Book Review: 90 Minutes at Entebbe
Sunday, 7. May 2006 - 10:53 PM
There’s a reason people in India shop for books on the roadside; and it’s emphatically not because of the dirt-cheap prices. Chances are stacked high on the positive side of obtaining books like 90 Minutes at Entebbe. Where does one begin?
90 Minutes at Entebbe is a factual, to-the-last-nut-and-bolt account of Israel’s courageous 1976 rescue mission to free its citizens held as hostages by terrorists. Written by William Stevenson, this is both prophetic and ironical. Prophetic because the world’s response to terrorism if anything, is today fraught with cowardice, disguised variously as political correctness and at the other extreme, “respecting sensitivities.”
Stevenson, a journalist displays great understanding of the Israeli perspective in the book. He condemns the shoddy moral equivalence which has assumed alarming proportions in political discourses on terrorism. The words of Yerucham Amitai, a former Israeli Air Chief Staff are clear:
If Israel should ever fail to protect her own, she would cease to have meaning. We have been forced into aggressive defense and the stakes keep getting higher. In the end, we may have to choose between actions that might pull down the Temple of Humanity itself rather than surrender even a single member of the family to the executioners.
Survival in other circumstances is not survival at all. And all of us, whatever our race, won’t be worth a damn if we buy our lives at the cost of our conscience.
The book records every minute detail of the agony Israel suffered when Air France flight 139 was hijacked at Athens in late June 1976 and landed at the Entebbe airport in Uganda. The hijackers operated under the PLFP, an arm of the PLO and had unequivocal support of the Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin.
From trying to negotiate with Idi Amin to the final go-ahead for Operation Thunderbolt, the book reveals the machinations, attitudes and responses of people and nations threatened with terror. The standard response seems to be: it didn’t happen to us so let’s not be part of the mess. Yet, Israel went ahead and claimed responsibility for the rescue operation that both shocked and thrilled the entire world. Equally, it also sent out a clear message to terrorists: don’t mess with Israel. What is perhaps is most notable is the singling out of Jews from a total hostage count of 256. Hostages of all other nationalities/races except for about 100 Jews were released. This act of singling out the Jews chillingly reminded them of a similar singling exercise carried out a few decades earlier, still fresh in memory for many hostages. That in my opinion, constituted the decisive moment to call for action.
That the entire operation was conceived, planned and executed in less than 3 days speaks eloquently of the quality of Israel’s defense forces. The meticulousness of planning–setting up trial runs inside Israel, simulating the situation at Entebbe airport–complete with darkness, location of Lake Victoria, the old and new terminals, the works–right up to the last nut and bolt makes your head dazed. Indeed, the original time estimate for the actual military action–57 minutes was cut to 55 but was executed in 53 minutes. The total operation took 90 minutes, hence the book’s name. Israel lost two hostages and one soldier, Lt Col “Yonni” Netanyahu. Another hostage, a 75 year-old woman, Mrs.Dora Bloch went missing–she was taken for treatment and never returned.
William Stevenson has done painstaking research before writing this superb book: first person accounts of some hostages, interviews with high ranking government officials, and military folks. Just for the sake of it, Ariel Sharon was then a Brigadier General (memory fails me, I’m open to correction), Israel’s Prime Minister was Rabin.
90 Minutes also contains an afterword, the author’s personal remarks on the episode plus the abriged text of the Security Council discussion on the affair. Israel’s response in the said discussion is a manual on an uncompromising stand against terrorism. Indeed, as the author notes about the world’s shameless complicity in condemning Israel for what is essentially an act of self-defense:
What a dismal comment upon the international morality! Israel was not condemned! Values have been up-ended. Peace at any price is now the objective of a world forum born out of the Holocaust to preserve the humanities–not to sacrifice them for survival at any cost.
(Italics in original)
Although carefully-researched, the book suffers from a major drawback: presentation. Stevenson’s writing style is quite jarring and hard to follow. It can be pretty frustrating at some points especially the lack of clarity. Language is contrived and feels as if the author had his hands weighed down by a boulder. Yet this defect can be overlooked in the light of its overall message and given the importance of Operation Thunderbolt.
And did I forget to mention that it contains some exclusive photographs?
8. May 2006 - 5:35 AM
Israel rocks, man! Why can’t India develop te kind of guts to deal with terrorism and assert itself in the foreign policy realm?
Here’s the story of Israel’s nuclearization and how strongly they defended their interests against the Americans.
http://www.thebulletin.org/print.php?art_ofn=mj06cohen
Fascinating, isn’t it? Especially when you compare it with Manmohan’s nuclear sell-out to Americans.
8. May 2006 - 9:41 AM
Hey thanx Sandeep for the post…I guess it had been close to more than a decade since I had read this book, I had completly forgotten about it..so when I saw the title of your post, every incident of the thrilling saga described in vivid detail, in the book snapped back to life in my memory and could “see” everything as though it is happening live infront of me.
