The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit

A great book and very well written.

Haney took alot of heat for doing so but that's to be expected.

My only confusion came about when Haney described hunting down and killing a former U.S. Special Forces sergeant named Baez in Honduras.

Baez was actually captured alive during the battle of Yolo Valley and taken to a small Honduran airstrip where his capture was reported. Nicaraguan by birth Baez returned to Nicaragua after serving in the U.S. Army. He joined the Sandinistas, was commissioned as an officer and was leading a column of Honduran marxist guerrillas from NIC into Honduras to attack and kill American military advisors at a U.S. staging area in the country.

The Honduran Government/military had no use for Baez and he is reported as being killed on the airstrip by Honduran Special Forces, his body then flown across the border back into Nicaragua and dumped into the rain forests.

Why Haney would claim what he did is beyond me. I'm sure he regrets it to this day as his account was widely disregarded by his peers after the book came out.

"Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit," by Eric L. Haney, is a gripping book written by one of the organization's founding members. Haney retired from the U.S. Army as a Command Sergeant Major with over 20 years service. Early in the book Haney introduces the reader to Delta Force founder Colonel Charlie Beckwith, who had a vision of "a compact, highly skilled, and versatile unit able to undertake and execute difficult and unusual 'special' missions."

Haney describes in detail how, starting from Colonel Beckwith's vision, Delta Force was created from scratch. An early section of the book describes the torturous tests used on candidates for the newly forming unit. He also reveals the elements that Delta Force's creators drew upon as they shaped the emerging organization. Fundamentally modeled on the British Special Air Service commando organization, the new force drew its research and training from many sources: Secret Service snipers, Delta Airlines, the Department of Energy's Nuclear Emergency Search Teams, a veteran CIA agent, and more, including convicted criminals who provided insights into breaching and demolitions. We get to see how each ingredient is added into the potent mix. This glimpse into Delta Force's "DNA" is absolutely fascinating. Equally gripping is Haney's account of the actual training received by selectees for the new unit; the training includes a detailed espionage exercise that reads like something out of a suspense novel.

A high point in the book is the official "birth" of the new Delta Force as "a fully grown and reasoning predator, armed with fangs and claws and intelligence, able to run and to fight." Haney takes the reader beyond this milestone and into many missions undertaken by himself and other Delta Force operators: the botched attempt to rescue American hostages from Iran, an anti-sniper mission in Beirut, a seagoing countersmuggling operation off the coast of Central America, and more. Particularly interesting is Haney's account of the U.S. invasion of Grenada during the Reagan years; this section of the book includes a particularly powerful description of a combat helicopter assault.

I have read many military memoirs and historical accounts, and this book stands out in a number of ways. Its exploration of the building of a brand new unit from ground up is striking and important. Also significant is the glimpse Haney offers us into what he calls "Mr. Reagan's secret wars in Central America," which the author further notes "were always merciless affairs." The book is very well written; Haney particularly shines in the mode of storyteller. He is equally skilled at describing colorful, heroic personalities and intense scenes of violence and destruction. Haney includes a post-9/11 postscript in which he offers words of encouragement to the reader. I highly recommend this book to those who love military nonfiction.

INSIDE DELTA FORCE, by Eric L. Haney, is an autobiography detailing his military career inside the Army's Delta Force. His story covers his earliest days in a Ranger battalion to his careers as a civilian after his retirement. Haney volunteered for Delta Force, and the story is told from Haney's first person point of view only as he experienced the events portrayed in the book. Haney only discusses the Force from his selection training until he retired and the men he knew, met, and worked with while in the unit. Because the book is non-fiction, the stories and accounts are very realistic and historically accurate. Having been written recently and with recent events in history concerning terrorism, this book provides a wealth of knowledge of counter-terrorist operations and what this country does about that threat. The time frame is set in the late 1970's and 1980s when terrorism was on the rise and the world was enveloped in low intensity conflicts. Haney's story covers nearly every part of the world in never-ending terror threats to which the Delta Force was deployed. From Europe to the Middle East to South America and Asia, Haney deployed and operated all around the world teaching foreign government's the art of counter-terrorism. His story includes the tragedy at Desert One, Grenada, and Panama as well as several other black ops missions around the world. This bookel is an easy one to read, as it is well written and fast paced. Haney takes no time in getting to the point of things and the narration is simple to follow. He puts military terms in terms of the layman so that all can catch a glimpse of one of America's units on the front lines of the war on terror.

Inside Delta Force reads like a highly captivating military novel from a first-person point of view. But ladies and gents, fiction this is not. Haney brings to the table the real deal - from learning how to highjack cars and pick locks to engaging in a grueling, gut-wrenching 40 mile hike through God's country. The first half of the book takes place at the venerable Fort Bragg. The initial Delta Force hopefuls that descended upon Fort Bragg were none other than the elite of the elite - NCO's from Special Forces units, Ranger units, and other elite units. Of these elite soldiers, only 7% would be so fortunate as to call themselves operators of the original Delta Force. Interestingly, that 7% acceptance rate of the Delta Force unit of which Eric Haney was a founding member still stands as the HIGHEST success rate in the history of Delta Force.
That, if nothing else, puts the unfailing and unwavering tenacity, skill, and determination of Delta Force into perspective. Haney introduces us to Delta Force's eccentric, yet unmistakably brilliant founder, Col. Beckwith. Haney takes us through jaw-dropping exploits in training and later through his many harrowing field assignments in Beirut, The Sudan, Grenada, & Honduras among others. Undoubtedly, a truly fascinating and awe-inspiring book. As Command Sergeant Major Shumate would say, "Have a good 'un!"
"We must continue to seek out and eradicate terrorist threats wherever they exist. Delta Force will be one of the principal weapons in that fight."

We should be greatful that Eric Haney had the guts to write down his journey through Delta Force. Until this, only Charlie Beckwith had written a first person account about this fabled group.
I know many people out there want to know more. We all do. But then Delta wouldn't be the secret group they need to be. Unquestionably there is a lot of things (good and Bad) Eric Haney has probably left out simply because he can't talk about them. Haney showed up on CNN as a consultant when the sniper was terrorizing the east coast and almost all of predictions of how the two guys were operating were dead on. I rate Haney with the utmost credibility and I hope in the comming years other operators will come forward with their own tales.
The only thing I would add is how sad it is to see how these guys were basically used as hitmen for the CIA in the "secret wars" in 80's latin America. This is a good counterpoint of the CIA to the one presented by Robert Baer in "See No Evil", itself a great first person account. I also am horrified to hear because of a dirty political situation in the 80s, we may have left guys behind in Vietnam. Until I read this I thought that whole spiel in the Rambo movies was a joke. I guess there's a little truth to that one.
In the end I am greatful for people like Eric Haney that serve in silence.

This book reveals Haney to be a great soldier, writer, and American. As others have stated this book documents Haney's military life beginning with his invitation and selection for Delta Force during the early years of the force's existence. The first half of the book is Haney's description of how he made it through selection for Delta Force. His narrative style makes you feel like you're inside his head, and his cool, logical temperment reveals itself as the obvious mindset required of a successful Delta Force member. His writing is also humorous, and I laughed out loud at some of the tactics of the lesser selection candidates who were doomed to fail.
The 2nd half of the book is allocated to some of the missions Haney and others were involved in during his years in Delta Force. Unfortunately, this half of the book is not quite as compelling as the first. I assume it is because he is forced to leave out details of operations that would reveal tactics of SFOD. I respect the writer's need to do so, however, this prevents him from giving you a blow by blow account of how he thought through accomplishing a particular mission...just the insight in the first half of the book that made it so compelling. Nevertheless, Haney still keeps it interesting and entertaining. He reveals some of the conflict that occurs between different ranks and forces within the military. Ironically, he questions some of the motives and dealings of government organizations like the CIA, yet at the end of the book he states that our government is above commiting atrocities in the world. I guess Haney realizes no government is perfect, and that taken as a whole, our's is as good or better than any other.
Bottom line is, after reading this book you are left with a sense of awe at the bravery and dedication to country that is evident in Command Sgt. Maj. Haney.

Command Sergeant Major Eric L. Haney's INSIDE DELTA FORCE is a real eye-opener, which makes the reader appreciate what the men and women of our country's armed forces sacrifice to keep us safe in our beds on a day-to-day basis.

I found the selection process while Delta Force was being formed to be particularly interesting. Haney made the reader step into his shoes and want to press on: he on the field and us by the page.

Having said that, some parts of the book after Delta Force was formed were a bit slow and I did lose some interest at times. But I will say that I am glad I read the book to the end. The detail and emotion Haney uses to describe various battles are incredible. I commend him and the others for having fought for us, I commend the families for supporting our men and women to do so, and I commend Command Sergeant Major Haney for being brave enough to relive each battle - sharing them with us through his book.

J.R. Reardon
author of ADVICE AND CONSENT

I was fortunate to meet Mr. Haney when he was promoting this book at a radio show I previously worked at (The Radio Chick). All I can say is that you can "just tell" Mr. Haney is exactly everything he claims to be.
The first thing I noticed about Mr. Haney when I met him was his impeccable posture. Absolutely ramrod straight yet relaxed, the man has a certain poise similar to martial arts experts. The second impression I had was his manners. Born and bred in the South, this man had an ideal combination of the Southern and the Military Gentleman.
As Mr. Haney was interviewed on the air about several topics ranging from September 11th, Bin Laden, Military Training, and his favorite military movie (Black Hawk Down, BTW), a third impression was formed: He was articulate, well-spoken, providing intelligent analyses and responses to every question posed. His knowledge of the military was truly in depth and eye-opening.
The final impression I gathered, kind of subconsciously, was a level of violence in the man. I don't mean he was a psycho ready to snap. I simply felt this man was capable of, and has performed, actions that can kill or maim a man. But I equally felt at ease in his presence. Odd.
As for the book? It is written with a level of pride in all that he and his comarades have achieved, (Defeating the monumentally difficult challenge of joining Delta Force, the Training, The Missions, etc.), but also an equal level of humility. Despite his elite military training, you feel as if Mr. Haney is just another guy who worked hard to achieve his success, but isn't too big for his britches that he can't admit when he made a mistake. He writes about his failures and successes with equal levels of candor. That alone proves to me his tales in here are the truth.
One thing that I did not like about this book, but understandably so, is it can be incredibly bland at times. Once I finished the book, I knew everything he had written about was true, but I also felt there was PLENTY he left out. This is likely because he is not allowed to (or doesn't want to) discuss certain "Top Secret" aspects of his Delta Force days.
But what IS in there is a great read. I love the little things in this book: The stories that put a human face on the special forces. The awful smell of a hijacked airplane. What happens when you shoot someone with a sniper rifle. His respect for soldiers in other branches of the military. The "Gorilla Mask" incident. The man who ran the soles of his feet off. How different spies use different colors of chalk. How the military wants prideful soldiers but will unhesitatingly smash the egos of arrogant grunts. And finally, his ability to criticize sveral aspects of how the country, particularly the military are run, but in the next breath demonstrate his absolute love and loyalty to both.
Well done Mr. Haney. I salute you!

This book, on which the show "The Unit" is based, tells the inside story, the only way it can be told, from an insider. While I enjoy the show, the book goes into detail, and it's no nonsense approach makes it clear, given limitations placed on tv [under the heading of "broadcast standards", e.g., language, descriptions, and events] of how such a "unit" works. What I also enjoyed was the lack of bravado, and self serving egotism, that most books on military life [particularly memoirs] have. Mr. Haney presents it straight, no bull..., but no ego either. He has valid points at the end [regarding 9/11-e.g., we can't fix what's happened, but we can learn from it, which (unfortunately we haven't yet-given our current message and lack of leadership)]. It is an excellent book, and as he says, thankfully the U.S. has groups such as Delta Force, bless them, to do what needs to be done to protect us.

Eric Haney is a real-life, genuinely caring human being! After
having association with the Rangers and Delta Force personell, I discovered that Eric still makes a personal investment in every human being with whom he comes in contact. No person who comes to speak with him, appears to have any doubt about his realness or genuine spiritual depth. He makes no pretense of having been exposed to every danger imaginable! He gives no 'airs' about his experiences or importance. When you look him in the eyes, you behold the unvarnished Eric Haney. The imprint upon the baseball caps of a few years ago..."No Fear!" is precisely accurate!

After knowing Eric and Dianna thru the experiences of having a hand in their marriage six years ago, I am convinced of their love for each other, their love of others in their family and their close friends. Yesterday, in their Book-Signing Party at Rocky's Brick Oven, downtown Atlanta, it was totally obvious that they were well-loved and calmly reciprocated that loving to everyone present!

At first reading a few days ago, I thought it may be far beyond my 'taste for light reading.' Surprisingly soon, I arrived into page 25, becoming involved in his Selection Process to becoming a charter member of Delta Force. Lo & behold I'm totally hooked!

When I came into the section later about their training into the possibility of recovering a hijacked aircraft and Eric's graphic description of 'Tradecraft'...then I became deeply hooked! His detailed character picturing of Branislav Urbanski and Larry Freedman puts both Stephen King and Tom Clancy in the shade.

Alongside the President's latest speech about up-grading the fight against terrorism, this exciting book will provide a clear perspective as to what each one of us may expect when we get aboard any commercial jet-aircraft! I commend you, my Friend for your bravery, courage, persistence in following your dreams towards an interesting and satisfying conclusion! Sincerely, the richer, retired Chaplain, Fred W Hood

This book is an incredible look inside the United States' most secretive/covert unit (incidentally they still refuse to admit its existence!) in the military, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-DELTA. This book provides all the background data Beckwith's book (Delta Force) does not cover, plus a lot more in-depth outline and descriptions of Delta selection and advanced training events (Operator Training Course). I found this to be one of the highlights. The book also goes in to first person detail of many operations conducted by Haney while serving in Delta, his insight and participation in these events gives a refreshing look at some of the more know escapades the unit has been involved with like, "Desert One" were he barely escaped with his life. The book also coves little know topics of Delta's operation and employment in Beirut, Grenada, and Honduras, which I found to be quite reveling and intriguing. I must let you know the book does not disclose any national secrets most of the information is over ten years old (as Haney retired from active duty in 1990.), but this work is probably the most current information one will find on this organization. I highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in special operations, or anyone thinking of given "Selection" a go. I also recommend reading Beckwith's book "Delta Force: The Army's Elite Counterterrorist Unit".

