Product Description

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 the papers, and no one—not even their families—can know who they are. First Special Forces Operational Detachment-D—Delta Force, America's supersecret counterterrorist unit. On paper they do not exist, but without them, our lives wouldn't be the same.

In this exclusive behind-the-scenes account, founding member Eric L. Haney, Command Sergeant Major, USA (ret.), takes you into the grueling selection and training process of Delta Force. From learning how to open a padlock with a soda can to rescuing a hijacked airplane, these men are masters of espionage and warfare. They are the anonymous heroes who protect us every day from threats we'll never know existed.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #143768 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-23
• Released on: 2007-01-23
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

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He is a master of espionage, trained to take on hijackers, terrorists, hostage takers, and enemy armies. He can deploy by parachute or arrive by commercial aircraft. Survive alone in hostile cities. Speak foreign languages fluently. Strike at enemy targets with stunning swiftness and extraordinary teamwork. He is the ultimate modern warrior: the Delta Force Operator.

In this dramatic behind-the-scenes chronicle, Eric Haney, one of the founding members of Delta Force, takes us inside this legendary counterterrorist unit. Here, for the first time, are details of the grueling selection process -- designed to break the strongest of men -- that singles out the best of the best: the Delta Force Operator.

With heart-stopping immediacy, Haney tells what it's really like to enter a hostage-held airplane. And from his days in Beirut, Haney tells an unforgettable tale of bodyguards and bombs, of a day-to-day life of madness and beauty, and of how he and a teammate are called on to kill two gunmen targeting U.S. Marines at the Beirut airport. As part of the team sent to rescue American hostages in Tehran, Haney offers a first-person description of that failed mission that is a chilling, compelling account of a bold maneuver undone by chance -- and a few fatal mistakes.

From fighting guerrilla warfare in Honduras to rescuing missionaries in Sudan and leading the way onto the island of Grenada, Eric Haney captures the daring and discipline that distinguish the men of Delta Force. Inside Delta Force brings honor to these singular men while it puts us in the middle of action that is sudden, frightening, and nonstop around the world.

"A book that could not be more timely, written by a warrior who knows what he's talking about.."
   JAMES WEBB, AUTHOR OF FIELDS OF FIRE AND LOST SOLDIERS

"A rousing chronicle of what it's really like to be a special-ops guy."
   ESQUIRE

"Compelling memoir... a book that you won't want to put down."
   PLAYBOY

"Perfect for military enthusiasts."
   KIRKUS REVIEWS

From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up–An adaptation of the authors adult book with the same title (Dell, 2002). The first part of the book gives an overview of Haneys military career and his association with the force and describes the red tape and planning that was required of those who wished to create a new, secret military unit that officially did not exist. It also includes a description of the physical challenges required of those who were chosen to participate in what was a preliminary round of qualification tests. Those who were successful in all the tests were then eligible to participate in the actual selection process. The second half of the text shows the sometimes brutal challenges the successful candidates were required to complete and details some of the actual training sessions. The narration concludes with the unit being sent on a dry run scenario in order to practice newly acquired skills. Black-and-white photos and documents are included in a centerfold. The reading level is not extremely high, but the subject is more likely to be of interest to older readers. This is an excellent choice for students with military interests.–Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist
Gr. 7-10. "Have a good 'un" is the mantra of Delta Force soldiers whether they are jumping from planes, heading out on 40-mile hikes, performing sniper practice, or trying to outmaneuver the FBI with $1,000 and a three-hour head start. In this adaptation of an adult book, Retired^B Command Sergeant Major Haney relates a riveting story of the 1977 founding of the ultrasecret^B counterterrorist unit of the U.S. Army known as Delta Force. His account of the grueling selection and training that winnowed down a starting group of 163 exceptional soldiers to a select group of 12 includes fascinating descriptions of successes and failures but only hints at some of the missions the group later accomplishes. Haney assures readers that none of the information included violates OPSEC (Operational Security), but that won't dim the attraction of the espionage details. Footnotes explain technical and military terms, and Haney has left out much of the rough language, which makes this accessible to a wide audience. Although the adult version has more detail (and is also more graphic), this reworking stands up quite well on its own. Better stock up on copies; you won't want to ration this one. Cindy Dobrez
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Customer Reviews

Great Book
Gave to my father for his birthday. He said one of the best books he ever read. Fast reading, was finished with it within two days.

Let loose the hounds of War!
Delta Force should be allowed to take charge in the search for Osama Bin Laden. Let the Coalition Forces including the American members fight the Taliban. Give Delta one mission and one mission only. Capture or kill Osama Bin Laden. The TV Series-The Unit is my favorite TV show. It's a shame that the show doesn't give The Men of Delta Force and their exploits all the air time. We already have Army Wives another TV show that gives the wives more then enough air time. I believe that if The Unit was handed more like 24 that it would have a larger following. This is the last season for The Unit. It should be picked up by HBO. I also read the book Generation Kill and HBO has done a great job with it's miniseries based on the book. If you haven't read the book; please read it. if you haven't washed the show; please buy the Videos. It makes me proud to be an American knowing that we have such an elite military unit. It's too bad that President Bush didn't use them more. Hopefully; who ever becomes the next President will read the book and use these heroes more and correctly. A Classic American Military Book. I recommend that every true American reads this book.

This is for teens
I was buying this as a gift for my husband, but this is the teen version of the book. However, it doesn't state that anywhere in any of the info previous to my purchase. I only realized it when I received the book and looked at the back cover by the barcode.