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Secret Soldier
Set against 25 years of continuous conflict, this autobiography of Muki Betser underscores the dilemmas Israeli Defence Forces faced. Betser planned, commanded and perpetrated Israel's most remarkable and daring military actions, including the Entebbe hostage rescue.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 7, 2024
Tremendous storytelling with honesty and some humility-Read Silvana's review - I couldn't say it any better: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 11, 2008
A couple of months ago, I watched a documentary in the NatGeo channel about the Entebbe operation led by the Israeli’s special force, Sayeret Matkal, to rescue Jewish passengers held hostages by terrorist in Entebbe airport, Uganda, 1976.
I am always a sucker for military history with profound political impact, especially with Special Forces involved. I immediately remembered that my boyfriend had a memoir about Moshe ‘Muki’ Betzer, the mastermind behind the operation, and the book included Entebbe operation in it. Gosh, how I love my boyfriend.
To cut things short, I finally able to finish the memoir and was captivated by it. A tantalizing read. Not only Entebbe, by reading this memoir you’ll get a first hand account on the major military events in Israel since their independence, such as the Six Day War (when Muki was in the paratroopers brigade recon unit), the War of Attrition, the Yom Kippur War (he’s already in Sayeret Matkal then), and my personal favorite, the raid mission to Beirut to assassinate the people responsible for the Munich massacre.
The book is divided into a number of chapters, but those chapters do not always correspond to the events. Some events even got three-chapter description. The storytelling is smooth, probably because Betzer got help from Robert Rosenberg, a journalist, when writing this memoir. People who’re not used to military issues can read this book, for sure.
Muki Betzer is a complicated man. He can be a pacifist (loves gardening and all farming things), but he can also be an action-junkie. He is very confident of the skill, the bravery and the capability of himself and his units, which were always Special Forces, from the paras recon, Shaked southern command and last but not least, the Sayeret Matkal. Yes, THAT illustrious Sayeret Matkal, who can only be matched by US or British Special Forces such as SAS and Delta Force.
With such confidence and his drive of not wanting to become a career soldier, Betzer was not afraid of the bureaucracy. When he wanted something, he’d find his way to challenge his superior or even his superior’s superior, presenting them with his ideas and arguments, which were, lucky for him, turned out to be the better ones. Luckier for him, the military bureaucracy in IDF is not too rigid. Soldiers in Special Forces (as happened also in other countries) are encouraged to speak their minds.
However, IDF was not as invincible as people might think. Major screw-ups happened, with lives at stake. However, as a nation who lives surrounded by their enemies, the Israel military’s greatest power lays in the creativity and improvisation skills, which had been proven since the Palmah started their efforts to protect the people from the Palestinians during the British occupation era. Politicians or even generals, bless them, seemed to make unnecessary mistakes. Those who’re in the fields know better.
As you can expect from a war memoir, lots drama can be found here. What interests me the most is when I read about the aftermath of a mission near Egypt border, Ariel Sharon (he was a general then) found out about the death of his deputy’s son. Betzer described Sharon’s changes of expression vividly. From the verge of tears, suddenly Sharon turned the switch into a solemn face. Betzer said it was the survivor’s wall, which enabled us to remember and yet to continue, by preserving behind its apparently black surface our memories.
Not only drama, of course, but funny, comical things also scattered around the stories in this memoir. In my favorite chapter, the raid in Beirut to assassinate three terrorist masterminds of the Munich tragedy, I giggled all the time imagining Ehud Barak, then Commander of the Sayeret Matkal (along with two other fighters who were unfortunate to have a baby-face and small body), had to wear women clothes throughout the mission. Barak walked to the raid building holding hands with Betzer, both pretending to be lovers. Yikes. If only the Lebanese police captured him, they would find four grenades on his waist, an Uzi slung into an underarm holster, a Beretta in a second holster, eight magazines of thirty bullets and an explosive ‘cleavage’ under the ladies’ jacket. What’s even funnier is that the Lebanese press described him and another fighter as ‘two beautiful she-devils, a blonde and a brunette, who fought of the police and army like dervishes with machine guns’. ROTFLMAO!
Entebbe became the last action told here. The planning took days, non-stop arguments on how to conduct the rescue mission. An important note: Uganda is far from Israel. An eight-hour flight is needed to get there, crossing the border of THREE hostile countries. Moreover, Idi Amin was never predictable. Secrecy was the key and Betzer masterminded almost the whole action plan due to his short involvement in Uganda in previous years. I do not want to spoil the detail here, you should read it yourself.