8. May 2006 - 7:01 PM
Sandeep
Thanks for digging up this book. This book is still there at my Bombay home. Will surely pick it up and read it again 15 years later. I even saw the movie based on this. There were actually 2 movies. I saw the one starring Bronson
11. May 2006 - 9:00 AM
A small piece of trivia – Lt Col Yonni Netanyahu was the brother of the future PM Benjamin Netanyahu. I do not remember if Benjamin Netanyahu had any role in the entire operation. Since you have read the book recently, you may clrify
11. May 2006 - 9:26 AM
Niketan,
As far as I can remember, Benjamin is not mentioned in the book, at least not very prominently. The language is pretty irritating so it’s hard to keep things in memory.
21. May 2006 - 12:59 PM
seen this movies 90 mins at entebbe long ago. would like to see it again and get my kids to watch it. sadly cant find a single print in any video library
22. May 2006 - 3:44 PM
Chitra
There are 2 movies – one is Operation Thunderbolt – this is a rare piece. No idea bout the actors. The other is Raid on Entebbe -starring Charles Bronson. This must be quite easily available. I borrowed it from a video library. At present the video companies are issuing many 70’s titles. I shall keep you posted if I get this anywhere.
26. June 2006 - 6:08 PM
hey pls help to find a link to download 90 minutes entebee..pls…pls…pls..
15. August 2006 - 6:15 PM
hey man… where can i download this book…??? or where can i buy it…??
17. August 2006 - 4:20 PM
Request, please get me the source where I can buy “90 Minutes at Entebbe” and the movie CD “RAID ON ENTEBBE”.
It can be any where in India, I will arrange to approach them and will try to get it anyhow.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Regards,
Bhanu
17. August 2006 - 4:22 PM
Request, please get me the source where I can buy “90 Minutes at Entebbe” and the movie CD “RAID ON ENTEBBE”.
It can be any where in India, I will arrange to approach them and will try to get it anyhow.
Thanks in advance for your help please.
Regards,
Bhanu
26. August 2006 - 10:55 PM
Dear Friend,
I came across this conversation via google.Please count me in the list of people trying to get a piece of it.If you have any info regarding its Indian publisher (if any) please let me know.I will try to get atleast few reprints of it.
Nishant
22. October 2006 - 3:53 PM
I am searching for this book.
And in google search, I hit your page!
So, any idea, where I can get this book?
Can I order it online?
Thanks,
Narendra
7. December 2006 - 6:23 PM
I wanted to get an update. Has anybody managed to get a VCD/DVD of the movie Raid on Entebbe?
7. January 2007 - 6:58 AM
If anyone knows how to get a vcd or dvd copy of the Raid on Entebbe movie pls, pls let me know. My father has been wanting to see this for the last 20 years and I am still tryign to get it for him. If you cna tell me where I can get the book 90 minutes, that will also be helpful. Much appreciated – I live in Singapore
30. January 2007 - 2:01 PM
another entry into the waiting list for both the movie and the book… anyone who finds it, please let me know too…
25. February 2007 - 11:07 AM
Hi Sandeep
Today I happened to discuss about “90 min at Entebbe” book with my younger daughter. I had read it some 15 yrs back and failed to recollect in totality while explaining about heroics ,courage , concern for fellow citizen by the govt of israel and mossad ,while narating to my daughter. Your synopsis above on the book triggered bak my memories about the book. My daughter was damn impressed and just ready to pounce on the book .
28. February 2007 - 5:20 PM
hey please let me know where do i find the book…in or near banagalore. is it officially banned?
1. March 2007 - 9:17 AM
India (then ruled by Indira Gandhi) joined a resolution in the UN General Assembly condemning the Israeli rescue operation – whether it was due to realpolitic or otherwise we will never know. The commie clowns in jail at that time are believed to have had a heated argument with the Socialists, Akalis, and RSS/Jan Sanghites as all were then in jail during the Emergency! Viren Shah and Datta Samant spent days playing bridge and had a lot of fun at the expense of the commies arguing ove the operation! The movie 90-minutes…was of course banned in India as was the book. But the book was available at the local lending library in Madras (Eashwari Lending Library) and a condensed form was even printed in Indian edition of the Readers Digest! RK Karanjia’s Blitz (firmly pro-Congress those days) published a totally bizarre story alleging that the entire hijack and rescue was a secret Israeli operation! Don’t be surpirsed if the Indian commie morons like Sitaram Yechury and their dork pals like Sid Varadarajan write a story out of that fake report!
1. March 2007 - 11:38 AM
Everyone,
Also look at http://www.abebooks.com/. They seem to have lot of really inexpensive (used?) editions. Probably you can ask one of your friends to buy it and mail it to you.
1. March 2007 - 6:11 PM
Rama
I think we should try Amazon. I am planning to try to get this movie from there.
