of this novel is that it is very descriptive considering the fact that some of the crucial details are still classified.The photographs that are included show him as a child and when he was in training. He also gives a detailed explanation of his training and mission. It gives you a sneak peek on what it’s like to be a Special Ops guy.
By the end of this book you will feel like you personally know Haney. One of my favorite things about the book is how Haney describes people. He not only describes them by their looks, but by what they are known for. Here is an example, “Maher Mokdad...at twenty two, he was the youngest man on the detail, but he demonstrated uncanny maturity. He was very intelligent (he had taught himself English), well built, and had the startling amber eyes of a lion”. In general, this novel feels like your grandpa telling you a story. If you are interested in military memoirs, then I recommend this book.
January 21, 2013
I'm not the kind of person that reads non-fiction very often (or at all), so it's incredibly rewarding when I read such a high-quality book like this one. Although I was constantly reminded of Rainbow Six I constantly kept in min that this book is an actual true story! Not only Eric Haney is a great storyteller, conveying all the suffering, elation, friendship, and hardships of his life as member of this elite group of soldiers, he also shows that reality can be more interesting than fiction.
Haney recounts his personal story, from recruitment (and gruesome selection) to training and formation of Delta Force, and goes over some of the missions. He's also very, very critical of US government of the 1980's (who often sent good soldiers into the meet grinder for flimsy reasons) and, to him, every officer is a jerk until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, the author doesn't spare praises for the few officers who he'd considered valuable and true soldiers. Actually, every page is delightfully full of extolment for all the people and institution he met who made a difference, from the Secret Service to some of his superiors and many, many of his colleagues. His love for those good and true Americans feels heartfelt and sincere. He also shows to have a clear mind in his analysis of government policies and assessment of the state of things, Cold War or present times.
«Inside Delta Force» gave me understanding of and appreciation for the US military; if I were American, I'd be very proud of those guys. This is the best book I've read in years.
Haney recounts his personal story, from recruitment (and gruesome selection) to training and formation of Delta Force, and goes over some of the missions. He's also very, very critical of US government of the 1980's (who often sent good soldiers into the meet grinder for flimsy reasons) and, to him, every officer is a jerk until proven otherwise. Nevertheless, the author doesn't spare praises for the few officers who he'd considered valuable and true soldiers. Actually, every page is delightfully full of extolment for all the people and institution he met who made a difference, from the Secret Service to some of his superiors and many, many of his colleagues. His love for those good and true Americans feels heartfelt and sincere. He also shows to have a clear mind in his analysis of government policies and assessment of the state of things, Cold War or present times.
«Inside Delta Force» gave me understanding of and appreciation for the US military; if I were American, I'd be very proud of those guys. This is the best book I've read in years.
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