The only reason this book is not getting 5 stars is or the fact that a lot of the missions and scenarios he talks about leaves you asking more questions and for more details. For obvious reasons, he cannot divulge in the stories too far so the 4 star rating is more the fault of his apparent circumstance of not being able to tell us the whole story. The book is educational in the sense that you get an insiders account of what it takes to be in Delta Force. A shocking relevation for some will be the authors appearance during his time in service (especially training). He is not the Rambo looking type, but actually quite the opposite. He wears glasses and looks like he weighs a buck twenty soaking wet. The impression that this leaves is that training and being one of these elite warriors is more about strength of character and willpower than muscle or brawn. Mr. Haney leaves a lasting impression that these people are not the thrill seeking yahoos you see in movies, but intelligent, hard-working, dedicated and very professional in their work. It's a great book!

My only book quibbles are that the helicopter aviators that screwed up at Desert One were marines not navy pilots and Dick Meadows was "a" Son Tay Leader not "the" commander which was Colonel Arthur "Bull" Simons; this could be tweaked in the second edition of this book which is sure to be a best-seller.
CSM Haney's book is full of insights on many levels and reveals legendary acts by brave men like the Ranger Corporal on Grenada that after the parachute assault grew sick and tired of the enemy fire and simply charged the enemy that resulted in the Soldiers alongside him to do the same; routing the enemy. The goal of Haney's book is to honor the sacrifices and courage of these men who go unsung not to draw attention to himself, and he has succeeded in showing us the greatness of men like Walter Shumate and Charlie Beckwith. Haney will uniquely stop the entire book and list the names of the men who died during an operation on a page all by itself.
Like that Ranger Corporal on Grenada, Delta operative Eric Haney is saying "enough is enough" with the current hollywood video game simplistic view of war and is charging freedom's enemies with true ways to defeat them with adult professionalism; its up to us now to join him in the assault.

I read this book as I am a big fan of the British SAS and thus if I see a book on Delta I will pick it up. I very much enjoyed this book and it was a refreshing change from the testosterone filled bull typically found in the many many SEAL books on the market right now. I enjoyed reading about how Delta was trained to shoot instinctively, rather than aiming like conventional soldiers and civilian police are trained to do. Instinctive shooting was something they learned from the Brit SAS.
Also, Delta operators are very good at long distance rucksack marching and land nav in difficult terrain...something the SEALs are not all that good at. Haney's description of the Uwharrie Mountains of NC was interesting, as Ive personally backpacked in those mountains many times. Its my opinion that the Uwharries are not rugged enough to have a selection course in for a unit as heavy duty as Delta. The Uwharries are a fine place for maybe a pre-selection land nav course or some Green Beret training exercises, but for the actual selection course, more severe terrain would be desireable. The Uwharries certainly are not in the ruggedness category of the Brecon Beacons of SAS fame, that is for sure.
It was also refreshing to read that Delta operators plan their own operations, rather than having staff officers plan the ops. Again, this was something they learned from the SAS. To keep things decentralized and to have enlisted men plan their own missions. While this goes solidly against the grain of the mainstream U.S. Army, I believe its the only way successful special operations can be planned. Sergants who actually carry out the ops should be the ones doing the bulk of the mission planning.
It sounds like in this book that Delta is a very mature group of individuals who are above all the chest beating antics of the SEALs.
Haney says great things about the creater and first CO of Delta. Colonel Charlie Beckwith, who was an imaginative, creative and gung ho officer who envisioned Delta's creation being based on the British SAS model. Haney describes how the Army's anti-SOF bureaucracy of the post-Vietnam era eventually broke Beckwith's spirit. Which was sad to read about.
The section where Haney discusses the Vietnamese POWs and Delta's planned rescue missions in the early eighties was very sad. Its really not that surprising though.
All in all Id highly recommend this book for anyone interested in Delta, the British SAS or military special operations. Another good book on Delta is Charlie Beckwith's "Delta Force" which came out in the early eighties.

... The book itself is a pretty fast read and Haney shares some interesting insights into his life as a Delta operator. One thing that struck me was my perception that Haney came across as somewhat egotistical and arrogant. It shocked me because most "elite" soldiers are humble in real life and don't show off their bravado. Haney seemed to be patting himself on the back a lot. Obviously, he was a very good soldier or he would never have become a Ranger and then a Delta operator and retire as a Command Sergeant Major, but I expected him to be a bit more humble. Maybe my perception is wrong, though.
One of the things that I liked most about the book is that Haney wasn't afraid to voice his thoughts about operations that he participated in and the possible secret motivations that the US government or CIA had. Haney was a soldier who followed orders, but in his book he isn't afraid to speak his mind when he wonders aloud whether or not some of his operations were to cover up CIA foul-ups.
I wish Haney would have included more stories of some his operations, though. He included some operations of some of his fellow operators, but couldn't he have replaced those with some of his own? Although he served in Delta for 8 years, the inclusion of stories about other operators instead of his own stories led me to believe that maybe Haney's Delta life wasn't worth sharing. Most likely, though, is that those missions are still classified and he knows better than to publish those stories in his book.
This book is a good read and there aren't many books that give the public insight into one of America's premiere counterterrorist units (the FBI Hostage Rescue Team and Navy SEAL Team Six are others). I recommend this book and also recommend the aforementioned book by Charlie Beckwith, the founder of Delta. Beckwith's book mainly deals with the history of Delta and how it started as the US version of the British Special Air Service. Both books are good reads to potential Delta candidates and anybody else interested in what these brave men do for our country.
Recommended.

This is a very informative, if not abridged view of the Delta selection process and tactical development. Many details of the training are omitted. Beckwith's book illustrated many of the skills (locomotive operation, etc.) that may operators were trained for.
The missions are bit underdiscussed. Most of them are the type where you would expect to see Delta elements employed.
The one place I can find that Hainey perhaps failed to completely analyze a situation is when he writes about the Egyptair hijacking. He can't understand why the Egyptians threw away the CT unit Delta had trained for them and replaced it with hacks. Hainey doesn't factor that Egyptian President Sadat was assisinated by a members of a military unit during a parade. That was fresh in the minds of those government members who made the change. They probably feared such a unit could go renegade on them.
Yet all in all, a great and informative book. Maybe augment it by reading Andy McNabb's Immediate Action.

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.

Inside Delta Force is a strong and fast read. Author Eric Haney gives a first-person account of his ten years as a Delta Force candidate, operator and cadre. The first half of the book covers the intense selection and training process; this didn't come across as tough as I was expecting, probably because Haney describes it in such matter-of-fact passages rather than embellishing the events. The second half of the book focuses on a half dozen real-world operations, such as Iran, Lebanon, Panama and Grenada, but Haney whips past each with such brevity that you don't get a chance to absorb the events. Consequently the first 150 pages covers a single year while the next 150 pages covers nine years.
What struck me most about Haney's account is that he and his fellow operators were kept largely in the dark about the nature of their missions. His depiction of the handling of Delta Force was much more like that of a standard infantry unit than that of a super-anti-terrorist unit, which is probably due to the influence of Hollywood. I have no reason to doubt Haney's narrative and I respect that his affiliation/status with Delta Force kept the finer details out of the book.
I bought this book as part of a research project on the world's special operations capabilities and hoped to get insight on actual Delta Force operations. Sadly, this isn't described with any more detail than you might get from a newspaper article - facts, but no real details. NOTE: The events of this book end prior to the Gulf War.

This is a book of two halves - the first half is worth 5 stars, the second is worth only 4. Not because of any change in writing style, but because the author had to be less detailed (operational security rules), and because the 2nd half left a bad taste in my mouth (more on this later).
I should state right here that I am not an American, and therefore feel no "patriotic feelings" when reading a book like this. However... I am filled with admiration for people who can live this kind of life, irrespective of nationality. I have read several books on Secial Forces, and was very impressed with the dedication of these particular operators! They all appear to be men of honour and integrity - no Rambo BS, and no physco ....
I found the section on "Selection" interesting, but no different to many similar books on the SAS. The section on operator training, on the other hand, was fascinating! I cannot imagine the dedication required to clear a room (with hostages)in 3 or 4 seconds, and the explanations of the training required to do this was incredible. Fantasticing read so far!
Now onto the 2nd half... obviously the author couldn't go into too much detail about any specific operations, so this section is not as detailed as the first half of the book. This made for good (4 star) reading, but still left me wanting more! I found the second half of the book fairly disconcerting, though.... not through any fault of the author, but rather because of the nature of the operations, and how seldom the operators actually KNEW exactly what they were doing. Maybe I felt this more as a non-American.... the U.S clearly has the most powerful military force around, and we would all like to think that when they deploy it is for a good reason! Not all that long ago there was another country with an awesome Army that was "directed" by lunatics.... WWII was the consequence. I am not suggesting that the people runnning the US are anything like Hitler, just trying to explain why I feel it is so necessary for the people directing any powerful military force to have GOOD reasons for sending troops into action.
There are a number of missions described in this book where you get the distinct impression that the CIA and/or politicians where using Delta to further their own selfish ends rather than because the US had any moral right to be involved in the situation. This left me feeling distinctly dirty.... these honourable men were getting "used", and often hurt/killed, to perform what was basically a dishonourable mission. I had the strong wish that some U.S President would have the guts to say to Delta "OK, we have these ...politicians and career-minded paper-pushers who are actually hurting the country more than any terrorist- take them out!!" Reading this made me feel angry... the Delta operators deserve to get their orders from people of higher integrity....
On the whole, I recommend this book highly - it's good to know that there are people like this defending the planet from bad guys, and it's educational to discover that not all the bad guys are non-American.

Hallo.

Greetings FROM GERMANY.

Eric L. Haney seems to be a bright minded guy with a lot of experience in high risk training and operations. I think he is a brave soldier. The US-Special Forces are undoubtful very professional and renowned. Although, they sometimes show a lack of sensibility and flexibility when their material and logistic superpower is useless, like in Vietnam, or when this material superpower fails, like during "Operation Eagle Claw". This has probably not much to do with the soldiers themself, but with the method of order-tactic, the US-forces do prefer. That order-tactic depends more on office sitting generals and hesitant politicians than on the requirements and conditions of combat. The order-tactic is the exact opposite of the task-tactic, the german Wehrmacht once developed and which was taken over by most of the modern european military (and police) forces and also by the israeli army. The task-tactic does require an intelligent and determined leader at the frontline. The task of the mission is the most important thing. This tactic depends fully on the warrior in combat, who must be very flexible and self-responsible to accomplish the task. Every soldier must be able to lead. The politicians and the general staff have to trust the soldiers, instead of trying to control every step of them. This tactic has to find expression in training, too. You will not create a self-responsible warrior by doing stupid boot-camp-drills or by screaming some macho lines like the sergeant in "Full Metal Jacket". Even if it's not appropriate to wrap a recruit in cotton wool, the main objective of every training should NOT be to break his will, but to ignite his will and to motivate him to use his individual charakter and skills for military purposes. So, the task-tactic is much more independent of career-minded 4-star-bootlickers at the Pentagon than the order-tactic. Perhaps I may recommend the books "Fighting Power" from Martin van Creveld and "Command Culture" by Jörg Muth.

Mr. Haney's depictions in this book are very interesting, enthralling and also humorous to read. But unfortunately I have the suspicion that he is, like many other Americans, not willing to think out of the box - especially to overseas. (Don't forget your european roots, Big Brother! ;-)
One possible consequence of this slightly limited perspective is Haney's bad research in terms of the european terrorism-history. And that's what I have to criticize in my review here:

On one page of his book Haney talks about the hostage-taking at the Munich Olympic in 1972 and the disastrous rescue attempt by the german police. According to his interpretation the german police-snipers were not able to kill the terrorists because of a strong feeling of intimacy they developed with them during the observation. Haney does name that phenomenon the "massacre-of-munich-syndrome". That is nonsense. The german policemen did shoot at the terrorists and killed five of them, but unfortunately not in time and not effectively enough. The problem was their lack of experience with highly complex hostage-takings (none western police- or military-unit was sufficiently prepared for such a situation at this time). The most important mistake was made by the intelligence and not by the snipers. The intelligence was reporting 5 terrorists. In fact there were 8. Other problems were the lack of adequate sniper-rifles, the lack of night-vision-scopes and the bad positioning of the snipers in the area. But the main problem was a quite un-german order-tactic with completely overchallenged politicians in charge (because of the german history and because the hostages were Jews). I have great respect for minister Genscher's and superintendant Schreiber's courage to offer themself as hostages if the terrorists would have agreed to release the Israelis on exchange. But apart from that they both didn't cut fine figures. There were german elite-combat-units in the Bundeswehr at this time (Commando frogmen, Snipers, and Paratroopers), but it was against the constitution to bring the military in charge for interior affairs. Additionally, the military didn't have specific training for the new phenomenon of terrorist hostage-takings. There were also some elite fighters of the german intelligence (BND), who were trained in covert warfare to conduct stay-behind-missions after a possible occupation of Germany by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Those men were highly motivated to help, but the BND didn't want to "burn" them.

On another page of the book Haney speaks about the building phase of Delta Force at the end of the 1970s and some hostage-rescue-operations at hijacked airplanes, which were studied by Delta. He talks about a hostage-rescue by the french elite force GIGN. Haney says that this operation was mainly mastered by snipers and he claims that the commander of the Frenchies was killed by the terrorists during that mission. The problem is, such a case doesn't exist. The french GIGN did just rescue a hijacked aircraft under the use of firearms on one occasion: at Christmas 1994 in Marseille. That case couldn't have been an object for study to Delta Force in the late 1970s. The french GIGN has also never lost one of its commanders during a mission. The only western special force which has lost one of its commanders in action is the israeli Sayeret Matkal (Lieutenant-Colonel Yonathan Netanyahu was killed in Entebbe 1976).

