What do you think?
Rate this book
Territory of Lies: The Rise, Fall, and Betrayal of Jonathan Jay Pollard
A series of interviews with Jonathan Jay Pollard, his family, and U.S. and Israeli sources recounts the divided loyalties that prompted the former U.S. Naval Intelligence officer to spy for Israel
342 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1989
About the author
Wolf Blitzer
39 books5 followersWolf Blitzer is a German-American journalist and author. He has been a CNN reporter since 1990. Blitzer is currently the host of the newscast The Situation Room and the Sunday talk show Late Edition. Blitzer previously hosted Wolf Blitzer Reports, which was replaced by The Situation Room.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 1, 2021
Wolf Blitzer did a good job in telling the Jonathan Pollard story even though he was part of the story. It was a well balance account of the espionage that Pollard conducted.
The lingering question from the book was did the punishment fit the crime or was it overreaching? If you interested in espionage or Israel-United States relations, this book is a good one to read.
The lingering question from the book was did the punishment fit the crime or was it overreaching? If you interested in espionage or Israel-United States relations, this book is a good one to read.
March 19, 2021
Undoubtedly, when a journalist himself is on the verge to explore the ins and outs of a story, he will peel off the insights related to it. Fond of reading a book based on a true event? Here comes Wolf Blitzer with his immense efforts in research about Jonathan Jay Pollard, transformed from raw information and scattered specifics into a well-published spy-thriller -Territory of Lies.
Prelude...
The primary character of the book, Jonathan Jay Pollard was sentenced to life in the year of 1985 with the accusation of selling U.S. military secrets to Israel.
As the name suggests, the book demonstrates the whole tragedy from the very beginning till the end. Highlighting the previous life of Pollard, it gives an understanding of how an ordinary American citizen went against his motherland and started working as a spy for Israel. A negative force or kind of experience which reinforces a person to ruin him believing that he is on the right path has been jotted down in the book.
Some Necessary Info...
A feeling of an anti-Jewish environment developed within Pollard during his college days. The only person who made him feel just the opposite was his mentor, who was a former registered agent for Israel.
What made Pollard deliver national secrets to Israel? The big question has been straightforwardly answered in the book. It takes us to both before and after scenarios of Pollards’ life. Meeting up to expectations, unexpected faith, and admiration from Israeli officials has been stated as the major reasons for the evolved journey of Pollard – from a common American to an Israeli spy.
Some Words on the Storyline
The personal details behind the story are miserable and baffling. Pollard’s vigorous pro-Israeli sympathy and claims gradually lead him to death. To cut a dash, he leaked the nation’s confidential information.
His actual incentives were a blend of Israeli patriotism and the requirements to be stroked. In a one-liner, Pollard was at a time, a mystery, a traitor, and an extraordinary example of pseudo-kindness. The book states all these facts in a well-organized and interesting manner.
Verdict
If you are a bookworm, your shelf deserves this copy! Moreover, the ones who are quite interested in the spy-thriller genre shouldn’t miss the chance to go through ‘Territory of Lies’ once!
Prelude...
The primary character of the book, Jonathan Jay Pollard was sentenced to life in the year of 1985 with the accusation of selling U.S. military secrets to Israel.
As the name suggests, the book demonstrates the whole tragedy from the very beginning till the end. Highlighting the previous life of Pollard, it gives an understanding of how an ordinary American citizen went against his motherland and started working as a spy for Israel. A negative force or kind of experience which reinforces a person to ruin him believing that he is on the right path has been jotted down in the book.
Some Necessary Info...
A feeling of an anti-Jewish environment developed within Pollard during his college days. The only person who made him feel just the opposite was his mentor, who was a former registered agent for Israel.
What made Pollard deliver national secrets to Israel? The big question has been straightforwardly answered in the book. It takes us to both before and after scenarios of Pollards’ life. Meeting up to expectations, unexpected faith, and admiration from Israeli officials has been stated as the major reasons for the evolved journey of Pollard – from a common American to an Israeli spy.
Some Words on the Storyline
The personal details behind the story are miserable and baffling. Pollard’s vigorous pro-Israeli sympathy and claims gradually lead him to death. To cut a dash, he leaked the nation’s confidential information.
His actual incentives were a blend of Israeli patriotism and the requirements to be stroked. In a one-liner, Pollard was at a time, a mystery, a traitor, and an extraordinary example of pseudo-kindness. The book states all these facts in a well-organized and interesting manner.
Verdict
If you are a bookworm, your shelf deserves this copy! Moreover, the ones who are quite interested in the spy-thriller genre shouldn’t miss the chance to go through ‘Territory of Lies’ once!
December 29, 2008
Finished it! The book began well and was mostly interesting but the final analysis seemed to end with a thud - somewhat like Pollard's 'career' as a spy. It might be nice if Wolfe were to write an epilogue but as busy as he is with CNN Situation Room - that'll never happen.
I think it is very reprehensible that Pollard betrayed the trust that was put in him with his access to TS/SCI materials. However, I think it is equally reprehensible for Israel to have failed to "rescue" this man as they should have.
Yes - unapologetically, I am a Zionist.
I think it is very reprehensible that Pollard betrayed the trust that was put in him with his access to TS/SCI materials. However, I think it is equally reprehensible for Israel to have failed to "rescue" this man as they should have.
Yes - unapologetically, I am a Zionist.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews