In the secret world of spies and covert operations, no other intelligence service continues to be surrounded by myth and mystery, or commands respect and fear like Israel's Mossad. The Mossad's deepest secrets are revealed in "Gideon's Spies", and this fifth edition is completely updated with new information including the Mossad hospital raid that eventually uncovered sleeper cells in Britain, the assassination of the world's second most wanted terrorist, the destruction of a newly-discovered nuclear facility in Syria, the intricate relationship between Israeli intelligence and the Bush administration's war on terror, and why one former Mossad chief says, 'we are looking down the barrel of World War III unless the world wakes up'.

Reviews

Among the world's most respected and feared intelligence services, the Israeli Mossad encompasses shadowy networks of katsas (case officers) often operating undercover, from Washington to Tehran to Beijing. The third update of this well-received book adds expanded sections on postinvasion Iraq, the black market in nuclear material, and other topics, tying up several loose ends from the earlier editions. Large portions remain unchanged, however, giving the book an uneven quality, as some chapters were written in 1994, some in 1999, some in 2004 and some last summer. Thomas's engrossing stories about assassinations, target surveillance and other skullduggery keep the pages turning, but the serious student of the Middle East may be put off by some purple prose, for example, about Saddam in incarceration: "His shaggy salt-and-pepper beard is trimmed once a week, enhancing his sharp, penetrating eyes.... But he will have an opportunity to state his case-more than he had ever allowed those he murdered." Skeptics will wonder what ulterior motives inspired Thomas's many tight-lipped sources to open up to him and will question their information, particularly regarding the more incredible conspiracy theories he writes about. Overall, however, Thomas provides a rare and valuable glimpse at the inner workings of a very secretive organization. (Jan.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Praise for "Gideon's Spies"

"A fascinating look at a spy organization that has remained off-limits to most journalists. A first-rate nonfiction account."---"GQ"

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""Thomas handles highly dramatic material with clarity and impact."---"The""Washington"" Post Book World"

"Using eye witness accounts from directors, agents, and even assassins, Thomas goes...inside the Mossad, Israel's ruthless, super-secretive intelligence agency."---"Maxim"

"A compelling read, with any number of disturbing revelations."---"FHM"

"Espionage buffs will love every page."---"Booklist"

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"Grabs attention with a riveting yarn...will have readers intrigued."---"Publishers Weekly"

"Tells it like it was---and like it is."---Meir Amit, former director general of Mossad

"This is an anecdote-rich...series of tales about the extraordinary derring-do of Israel's vaunted elite foreign intelligence service.... [C]ontaining much juicy ready-for-film-adaptation material."---