Rating: 
Summary: Shady
Review: The book's credibility is diminished by the author's over-emphasis on details; details that none of us could remember about ourselves or encounters we experienced so long after the fact (several years in this case). For example, he talks about the color of ties he wore and the suits of people he met only once or twice. The details of his alleged service to his secret clique inside the Mossad are not subject to verification. I suspect that, as in the case of the first book, the author creatively embellishes and takes literary license with stories he got from international newspapers or CNN. This second book reads more like an espionage novel than a factual recounting of his years inside and outside the Mossad. Then again, the whole thing could be an elaborate disinformation campaign (serving whatever purpose) carried out by the psychological warfare unit Ostrovsky praises so highly.
Rating: 
Summary: Naivete
Review: The opinions of the detractors of Ostrovsky's books are less than surprising. They are counting on the general naivete of the public at large. I have been a dirty tricks specialist for many years in the U.S. Armed Forces. Every scenario put forth by Ostrovsky, some admittedly outrageous, are at the same time completely plausible.Clandestine operations are often founded upon the most bizarre set of circumstances and carried out by the unknowing dupes of seasoned field agents, otherwise known as assets. There is never a master plan, while there is always the goal of victory at any cost. The only thing that is definitely planned from the gitgo is deniability. The outcome of a given operation therefore ranges either from the consummately mundane to the totally absurd. The more ridiculous, the easier to deny. Some succeed and some fail. Good funding and support for the long haul from the powers that be most often make the difference between a Bay of Pigs and the complete withdrawal the Soviet Armed Forces from Afghanistan, Central America and the collapse their system. I submit that the detractors of Mr. Ostrovsky's works may have an agenda not unlike the object of study found in Ostrovky's books.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it!
Review: The title contains all you need to know. Deception and "hidden agendas" fascinate me, I tend to think that what you see is not what you're getting in most instances.You will not be able to put this book down.
Rating: 
Summary: Background to Dangers
Review: This book is a factual account of events as they occurred before the publication of his first book (Chapter 28). The Prologue gives his family history, and why he joined the Mossad. Chapter 1 tells how a NATO sleeper cell was used to create atrocities that could be blamed on Communists, and destabilize the left leaning Belgian government (pp,4-5). Chapter 2 tells how they worked with an American company that had desired technology (p.10). Chapter 4 explains how the Jordanian peace initiative was stopped. In Chapter 6 Victor was kicked out of the Mossad, and immediately recruited into a secret organization. Chapter 8 tells how a new head of the Mossad was stopped from taking office. Chapter 9 tells of his secret mission to the KGB to offer himself as a spy (Chapter 13). This would expose a suspected mole. Chapter 15 explains how Libya was blamed for a discotheque bombing in 1986. The US retaliation kept Libya "out of the picture". Victor then learns how turmoil was created between Kuwait and Iraq. Chapter 17 describes the safe house system in London. Victor traveled to Jordan to advise them on detecting moles. Chapter 21 tells of "humanitarian assistance" to blacks in Soweto, using a Baltimore hospital for cover. Were they testing medications and diseases? Victor explains the Pollard affair, why Pollard knew too much. Pollard's information was traded to the Soviets to release Jews; Pollard was used and then flushed! Chapter 22 tells of his visit to Egypt, and their interest in Robert Maxwell. Maxwell bought media to influence public opinion, and to provide a cover for assets in other countries; page 204 tells how this worked. Chapter 23 tells how background information was obtained from strangers (p.208). The Vanunu affair is explained (p.209). In Chapter 25 Victor decides to write his book on the Mossad. Operation Hannibal sold military supplies to Iran. Page 228 tells how Kurt Waldheim was branded as a Nazi! Page 231 explains how a politician was smeared and defeated. When this politician tried to clear himself, he was lured to Geneva and given a heart attack (pp.234-5). In Chapter 26 Victor travels to Paris to tell the French secret service about the Mossad's links with fascist elements (p.242). They later asked Victor to investigate the leading advocate of privatization in the US (p.244). This member of the Libertarian Party sought to destabilize a French South Pacific island. Chapter 27 tells about the propaganda campaign against Saddam Hussein (p.247). Iraq targeted Iranian cities using information from American satellites. Pages 250-1 tell how a reporter (who knew too much) was lured into a fatal mission. Then there is the planted story of Iraq's "weapons of mass destruction". Page 259 tells of the safest sanctuary around - an airport! Chapter 30 tells of President George Bush's visit to the Madrid peace talks, and the failed assassination attempt. Chapter 31 explains Robert Maxwell's partnership with the Mossad, and why he had to be silenced. It was not that he knew too much, but that he began to talk too much under pressure of bankruptcy. Chapter 31 ends the book with his tour of Europe to promote his first novel. A problem occurred in Belgium; Victor knew of the corruption of the Belgian police force. Victor then realized that his connection in the Mossad was no longer reliable (p.290).
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT BOOK
Review: This is an excellent book, probably one of the best ones I have ever read. In my opinion it says the real story about israeli intelligence, how they think, how they act, and how dirty they play with everybody, even with people who have helped them. You MUST read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting
Review: This is the authors follow up to his first book "By Way of Deception". Whereas his first book was focused on his recruitment and training in the Mossad, this book focuses on the operations the Mossad perform. The value of this book is both to understand how the Israeli "CIA" works around the world and in there homeland, but also (and maybe now more importantly) to understand the forces that they are up against. For the espionage reader out there this is a very interesting book, because not many books have come out by real life former agents of the Mossad, and the Mossad are touted as one of if not the best organization of its kind. I also enjoyed the details of how the opposition (i.e. terrorists) works against the Mossad. There are some interesting insights to what the Israeli's are up against. Overall this is a good follow up to his book and if you are interested in espionage, the Mossad or just the Middle East then this is a book that you will get a lot of enjoyment out of.
Rating:
Summary: Very Interesting
Review: This is the authors follow up to his first book "By Way of Deception". Whereas his first book was focused on his recruitment and training in the Mossad, this book focuses on the operations the Mossad perform. The value of this book is both to understand how the Israeli "CIA" works around the world and in there homeland, but also (and maybe now more importantly) to understand the forces that they are up against. For the espionage reader out there this is a very interesting book, because not many books have come out by real life former agents of the Mossad, and the Mossad are touted as one of if not the best organization of its kind. I also enjoyed the details of how the opposition (i.e. terrorists) works against the Mossad. There are some interesting insights to what the Israeli's are up against. Overall this is a good follow up to his book and if you are interested in espionage, the Mossad or just the Middle East then this is a book that you will get a lot of enjoyment out of.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible Story...and a bit frightening too!
Review: This story depicts the Israeli Secret Service as they really are. Ostrovsky knows from personal relations that the Israelis take nothing from no one. Ostrovsky's story about attempts to bring down the right wing elements in the Mossad are incredible and a must read for anyone interested in espionage and international politics. This book is one of few written about the Mossad and once you read about their policies, you'll understand why!
Rating:
Summary: A great work displays courage
Review: victor ostrovsky should be sent to trial for keeping people from sleeping. I skiped two nights sleeping cycles to finish this book. Nasser
Rating:
Summary: The other side of Israel
Review: We are not surprised to find out that Israel has its own secret agency. MOst countries in the world have the own national agencies and in the case of Jewish people, having a highly effective secret service is paramopunt for their survival. 6 millions Jews perished during the Holoucast and this can never be allowed to happen to any race . The books reveals that after centuries of oppression against the Jews, they( Jews) have taken matter into their own hands. This books shows how this agency( MOSSAD) despite being rather young in the spy business, have estableished themselves as a premier Spy agency in the world. It is also frightening to know that some of them have acquired the charcateristics of their enemies. This excellent book also shows how a common man can be convert into an important tool for the agency.
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