Rating: 
Summary: Retired USAF Colonel Knows the Scoop on Incredible Airlift!
Review: Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Walter Boyne's book on the 1973 Arab-Israeli War (AKA the Yom Kippur or October War) is very well written. He's done his homework, including details on the U.S. airlift that resupplied Israel. The Israelis were arrogant after the 1967 six-day war, believing that no combination of Arab forces could beat them. And for once their highly-rated intelligence services failed them: they were completely surprised by the Egyptian and Syrian attack on their highest holy day. Arab forces also were much better trained and equipped by the Soviets this time round than in previous Arab-Israeli wars. The result: Arab forces fought much better than in 1967, and were in a position to grind out Israel in a war of attrition Israel could not afford, both in terms of personnel and equipment. The U.S. came to Israel's support, with what the author relates as the second largest airlift ever, second only to the Berlin airlift. A cornucopia of desperately needed munitions were airlifted by Military Airlift Command, enabling Israel to continue the war, turn the tide against initial Arab advances in the Sinai and the Golan Heights, and eventually force Egypt and Syria to anxiously seek a cease fire. Boyne is a great story teller, returning to the stories of a number of individuals, U.S, Arab, Israeli, and Soviet, throughout the book. The political context, especially Egyptian, Israeli, U.S., and Soviet, is well covered. The author excellently tells the story of the 1973 episode in the ongoing saga of Arab-Israeli conflict, and the beginnings of a move toward peace, as after this war Egypt becomes the first Arab state to reach a peace agreement with Israel. Hopefully more Arab states, including a Palestinian state, will make such peace agreements with the Israelis in the future. If they do, the 1973 war may be looked upon as the turning point in the Arab-Israeli wars, which began with the 1948 War for Independence.
Rating:
Summary: Retired USAF Colonel Knows the Scoop on Incredible Airlift!
Review: Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Walter Boyne's book on the 1973 Arab-Israeli War (AKA the Yom Kippur or October War) is very well written. He's done his homework, including details on the U.S. airlift that resupplied Israel. The Israelis were arrogant after the 1967 six-day war, believing that no combination of Arab forces could beat them. And for once their highly-rated intelligence services failed them: they were completely surprised by the Egyptian and Syrian attack on their highest holy day. Arab forces also were much better trained and equipped by the Soviets this time round than in previous Arab-Israeli wars. The result: Arab forces fought much better than in 1967, and were in a position to grind out Israel in a war of attrition Israel could not afford, both in terms of personnel and equipment. The U.S. came to Israel's support, with what the author relates as the second largest airlift ever, second only to the Berlin airlift. A cornucopia of desperately needed munitions were airlifted by Military Airlift Command, enabling Israel to continue the war, turn the tide against initial Arab advances in the Sinai and the Golan Heights, and eventually force Egypt and Syria to anxiously seek a cease fire. Boyne is a great story teller, returning to the stories of a number of individuals, U.S, Arab, Israeli, and Soviet, throughout the book. The political context, especially Egyptian, Israeli, U.S., and Soviet, is well covered. The author excellently tells the story of the 1973 episode in the ongoing saga of Arab-Israeli conflict, and the beginnings of a move toward peace, as after this war Egypt becomes the first Arab state to reach a peace agreement with Israel. Hopefully more Arab states, including a Palestinian state, will make such peace agreements with the Israelis in the future. If they do, the 1973 war may be looked upon as the turning point in the Arab-Israeli wars, which began with the 1948 War for Independence.
Rating: 
Summary: Not all it could be
Review: The reviewer named VDIBART makes some excellent points about the book, particularly its lack of maps and the author's tendency to repeat himself. I think the book could have used a better editor, someone who could have tightened up the writing a bit and improved the sourcing, particularly in places where Mr. Boyne is drawing conclusions.
Regardless, there is still much to recommend. The book is a valuable work and sheds light on some things that haven't gotten much attention, such as the U.S. airlift.