Haney does also mention another example for successful hostage-rescue-operations. It's the storming of the Lufthansa jet "Landshut" by the german anti-terror-unit GSG 9 in 1977. Here are the facts of this operation: The "Landshut" was kidnapped by four arabian/palestinian terrorists. The aircraft made a four days long odyssey from Palma de Mallorca to Rome, Cyprus, Bahrain, Dubai, Aden and at least to Mogadishu. In Aden the leader of the terrorists had cowardly murdered the flight captain Jürgen Schumann. After that (and probably after smoking a lot of cigarettes :-) the then german chancellor and ex-Wehrmacht-officer Helmut Schmidt sent the GSG 9 to Mogadishu. The GSG 9 under the command of Colonel Ulrich Wegener stormed the "Landshut". Wegener, who later became a good buddy of Colonel Charlie Beckwith, went with his men into the hijacked aircraft. He personally shot at one of the terrorists during the following gunfight.
Two soldiers of the british SAS were supporting the germans in Mogadishu with brand new stun grenades. Apart from that, their role was the role of observers - in marked contrast to the british TV broadcast "SAS-Heroes", which was showing the role of the SAS in a quite exaggerated way. The SAS-Men were observers, who were for sure contributing their opinions from time to time, but the SAS did have the same experiences with hostage-rescues and hijacked airplanes as the GSG 9: None! It was common practice to exchange tips or equipment within the western Special-forces-scene during that turbulent terrorism era. Like it was normal to send some observers when a friendly nation was facing an unusual anti-terror-mission. Wegener, for example, who had trained with special forces in Israel, was observing the israeli raid in Entebbe 1976. Three years after Mogadishu he was observing and counselling the SAS during the iranian-embassy-siege in London, like Sir Peter de La Billiere suggested in his autobiography.
The two SAS-soldiers in Mogadishu were igniting the grenades OUTSIDE the plane, under the cockpit window when the assault on the "Landshut" began. They actually wanted to throw the grenades INTO the plane, but Wegener feared a fire, because of the grenades high phosphorous content. (Once, the Brits did almost burn down a jet during a training drill, because of using stun grenades with to much phosphorus content inside the passenger room.) However, the GSG 9 went on board of the "Landshut", killed three hijackers during the following gunfight and freed all the passengers. One female hijacker survived severely wounded and was arrested. One GSG 9-trooper was shot into his neck, but he survived wondrously.
Haney does claim that the GSG 9 mission in Mogadishu was a kind of ad-hoc-operation without adequate preperation. In addition to that he talks about a prolonged firefight between the GSG 9 and the terrorists. In fact the GSG 9 had trained for that kind of mission since its foundation in 1973 (after the Munich massacre). The GSG 9 had even practised at the "Landshut" itself (and other german airliners) before the kidnapping. There was also enough time in Mogadishu to make detailed preperations.
Later, one hostage described the raid like this: "Suddenly, everywhere on board were men with black faces. I thought, oh no, the Somalis are coming to screw it up! Then I heard loud voices, yelling in german language: 'Köppe runter, wo sind die Schweine?' (engl. 'Heads down, where are the bastards?') Those men were obviously german commandos with black make up in their faces. They were moving smoothly and very disciplined with guns in their hands. I heard several shots, people were screaming and I heard a loud bang. My head was pushed down by someone. Then one of those black men grasped me and pushed me outside through the emergency exit onto the wing. The same was happening with other passengers, one by one. Another black man helped me to climb down a ladder. We were quickly led away from the aircraft into the desert. Then I was lying on the ground between some dunes, together with other people. The night sky was full of stars. It was all over before I had realized what was going on."
Indeed, when the GSG 9 stormed the aircraft, the whole operation (the neutralisation of the hijackers and the complete evacuation of the passengers) lasted 7 minutes! There can be no talk of a prolonged firefight, like Haney says.
In fact it was the french GIGN which had a prolonged firefight with hijackers in 1994. Four islamistic terrorists from Algeria had kidnapped an Air France jet. The jet was forced to land on Marseille airport at Christmas Eve. The hijackers demanded to refuel the aircraft to start again. The security forces rejected this demand. When the hijackers (who had already killed three hostages) began to shoot at the airport-tower and started to recite koranic verses, the police was afraid that the aircraft could be blown up. The commander of the GIGN, Major Denis Favier, decided to make an emergency-assault. On wheeled gangways the GIGN speeded towards the hijacked jet from the dead space. Although, one of the terrorists was spotting the assault. The team at the right frontdoor (with Major Favier himself) was welcomed by a blaze of gunfire after storming inside. Two terrorists had been immediately killed by the first GIGN-trooper. The other two terrorists in the cockpit were shooting like maniacs and were screaming a lot of "Allah hu akbar"s. Many GIGN-troopers and passengers were wounded. The GIGN needed 30 minutes to fight down the terrorists. All hijackers were killed and the passengers were rescued. The operation was a success.
If you want to do, you could describe the (necessary and heroic) emergency-assault of the GIGN as an ad-hoc-operation without adequate preperation. But not the GSG 9-operation in Mogadishu, which was, under different circumstances, nearly textbook.

With due respect for Haney, these mistakes are a little bit embarrassing for an Ex-Delta and terrorist expert. I mean, the United States and "the old" Europe are brothers in arms at the war on terror (which will not be over for a long a time). It would be fair, if the people in the United States would know a little bit more about the european history of terrorism. Unfortunately, we've had a lot of experiences with terrorism before 9/11 (and also since).

By the way: The islamistic terrorists who were killed by the Frenchies in 1994 had planned to use the hijacked aircraft as a flying bomb. They wanted to crash it somewhere in Paris to kill as many people as possible... That should have been a serious warning, but it has been tragically ignored.

Best regards
Tschüss

I've never served in the military, but I have great respect for those who follow that kind of life. I also have great interest in history, military strategy and tactics, and behavior in combat situations. I therefore checked out the following special-forces-related books from the library: Rogue Warrior, by Marcinko, Combat Swimmer, by Gormly, and Inside Delta Force, by Haney.

Marcinko's book is a classic testosterone-driven, adolescent Hollywood adventure story. I mean that in a (mostly) good way. The author's focus is on himself, on his grand escapades, and his ability to destroy his enemies, whether at war or in the chain of command. It makes for a fun read, although I never knew how much Marcinko might be inflating his exploits.

Gormly is in many ways the anti-Marcinko. Of course they knew each other, and Gormly goes into some detail about inheriting Marcinko's SEAL team and getting the house back in order. But more than that, Marcinko represents the unihibited ego, breaking all the rules and doing whatever he wants. Gormly is all about responsibility and chain of command. Don't get me wrong; he's not at all boring, but definitely comes off as a stiffer sort of character. I'd rather work for Gormly (more job security; less likely to get killed unexpectedly) but I'd rather have a beer with Marcinko (though too much of that, and you probably increase your chances of getting killed unexpectedly).

Haney strikes somewhat of a balance. He's more individualistic than Gormly, but more disciplined than Marcinko. He's also the best writer of the three, with a good mix of gritty reality and genuine philosophical reflection. That's probably why I liked his book the best. Marcinko's book is a fun ride, like a blockbuster action movie, but in the end didn't leave me with much to think about. After reading Gormly's book, I admired the man a great deal but didn't particularly like him. Haney provides all the adventure but he's clearly more of a thinker than the other two, and I can imagine a long, fascinating evening's conversation over a bottle of scotch.

I suspect that you would find all three types of individuals (and many more) in the military, and you probably need all of them to get the job done. All three memoirs are highly entertaining and quick reads. Which you prefer probably depends to some extent on your own personality.

1. There are some books that most people from all walks of life are going to enjoy and then there are some books that are only going to be enjoyed or appreciated via a niche audience; this book falls into the latter category... which is fine with me. As a review, I'm just trying to give the heads up to folks that this is not some "thriller" book, but rather an interesting autobiography about the experiences of the author as he made his way through Delta Force written in a semi cut and dry approach (which makes sense based on the author's background). By the way, this cut and dry review is about how the book reads.

A very informative behind the scenes look at America's secret counterterrorist unit. From selective training to actual combat ops.....Eric Haney describes in colorful detail the process of putting an "operator" in the field....and the unique challenges facing each and everyone of them in their struggles to accomplish their mission with minimal loss of life.
When I spotted this book in the "New Releases" section of the store recently.....it looked to be every bit of a fascinating read. I wasn't disappointed. Although current and ex-military people like myself might relate to this book a wee bit more than others, everyone will find this book to be very intriguing and definitely worth the time and effort spent reading it.
We can all take comfort knowing these guys are out there each and every day protecting our most vital interests around the globe. Kudos Eric Haney.......the world is a much safer place to live thanks to Delta Force !!!
J.B. Kruz
KruzKontrol

If you have any interest in military affairs, don't start this book unless you have several hours in which to finish it...because you won't be able to put it down. Superbly written work on a most fascinating topic. You'll feel that you are right there alongside Eric Haney as he enters the Delta Force selection course, undergoes his training, and embarks on real-world missions in the world's deadliest hotspots. One of the most impressive aspects of this book is that Haney did not use it as an opportunity to thump his chest, which I feared. Rather, he admits mistakes he made along the way, explains the lessons learned, and overall gives what appears to be an accurate look at Delta Force and its people. Absolutely captivating.

Eric Haney I'm sure is proud of his excellent service to his country, but he also has a right to be proud of a spellbinding journal of the formation of the bravest unit this world has ever known. Suffering from political whims, Delta Force has risen above their greatest critics, the United States government, to become an extremely effective and powerful fighting unit. Haney's description of it's formation and his participation is nothing short of breathtaking. Written like a first person journal, it meets all the requirements of a fine read. I thank God for men like Haney who are willing to do the dirty work and rise above the politicians and their indecision. Thanks, Eric for your service and thanks CBS for bringing the unit's remarkable exploits to television.

I am not a fan of special operators or any other combat soldier using their experience for profit. I served two combat tours, did what was asked of me, and moved on. Combat is not glorious. That being said, this book is an interesting look at how the Delta Forces were assembled and trained and its understandable why people are curious about it. I don't see CSM Haney tooting his own horn here as much as providing some basic reasoning and transformation information about the Delta Forces. Apparently, this is a good and honest look at the early history of Delta.

I am a former memeber of the Army Long Range Recon (1991-1995) and I'm quite a modern military buff. I was hoping that Mr. Haney would get into detail about some of the not so well known missions that were done in Delta, without comprimising the people and other players that were in it. Along with that, I would've liked to have read more detail on their weapons and equipment; a lot of the weapons used in Delta are used by other units as well (GIGN, SAS, etc) so explaining why they are used in the unit wouldn't be a comprimise.
Details missed, that I would've liked to had known: Who made the choice of clothing for the Delta members during the failed rescue of American hostages in Iran (I know that they all wore certain kinds of civilian clothing for the operation)? I ask that beacuse during my days in Recon we did training missions wearing civvies (in built up areas). We wore civvies of a certain color and type to identify one another. When did the HK MP5 SD get into Delta's inventory? What were the problems assosciated with that weapon, if any? What was Delta's "official" sidearm during the late 1980s, if they had one at all? How did various Presidents react when they met members of Delta giving demonstrations to them? I say that because a lot of politicians have no clue what Spec Op units do, and ask the dumbest questions. The media included. And when did stun devices get intoduced into Delta's inventory (a very important device)? Was it after the SAS raid on the Iranian Embassy in London? I also know of a few people who served in Beriut, and know that it was quite the wild west there. There were many raids done on observation positions that were continually dumping artillery fire on the Americans--before and after the Marines were bombed. Did Delta operate on any of those missions? There are also rumors that Western mercenaries worked in operations with a Delta as well (in Beriut). Is that true? Did Delta work in conjunction with Seal Team Six, if ever? How was his family life being away from home all the time? Did it strain relations with his wife and kids? Questions questions questions!
Overall the book is good. Mr. Haney gives people not familiar with Delta Force a look into their secrey world, and proves that it can be quite gritty--and always dangerous. For the fantazoid actors like Steven Segal, Stallone, and Chuck Norris who made a very ridiculous movie about the unit, they should look, listen and learn. And realize that these people are the true heroes of our nation, on the forefront of our war on terror and will continue to be for quite some time to come.

Very well written book. It's my favorite book I've ever read. This is a really well rounded book which made every page interesting. Also, their aren't many auto biographies about delta force or " the unit" so that added to the interesting factor I'm sure. This book covers a lot of ground, and by that I mean Mr Haney's whole career. You don't hear about every bullet shot in every battle, due to some of it being classified I'm sure. But it keeps the story flowing, which reflects to my first statement that it was well written. Big cool factor in this book as well. In the beginning you learn a lot about the qualifications that you have to go through in delta selection, as well as the pipeline training. You get a very good idea of just how elite these operators are and what kind of people they are. Also, while reading this book it was written for you felt like you were having a one way conversation. Mr Haney reveals a lot of tactics, training, techniques, missions and much more that I've never heard of anybody else using or doing in any other book I've read or heard of by mouth. If your interested enough in this book to read the reviews, you won't regret buying and reading this book.

This is one of those books you can hardly believe got written, about a military force you can hardly believe got formed. Even skeptics about the military will be impressed. Haney, a founding member of Delta Force, turns out to be an excellent writer. He learns, and tells, many truths about the modern world, including venal elements within our own government.

But his main skill is his ability to take the reader through the astonishing training regimen these guys endure, and then to take you along on some of his even more astonishing missions. These guys are the modern Spartans... for better and worse.

