They are the Army's most elite top-secret strike force. But you won't hear about their heroics on the news, no headlines about them can appear in t...
read full description
reviews
Feb 10, 2012
Jerome
rated it: 
I first heard of this book when I came about it in the footnotes of "Kill Bin Laden".
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 abou More...
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 abou More...
Aug 24, 2011
Rachel
rated it:
I just finished this book and quite frankly I am not sure if I liked it or not.
I find the writing and the storytelling incredibly gripping - Eric Haney certainly has a knack for that. The attitude and the jargon of the Delta Force operators is certainly accurate and I have no doubt that he was in Delta Force as he states.
However, I am concerned about the criticism that he has received regarding the accuracy of some of his stories. Now it may simply be that each individual un More...
I find the writing and the storytelling incredibly gripping - Eric Haney certainly has a knack for that. The attitude and the jargon of the Delta Force operators is certainly accurate and I have no doubt that he was in Delta Force as he states.
However, I am concerned about the criticism that he has received regarding the accuracy of some of his stories. Now it may simply be that each individual un More...
May 23, 2011
Iskreads
rated it: 
During the 1970s, the United States first began its struggle against terrorism. A renowned Special Forces officer, Colonel Charlie Beckwith, noticed this and began to see the need for a specialized unit within the US military that could counter that threat. In the mid 1970s, he found two other men who shared the same idea as him, Generals Bob Kingston and Edwin Meyer. The trio set out on their task of creating a new unit; the unit that would become the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachmen
More...
Jan 12, 2010
William
rated it:
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 More...
Haney obeys the first law of authorship: write what More...
0 comments
like
(2 people liked it)
May 26, 2009
Edward
rated it:
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
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 14, 2011
Wu
rated it:
Gripping and fluid. It's a page turner. I finished this in only one day, that's how much I enjoyed this book. I understand Haney has received some heat from fellow ex Delta operators in regard to the accuracy of some events depicted in the book, but that fact notwithstanding, this book is most enjoyable and a fantastic read. In his own words, the way Delta works is none like that 'Hollywood crap'.. very businesslike and professional, and to me, this is how he writes this book. Inside Delta Force
More...
Sep 25, 2010
David
rated it: 
Written by a member of the first operational group to pass through Beckwith's training program after Delta beat out Blue Light as the US prime CT force, you'll never quite get over exactly how these fellows prove their mettle and training effectiveness -- a final exam unlike anything your imagination could concoct. "That's not possible," you'll say to yourself. "Nobody would let them do that!" And the methods used to make that exam work are equally unreal. Let's just say it's
More...
Aug 16, 2011
Bill
rated it:
Well written and insightful look into the early years of Delta Force, a unit assembled to fight terrorism in the U.S. and abroad.
The book was aimed at us civilians so is devoid of the acronyms and military terminology which serves to separate the reader from the topic. I found the first third of the book, Haney's progress through the initial selection process, the most interesting but that should not be taken as a complaint about the book. The last third of the book deals with several real missi More...
The book was aimed at us civilians so is devoid of the acronyms and military terminology which serves to separate the reader from the topic. I found the first third of the book, Haney's progress through the initial selection process, the most interesting but that should not be taken as a complaint about the book. The last third of the book deals with several real missi More...
Jul 12, 2010
Shane
rated it:
3.74 stars. Everything is so relative.
My ultimate criteria - WorthReading - yes ! But then again - so much is !! and our lists continue to grow.
This is non-fiction and the stories are depicted almost 100% through the eyes of the author - understandably and his choice - of course. Although, I found it easy to page-turn, I kind of wished to understand a bit more about how the solder - Eric - dealt with 'his family' during the years that he served.
I really enjoyed this bo More...
My ultimate criteria - WorthReading - yes ! But then again - so much is !! and our lists continue to grow.
This is non-fiction and the stories are depicted almost 100% through the eyes of the author - understandably and his choice - of course. Although, I found it easy to page-turn, I kind of wished to understand a bit more about how the solder - Eric - dealt with 'his family' during the years that he served.
I really enjoyed this bo More...
Feb 15, 2009
Rick
rated it:
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
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 31, 2011
Fred
rated it:
Fantastic military memoir. I'm sure that there are whole months of the narrators life that were left out of the telling for a reason and I'm equally sure that some of the other things were changed in the details, but that doesn't make it any less of a good book.
Recommend highly for anyone in the Army or Marines and especially the Combat Arms.
There is just the right amount of humor scattered throughout the text of the book that it makes even reading the slowest, most tech More...
Recommend highly for anyone in the Army or Marines and especially the Combat Arms.
There is just the right amount of humor scattered throughout the text of the book that it makes even reading the slowest, most tech More...
Aug 05, 2011
Andrea
rated it:
I was prompted to read this after enjoying the USA TV series - "The Unit" - about the workings of the USA elite counter-terrorist unit, much like the British SAS. Much of this book was very enjoyable and interesting, but Haney is clearly not a professional writer and some parts were a dull recital of people, places and dates that I really didn't care about.
The story came alive when Haney was describing actual training methods, selection process and details about his team going in More...
The story came alive when Haney was describing actual training methods, selection process and details about his team going in More...
Oct 15, 2010
Tyler
rated it:
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Dec 28, 2011
Trudy
rated it:
I loved the TV show that this was based off of... The Unit. I wanted to read this and see how it all started. I really enjoyed this book - the first 2/3 (selection and training) of it immensely, the last 1/3 is kind of a history lesson as Eric Haney talks about missions he was part of. I don't much care about history, so it was a bit dry for me... there was parts of it that I could relate to the show and stories they told there. Additionally, there was a pay off at the end... I won't spoil i
More...