I absolutely heart this book. Honest, insightful, comprehensive but not boring; it is a perfect blend of heroic actions, failures by both the military and the political side and above all, the heart and mind of a man who wants to protect the land of his people, whether as a farmer in his kibbutz, or as (what he knows best)... a secret soldier.
I am always a sucker for military history with profound political impact, especially with Special Forces involved. I immediately remembered that my boyfriend had a memoir about Moshe ‘Muki’ Betzer, the mastermind behind the operation, and the book included Entebbe operation in it. Gosh, how I love my boyfriend.
To cut things short, I finally able to finish the memoir and was captivated by it. A tantalizing read. Not only Entebbe, by reading this memoir you’ll get a first hand account on the major military events in Israel since their independence, such as the Six Day War (when Muki was in the paratroopers brigade recon unit), the War of Attrition, the Yom Kippur War (he’s already in Sayeret Matkal then), and my personal favorite, the raid mission to Beirut to assassinate the people responsible for the Munich massacre.
The book is divided into a number of chapters, but those chapters do not always correspond to the events. Some events even got three-chapter description. The storytelling is smooth, probably because Betzer got help from Robert Rosenberg, a journalist, when writing this memoir. People who’re not used to military issues can read this book, for sure.
Muki Betzer is a complicated man. He can be a pacifist (loves gardening and all farming things), but he can also be an action-junkie. He is very confident of the skill, the bravery and the capability of himself and his units, which were always Special Forces, from the paras recon, Shaked southern command and last but not least, the Sayeret Matkal. Yes, THAT illustrious Sayeret Matkal, who can only be matched by US or British Special Forces such as SAS and Delta Force.
With such confidence and his drive of not wanting to become a career soldier, Betzer was not afraid of the bureaucracy. When he wanted something, he’d find his way to challenge his superior or even his superior’s superior, presenting them with his ideas and arguments, which were, lucky for him, turned out to be the better ones. Luckier for him, the military bureaucracy in IDF is not too rigid. Soldiers in Special Forces (as happened also in other countries) are encouraged to speak their minds.
However, IDF was not as invincible as people might think. Major screw-ups happened, with lives at stake. However, as a nation who lives surrounded by their enemies, the Israel military’s greatest power lays in the creativity and improvisation skills, which had been proven since the Palmah started their efforts to protect the people from the Palestinians during the British occupation era. Politicians or even generals, bless them, seemed to make unnecessary mistakes. Those who’re in the fields know better.
As you can expect from a war memoir, lots drama can be found here. What interests me the most is when I read about the aftermath of a mission near Egypt border, Ariel Sharon (he was a general then) found out about the death of his deputy’s son. Betzer described Sharon’s changes of expression vividly. From the verge of tears, suddenly Sharon turned the switch into a solemn face. Betzer said it was the survivor’s wall, which enabled us to remember and yet to continue, by preserving behind its apparently black surface our memories.
Not only drama, of course, but funny, comical things also scattered around the stories in this memoir. In my favorite chapter, the raid in Beirut to assassinate three terrorist masterminds of the Munich tragedy, I giggled all the time imagining Ehud Barak, then Commander of the Sayeret Matkal (along with two other fighters who were unfortunate to have a baby-face and small body), had to wear women clothes throughout the mission. Barak walked to the raid building holding hands with Betzer, both pretending to be lovers. Yikes. If only the Lebanese police captured him, they would find four grenades on his waist, an Uzi slung into an underarm holster, a Beretta in a second holster, eight magazines of thirty bullets and an explosive ‘cleavage’ under the ladies’ jacket. What’s even funnier is that the Lebanese press described him and another fighter as ‘two beautiful she-devils, a blonde and a brunette, who fought of the police and army like dervishes with machine guns’. ROTFLMAO!
Entebbe became the last action told here. The planning took days, non-stop arguments on how to conduct the rescue mission. An important note: Uganda is far from Israel. An eight-hour flight is needed to get there, crossing the border of THREE hostile countries. Moreover, Idi Amin was never predictable. Secrecy was the key and Betzer masterminded almost the whole action plan due to his short involvement in Uganda in previous years. I do not want to spoil the detail here, you should read it yourself.
I absolutely heart this book. Honest, insightful, comprehensive but not boring; it is a perfect blend of heroic actions, failures by both the military and the political side and above all, the heart and mind of a man who wants to protect the land of his people, whether as a farmer in his kibbutz, or as (what he knows best)... a secret soldier.