I initially was drawn to this book after seeing it credited as the inspiration for CBS's drama "The Unit". (I'm a sucker for marketing, huh?) This book was to be the first in a long line of military non-fiction works that I read recently and for me it's still one of the best. Haney isn't the GREATEST writer in the world but his style works well for the subject matter at hand and thankfully lacks some of the irritating macho-ness that plagues many other ex-military authors. What made the book great for me was the fact that because Haney was a recruit in Delta as opposed to one of the organizers, there is a sense of mystery and the unknown as he chronicles his progress through Selection and his early days in the unit. I also read Charlie Beckwith's book on Delta and thought this was the better read. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that Haney retired so many years ago that you are left wanting to know more about current ops, but that's not a criticism of the book itself, simply a lament on my part. Overall I'd highly recommend this to anyone interested in learning more about what drives these incredible individuals.

None of the hype and no observer's "opinions" on the SFOD-D Selection Process, Training Regimen and Unit History. Just an "inside the head" account of one of the original men selected to serve as an Operator in the Delta Force. Unique in that the narrative is nearly a moment by moment account of the grueling selection process coupled with all the details able to be printed about the first decade or so of missions. Colonel Beckwith's dreams and vision of the Unit have all come true and likely exceeded any of his wildest imaginations. Haney's distaste for the inter-agency rivalry and the condemnation of the CIA and American interests involved with Vietnam MIA/POWs in Laos was chilling. Excellent read-finished it in 3 days!!

Inside Delta Force is the only book that reveals in detail albeit while some things he writes carefully to keep it classified, this top secret unit's history and training by a man who's actually been there and done that. he mentions what conspriacy theorists and Military Vets have spoken about time and time again. the real story of our POW's left behind in 'Nam to be used as bargaining chips against out Govt. and the aborted Delta Force rescue attempt which Military leaders either were manipulated or sold out to the vain, arrogant politicians who were scared of revealing the dirty dealings they did behind our American Backs. despite this, its a good book worthy of study for our troops.

"Inside Delta Force" provides a fascinating look at the unit selection process and the initial six months of unit training and tactics development for SFOD-Delta. SGT Haney's perspective is revealingly different from that of previous books covering the same time frame of Delta, like Col. Charlie Beckwith's "Delta Force" that was written from the command perspective. Haney's personal philosophy and his relaxed storytelling narrative, complete with lots of hilarious recounted jokes, give "Inside Delta Force" a working soldier's feel.
Unfortunately, Haney's narrative thins out after the selection and initial period of training. He covers the training for and the abortive mission to Iran for Operation Eagle Claw in about 10 pages, with for example no mention of the joint training exercises with SFOD-Delta and the USAF units, as documented in books by Beckwith and USAF Col. James Kyle. Haney writes a great description of filthy, early 80s Beirut, but then summarizes all his missions there in a couple pages of vague one or two sentence paragraphs. Haney recounts SFOD-Delta's role in the sloppy invasion of Grenada, but this section remains brief since there wasn't much to cover. Haney clearly avoids compromising any events or tactics, but even given this secutiry consideration, portions of his book are threadbare. Finally, although Haney was in Panama in the late 80s, he was there with regular Army units after he left SFOD-Delta in 1987. Thus, "Inside Delta Force" contains no first-hand information on the three most famous SFOD-Delta deployments of the early 90s - the invasion of Panama, SCUD hunting in Iraq during Desert Storm, and Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu.
"Inside Delta Force" is a great look at early SFOD-Delta selection and training, and a captivating look inside the mind of a thoughtful professional soldier of the 70s and 80s, but fails as a reference on SFOD-Delta itself, covering less than half of the period since the unit was founded.

I read this book in 7 hrs straight.

Although I have no history with serving in the military and possess a basic knowledge - I was reading the the store reviews and became fascinated with the Delta Force - their secrecy, their missions, and how they are selected.
I have recently read a few other books on this subject (and more on the way) ... this was the best. Whether or not Haney is telling the 100% truth ... regardless, I could NOT put this book down. I found myself exhausted reading the section about the selection process - it just made me more interested to read the rest. I realize there is much that he could not reveal ... but this book was fantastic. I am considering reading it again it was so engrossing. I would love to see an interview with him about the book, tell some more stories ... *I would like to ask if it was true that Delta was guiding "Los Pepes" in the hunt for Pablo Escobar (I read this in separate reports from other sources). ??? He probably wouldn't tell anyway.

Anyway - I highly recommend this book. You don't have to be a military vet to appreciate it ... you will still gain such respect for these men who risk their lives and put it on the line. They get no public recognition and they operate in the shadows.

As a civilian coming from a military family I find intrest in military, CIA, and special ops. This book has all these things in bunches. As an avid reader of novels pertaining to such topics I had to remind myself time and again that this story is not a novel, these things are not fictional, these accounts are very real indeed, told from a front line perspective. All too often accounts are voluntered from people that are located behind a line or behind a laptop, this story is told by man who was directly impacted by each order, both right and wrong and carried each order out in the only way he could, with no real guarantee that he and his fellow troops would be coming home. CSM Haney lets us share his private thoughts on being a trained warrior and brings a very humanistic side to the men employed to carry out missions no matter what the cost.
To people on the outside such as myself I appreciated the glimpse of what it was like to operate out of unit such as Delta Force. Sensitive subjects are addressed but no real state secrets are comprimised, after all CSM is first a patriot and his duty is to his country no-matter-what.

A wonderfully told, beautifully edited book. The inside story of Delta training and operations was, for me, just one of its rewards.

Another was discovering that America's most elite warriors are very much like America's best men in any service branch or profession. They are selfless men who live by high principles.

Haney's description of the final phase of Delta selection is one of the most engrossing accounts of an ultra endurance "event" I've read.

I think Haney is the bomb! Everyone knows his stats, over the top, calm cool get the job done, block out the pain. So a few very impressive individuals disagree or don't like his style - should that be the end of the world. Maybe he saw things different, God forbide, maybe he was Wrong! But let me tell you what Haney does have in addition to intelligence in spades, he has heart and soul and he is not so dedicated to the decoder ring that he will not speak his mind. Therein lies Eric Haney's exceptionalism: he's been there and done that, he kept his opinions to himself and accomplished the mission and now he is reflecting on his past and the incongruities he witnessed. Thank you Sgt. Haney for speaking out (at great personal expense) on behalf of what could be best for this great nation: the United States of America. We need an accurate perspective from which to consider our future options. I have read all of his work (multiple times) that I can get my hands on and await the next book. Maybe some day I will be so lucky as to attend a signing and shake his hand in person. Thank you Sir. MikeyB

I got a lot more than I expected from this book. I read it thinking it would be a fun diversion; a vicarious thrill looking into the lives of some guys I wish I could be - Eric Haney wasn't content to let me leave with that little.

I did get the thrill I was looking for at the beginning of the book as Haney describes the selection process for Delta Force and then the training he went through as a member of Delta. This part of the story is what every little boy dreams about but few of us grow up to have the fortitude or will to actually endure. You are right there with Haney as he learns to raid a room with live "hostages" sitting right there with live ammunition whizzing past their heads. It's a fun ride.

Things change though. You're also there with Haney as he sees more of the dark side of people than any person can see without being changed. The thing that Haney does so well as an author is match his writing through tone and word choice to his changing perspective as a character in his own story. He's clearly been able to put himself back in the frame of mind of 10, 15, and 20 years ago in order to accurately tell his story - the result is surprisingly deep.

You'll finish the book with immense respect for these people and their professionalism, an understanding that things go on in this world that most of us never hear about, and the unfortunate knowledge that people in high places sometimes put their own large-sized interests (read careers and reputations) ahead of the huge-sized (read life and death) interests of others.

You travel Haney's path with him, from an eager, excited, professional soldier to a guy who has just seen too much to view the world the way he used to. Through it all though, it never gets hopelessly dark. Haney maintains a sense that things are still going to be OK, and that means a lot coming from a guy who's seen as much as Haney has.

Recommended for more than just fans of military memoirs - this is a great story told quite skillfully.

I'm glad that I read this book without knowing any of the flap coming from the author's critics. Of course a reader like me doesn't know "the real story," but this is a great story, and it rings true to me. I thought Haney told it with a great deal of humility considering his authentically "elite" status. I found the author to be likable throughout the book and it made the excitement in the pages even more worthwhile. Forget what his critics are writing... fact is CSM Haney put his life on the line in an often thankless line of "work." God bless CSM Eric Haney and this is a great book.

This is another book I read years ago and just recently I am becoming painfully aware that the US SF community seems to have a lot of its members that are willing to lie for the dollar!
In the same day, my opinion about Plaster, Nicholson and now Haney has gone down big time.
Or do they know the same "funny secret" and that in the end what matters is the $?
It seems that the US SF need to revise their selection processes or their priorities unless the alleged moral superiority is but a lie and its all business as usual. From honour to banditry, in the long term?

My greetings to all men who stand for Truth and Honour.

None of the hype and no observer's "opinions" on the SFOD-D Selection Process, Training Regimen and Unit History. Just an "inside the head" account of one of the original men selected to serve as an Operator in the Delta Force. Unique in that the narrative is nearly a moment by moment account of the grueling selection process coupled with all the details able to be printed about the first decade or so of missions. Colonel Beckwith's dreams and vision of the Unit have all come true and likely exceeded any of his wildest imaginations. Haney's distaste for the inter-agency rivalry and the condemnation of the CIA and American interests involved with Vietnam MIA/POWs in Laos was chilling. Excellent read-finished it in 3 days!!

Inside Delta Force is the only book that reveals in detail albeit while some things he writes carefully to keep it classified, this top secret unit's history and training by a man who's actually been there and done that. he mentions what conspriacy theorists and Military Vets have spoken about time and time again. the real story of our POW's left behind in 'Nam to be used as bargaining chips against out Govt. and the aborted Delta Force rescue attempt which Military leaders either were manipulated or sold out to the vain, arrogant politicians who were scared of revealing the dirty dealings they did behind our American Backs. despite this, its a good book worthy of study for our troops.

"Inside Delta Force" provides a fascinating look at the unit selection process and the initial six months of unit training and tactics development for SFOD-Delta. SGT Haney's perspective is revealingly different from that of previous books covering the same time frame of Delta, like Col. Charlie Beckwith's "Delta Force" that was written from the command perspective. Haney's personal philosophy and his relaxed storytelling narrative, complete with lots of hilarious recounted jokes, give "Inside Delta Force" a working soldier's feel.
Unfortunately, Haney's narrative thins out after the selection and initial period of training. He covers the training for and the abortive mission to Iran for Operation Eagle Claw in about 10 pages, with for example no mention of the joint training exercises with SFOD-Delta and the USAF units, as documented in books by Beckwith and USAF Col. James Kyle. Haney writes a great description of filthy, early 80s Beirut, but then summarizes all his missions there in a couple pages of vague one or two sentence paragraphs. Haney recounts SFOD-Delta's role in the sloppy invasion of Grenada, but this section remains brief since there wasn't much to cover. Haney clearly avoids compromising any events or tactics, but even given this secutiry consideration, portions of his book are threadbare. Finally, although Haney was in Panama in the late 80s, he was there with regular Army units after he left SFOD-Delta in 1987. Thus, "Inside Delta Force" contains no first-hand information on the three most famous SFOD-Delta deployments of the early 90s - the invasion of Panama, SCUD hunting in Iraq during Desert Storm, and Task Force Ranger in Mogadishu.
"Inside Delta Force" is a great look at early SFOD-Delta selection and training, and a captivating look inside the mind of a thoughtful professional soldier of the 70s and 80s, but fails as a reference on SFOD-Delta itself, covering less than half of the period since the unit was founded.

I read this book in 7 hrs straight.

Although I have no history with serving in the military and possess a basic knowledge - I was reading the the store reviews and became fascinated with the Delta Force - their secrecy, their missions, and how they are selected.
I have recently read a few other books on this subject (and more on the way) ... this was the best. Whether or not Haney is telling the 100% truth ... regardless, I could NOT put this book down. I found myself exhausted reading the section about the selection process - it just made me more interested to read the rest. I realize there is much that he could not reveal ... but this book was fantastic. I am considering reading it again it was so engrossing. I would love to see an interview with him about the book, tell some more stories ... *I would like to ask if it was true that Delta was guiding "Los Pepes" in the hunt for Pablo Escobar (I read this in separate reports from other sources). ??? He probably wouldn't tell anyway.

Anyway - I highly recommend this book. You don't have to be a military vet to appreciate it ... you will still gain such respect for these men who risk their lives and put it on the line. They get no public recognition and they operate in the shadows.

As a civilian coming from a military family I find intrest in military, CIA, and special ops. This book has all these things in bunches. As an avid reader of novels pertaining to such topics I had to remind myself time and again that this story is not a novel, these things are not fictional, these accounts are very real indeed, told from a front line perspective. All too often accounts are voluntered from people that are located behind a line or behind a laptop, this story is told by man who was directly impacted by each order, both right and wrong and carried each order out in the only way he could, with no real guarantee that he and his fellow troops would be coming home. CSM Haney lets us share his private thoughts on being a trained warrior and brings a very humanistic side to the men employed to carry out missions no matter what the cost.
To people on the outside such as myself I appreciated the glimpse of what it was like to operate out of unit such as Delta Force. Sensitive subjects are addressed but no real state secrets are comprimised, after all CSM is first a patriot and his duty is to his country no-matter-what.

A wonderfully told, beautifully edited book. The inside story of Delta training and operations was, for me, just one of its rewards.

Another was discovering that America's most elite warriors are very much like America's best men in any service branch or profession. They are selfless men who live by high principles.

Haney's description of the final phase of Delta selection is one of the most engrossing accounts of an ultra endurance "event" I've read.

I think Haney is the bomb! Everyone knows his stats, over the top, calm cool get the job done, block out the pain. So a few very impressive individuals disagree or don't like his style - should that be the end of the world. Maybe he saw things different, God forbide, maybe he was Wrong! But let me tell you what Haney does have in addition to intelligence in spades, he has heart and soul and he is not so dedicated to the decoder ring that he will not speak his mind. Therein lies Eric Haney's exceptionalism: he's been there and done that, he kept his opinions to himself and accomplished the mission and now he is reflecting on his past and the incongruities he witnessed. Thank you Sgt. Haney for speaking out (at great personal expense) on behalf of what could be best for this great nation: the United States of America. We need an accurate perspective from which to consider our future options. I have read all of his work (multiple times) that I can get my hands on and await the next book. Maybe some day I will be so lucky as to attend a signing and shake his hand in person. Thank you Sir. MikeyB

I'm glad that I read this book without knowing any of the flap coming from the author's critics. Of course a reader like me doesn't know "the real story," but this is a great story, and it rings true to me. I thought Haney told it with a great deal of humility considering his authentically "elite" status. I found the author to be likable throughout the book and it made the excitement in the pages even more worthwhile. Forget what his critics are writing... fact is CSM Haney put his life on the line in an often thankless line of "work." God bless CSM Eric Haney and this is a great book.

This is another book I read years ago and just recently I am becoming painfully aware that the US SF community seems to have a lot of its members that are willing to lie for the dollar!
In the same day, my opinion about Plaster, Nicholson and now Haney has gone down big time.
Or do they know the same "funny secret" and that in the end what matters is the $?
It seems that the US SF need to revise their selection processes or their priorities unless the alleged moral superiority is but a lie and its all business as usual. From honour to banditry, in the long term?

My greetings to all men who stand for Truth and Honour.

This book is incredible, I did not want to put it down! If you are a fan of the show "the Unit", the military's special forces, or just anything revolving around awesome action based on real accounts... you need to check this out. This book brings you inside the life of one of the founding members of the Army's Delta Force. Real stories, real situations, incredible stories of true events that the brave soldiers of America endure for our safety. Did I mention this book is just totally awesome? IT IS! Maybe it's because I'm in the military, or maybe it's just because I love learning more and more about the military special forces, but these guys and what they go through, shows they have one of the coolest jobs there is, and they are the best of the best. I won't do the stuff they do, but I sure love to read about it. If you like this stuff though and have never seen "the Unit", check that out too. Great show!The Unit: The Complete Series

Eric Haney tells the tale of his involvement with the elite counterterrorist unit, Delta Force. Most of the time, when I read books about units "that don't technically exist" or whose operations are highly, highly classified, I come away disappointed. This book, is not one of them. Hany carefully describes his selection into Delta Force and describes the formulation of the first teams. His story is one of intrigue and will still keep you at the edge of your seat. If the "unclassified" stuff he tells in the story is this exciting, I can only imagine what the clandestine operations involve. This is a book that you won't be able to put down.

This is quite simply the greatest SpecOps book written and probably the greatest autobiography of a soldier written on top of that. Eric Haney's humanity is the key. The operations and experiences are just utterly visceral and you'll find yourself frozen, jaw slightly open, while reading them. But it's Haney's own internal commentary that lifts the book from being a series of intense action pieces to something greater. When Haney writes about cradling the head of a Cuban-trained guerilla leader he just shot and killed and reflects on the waste of war, the bravery of the man in his arms and how that moment erases all differences among men...you know you're reading something very, very special. As with Chuck Pfarrer, Haney is a thinking man's warrior - philosophical yet possessing truckloads of the intestinal fortitude necessary for doing the things these men are tasked with doing. He is at once measured, reflective, almost stoic, and exuding honesty. Carnal episodes are absent. You won't find the acronym "LBFM" in this book. What you will find is an unflinching, honest account of incredible things witnessed by an incredibly measured man.

I first came to know Delta Force though Mark Bowden's classic "Blackhawk Down" and I was as impressed as everyone else with the cool professionalism of the men. Haney's book, like Delta-founder Charlie Beckwith's own "Delta Force," begins with the formation of the unit. Unlike Beckwith's book though, which is understandably focused on Pentagon turf battles and paperwork, you are dropped right in to the selection process along with Haney, sharing his incredulousness at the lack of "spit and polish, snap to and salute" military pomp in the group (the same incredulousness, I should add, that Beckwith felt when he first observed the SAS, Delta's template). You watch along with Haney as candidates drop like flies, some even comically, others through injuries, most from just saying "enough is enough" and quitting. "Inside Delta Force" lives up to its name, and Haney puts you right inside it.

For me one of the most fascinating parts of the book is the operations in Central and South America (Grenada, Honduras). This is a part of American military history that is, at least to me, very fuzzy. Reagan blitzed any and every foothold Castro attempted to make there but because of the scale, it was a battle tailor-made for special operations forces. There is a hair-raising ride in a Blackhawk convoy that gets fired upon in a pre-dawn raid that is one of the many jaw-droppers in the book. Haney masterfully describes the psychological processes at work when you're in the air and streams of tracers are ripping into the helicopter and there's nowhere to go except inward. The accounts of the men in these situations leaves you just speechless as you watch along with Haney as a Delta Commando takes a scalpel to himself to fish a bullet out of his leg while humming a tune. Another's foot hangs by a tiny piece of flesh as it was hit with a large piece of ammunition as they ran the machine gun gauntlet in the Blackhawks. But they are alive and you feel, as surely Haney did, that you are alive too.

Beirut is another of the highlights for me. Unlike the covert ground battles in South America though, Beirut was insidiously deadly by being mundane at the same time. Without warning, a shell could land from far away on the street you were walking down. There are few things I have ever read with more power than Haney's vignettes about the brutal day-to-day reality of living in Beirut, like a father who accidentally shoots his son while firing an AK-47 joyously into the air during his son's wedding (common practice in the Middle East) who then shoots himself. Or boys playing with hand grenades by tossing them into the water, only to accidentally have one boy jump in the water too close to one explosion and be killed. The Middle East has never been portrayed so brutally yet so real and underneath Haney's stoicism you can see a great pity and deep pathos. Haney was tasked with keeping our ambassador alive and left after three tours shortly before the entire embassy was leveled with a truck bomb. He was also at Desert One and inside the plane that was struck by an errant helicopter. You will be in awe of what the man lived through and forever thankful to him for putting these searing experiences into print and doing so with great humanity and an unflinching eye. This book is the best of the genre of special operations autobiographies. No question about it.

I caught the title of the book after falling in love with the TV show, The Unit. It's based on this book. Eric Haney tells an awesome tale of the formation and his entrance into the Delta Force. These soldiers are among the best trained and most effective military units in the world. They are highly secret and extremely effective. My son is a big fan of military history, weapons, armament, strategy, vehicles and etc. After I read this book I put it into his hands. He said it's the most exciting read he's ever had on the subject. I hold our men and women of the United States Armed Forces at the highest level of respect and honor. Read this book and you will too. I wish Mr. Haney would put out a couple more with some, as safely as possible, tales of the Delta Forces. It's a good read. Nice and easy. I was sad when I finished it. Have fun.

Wow. From the moment I picked up Haney's book, I literally only put it down to Sleep. I left the store, sat down to dinner with the first chapter, took a break to walk to my bedroom and lie down, and fell asleep reading it. I woke up with the book still in my hand in the early hours of morning and set about finishing it, and did so by noon. This book is an incredible account of an even more incredible group of men, one of which Is Haney himself. After reading several other books about special operations in Iran, Beirut, Grenada, etc. It was amazing to read an account from someone who was on the ground in all of these operations and more. I recently signed up under the Army's new 18x enlistment with hopes of one day becoming chosen to "try out" for the Army's Elite CT force. Until now, the mystic of selection and the Operators training course were all myth and mysteries shrouded by rumor and hearsay, and Haney lifted that shroud just enough for us to see the beginnings of what goes on inside the walls of Delta's Secret compound, while going to great lengths not to compromise his brother operators most trusted and well kept secrets. I think that aside from the stories of personal sacrifice and superhuman feats performed by Haney and his Comrades, this was the most impressive part of the book. Haney masterfully reveals only enough for us to see a part of the delta world. Not once does he leak any vital information or intelligence that a misguided person could use against us, all the while painting a clear, laymen's picture of everything that a delta team member learns and experiences in 8 years as an operator. Thanks, Haney... After reading your book I've stepped up my training regimen to a furious pace so that I can really and truly "Have a good 'un" if I'm lucky enough to get my shot.

Inside Delta Force authored by Command Sergeant Major. USA. (Ret.) Eric L. Haney takes a hard look deep inside of America's elite counterterrorist unit. Haney gives detailed information about how the unit was formed, trained, and how it executed from its beginning in the late 70's thru his retirement in the late 80's. Thru use of vivid language and real life recollections, Haney allows the reader to feel as if they are taking part in the training and missions of Delta Force.

This book deals mainly with the topic of guerilla warfare while briefly tackling the area of hostage/hijacking situations. With detailed and insightful information, this book explains why guerilla warfare and guerilla insurgence are as dangerous if not more dangerous than normal military forces. Haney makes it very clear that in order to fight guerilla insurgence, the counter insurgence need to be trained in guerilla warfare as well. Not only trained in this type of warfare but they need to be masters of it, because guerilla warfare is not the warfare that American military forces are used to employing and will not be able to defeat it if they do not know the game better than their enemies do. For this reason Haney states Delta Force was created. The author points out that it would be foolish to ask the entire military to specialize in unconventional warfare, but it would be brilliant to form specialized units trained to combat unconventional warfare.

The author holds a unique perspective on the topic of guerilla warfare and guerilla insurgence. His job is to protect the United States of America from the harmful intent or the insurgence.

Eric L. Haney is one of the founding operators of Delta Force. Before becoming an operator of Delta Force Haney was an Army Ranger. Though the rangers are a Special Forces unit, they are not as specialized as Delta Force. Army Rangers employ a wider range of warfare compared to the very specialized warfare employed by Delta Force operators. Though he is a highly trained man, Haney had the ability to simplify and explain the training and techniques that Delta Force uses to combat guerilla warfare. The author was able to keep the reader in suspense and not wanting to put down the book. One thing the author has left out of this book is the feelings of the operators after experiencing some of the harshest situations in the world. Haney made the operators out to be invincible, emotionless tools of war. They may have been able to cope better than civilians but they still had to have emotions.

Inside Delta Force is a book that pertains to the world today. This book can be useful for explaining how guerilla warfare and guerilla insurgence are combated against. Haney's book adds an understanding about guerilla warfare for civilians that have a problem with technical terms and techniques used by the military. I would recommend this book to anyone who is confused about how America deals with guerilla insurgency and anyone interested in joining a Special Forces unit.

I was mesmerized from the beginning page to the end. Delta Force, America's elite counterterrorism unit have to be the most prepared, professional, and deadliest warrior soldiers in the world. I began watching The Unit on CBS a few months ago and was fascinated right away with the program. I noticed during the credits that Eric Haney, a founding member of Delta Force, was instrumental in writing the story lines for the show. I immediately bought his book. If you have any patriotism running through your blood and support our military, you will absolutely love this book. From selection just to be given an opportunity to join, to the immense training in firearms, explosives, espionage, and everything else imaginable, these men thrive on danger like it was a narcotic. Haney could have been an author in another life because he writes this true story like it was a Tom Clancy novel. I was literally gripping the chair as I read about his ordeal in final selection on the hills of the Uhwarrie Forest in North Carolina. These men were tested to the limit in every way physical, but probably more so mentally. Haney tells of the horrors he witnessed in Beirut, Lebanon in the 80's, and numerous other missions. I don't know any of these men personally who have served as an "operator" or who may be serving now, but if any of you are reading this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for protecting my freedom and this great nation. God bless all of you and...Oh Yeah...Have a good 'un

"Inside Delta Force" is the basis for the current CBS David Mamet series, "The Unit." While the show is entertaining, the book is impossible to put down. If you are a fan of recent military history, or are curious as to how this most elite special ops unit came into being, I recommend this book.

Ignore the politically motivated trolls who are too cowardly to use their own names; they clearly haven't read the book at all and are simply responding to an interview in which Haney expressed criticism of the Bush administration. Pretty pathetic. Read the book for yourself, then decide.

This is an excellent book. It is very well written and a great story. Haney describes how he got into Delta Force, their training and some of the things they got up to. It is a great insight into counterterrorism.

I have not read a lot in this genre, but I doubt there are many others who can write as well as Eric Haney.

This is an honest, intelligent book. Highly recommended.

To suggest that the good Sergeant Major missed is calling as a writer may be a little exaggerated, but it would only be to illustrated how well this book is crafted. I was gripped from the first page when he described an airborne jump so accurately, I had flashbacks to Airborne school. Soldier or civilian, if you are interested in the Army or any kind of military special operations, get this book. CSM Haney, your wonderful book reflects great credit upon you, Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta and the United States Army!

A large section of this book is dedicated to the grueling selection and training process one must endure to be a part of the Delta community; that is exactly what I was looking for in this book. Delta selection pushes an individual to his emotional and physical limits and resets them. The few stories Mr. Haney is able to tell are fascinating; two of them made my stomach churn and my ... radar go up. ... That said, this book provides a timely look at one of the major players in the counter-terrorism arena.

Mr. Haney, you've done more in one day as a Delta operator than most have done in an entire lifetime. Anyone looking for a book that combines insight and adventure will be glued to the pages of this one. Eric Haney has seen and done things that are so intense, they could not be fabricated by the most imaginative of authors. Even twenty years after the fact, the writer's memories were so vividly recorded it made me feel not like I was reading, but like I was sitting there listening to him speak.
From the selection process to the actual combat scenarios, it was hard to imagine that anyone has the intestinal fortitude it takes to be a part of this super-secret counter-terrorist force. If I could, I would personally thank not only Eric Haney, but every other man, living or dead who has ever been a part of this, the most elite fighting force ever assembled. This is the story of men who spend the prime of their lives on a 24/7 combat-readiness; men who have laid their lives on the line over and over in defense of our freedom; faceless men who understand they may never be thanked or recognized for the work we don't even know they've done... until now.