Dec 22, 2011
Rick
rated it:
Having gotten into watching the great David Mamet produced series from a few years ago, The Unit, I wanted to read the book that the show is based on. Written by former Delta Force member Eric Haney, this book tells the story of what these guys go through to be part of the most elite team that does its work in secret to protect this country7 and our interests around the world.
Excellent book. Haney's description of the selection process alone makes it worth the read. Plus the training More...
Excellent book. Haney's description of the selection process alone makes it worth the read. Plus the training More...
Feb 21, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
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
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jan 17, 2012
Greg
rated it:
I decided to read this book because every time I stumble across the TV show "The Unit," I really enjoy the show and I thought I would enjoy reading the book that serves as its basis. I was not disappointed, this was a very enjoyable book.
As a memoir, there's no real formal plot to follow, but Haney does a great job of creating a narrative flow that makes sense. The reader is guided through the creation of Delta Force from the perspective of a member seeking admission. Reade More...
As a memoir, there's no real formal plot to follow, but Haney does a great job of creating a narrative flow that makes sense. The reader is guided through the creation of Delta Force from the perspective of a member seeking admission. Reade More...
Apr 09, 2010
J.R.
rated it:
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 D More...
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 D More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Feb 16, 2008
Mary Jane
rated it:
I really enjoyed reading this book. Eric Haney, the author, makes everyone very personable. I feel like I went through these experiences with him. He is one of the original members of Delta Force. The first half of the book is in the "trying-out" for Delta Force and training. I am so impressed with him and what he was able to do. I felt like I was learning how the fictional Jason Bourne character would have been trained. It is an incredible read. It was also interesting to read
More...
Feb 25, 2008
Nat
rated it:
I found this book via the way of the television show, The Unit. While the TV show is excellent, it in no way prepared me for this exciting read.
I don't know what it is about the contents of this book, but, wow, these guys are the best of the best. The Spartans of contemporary times.
Haney brings to life the fortitude, struggles, courage, training, training, and training, that the Delta operator goes through. He was a charter member of this elite counter-terrorist force. Hi More...
I don't know what it is about the contents of this book, but, wow, these guys are the best of the best. The Spartans of contemporary times.
Haney brings to life the fortitude, struggles, courage, training, training, and training, that the Delta operator goes through. He was a charter member of this elite counter-terrorist force. Hi More...
Jan 24, 2008
Janet
rated it:
Intro to Delta Force Part 2 is Eric Haney’s classic Inside Delta Force. In contrast to Delta Force (my Intro to DFP1) which was told from the perspective of the Delta Commander, Inside is narrated from the Delta Operator’s perspective. Author Command Sergeant Major (Ret.) Eric Haney spent 20 years serving his country in the military, 8 years as a Delta Operator. He details for us the inaugural beginnings of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta (1st SFOD-D), gives us his take on an af
More...
Jul 08, 2009
Alice
rated it:
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 year 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 year More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 30, 2008
Andrew
rated it:
Continuing with my recent trend of reading Special Forces books, this one was awesome. Delta Force is a secretive, clandestine service that is part of the US Army. Most of their missions and training remain classified, but this book shed some light on the dark world in which this unit dwells.
The author is a former Delta Operator and breaks his silence to provide us with some insight into this world. I consumed this book quickly and it left me wanting for more!
The author is a former Delta Operator and breaks his silence to provide us with some insight into this world. I consumed this book quickly and it left me wanting for more!
Jan 30, 2011
Sam
rated it:
So I picked up this book after I recognized one of the guys on the front cover!
The first 200 pages or so were really fascinating to me. They take you from "hey, Delta is recruiting" all the way through selection and training. It was almost enough to make me wish I had joined the Army instead of the Air Force.
I only have two mild criticisms. If there were ever a revised edition, it would be nice to see some logical, bite-sized chapter divisions.
A More...
The first 200 pages or so were really fascinating to me. They take you from "hey, Delta is recruiting" all the way through selection and training. It was almost enough to make me wish I had joined the Army instead of the Air Force.
I only have two mild criticisms. If there were ever a revised edition, it would be nice to see some logical, bite-sized chapter divisions.
A More...
Jan 14, 2010
B
rated it:
This is the a very detailed account of things that never happened, from a unit that does not exist. I was riveted from the very beginning. The incredible feats that these men perform and endure are just beyond comprehension. Once you read this, you will have no doubts about authenticity. You cannot make this stuff up!
Haney is not only an amazing soldier, he's also a good writer. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in what the good guys do to keep us safe while we More...
Haney is not only an amazing soldier, he's also a good writer. I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in what the good guys do to keep us safe while we More...
Oct 20, 2011
Grason
rated it:
Inside Delta Force was a very good book. It gives a look at what some of America's best trained soldiers go through to get into the elite squad. It tells you what the physical strength you need to even qualify. The things these soldiers go through is truly amazing and hard to understand. If you enjoy the military and wonder about how Delta Force trains and operates, this is an excellent book written by one of the founding members of Delta Force.
Jun 11, 2010
Kathryn
rated it:
I have watched all episodes of the tv show "The Unit"... I very much enjoyed them. I wanted to read the book that the show as based off of.... so now I have. It was a worthy read! I did enjoy it very much. His afterword that was written after 9/11 was worth reading for certain. I like what he said about things being changed, but not eradicated when it comes to the terrorists. Basically we have to get them to quit blaming us for their problems. I'm sure this is a book people di
More...
Mar 23, 2009
Pete
rated it:
A very fascinating look into the formation of Delta, as well as some of their missions. Many of the stories are of familiar events (failed rescue attempt of the hostages in Iran, the invasion of Grenada, etc) but always told from the view of the guy on the ground without the filters of politics and news media. Engaging and interesting, it is simply written with stark accounts and without embellishments. A true page-turner of a book. Educational and entertaining at the same time.