Rating:
Summary: An airlift saved the war
Review: The title caught my attention in reference to the time the war started. In reading the book I was surprised at the impact the airlift had in saving Israel. It was a close call on the modern battle field. Israel was asleep at the switch and was too full of themselves after the 6-Day War. They let their guard down. Also reminded how NATO countries refused to help with overflight permission for fear of affect on oil prices which happened anyway. A few key leaders in the US and then Soviet Union are credited by the author with getting a cease fire before it was too late for either side. There is also coverage how this war almost caused the US and USSR to go nuclear. I found interesting that at the highest level of government in Israel many of key players really hated each other during the war. Sometimes the Jews were their own worst enemy. The author provides an overview of the major battle engagements and the political issues at stake. One wonders how the world would be today if Israel had lost in 1973.
Rating:
Summary: An airlift saved the war
Review: The title caught my attention in reference to the time the war started. In reading the book I was surprised at the impact the airlift had in saving Israel. It was a close call on the modern battle field. Israel was asleep at the switch and was too full of themselves after the 6-Day War. They let their guard down. Also reminded how NATO countries refused to help with overflight permission for fear of affect on oil prices which happened anyway. A few key leaders in the US and then Soviet Union are credited by the author with getting a cease fire before it was too late for either side. There is also coverage how this war almost caused the US and USSR to go nuclear. I found interesting that at the highest level of government in Israel many of key players really hated each other during the war. Sometimes the Jews were their own worst enemy. The author provides an overview of the major battle engagements and the political issues at stake. One wonders how the world would be today if Israel had lost in 1973.
Rating: 
Summary: another history from another point of view
Review: The Yom Kippur war was a disaster for Isreal, a traumatic event that proved the hubris of the IDF and IAF as well as the folly of fixed line defense(alla Maginot line style). This book details the international cold war aspect of the war. It compiles good information about the respective militaries involved in the conflict and gives briefs on man yof the key Israeli and Arab actors. The most intriguing aspect of this read is its focus on the air left which it claims 'Saved Israel'. I've known American volunteers who went to Israel and helped unload the planes so the arms could be brought to the front as quickly as possible. The reader must decide how central a role the air lift played in the outcome of the war. The authors knowledge of military hardware is extensive and insightful. This book does not have the personal feel that Harzogs 'War of Atonement' does, nor is this book an in dept study of the military strategy and thoughts prior to and during the war. The author does touch on the controversial subject of Israels nuclear program and the questionable application of it. Probably that is the most interesting new knowledge brought to fore in this book is its emphasis on the 'brink' of nuclear war between the super powers, something that other authors including Sharon and Adan have not discussed in thier respective autobiographies that detail the conflict. this book is worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: another history from another point of view
Review: The Yom Kippur war was a disaster for Isreal, a traumatic event that proved the hubris of the IDF and IAF as well as the folly of fixed line defense(alla Maginot line style). This book details the international cold war aspect of the war. It compiles good information about the respective militaries involved in the conflict and gives briefs on man yof the key Israeli and Arab actors. The most intriguing aspect of this read is its focus on the air left which it claims 'Saved Israel'. I've known American volunteers who went to Israel and helped unload the planes so the arms could be brought to the front as quickly as possible. The reader must decide how central a role the air lift played in the outcome of the war. The authors knowledge of military hardware is extensive and insightful. This book does not have the personal feel that Harzogs 'War of Atonement' does, nor is this book an in dept study of the military strategy and thoughts prior to and during the war. The author does touch on the controversial subject of Israels nuclear program and the questionable application of it. Probably that is the most interesting new knowledge brought to fore in this book is its emphasis on the 'brink' of nuclear war between the super powers, something that other authors including Sharon and Adan have not discussed in thier respective autobiographies that detail the conflict. this book is worth a read.
Rating:
Summary: A study of the 1973 Mid-East diplomatic chess game. Read it.
Review: This is a very interesting, well written account and in depth study of events not only surrounding the 1973 Yom Kippur War, but indeed covering much of what occurred on the battlefields of this conflict which was launched against the Jewish state during the most Holy period of it's calendar by Egypt, Syria and contingents from other Arab nations. Much mention is made during this study of the failures of Israeli intelligence and the alleged `arrogance' of Israeli forces which prevented Israel from being totally prepared for the Arab onslaught, but I feel that some matters have not been given the attention that they deserve in relation to these issues.