First off, this is an awesome book by Haney. This is an excellent look into one of the most secretive of America's special forces groups. Haney writes alternating between recalling various events and providing his commentary on the special forces community, Delta Force, and the military in general. If you like military books or just a good read, pick it up. that said, a word to the wise: if you are expecting Black Hawk Down style high-octane shoot-outs, you will be disappointed. This is a collection of recalled stories from Haney's eight years in Delta. It shows how Delta works, their various operations around the world, and how the Delta Force operators interact with the rest of the military, especially non-special forces officers. Still, this is a great book. As long as you don't come to the book with a preconcieved notion of what should be in it, you'll enjoy it. Trust me.

This is a stunning true account of the formation of the Army's secret Delta Force Unit and the missions it performs. Author, Command Sergeant Major (Ret.), Eric Haney, writes an intriguing tale of the winding road during the creation of a new unit in the United States Army, the facinating personalities who were there in the beginning, how they trained, and how the Army learned to fight terrorists. From the inception to completion and on into real missions, this book tells it all. Anyone who has served in the armed forces will be glued to pages. So too will anyone who enjoys a captivating true story read. All along the way Haney captures the dry and sometimes ironic sense of humor thal comes with serving in the military. Never mind everything is true, it reads like a novelized piece of fiction. This is a first person historical journey that fills in so many questions about major events like the Iran hostage rescue attempt and the Grenada invasion. At the same time, Haney opens up questions that, quite frankly, are troubling to ponder. In this day of "The War On Terror" it is a must read.

Though the book is short on details of actual missions, the details of Haney's training to become a Delta operator is compelling and vivid. I know a lot of people are disapointed by the lack of mission details but it has to be acknowledged that the Delta force isn't even officially/publically recognized by the government due to its sensitive and top secret nature. Undertsandably this makes details of missions not appropriate for public consumption. But for anyone who ever wanted to know more about Delta operators, how they are trained and what the force is SUPPOSED to be used for (counter-terrorism), this book is a must read. It really puts you in awe as you read the skills and concentration and dedication these guys have to be able to do the things they do.
I read it in 2 nights, easy. Couldn't put it down. A great read.

Inside Delta Force has gotten a lot of flak because Haney apparently made everything up in an effort to make himself sound important and to further his own career. I don't believe it, not one second. I do think that he violated OPSEC (operational security, basically stuff you're not supposed to talk about) and because of that, he was called a liar by his comrades, and banned from DF meetings and reunions. I can't accept the fact that a man who pushed himself hard enough to get into Delta, and serve eight years there, would tarnish his reputation with his comrades so easily. Ask any SOF soldier, the ones who want to be in an elite unit just to wear the patch or further their career, don't make it. Period.

That said, this is an amazing book, and an inside view of SOF life.

I first read this after seeing Haney's appearance on CSpan Books in '01, and recently watched it again on the website's archives. Very interestingly, the part on Kiki Saenz had been deleted. I distinctly remembered, in the original airing, that someone asked about that episode, but don't remember Haney's response. Now that its been deleted, it lends credibility to the story. Check out [...]

I am Eric Haney's wife. I put my name and bias on the table. If only that were the case with those retired Delta men.

For the record, it should be noted that the only legitimate dispute those men have with the book (all others being verifiable with research) is whether or not Logan Fitch was punched in the nose at Desert One. Fitch says not; that he would have killed any civilian who did that -- despite orders from President Carter not to harm civilians.

In Mark Bowden's book, "Guests of the Ayatollah," Fitch explains the bloody nose he was sporting that night like this: He was attempting to make an Iranian civilian outside the bus stand up. The man refused, so Fitch fired a shot into the ground. When the man stood up and made a move as if to run, Fitch swung his weapon at the man to clobber him with its butt and in the process, raked his own nose with his own gun sight.

Oh. Well.

Haney wrote that the nose punch happened, in the context of a highly complimentary sentence about Fitch's "leading from the front" (rare for a Delta officer). I've heard that story from other Desert One veterans. Be that as it may, Fitch remembers it differently. But Fitch doesn't dispute Haney's crediting him for saving his life that night by pulling him on board the last C-130 leaving the ground. The other commanders -- including Bucky Burruss -- left on the first plane out, before they knew for sure who was alive or dead from B. Squadron.

There are a number of good books, both academic and personal, on the subject of Desert One. Beckwith's Delta Force; Kyle's The Guts to Try; Bill Daugherty's (CIA hostage in Iran); and now Mark Bowden's.

Neither Beckwith, Kyle, nor Fitch were called traitor for writing their books and articles on Desert One. Fitch's article in Penthouse was merciless on Col. Beckwith. Warranted or not, it had to be heartbreaking for the Colonel at the time.

Nor was Bucky Burruss called a traitor for his chock-full-of-opsec fiction published in 1990, "Mission for Delta." Any person wanting to know how Delta sets up satellite commo or infiltrates a nation or conducts covert snatch ops need only read that book. Interestingly, the main plot of Burruss' book centers around the very mission he has accused Haney of fabricating and denied ever took place: A 1983 CIA sanctioned covert op into Honduras to take out an American Green Beret turned defector. In Burruss' book, the defector/guerilla leader trained at Bragg and was a former friend of the tall, blond, Delta team leader who volunteers for the mission to take him out. Even some of the key names are the same.

Back to Desert One.

Each book on the subject agrees, even Beckwith's, that there was heated discussion about the possibility that the helo pilots didn't have the fortitude to go forward. Beckwith admitted in his book "maybe" having called them cowards that night (p. 313). He also used the term towards B Squadron, for not bringing their weapons out of the inferno. To his credit, Beckwith admitted in his book that he was wrong on all counts, helo and B Squadron, and apologized. For a man like Beckwith, that was an enormous thing. Others should be so gracious.

One smart thing that came out of that tragedy was the realization that Delta needed its own specially trained, specially equipped helo team. The helos DID fail because of the sandstorms and had Beckwith insisted on taking the mission forward, he would have killed the men he had worked so hard to find. Some commanders might have done that anyway. Not Beckwith. God bless him for that. My husband would never have come home.

Another result was the understanding that had B Squadron burned to death, the institutional knowledge they had created would have died with them. So Delta began codifying what they created and learned. Eric Haney was among the original operators who helped create that body of knowledge. It was not handed down to Delta from previous generations in the Army, as is so much else in the military. It was, for the most part, a completely new world explored and developed by those men.

Delta was founded only by Charlie Beckwith and midwifed by the small group of men around him, including Bucky Burruss. Burruss authored a paper justifying to DOD why it would take at least two years to select enough men to bring Delta to operational strength.

One reason it took that long was the kibosh put on recruting from the Rangers by commanders protecting their best men. Beckwith had to fight tooth and nail up the chain of command to get access to the Rangers. (This is from Beckwith's book.) And even after he got formal cooperation, commanders such as Joe Stringham, by then with the Rangers, issued the unofficial dictum that if his soldiers tried out and failed, they would not be welcome back. For many potential candidates, that was a showstopper. Haney took the chance and succeeded. That's Stringham's mad-on with Haney right there. Had Stringham not interceded, Haney and others could have entered Delta selection in April of 78 instead of in September of 78.

Interesting history. When you put Beckwith's book next to Haney's, a more vivid picture of Delta Force comes together. With Beckwith, you get the 100,000 foot perspective of the political infighting in the Army and just how bitterly some factions in the Army truly wanted Delta to fail. You see just how hard Beckwith really had to work to pull the whole thing off and how many people stood against it.

And then with Haney's, you get a personal view of one man's journey through selection and training and the development of strategy and tactics and his love for his comrades. You also see why Haney said that "no other man in the Army" could have done what Charlie Beckwith did in founding Delta Force.

What you do not get from Haney's book is any sense of sniping, jealousy, bitterness, or chest beating. IDF is very much a tribute to comradeship.

We have seen the other side of that story, sadly, from others in Delta.

When writing a personal memoir, one does not have to read the history of others. Desert One is both literally and figuratively burned into Eric Haney's memory. He still carries the scars of that night in the desert on his body. Burns that could have killed him as that inferno did kill other brave men. Haney's book is the first book or article to mention the names of the men who died that night. Beckwith's book didn't. And although Fitch's article was titled, "Death at Desert One," his article didn't mention the names of the dead, either.

When Beckwith wrote his book, he had access to Delta's files. I suppose because his book was more historical in nature. Eric's is personal and that is what makes it such a refreshing perspective. It isn't about HIM, though.

Eric loved some of his comrades and respected all of them. Even the ones who have given him a hard time. Living and dying together in Delta Force creates a bond that spans time, no matter what. That's what we see in his book. That's what the book is truly about.

Thanks again to Logan Fitch. Not for the nose punch debate. For saving Eric's life.

i could not put this book down... front to back in one setting! personally, i have been waiting for this book for years, and i am so glad sgt. haney has led the way! i only wish i had an autographed copy so i could meet the man himself.

anyone who has heard stories about this unit, and has thought and pondered the challenges and sacrifices of our nation's best, will savor every detail and word in this book, as he reveals how much strength and determination these men apply. these men can overcome...anything!

sgt. haney has brought so much honor to those men who serve. anyone who reads this book will realize, that the only reason americans can sleep peacefully at night is because of men who are prepared to face the evil of the world at a moments notice! god bless em!

I have seen Eric Haney quite often talking about Terrorism on the O'Reilly factor. Therefore I was very excited when his book came out in paperback, so I could read his story and the story of Delta Force.
I mention Rogue Warrior because Haney was a founding member of Delta force, the armies counterterrorism unit and Marchinko was the found of SEAL Team 6, the navy's anti-terror unit.
Both books do a great job describing why these units were founded and why we needed these units to protect our freedoms. But while Rouge Warrior is a great book for being over the top, rude, crude, and boombastic, Inside Delta Force is great while being much more subtle and formal. These books are like Yin and Yang, but both are great and are must reads.
Haney is a brave man and a great writer while keeping everything low key.
This is a good book

Eric Haney, tells his tale as one of the founding members of the Delta Force, and what it took to to become a member. This book is filled with tons of informative information, plus little trinkets Eric toss's in here and there(for instance fill a squirt gun with ammonia to knock a man out).

However there is nothing other, then the selection process to become a delta member, and training. There is not a journal from jungle missions, to desert ops(although Haney makes reference to comrades he later fights with, some of whom die).

Despite that, this book is still very appealing. It teaches you the stunning thing these men are capable of, such as boarding airplanes in flight and the rigourous training, that makes them as close to invincible as any man will ever become.

All in all, great book, great group of men it's based on.

I found this book to be interesting and insightful. I remember some of the events written about in the last third of the book. His written accounts are excellent and the first two-thirds of the book involving the selection process just had me glued to this book. The comments made in the final chapter of this book regarding 9/11 are spot on. This book is definitely on my top 10 books.

I've read many military/war books and I can say that I really enjoyed this one. The author has a very easy-to-read writing style. With other military books I've read, some authors feel that they have to list every soldier/rank they encountered. It can get confusing. Not so with this book.
Every part of this book is great from the Selection process on through the individual conflicts that he was involved with.
It's a must read.

No sober, rational person could read Inside Delta Force and come away with the opinions voiced by reviewer Clark Kent above.

Add that to the fact that Kent's only other review is for an already-out-of-print book by Bucky Burruss, the lead dog in the attack on Haney, and it doesn't take a covert operative to suspect collusion between Clark Kent and the attack team.

Haney is far from the first writer to cover the subject of Delta Force. He is simply one of the most gifted. That's why his book continues to captivate.

The founder of the unit, Charlie Beckwith, published his infinitely more detailed (weapons/tactics) book in the early 1980s. Logan Fitch, one of the men in the Tampa "expose", also authored an article on Desert One back in 1984 -- just a few years after the bodies were buried -- and both weapons and tactics were still in use.

Burruss himself filled two books of fiction with every mission Delta had ever undertaken in 1990. But those books came and went like the haboob that doomed Desert One. Professional jealousy is no small motivator for Mr. Burruss. How could it not be?

There are two primary differences in those books and Haney's. First, those books were written by officers who, with the remarkble exception of Col Beckwith, seem to believe they alone owned the Delta franchise and should profit from it. All of those books were also written within 4-8 years of the missions they covered.

Haney's book was written 15 years after his life in Delta Force and covered missions some 20 years in the past. Most had been covered before, by Beckwith and others. The prose is eloquent, gracious, and never boastful. His book was the first to list the names of the NCOs who did the dying at Desert One and at the Beirut Embassy Bombing and he heaped praise upon them and upon his beloved Col, Charlie Beckwith.

Throughout the book we see a man with a deep, abiding respect for his comrades. In the case of the men who spoke against him in that stew of self-serving gossip, jealousy and anger wrongly dignified as news, that respect seems ill-placed.

Was it coincidence that this public tirade followed closely on the heels of Haney's public stand against the Bush adminstrations position on torture and its prosecution of the war? Hardly. Now with the "Revolt of the Generals" in full swing -- Zinni, Swannack, et al coming out with much stronger language calling for Rumsfield's resignation, we can expect similar vitriol to be directed at them.

Inside Delta Force remains a primer about a man who used the force of his own intelligence to discern right from wrong -- and continues to do so today.

That's what I call a super man.

I saw Mr. Haney on the Military Channel show "An Officer and a Movie" as he was giving a commentary on one of Chuck Norris's Delta Force movies. Mr. Haney caught my interest enough that I purchased his book. It is a great read that not only gives the history of the Delta Force, but he puts you right in it with him. I will not forget reading about his 40 mile trek through the forest finding waypoints during his Delta Force selection testing. After reading that, I felt like I had walked every step with him! This is a fantastic read!

I thoroughly appreciate Mr. Haney's story and his service to our country.

This is a page turner. It reads almost like a novel but it's a true story. There's a lot of time spent on training portion but it's really good.

I first got this for my wife after we started watching "The Unit" (season one). She read it right away. I finally got around to reading it and I wish I'd read it sooner. The TV show incorporates a lot of the advanced training used (even paintballers will recognize some urban-warfare tactics used, although that's downplayed in the book).

I've read just about everything ever published on or by Delta Force members, from Col. Beckwith's book and Fitch's 1984 Penthouse article on Desert One to Mark Bowden's three books featuring Delta.

Haney's book is first rate. The mission stories, which include Haney's vivid story of nearly burning to death at Desert One, are written in the voice of a friend, without the stiffness of military jargon or arrogance.

The more general stories, such as Haney's personal take on Delta selection and training, cover the same ground as Beckwith's book. But Haney makes the ground more interesting because unlike Beckwith and his XO, he experienced it. And this was after heading a Ranger platoon and years after Vietnam.

It makes me angry, especially on our country's birthday, to see such ignorant and disparaging false bravado from a young man who knows so little about Delta Force as to refer to it as "Delta Force (Airborne)."

Mr. Mercer should stick to his previous reading list -- voodoo, science fiction, horror, and 'gods living among us' -- until he's able to understand what it means to put your life on the line just once. Much less every day for twenty years.

Inside Delta Force provides insight into that experience and how it changes a man forever. Most of the reviewers on this site have felt that and been moved by it.

In years to come, maybe Mr. Mercer will have that opportunity, too.

For those interested in American military history or counterterrorism foreign policy, this is a must-read. Haney goes through painstaking detail in describing the development of Delta in the 1970's - the selection process, the physical and mental tribulations, and how they developed a cohesive unit. Also compelling are the various Delta missions he describes in behind-the-scenes detail - something you don't read in the newspapers. Haney retired before 9/11/01 but provides thoughtful insight into counterterrorism efforts post-9/11 in an epilogue at the end. A quick, interesting read.

Excellent story telling! I couldn't put it down.... The qualifying process for Delta Force is incredible. These men are the best of the very best....
Because of the need for secrecy, the latter part of the book, where the focus was actual missions, was less exciting than the first part - the qualifying process. Nonetheless, any aficionado of Special Operations will love this book. Don't miss it.

"Inside Delta Force" is a well-written book of interest to people who want to know about the military men who achieve national objectives for the US Government, and the ways they do it. Of course, the author has left out or obscured many details of his story - if he hadn't, he might be in jail or dead.
For a student of the "secret" history of the US, two parts of the book stand out:
* Haney claims that prisoners of war were deliberately left in Southeast Asia after the Vietnam War, and that a planned Delta operation to rescue them in Laos was aborted after Bo Gritz's grandstanding in the early 1980's. He attributes this to unnamed politicians and bureaucrats who wanted to avoid embarassment and forget everything (and everyone) about Vietnam.
* Haney says that he believes a "guerrilla leader" that he killed in Honduras was actually working for the US government, and identifies him as a fellow soldier who participated in Delta Force selection with him.
He also makes allusions to the CIA's supposed involvement in drug smuggling in Central America during the 1980's.
It's clear that these experiences and others have affected his perception of the US government, and the book benefits from his skeptical perspective.
Recommended!

This book was a great story of one man's experience in the military and in the elite Delta Force Unit. It left me yearning for more detail on what his experience was and what he had gone through. It is written quite astutely, and I enjoyed it very much.

I read this book some time ago. It is one of the most fascinating books I've ever read. Eric Haney is one of the most fascinating people I've ever met. A very confident but unassuming person, that once you meet you realize he has no need to embellish his life's in Delta story with accounts based in fantasy.

Eric Haney is the real deal and a genuine person. Eric is a true leader and a brilliant man.

I am absolutely appalled at some of the claims made about Eric being less than honest in his book. What a shame that such a good American has to be trodden over by cheap and meaningless gossip. Jealousy is a terrible thing.

By the way, I believe much of the gossip is fueled by Eric Haney's comments about the Iraq war being a debacle. You simply can't go unscathed when you refuse to worship at the foot of the golden calf of the George W. Bush Iraq War.

Great book!!! Great American!!!

Gary McClaran

B'ham, AL

I read this book after being a long-time fan of "The Unit". Haney gets straight into how he came to selection with Delta then spends the rest of the book giving generally matter of fact no nonsense descriptions of his time in Delta. Having read a number of books on the special forces world it was interesting finally reading something about Delta Force and I really enjoyed Haneys book. The most memorable thing is how much of Delta Force is taken directly from the SAS. I knew they were inspired by the UK's finest but I didnt realise they were a direct copy! Most of the component arts of Delta are lifted from the SAS - and they rarely even bothered to change names!!!
Good Book though!

My review of of Eric Haney's superlative Delta bio is below. This is a point-by-point response to the derisive comments made by Mr. Zlotnick that I felt compelled to write in honor of Delta's accomplishments and missions. Let me start with his comments on Operation Eagle Claw:

"The Iranian FIASCO--was led by Colonel "Chargin' Charlie" Beckwith....Delta claims to be super trained--yet they failed to have the filters in their helicopters changed from "over water" filters to DESERT filters because they were playing the secret spy game so close--they failed to tell their pilots where they were going!"

First off, the helicopters were not "their helicopters," they belonged to the USMC and they were piloted by Marines just as the C-130s were piloted by Air Force pilots. Anyone remotely familiar with Special Operations knows that Eagle Claw is the definitive example of the failure of the various services to work together and as a result USSOCOM was formed and Delta also got its own air wing, the famous 160th SOAR. But let's be clear: Delta did their part flawlessly in Eagle Claw. When Marines drift their helicopters into C-130s, you can't blame Delta. Also, Beckwith was totally vindicated in calling off the mission. You try penetrating into the heart of a hostile nation of 60 million (we're talking Tehran here!) without the necessary assets. Had one more helicopter malfunctioned, the entire rescue team (those that had not been shot anyway) would have joined the 53 hostages.

"more than 10,000 Iranians died because of that failed mission"

What on Earth are you talking about Mr. Zlotnick?

"IF Delta has done more than Haney tells us-then the SUCCESSFUL members of that great organization should keep the "Beckwiths" and "Haneys" in line"

Hmmmm...let me see...Haney carefully leads a force into battle against 300 highly trained Cuban guerillas that they manage to eradicate down to a man with minimal loss of friendlies, he is involved in many deadly yet successful missions in Central and South America, and you say he needs to be kept "in line." Righto.

"FAILURE IS NOTHING TO BRAG ABOUT"

Haney "brags" about nothing. In fact, he is almost painfully selfless. Regardless, how one reacts in deadly situations is what matters and Haney's book abounds with examples. Shughart and Gordon, the two Delta commandos who were postumously awarded the Medal of Honor after they attempted to secure a downed Blackhawk in Somalia ("Blackhawk Down") arguably "failed" in their mission, but one would have to be moronic to state as much. Haney was in the C-130 that exploded at Desert One, he was in a Blackhawk that was peppered with bullets in Grenada, he has survived deadly experiences but he never "brags" about them. Anything but.

"Having a deep voice and chewing on cigars--does not make a Special Forces winner. In fact, the bravest and most effective SF man I ever met was less than 160 pounds and wore steel-rimmed glasses. He would have blended in at a librarians convention."

Had you read Haney's book Mr. Zlotnick you might have noticed the pictures showing that not only did Haney wear steel-rimmed glasses during his tenure at Delta, he was also skinny. In his passport photo for Lebanon he looks more like a computer programmer than a commando.

"Guarding ambassadors? Women can do that. Especially from air-conditioned cars and hotel rooms."

Tell that to the 43 killed and 34 seriously injured when the embassy Haney was stationed in (for three tours mind you) was leveled by a truck bomb. Yes, guarding the American ambassador in Lebanon when hundreds of Marines are massacred right down the road and the embassy is reduced to rubble...that's a woman's job alright! Let me also point out that after the bombing the embassy was moved north of the capital and guess what happened? It was bombed again, killing 11. Geez. Frankly, just being an American and walking down the street in downtown Beirut circa 1983 was deadly. Please Mr. Zlotnick, get your history straight.

"Delta Force has it's place-but I have a problem with those who use "smoke and mirrors" to build a legend about themselves."

Haney (and Beckwith for that matter) tell it like it is and nothing more or less. I challenge you to find one example of braggadocio in the book. Accept that challenge and you will lose.

"And please don't tell me their successes are too secret to talk about-if you can talk about your failures-you can tell us about your successes also."

Haney documents numerous successes and even an organization as dark as Delta has some successes on the Web (i.e. Operation Acid Gambit). However, stroking oneself over successes makes for some pretty boring war writing. I would rather read "Blackhawk Down" or "A Bridge Too Far" any day over some chest-thumping novel by Tom Clancy.

"Also note that Haney wrote about operations and tactics that were still classified and not cleared through the military--why?"

Gee. Haney shows us how Delta is trained to clear rooms. Wow. I would have never guessed. Haney tells us why they like the .45 (which is not even their issued sidearm any more), real top-secret stuff! Oh, and he also documents how they have to do a lot of running and swimming during the selection process - real national secrets. Oy!

I'm a veteran myself, 3 years in the Army Signal Corps in what was West Germany. Haney's account is a great read. Well-written and a great narrative of this dedicated career soldier's adventure in the US Special Forces (Delta). His account of the selection process was very interesting. I suspect that these guys will be on the front lines of the new Cold War, the war against terrorism. Thank the Lord for people like these guys - they're on OUR side.

This book is about as good as it gets; its gonna sit right next to Rogue Warrior on my bookshelf. It was a total blast to read; the Grenada and Lebanon accounts were incredible. The book was written on a really personal level, like youre talking to the author in person, it really brings the story to life....
The Delta Force guys are professional warriors in the true sense of the word... Its amazing they can do their jobs considering BS that goes on in the political establishment,
but that's not my story; read the book!

Haney gives the reader a personal look at what it is to be a Delta operator. He gives a vivid look at selection, training, and being a multi-facited Delta Force soldier. He shows the focus, intesity, and dedication it takes to be a member of such a highly trained, always on duty, elite warrior in the US Armed forces. This book paints a picture that most of us have never seen. There is so much more to Delta than anti-terrorism and Haney covers it all. A must read for anyone who enjoys military history and/or special operations non fiction.

Eric Haney lays out the facts without the self-serving statements. From the early days as fledgling force waiting to be tested, to the finely honed group of professionals that continue to serve as the pinnacle of excellence for all warriors. Mr. Haney's account of his life among these men keeps you wanting more once you turn the first page. It becomes easy to see how much these men have sacrificed personally and professionally to become the best. You feel the dedication of every man on each mission and you share their victories and their loss. This book is a must own for anyone who has ever served with a tight unit, or wondered what it would be like too.
I would like the Honor of meeting him personally!

Eric Haney captures the dramatic world of the Delta Force trooper through initial selection to actual operations. At times I've rubbed elbows with these superb soldiers during joint SOF operations and training. Delta, along with other national force units, are the unsung heroes of the American military. America must wholeheartedly support them and wish them safe returns from their hazardous duties.

Hands down the best account of the Delta counter-terrorist Unit. Haney takes you along his journey through selection to training to actual events. I was the most intrigued about the training SOF-Delta went through to battle terrorism. I actually read this entire book in one sitting it is that good, a real page turner, each page leaves you wondering "I wonder what happens next." Haney detailed accounts make you feel like you are right there with him, he is as good an author as he was a soldier. I'd recommend this to anyone with anyone, regarless if they were a military/history buff or normal guy.

In a scale of 1-5 this book should get a 10. Absolutly awsome. It's truly amazing what the Delta boys do just to get in the unit, not to mension riding helicopters full of holes, leaking gas and hydrolic fluid. It's definity a must read to learn about the most unknown heros in the United States Military!

Haney provides a rare glimpse into America's most secretive military unit at the actual operator level. It's very readable and informative as it can be, given the circumstances. You're left wanting to know more, but at the same time you appreciate the fact that you aren't supposed to. This book, along with Black Hawk Down (I mean the actual book, not the movie) can only begin to give you some idea to just how tough and committed our most elite soldiers are. Fantastic book.

I enjoyed this book, CSM Haney does a great job of taking me into the world of Delta Force without having to sacrifice OPSEC(That's Operational Security for you Civilians). He tells a great story about what life in the Military is like, as well as his time as an Elite Delta Commando,even for someone who's never worn the uniform. As a non active duty United States Marine, I felt that CSM Haney wrote a great book about the secret Warriors all Americans should be proud of.

Even though I was familiar with the start up of Delta, which is the first half of the book, I still found it very interesting. I learned at lot about what was really happening in the 80's with our governement.

Delta Force was a revealing story of what dedication and training requirements the members of Special Forces undergo. Their accomplishments protect all of the citizens of the U.S.A.. These men have my ever lasting gratitude for what they endure to keep us safe.

Anne

I met Mr. Haney a few months ago and got a hold of a copy a few days after it came out in paper back. It's a really solid book that gives tremendous look at Delta Force, which until Black Hawk Down most people in my generation didn't know existed, or have the slightest idea what they do.
I think this should be considered required reading for anyone with an interest in history. I not only learned a lot about world history and how terrorism works, but have an affinity for Delta, and all the men and women who keep us safe.

That's what this book is about. This is not about one man, one group, one force. This book is about the brilliance of American Military to approve, create and develop a counter-intelligence team. This book is about the incredible talent of the men selected for Delta Force. Read this book and you will never have another bad day! After you read the "selection" process you will be exhausted. Eric Haney has done a wonderful job as story teller, first class. The book is a terric read! Enjoy

This is one of those books that you cannot put down. Some of the accounts, if true, are very disturbing. Also great account of what went wrong during the botched Iran hostage rescue. I strongly recommend this one.

An amazing fighting unit representing some of the best soldiers the United States has to offer. The book reads like a novel and is extremely informative. I was particularly interested in the authors take on the invasion of Granada. Great book! Highly Recommended!

Inside Delta Force is a great book. Very well done. Haney spends much more time crediting friends and comrades than he does patting his own back. Seems to be a guy who does some soul-searching. There's not much here that could resembles ego at all. If he's half the gentleman he seems in the book, his bonafides are fine by me.

The review Hawthorne dismissed made me curious about Clark Kent. Kent's now reviewed every single one of this guy Bucky Burruss' books. He even reviewed Charlie Beckwith's book but used the review as a pitch for Burruss! What's up with that?