October 24, 2019
I have to say that I loved this book. Sure, it can be seen in the context of one really pushy Israeli soldier's humblebrag memoir as he personally conquers all manner of obstacles, both internally in the IDF as he builds his unit- and then in all other areas of life as he continues as a highly prized consultant, trainer and planner of Special Operations. But this IS Muki Betser- Sayeret (Recon) raider in Sinai and Jordan post 1967, Leader of the Sayeret Matkal (Staff -Recon- Israel's Delta Force) in the Golan in 1973, planner and executor of the Entebbe Raid (with the PM's late brother Yonatan Netanyahu) - so this is the real deal. It is riveting stuff. And you will probably love it too.
Raised by a family of Haganah (The Pre Independence Jewish Militia) stalwarts- Muki come of age before the Six Day war- and has an interesting take on that struggle. He grew up in the Kibbutz movement, an interesting mix of militarism, agriculture and socialism (they are collective farms, after all) and the reader will see the military roots of many of the top Politicians of Israel- from both Labour and the Conservative Parties. It's interesting to see how so many of them came up in the IDF. Otherwise- the book is filled with great information and stories of the IDF in its heyday.
There are some adult concepts both personal and political and some gore (Betser was wounded in the Karameh raid- an early reverse for the IDF that humbled him) so a junior reader should be at least 11 before tackling this tome. For the Gamer/Modeller/military Enthusiast- it's all gold! I was fascinated by this open look at the IDF, Parachutists, and the Sayeret hierarchy. The seemingly casual way the Israelis discuss tactics and strategies in their planning plays as cavalier- but the results they got do not. I think readers will get scenario/diorama ideas aplenty, and any reader unfamiliar with the IDF will find this a compelling inside look. Betser does not reveal anything the IDF Censor flagged- but its engaging reading nonetheless. A Strong Recommendation.
Raised by a family of Haganah (The Pre Independence Jewish Militia) stalwarts- Muki come of age before the Six Day war- and has an interesting take on that struggle. He grew up in the Kibbutz movement, an interesting mix of militarism, agriculture and socialism (they are collective farms, after all) and the reader will see the military roots of many of the top Politicians of Israel- from both Labour and the Conservative Parties. It's interesting to see how so many of them came up in the IDF. Otherwise- the book is filled with great information and stories of the IDF in its heyday.
There are some adult concepts both personal and political and some gore (Betser was wounded in the Karameh raid- an early reverse for the IDF that humbled him) so a junior reader should be at least 11 before tackling this tome. For the Gamer/Modeller/military Enthusiast- it's all gold! I was fascinated by this open look at the IDF, Parachutists, and the Sayeret hierarchy. The seemingly casual way the Israelis discuss tactics and strategies in their planning plays as cavalier- but the results they got do not. I think readers will get scenario/diorama ideas aplenty, and any reader unfamiliar with the IDF will find this a compelling inside look. Betser does not reveal anything the IDF Censor flagged- but its engaging reading nonetheless. A Strong Recommendation.
October 14, 2021
A worthwhile read of which my greatest criticism would be I wanted more commando. The way Betzer seems to breeze through momentous operations like the raid on Entebbe might reflect his attitude on harrowing danger. It just left voyeurs like me wanting more. Read it anyway. The good guys win - because they should.
HH
HH
May 19, 2017
Over all the author comes across as a bit self-promoting but the history behind the stories was excellent. Also, if you know the Bible, the places mentioned in the book really come to life and have a greater meaning.
January 4, 2021
Decent book, but not the great read I was hoping for.
October 1, 2014
Great story well told. Muki Betser comes across as a man of great integrity, a truly gifted leader of men, head and shoulders above the rest. I felt reminded of the Old Testament heroes of King David's time. I especially loved the account of the Entebbe operation. Hard to imagine this sort of life is not fiction. If you liked Leon Uris's "Exodus", this is a must.
October 1, 2007
Sometimes harsh military decision must be taken in order to maintain peace and security of the innocents.
But this book is not all about military operation. It also about one humble individual with great humanism and compassion for long lasting peace.
But this book is not all about military operation. It also about one humble individual with great humanism and compassion for long lasting peace.
October 1, 2013
great book about an amazing individual.
Probably the best memoir of an Israeli soldier and definitely the most information about the Sayeret Maktal thats available in english.
Also, tons of great information on Yoni Netanyahu.
Probably the best memoir of an Israeli soldier and definitely the most information about the Sayeret Maktal thats available in english.
Also, tons of great information on Yoni Netanyahu.
December 21, 2014
Magnificent, funny, well written, heart breaking and perfect.
March 28, 2016
Great book from one of the bravest slodiers in the Israeli defense forces, very well written, fluent language.
If you plan on going to Special Forces, this book is a must !
If you plan on going to Special Forces, this book is a must !
September 10, 2019
Great book that also have some hidden gems of true leadership
June 22, 2025
Great read and insight to Israeli SF
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews