Rating: 
Summary: Has to be a little biased.
Review: Most of the contents written in this book are probably true, but the people who the author claims are realy responsible for the attempt on the Popes life probably aren't. It has a facinating story about adolf Eichman's capture and a good account of the intelligence used against the P.L.O.
Rating: 
Summary: A history of an amazing organization
Review: Love it or loath it, the Mossad has had it's ups and downs, and in the business of intelligence and national security they have frequently shown to be one of the best and one of the most misused resources at the disposal of the state of Israel. This highly readable account of the history of the Mossad, also draws attention to the slightly less simplistic relationship between cause and effect that has worked so well and occasionally so badly for the Mossad, it highlights mischevious and damaging political influencing, it makes public revealing conversations with movers and shakers in the world of intelligence, and it does just what the title says - tell us quite a few things about The Secret History of the Mossad. Gordon Thomas is another writer who writes because he has something to say, and it shows.Regards, martyn_jones@iniciativas.com
Rating:
Summary: Simplistic and Sensationalistic
Review: The book survives on its fascinating anecdotes. Unfortunately, it leaves the reader with the inescapable impression that the stories are incomplete and too simplistic, and that the events are presented for purposes of sensationalism more than accuracy. One has no idea to what extent the stories are true, but more importantly, the author doesn't make a serious attempt to inspire the reader's confidence.
Rating: 
Summary: Simply Excellent!
Review: The best book about the Israeli Secret Service.
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating but disjointed
Review: I thought this book was great in most ways. The Mossad is presented as an agency that will do anything to save Israel, to the point of assassination and framing their own agents. I have one major quibble though: his organization of the case histories/biographies/modern Israeli history was so annoying I wanted to tear my hair out by the end of the book. For example, a priest at Robert Maxwell's funeral leads to a shadowy meeting in the Vatican which goes to a flashback to Golda Meir meeting Paul VI to a flashback of James Jesus Angleton & Pius XII. A flashback to a flashback to a flashback?!?! And he starts the book with the Princess Diana tragedy, hinting more than a little it wasn't just a car crash. Apparently a Mossad agent was attempting to enlish Henri Paul around the time of her death. But after she dies, the Mossad is barely mentioned for 30 pages except that they probably know something about it. I know he's an English journalist and the Diana death makes juicy copy, but why don't we start a book on the history of the Mossad with SOMETHING ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE MOSSAD?!?! So, I give Gideon's Spies 5 stars on content but a half a star on organization.
Rating:
Summary: Back to School
Review: I found the book to be informative, however the author should have hired a proof-reader. His communication was impaired by poor sentence structure.
Rating:
Summary: In the Style of Geraldo
Review: I love reading spy novels. This book fits right into that genre--however it is not intended to be a novel. I have always found it difficult to swallow any title that states that it's the "Secret History..." of anything. If it was so secret how on earth did a hack British reporter (reknown worldwide for their sensationalistic style) get the inside scoop on it? This book reminds me a lot of "The Puzzle Palace" a "secret history" about NSA. Compared to the CIA or MI6, both NSA and MOSSAD have virtually nothing of substance in the way of reference books. Most of the facts are based upon specualtion, innuendo and heresay. The authors in both books is probably gathering TONS of information from every source. But, since he can't publish all of it, he must filter it to create a story. But how? He is not an agent. He has never worked in the intelligence field and does not really have the background to choose what is fact or fiction--in the intell world it si sometimes blurred. So the auther instead falls back on what he DOES know. Which is writing stories. This book IS an incredably good story. As good as any Tom Clancy novel, and it even jumps around (Clancy-style) a lot just as it is getting intriguing. But, since this book is intended as a resource of non-fiction, what does the author give the reader to gain credibility? Answer: A 5 page "Note on Sources" which only elaborates on a few people he interviewed, but never cross-referencing with the stories within the chapters. There is an index, but so what? In some places Mr. Thomas also insinuates that he attended several of the events as a reporter, but never says who he talked to, about what subject. No doubt he had is tape-recorder running, but one never knows whether something was on or off the record. I would also think that since he makes reference to some books and newspapers, that he would document those, but alas! As I was reading this book, I could almost hear Geraldo Rivera in my head narrating it. (note to publisher: get Geraldo to narrate the audio book. You'll sell millions.) Both the author and Geraldo share an emphasis of the sensational and exaggeration. They never worry about sources, because they are journalists by habit and not historians. They have no need to be accountable, just in making sure they get credit for the story. Unfortunately, since this book is so compelling (which is why I at least gave it 3 stars), but lacks so much in the way of documentation, it could have been THE subject matter on Israeli intelligence. Instead it will be a popular read for a short time and wind up in the bargain bin in a few months.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but lacking
Review: When you write a book about any intelligence agency ( Mossad, CIA, British MI6), you will need information from people near the top. This book makes some interesting accusations such as it was Iran who blew up Pan Am 103, not the two Lybians on trial. The author also claims that the Mossad killed Robert Maxwell. Here is the problem. Much of the source material was provided by an alleged Israeli Mossad agent named Ari Ben-Menashe. First of all the Mossad said he was never an agent. Second this Ben-Menashe is also the same man who said that George Bush and Ronald Reagan made the "October Surprise " deal with Iran. A congressional investigation into this matter said that Ari Ben-Menashe had no credibilty was was known to be a liar. Another source for the book is Victor Ostrovsky. He is famous as being the former Mossad agent who wrote the book "By Way of Deception". He is angry at the Mossad and thus his credibilty must be questioned. Gordon Thomas did not leave any footnotes to check up on any of his accusations. Here is the thing though. Israel is surrounded by enemies. They need 24 hour intelligence gathering. The CIA has overthrown governments, financed mass murderering dictators and killed at freewill, yet people after reading this book would assume that the Mossad is the worse thing on the planet. This book is alright, but accusations need to be checked on and the author leaves us NO footnotes to do that.
Rating: 
Summary: But is it accurate?
Review: Mr. Gordon makes many shocking claims in this book. The Mossad supposedly knew that a truck bomb was going to be used against the marines in Lebanon, but didn't tell them. The Israeli Prime Minister (Shamir) supposedly gave Pollard's spy material to the Russians because he hated America. The Mossad supposedly didn't lift a finger to save William Buckley, who was tortured and killed in Lebanon. The famous Mr. Maxwell, who looted his employee's pension funds, supposedly gave those funds to the Mossad. I admit, I don't want to believe this stuff, but if the evidence was better, I would swallow hard and believe it. Its not enough to rely on an occassional disaffected spy like Ostrovsky. Lots of allegations in this book could be true, but on the other hand, they could be false.
Rating:
Summary: NOT A HISTORIAN, BUT A STORYTELLER
Review: We should not confuse history with storytelling: Thomas does the latter, and delivers the goods. If you wish to approach Mossad from his viewpoint, then you really are going to enjoy it. But you mustn't ask too much: just turn the pages and spend some interesting time. Facts may be a bit distorted, his prose may be very journalistic and simple, but you do have fun - a thing you don't usually get when you read a plain historical account. In fact, after going through Thomas's account of Mossad, you start wondering about the REAL facts and perhaps you then go out to the library and check (if you can!). Isn't that a good enough divulgative accomplishment?
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