Operation Thunderbolt: The Entebbe Raid – The Most Audacious Hostage Rescue Mission in History Hardcover – 2 July 2015

Take’s you through it hour by hour, best book by far on rescue

Safety advice before reading this stunning book . . .Take a day off work. Then lock the doors, close the curtains, switch off the phone, tell friends and neighbours you’ve gone on holiday, stock up on food and water, sit comfortably, then begin.Because I promise you, you won’t be able to move from that seat until you have read this superb book from beginning to end in one go…It might be hard to imagine how a non-fiction history book could be as exciting and edge-of-the-seat as the likes of The Day of The Jackal or The Hunt for Red October, but this book is all that and more, probably because it is a true story.Saul David’s masterpiece of historical research and brilliant narrative writing fully deserves to become as much a benchmark for outstanding non-fiction history as Stalingrad by Antony Beevor. Indeed, Operation Thunderbolt elevates Saul David’s reputation to the levels of Beevor, Overy, Hastings and their ilk.Superbly researched, often down to the most intricate detail, the book is written in a breathtaking linear narrative with rapid-fire international scene changes as the crisis develops and races to its conclusion.The inevitable climax with the release of the hostages at Entebbe in a lightning commando raid, is then backed up by a superb series of loose-end tie-ups stretching on for many years after the event – something that is often missing in books that get you so involved that you hardly want them to end.Good novelists like to give their characters human flaws, yet the real-life people in this book are all the more compelling and the narrative more gripping precisely because of those all-too-human flaws. The barbaric behaviour of the murderous tyrant Idi Amin, especially in the aftermath of the raid, is particularly shocking.Like the author, I was a youngster (14 years old) in that hot summer of 1976, and still remember the truly electrifying feeling that this incredible rescue raid had upon myself and millions of other people around the world.For once, the good guys actually won.Saul David does full justice to the heroic actions of the Israeli commandos that day, with a masterful account of what really happened.Ironically, my last book revue on Amazon complained about how not to write a history book. Operation Thunderbolt, by complete contrast, is an absolute masterclass in how to write a good history book.Saul David - I’m looking forward to your next book already . . .

A new, measured appraisal of the events surrounding the hijack of Air France Flight 139 and the remarkable IDF operation to free the hostages is long overdue but I'm not sure this is it. The author openly states that he hopes the book reads as a novel rather than a history and it certainly does - the screenwriter tasked with turning it into a movie will have a very easy job. It is obvious that Mr David has done a considerable amount of research - I had the pleasure of listening to him give an eloquent and very enthusiastic account of the book at last year's Chalke Valley History Festival. However, I am concerned when he admits to making up much of the dialogue that is such a central part of the book's appeal. The detailed conversations between all the key participants are such that one has the impression of almost being an eavesdropper as events unfold. Given that such detailed records can't possibly exist; that many of the people involved are long dead and that even for those still alive it suggests a level of recall that is unbelievable after the passage of 4 decades, I really began to question much of what I was reading. This is very readable popular "history" - but take it with a large pinch of salt.

Another brilliant narrative history from an author that has written some outstanding histories.I first came across his wonderful history of the Indian Mutiny some years back and since then look forward to his books as they come out.This book is no exception. It's very detailed -the hijacking and political machinations leading upto the planning and rescue of the hostages is very thoroughly covered.However this does not detract from the smooth flow of the narrative.The human aspect remains the main focus regardless of whether they are hostages ,politicians,terrorists or special forces soldiers.Without a doubt one of the best books (if not the best) on the subject of the Entebbe Raid.

A brilliant read and particularly helpful when dealing with the various attitudes amonmg the decision makers in the Israeli cabinet prior to the event. As time passes it is so easy to forget the drama of the time, but Saul David brings it to life in such a clear, readable and enjoyable manner.

Written in real time, the narrative switches between all main locations applicable to the situation .Reveals the inner thoughts and actions of hostages,Israeli government, and security departmentsThe actions of the terrorists are outlined with all the tension that they created.In summary it reads like a great fictional thriller but it is all fact which makes it all so readable and interesting.I recommend it to fiction lovers and non fiction lovers.Both palates will be satisfied with its' content.

Not a bad read as it is very factual. But the level of detail it goes into means it is a slow and lengthy build up to the actual raid itself. The raid itself is interesting and it covers the aftermath and the implications for highjacking or hostage taking thereafter. I liked it but it was a bit slow in the first half of the book.

As one of the participants in this adventure in 1976, I was amazed at the amount of clear detail and also for the first time, the research that must have gone into this book to discover what really happened. i see that it has been awarded 5 strs by many book critics, and can only say that it is well merited. it was a truly amazing feat and so well depicted.