Regards
Niketan
28. September 2007 - 3:31 PM
I am searching this movie Riad On Entebbe. I got info abt this before 7 years when indian Airplane hijacked to Afgan. My 49 yrs old friend told me that what did israel that time & what we r doing this time. So pls. ask to your friends who r in USA as this movie is available there. This movie is totaly banned in INdia & Gulf Countries. I already searched in gulf and all metros in INdia.
4. October 2007 - 11:31 PM
Shekhar
Even Amazon has second hand copies selling for a high price. Anyway I shall keep everybody informed if I get a copy. I believe it was a television movie, but still managed to get big names such as Charles Bronson (playing Don Shamoron)and Peter Finch.
Niketan
4. October 2007 - 11:41 PM
Update:
I just visited the Amazon site and found that there is a new release of the DVD on July 2007. I am not sure of the quality. So anybody who wants to buy the DVD has a source here.
23. November 2007 - 5:47 PM
Saudi Arabia and Libya were the source of about 60 percent of the foreign fighters
who came to Iraq in the past year to facilitate attacks.
31. December 2007 - 1:56 PM
Plz tell me where can i buy this book. Any Shop in Jaipur,New Delhi or Bangalore.
Where can i buy this book in net ?
regrds
abhijit
3. January 2008 - 11:20 PM
Please I will like to watch the movie again after so many years. Is there a way I can download it from the internet?
30. January 2008 - 7:31 PM
We had an arguement about the whole story today at our IMTU-COLLEGE OF MEDICINE CAMPUS,DAR-ES-SALAAM,TANZANIA.I wanted to read some more then i decided to come here at the computer lab and ‘google’ the phrase ‘90 minutes at Entebbe’!! I am determined to get a hard as well as a soft copy of the book very urgently!!!
GODLOVE
DAR
Tanzania.
30. January 2008 - 7:40 PM
This whole thing is,in my opinion,a way of teaching us a lesson that ‘THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH TERRORISM IS COUNTERTERRORISM’.
-Godlove
Dar
Tanzania.
3. April 2008 - 8:55 PM
HI
i wud like to know whr can i get a fresh copy of this book in india?
if anybody cud help in finding it wud be great?
i hd read it long time back n now looking for a copy.
i wud be very happy if i get the movie as well of the same title
14. April 2008 - 1:19 PM
hi anyone out there,
please tell me where this movie is available in India. Its a collectors item.
8. May 2008 - 7:50 PM
Hi,
Great movie
if anybody cud help in finding DVDof the film, it wud be great?
Definitely, its collectors item
27. November 2008 - 11:49 AM
That was a woderful write up. I have read and re read the book. It is one of my prized possessions. It was an operation that was as aptly described ” boldest in imagination, Farthest in range….” Another thing worth mentioning was as the commando forces were flying back, it was already 4th of july 1976, when America turned 200 and “israel was still in her twenties” — We Indians have a lot to learn lest we should cease to exist as one nation. Ironically Iam writng this on the day of the gory terrorist attack in Mumbai ( 26/11) . We have a lot in common with the Israelis. India and Israel are both young nations but ancient civilisations fighting a common enemy called terror. Unless this scourge is wiped out the surface of the world “the temple of Humanity” is never safe. Arise Awake and stop not until the Goal is reached. U.Venkatesh
11. December 2008 - 7:45 PM
the movie ” raid on entebbe ” is available as a torrent download(avi), am downloading it now.
23. December 2008 - 8:50 PM
Can I avail this book from any stores. Seriously looking for it.
13. January 2009 - 12:17 AM
Hi! cud anyone pls let me know where I can get this book in hyderabad,India?
12. May 2009 - 9:51 PM
Hi all,
I too am looking for a ebook version of 90 minutes at Entebbe. Pls do let me know if someone comes across one.
5. June 2009 - 7:55 PM
The story of ‘The Raid at Entebe’ is thrilling and amazing. I watched the movie when I was just about 15 years old. I got so thrilled that it scarsely left my memory. But now, how do I get the book or the VCD? I will join others requesting for it. Please do have me in mind as you consider others on how to get the book and the VCD.
Regards.
7. September 2009 - 2:34 PM
Hi,
As like everyone else i also want this book 90 minutes at entebbe. Can anyone suggest me where can I get it in Delhi or online?
8. September 2009 - 12:58 AM
Dear Friends,
I have seen this movie some 10-12 times. Everytime it makes me cry! I feel ashamed, agitated and cursed to die a ‘Naamurd’ death. You get this movie easily on bittorrents. It is a good copy that you get.
Another important movie we all should see is “Impossible Spy”. I don’t have a copy of this movie but I have seen it on Star. If someone finds it get it and put it on the torrents.
Thanks and regards,
vp
26. December 2009 - 10:04 PM
hi sandeep,
I am shalini from andhra pradesh.my mum when she was studying in chennai in queen’s college read the book “90 minutes at entebee” and she is to tell to me from my childhood abt this i too want to have the book.my mum wants to read the book again and i am also excited to read.so anyone who can help me to get
thanx
regards
shalni