Rise and Kill First
The Secret History of Israel's Targeted Assassinations
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Rise and Kill First
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Narrated by:
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Rob Shapiro
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By:
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Ronen Bergman
About this listen
* AN ECONOMIST BOOK OF THE YEAR * THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER *
Shortlisted for the Airey Neave Memorial Book Prize
Winner of 2018 National Jewish Book Award
The first definitive history of the Mossad, Shin Bet, and the IDF's targeted killing programs.
The Talmud says: "If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first." This instinct to take every measure, even the most aggressive, to defend the Jewish people is hardwired into Israel's DNA. From the very beginning of its statehood in 1948, protecting the nation from harm has been the responsibility of its intelligence community and armed services, and there is one weapon in their vast arsenal that they have relied upon to thwart the most serious threats: Targeted assassinations have been used countless times, on enemies large and small, sometimes in response to attacks against the Israeli people and sometimes preemptively.
In this eye-opening book, journalist and military analyst Ronen Bergman - praised by David Remnick as "arguably [Israel's] best investigative reporter" - offers a riveting inside account of the targeted killing programs: their successes, their failures, and the moral and political price exacted on the men and women who approved and carried out the missions.
Built from interviews with Israeli Prime Ministers as well as high-level figures in Mossad, and the country's military and intelligence services - Rise and Kill First includes never-before-reported, behind-the-curtain accounts of key operations, and based on hundreds of on-the-record interviews and thousands of previously unseen files. Bergman traces, from statehood to the present, the gripping events and thorny ethical questions underlying Israel's targeted killing campaign, which has shaped the Israeli nation, the Middle East, and the entire world.
Rise and Kill First is the definitive book to read on Israel's military history.
©2018 Ronen Bergman (P)2018 Hodder & StoughtonListeners also enjoyed...
Critic reviews
"A gripping investigation of Israel's assassination policy." (Sunday Times)
"Compelling." (John le Carré)
"Remarkable." (Observer)
What listeners say about Rise and Kill First
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Anonymous User
- 01-03-21
Non-fiction at its best
I had this on my read list for ages but only got round to downloading it and listening to it this year. it's absolutely fantastic, thoroughly researched, well read and truly gripping I was sad when it ended.
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- Anonymous User
- 28-02-20
One of the best books I have ever listened to!
Simply outstanding, gripping at times. Gives a great overview of the whole conflict. Strongly recommend
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- Anonymous User
- 13-06-24
In-depth and impressive reporting
It’s incredible that Bergman managed to amass so much knowledge about the workings of a famously secretive organisation. The information gave me new perspective on the Middle East conflict and I felt that I learned a lot. Shapiro is an excellent narrator.
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- Anonymous User
- 22-08-24
Great book
I bought the book to find out more about what was the driving force behind Israel's approach to the politics and violence in the Middle East. i was not disappointed as the author provided a very deep insight and is clearly very well respected and connected in his Country. Having said that I also believe that Mr Bergman presented the facts 'warts and all".
The saddest part is that one of the key lessons emanating from the book is that fighting "fire with fire" does not create an environment conducive to long term peace and I am puzzled as to why Israel's current response in Gaza has been so forceful given the experience of history.
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- Warren
- 12-11-18
Gripping and fascinating
A detailed and accurate insight into the Israeli security system from the beginning to now
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1 person found this helpful
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- B A CRANCH
- 13-04-20
Brilliant.
I have always found fact more interesting and exciting than fiction and espionage and its associated activities is my favourite genre. Some books claim to be definitive accounts and there is no doubt that some books I've read on the CIA, KGB, Stasi etc have been excellent. A recent purchase on Audible of GCHQ is superb. This book, however, has three main pillars to it's narrative; the history/politics of the Israeli security forces, the people and the operations it carried out. Mossad, Shin Bet (Shabak) and Aman are the three principal organisations and this book explains the relationships between them.
I'm old enough to remember the 1967 Arab-Israeli conflict and over the last fifty or so years there seems never to have been a time when there was peace in the Middle East. Many of the vast number of operations carried out by the Israeli agencies are described in thrilling detail here and notwithstanding the calamities of some of them, they are superbly informative in terms of motive, preparation and execution (often literally). The PLO, Hamas, Hezbollah have presented Israel with an existential threat for decades and this has been met by unbelievable courage and ingenuity in the face of murderous fanaticism.
Also of interest is the number of Mossad, Shabak etc personnel who subsequently move into Israeli politics having "done their share" of deadly operations. A sharp contrast with Western politicians and their background of Oxbridge debating societies or trade unionism!
I can't recommend this narration too highly.
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- Dave
- 15-07-20
Excellent depth and detail
A fantastic narrative, I can't imagine a better researched book on this subject. Excellent detail and with a good pace throughout.
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- Anonymous User
- 08-11-23
Best read
The author has done great deal of research . Unbiased too . The overall conclusion from reading this book is that #Israel is in the struggle for its existence.
Israel too is desperate for a 2 state solution to work .
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- Phillip
- 21-03-19
Investigative Journalism at its best
One of the best Investigative Journalism books I have ever listened to. Ronen Bergman book is flawless and so well written, I could not put it down :) Narrated by Rob Shapiro who did an outstanding job !!
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3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 16-01-21
A complex catalogue of killings
I bought this to understand the conflict. It is a book aimed at those who have knowledge politically and historically of Israel and Palestine. There was extraordinary emphasis on Israel avoiding killing innocents around a target. A country where survival is a daily concern. Since its formation after a holocaust. Never really finding peace.
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