Excellent book! This book was both entertaining and educational, providing a different perspective of some very important historical events. Mr Haney gave the reader a look at what it takes to enter, survive and operate in the shadowy world of special operations. This is an excellent book for anyone interested in knowing more about the warriors that protect us and while making great sacrifices.

Wow, this book is awesome and sure is a bang for your buck. If you've always been interested in the elite military units or counterterrorist units this is the book for you! First off its non fiction, so what you read in the book are actual events narrated through a very decorated member of the US Army. From his roots in the elite Rangers to his selection, training, and execution of missions as an individual "operator" in the secretive delta force, this book tells it all. I highly recommend you get this book.

Insightful and compelling story from the man was at the founding of one of America's least known branches of the military. His perspective as the point of the spear enables the reader to move beyond the one-dimensional media hype that we are given to better understand the brave soldiers, the politics and the overseas perils that face the United Sates of America at the beginning of the 21st century. A must read for anyone wanting to understand how the USA will combat terrorists.

I read a few other reviews of this book before buying it and find they were accurate. Haney tells about how Delta force came to be in interesting detail. The people that submit themselves to the Selection process really can only truly truly want the job. If you watch or have seen any episodes of "The Unit" you can see where story plot lines came from, but don't expect any detailed past mission stories.

This is an awesome book, by a no nonsense guy, who has been there and done that. The book came quickly, and for a great price. It was new, and with no marks, and the binding was as if it never had been opened. Thanks for a great book!

I was very impressed with this account of Mr. Haney's service with Delta Force. I found it to be much better then the Rouge Warrior books. Mr. Haney is obviously a true professional. There are many stories in the book that have been played out in the tv show The Unit. I would love to hear more stories from Mr. Haney's service in Delta Force. As a former Marine I understand the sacrifices that these brave men have made. Semper Fi!

A very well written book that gives you an insight into the lives and committments of these silent professionals. As a 24 year veteran of the Army who also spent some time in this unit, it was interesting to hear CSM Haney's spin. I had the pleasure to meet Col Beckwith and have the utmost respect for any man who puts the safety and lives of others before their own. I would recommend to anyone, especially a military person who wants to know what happens inside that fence..

This book has been read by EVERYONE in my office in a miniscule amount of time. CSM (Ret) Haney is a fantastic storyteller that puts you in the middle of the fire fight, or in the team room of one of the most intriguing and exciting aspects of the modern American military. Highly recommended for any fan of military writing.

Haney takes you from the absolute beginnings of this organization. He then takes you step by step through selection, operator training, and finally some real world missions. A great read that you find difficult to put down once you start. Haney shows you how these guys bear their souls to become Delta operators then how many have given them up in pursuit of their missions around the world.
A MUST for any military reader!
I hope he has sequels.

Eric Haney tells it like it is. He dosnt make himself out to be a hero.He just wants people to know the lengths special forces go to to protect freedom.This book is serious,funny,and just all around good. I couldnt put it down.

This book is by far one of if not the best book that I have read in the past year. Haney writing style is great and you don't want to put the book down til you reach the end. Which you will dread coming to, because you wish the book would go on and on since it is so good. This is a definite must buy! Just read it and you'll believe it.

For personal reasons I needed to know and understand what this particular group of soldiers do. I wanted to understand the type of man it takes to be able to do this kind of job. Well this book informed me more than I thought it would. I could not put it down. Wonderfully written. I was looking for information and got much more than that. Mr Eric Haney is and extordinary man and a wonderful author. MUST READ!!!

Fascinating reading. I liked the understated style of writing and found it a compeling read. The information concerning the depth and detail of their training was impressive. The author gives a vivid accounting of the failed rescue attempt in Iran. I would like to hear more from this author in his second career in dealing with child rescues.

This book gives the reader an in depth view of training for the most top secert/elite unit in the U.S. Army, the Special Forces (Delta). The author states several times that he will try to give as much detail as he can without breaching unit security. With the riggerous training and grulling psychological testing, there are some instances of humor, I will not go into any detail. To find out you will just have to read it for your self.

A great read & insight into what these people go through to get their job & then do their job. I found Eric Haney's story, well written & very easy to read. I guess he had to edit particular details, as i did find some gaps in certain chapters. This Is understandable due to the nature of what he's writting about. I'm sure that anyone who reads this will enjoy it.

The book is very entertaining and is well written. It is important to note that the book is not like the TV show, it simply tells about the inception of Delta Force and how it began. Little of the book is actually about the missions they go on. Even without that it is still a good read.

Great Book. When ever I was in we always looked up to the Delta guys. First Is it true that the Govt new about Vietnam POWs but did nothing about it? Second Haney is a true patriot. Finally have a "good un'"

This guy tells you everything you ever wanted to know about Delta Force training. The first half the book covers that. He doesn't tell you everything you want to know about the operations, but he tells you a lot of good stuff. I know there is stuff he left out because it is classified. This is a truely amazing account.

One of the best books I have read! Gives alot of info on the training and selection of this elite group! If you liked Delta Force by Charles Beckwith or any of the Rogue Warrior books or BlackHawk Down - YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Hope to hear more from him!

This was an awesome book by a great man. The relationships that these soldiers develop, after going through hellish training and combat together, came through in the writing very well. I read a lot of military books and this is my favorite.

Awesome read. May God bless and keep our brave soldiers and contractors that go in harms way to protect our Freedoms.

Thank you Sir for sharing and leting us know about Delta Force.

D.G. Owens

Eric's effort here encourages me that heros still exist...not just because of the way he chose to invest his life, but because of the superb manner with which he was able to relate the story. This is simply the finest book I've read in years.

Thanks, CSM.

Jeff D.

Fayetteville

988.3477

Great Book. When ever I was in we always looked up to the Delta guys. First Is it true that the Govt new about Vietnam POWs but did nothing about it? Second Haney is a true patriot. Finally have a "good un'"

This guy tells you everything you ever wanted to know about Delta Force training. The first half the book covers that. He doesn't tell you everything you want to know about the operations, but he tells you a lot of good stuff. I know there is stuff he left out because it is classified. This is a truely amazing account.

One of the best books I have read! Gives alot of info on the training and selection of this elite group! If you liked Delta Force by Charles Beckwith or any of the Rogue Warrior books or BlackHawk Down - YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Hope to hear more from him!

This was an awesome book by a great man. The relationships that these soldiers develop, after going through hellish training and combat together, came through in the writing very well. I read a lot of military books and this is my favorite.

Awesome read. May God bless and keep our brave soldiers and contractors that go in harms way to protect our Freedoms.

Thank you Sir for sharing and leting us know about Delta Force.

D.G. Owens

Eric's effort here encourages me that heros still exist...not just because of the way he chose to invest his life, but because of the superb manner with which he was able to relate the story. This is simply the finest book I've read in years.

Thanks, CSM.

Jeff D.

Fayetteville

988.3477

From a Non Military perspective this book is a must read. It provides insight into the US Army's most secretive Unit 1SFOD-Delta. I have searched high and low for a good Delta book and this goes way beyond good. After reading this book it makes me want to sign up. Have a Good 'Un !!!

This book is perfect. I almost could not stop of reading until I finished it.

It is the most interesting approach to a Counterterrorist unit I ever read.

The language used in this book is simple and pleasant.

Great read. I spent 28 years in the Army, many of them at Bragg and retired in 2003. Mr Mercer's comments about what he believes are fact and fiction as it pertains to the contents of this book are inaccurate and I would recommend he go back and do his research correctly this time.

Yes, great book. Very interesting. Helps one to understand how the whole thing works, which is good. A lot of books try and fail at that. Made me appreciate even more the US armed forces and the freedom they protect. Get with it and get the book.

Shame on you Haney for blaming the Navy for that Desert 1 fiasco. There should have been Army mechanics servicing those choppers, not Navy guys who had never seen a sand filter before, after all not much sand when flying over water.For the casual reader, those were new helicopters with just enough hours on them to be broken in and be proven combat worthy.They were Army birds serviced by Navy mechanics aboard the carriers.They were getting "bad gas millage" compared to comparable Navy Helios.Wondering why? Navy mechanics searched for a reason for what was perceived to be a problem.The solution was to remove what seemed to be an unnecessary component,which unfortunately were sand filters.The helicopters, not all of them developed mechanical problems over the desert.At Desert 1 Army & Marine units mingled with no clear command structure and the accident that took the lives of some very brave men, then President Carter canceled the operation.This operation could still have proceeded especially since we already had troops right across the street from the embassy.I've best heard it described as like "the bride waiting at the alter".
I remain convinced that the hostages would have been freed that night if President Carted had only pulled the trigger.
Seeing is believing.

I enjoyed this book as an"intro" into how special forces work. I love the show "The Unit" and this book tells about how things work in the military that we as citizens never know exits. It was fascinating!

Probably one of the best books I have ever read. I couldn't put this book down and finished in 2 days. Fascinating to learn how their are actually humans alive who can do these sort of things. This Eric Haney is a tough dude and a true professional!!!

The book is well written. I'd give it 5 stars if Sgt. Haney's purported bonafides could be establshed beyond his own account and those of his publicists.

I've also read the Lardner article in the Tampa paper. It raises some serious questions about Sgt. Haney's claims.

I find Mr. (or is it Ms.?) Edwards' "review" amusing, in that he/she takes everything Sgt. Haney says as gospel, and dismisses the Lardner article as a front for "an attack team."

I would hope that a serious discussion of Sgt. Haney's claims could take place in a public forum away from the biased arguments of sycophants and others with hidden agendas.

The one star is for chutzpah. Haney comes in for some pretty heavy criticism in a just-published expose by Richard Lardner in the Tampa Tribune. Lotsa ex-Delta guys are quoted in the report saying Haney exaggerates shamelessly and fabricates events. They say the command ranks he claims to have attained while in Delta actually came after he'd left the unit. They feel he sold out his former comrades. I read the book. I found it entertaining, but so was Mission Impossible. Two thumbs down.

First off Mr. Haney does not have his facts right. He states that the jump made by the Rangers in Grenada was the first Combat Jump since WWII. Wrong! If memory serves me correctly, the 187th RCT made two jumps in Korea. The 173rd Abn. Bde. made a combat jump in Viet Nam in 1967. I personally think if he was wrong there, what else was misrepresented. Having served in the 173rd and SF I tend to believe almost nothing that I hear, unless I hear it from the horse's mouth. The fact that so many of the people he served with are calling him untruthful, what does that tell you?

"but the delta force come in somewhere behind the best in the world....the british S.A.S."

THE S.A.S IS NOT EVEN THE MOST ELITE SPECIAL FORCE UNIT IN UNITED KINGDOM. ASK ANYBODY, WHO KNOWS A GREAT DEAL ABOUT BRITISH SPECIAL FORCES, ABOUT WHICH UNIT IS THE MOST ELITE, HE OR SHE WOULD TELL YOU THAT THE HONOR GOES TO THE SBS. THE SAS IS JUST THE MOST FAMOUS?

I was hoping this book talked about the actual missions. It does not at all! It goes over the selection process and training process. The part about the selection process held my attention. The part about training was a little dry.

Don't despair just yet, for Eric Haney's writing is forcefully
exciting and at times even hairaising(though not always in a good
sense), the perfect companion for a 4-8 plane ride. An even mildly
perceptive reader, however, will probably leave this book with ling-
ering doubts, and justifiably so. CSM Haney's absense from Bec-
kwith's memoirs is reasonable enough(there were too many guys
in CAG for him to reasonably mention. Contrary to one reviewer,
"Allen" was actually the pseudonym for a sergeant identified by
both Haney and Beckwith as a pointman during operation Eagle
Claw, not Haney himself.), mention of Delta's first succesfull oper-
ation in Bangkok, conducted a year after the Tehran debacle and
in which a hijacked airliner was wrested via the smooth liquadati-
ion of all four terroists, without injury to the crew, is sorely absent,
as is any mention of the Achilles Lauro fiasco, another successful-
l resuce in Venezuela, and the unit's role in the ultimately lethal
hunt for Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar. Haney writes of De-
lta subserviently from a counterrorism perspective as a matter of
fact, with scant discussion of the operatives' more prominent dutie-
s(high-risk LRRP ops, cross-training with foreign units, Olympic se-
curity details), and one would imagine that as the sole member of
the JSOC to sport women, such a topic would be game for some
heckling or veiled braggadios, but this was also apparently to sun-
dry a topic for Haney. The guy spells out numerous times that he
and his comrades were "in the dark", yet for a unit who at the
time of the author's service was only 70some strong, aren't some
of these omissions pretty glaring?
Perhaps for filler's sake the reader is instead offered my-
riad half-baked cloak and dagger tales, the most outrageous pe-
rhaps being the assasination of a Delta trained CIA operative wor-
king undercover as Honduran guerrilla leader(?!) which the CSM
claims to have himself perpetrated, although the Laos section c-
omes in at a close second; should anyone be inquisitive, Bo Gr-
itz with the support of ISA(the U.S.'s answer to Israel's Mistr'avim)
did in fact raid the suspected facility, and found themselves the
dupes of urban legend. One hardly has to look farther than the
book's backjacket bio to sample author Haney's frequent use of
loaded language, describing his current existence as one spent "r-
escuing kidnapped American children, negotiating the release of
American hostages(this former snakeater has apparently thrown "To
free the Oppressed" to the wind and is now focused solely on his
own yard) and protecting CEOs and princes(nothing like mixed m-
essages)."
Perhaps most disturibing of all however, is this former count-
terterror maestro's chalking up militant fundamentalism to a "Mus-
lim attitude problem"; amusing will be the day when one of Eric
Haney's guest spots on the O'Reilly Factor is perturbed by a call-
er who confronts both dudes with the news that pre-9/11 the most
horrific terrorist act on U.S. soil was commited by American of
Anglo-Irish extraction against other Americans. In time, IDF may
serve not as an "insider account", but a curious relic to future so-
ciology and linguistics students reflecting upon the concept and
meaning of the word "poser."