The Sunday Times Insight Team in it's own study of the Yom Kippur War, reveals that shortly before the shooting began, the US told Israeli leaders (who were clearly aware of the Arab military build up and the potential of such an attack) in no uncertain terms that if Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against the assembled Arab forces, then the US would feel unable to supply fresh equipment which would surely be needed during the conflict's course.
The Sunday Times book includes the quote of US diplomatic sources that "...if Israel refrained from a pre-emptive strike, allowing the Arabs to provide irrefutable proof that they were the aggressors, then America would feel morally obliged to help..."
-To make such a pivotal & formidable diplomatic statement and then blame Israel for allowing the Arab advance to occur sticks in my throat somewhat. I cannot also agree with the comments about the Egypt & Syrian forces together with the other Arab contingents only intending to reach a certain boundary and then stop. I personally find this approach to be in ignorance of the Arab/Islamic mindset which existed not only at the time, but prior to the conflict and even to this day. At the time concerned no Arab national entity even acknowledged the mere right of the Jewish state to exist. This in itself should speak volumes. I am also uncomfortable with the emphasis placed upon the assumption that without the US assistance, Israel would not have survived. Indeed, if as sections of the book imply, the Arab forces had only intended advancing to a predetermined area, then this possibility should not have even entered the equation.
Maybe Israel would have struggled to survive by conventional means and may have needed the nuclear option. This we will never know, but there seems to be some disregard of the parallel Russian airlift to the Arab nations and the massive military support provided by the Russians without which the Arabs would not have been able to pursue such an agenda in the first instance. To make assumptions and allegations about Israel in the midst of what seems to have been a political/diplomatic chess game of immense proportions seems unfair. Others might disagree. Having said that, this is still an excellent study of the conflict. The examination of the intense diplomatic process in itself is commendable, as is the detail included in so many other areas. History will indeed show that the US was indeed the only nation not prepared to see the Jewish state `go under' at this crucial time in history, for which immense and eternal credit should be paid to the US for it's help and assistance. Being British and having served in the British military at the time concerned, this does not make me proud of my own nation's stance. Despite having taken issue with some of the matters in this book I still highly recommend this as a valuable study to those interested in the Middle East. I highly recommend to interested parties another book on this conflict by Chaim Herzog entitled "War of Atonement" and also Chaim Herzog's "The Arab-Israeli Wars: War and Peace in the Middle East". Thank you.
Rating:
Summary: A political military history of the Yom Kippur War.
Review: This is my fourth book I read on this war, and I actually learned a great deal more of the political battles in this book than in the previous books. There are a number of books which describe what happens militarily, but little which cover the politics of the war. This book fits the bill and describes how the American, Russian, Israeli, and Arabs had individual battles and combined this almost resulted in the use of nuclear weapons. Israeli generals and politicians were very divided and this almost resulted in the end of the Third Temple. Breshnev used language in letters to Nixon which resulted in US forces going on Def Com 3 alert. Arab leaders started the war with modest goals and came close to conquering Israel. The author does a good job of detailing all these little crisises.
This is a good solid read about the Yom Kippur War and the airlift which saved Israel. This is a good addition to your history library.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding book
Review: Walt Boyne has done an excellent job of telling the story of the Yom Kipper War and the American airlift. As a crewmember on one of the first C-5s into Lod, the story is very personal to me but Walt has answered a lot of questions and provided much background information that I was not previously aware of. This book is very pertinent in view of the current Administration's attempts at starting a war with Iraq. Boyne's narrative illustrates that the Arab armies are not the paper tigers that most Americans seem to think they are. Few Americans are aware of how close Israel came to defeat in October 1973 and few Israelis will admit that if it hadn't been for the airlift, Israel may have ceased to exist. BUY THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!! Sam McGowan
USAF veteran and author, THE CAVE, a novel of the Vietnam War
|
