The Eve of Destruction - by Howard Blum (Paperback)

About the Book

On October 6, 1973 Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar the Arab world launched a bold and ingeniously conceived surprise attack against Israel. After three days of intense, bloody combat, an unprepared Israel was fighting for survival, while the Arabs, with massive forces closing in on the Jewish heartland, were poised to redeem the honor lost in three previous wars.

Based on declassified Israeli government documents and revealing interviews with soldiers, generals, and intelligence operatives on both sides of the conflict, The Eve of Destruction weaves a suspenseful, eye-opening story of war, politics, and deception. It also tells the moving human tale of the men and women who fought to maintain love and honor as their lives and destinies were swept up in the Yom Kippur War."

Book Synopsis

On October 6, 1973--Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar--the Arab world launched a bold and ingeniously conceived surprise attack against Israel. After three days of intense, bloody combat, an unprepared Israel was fighting for survival, while the Arabs, with massive forces closing in on the Jewish heartland, were poised to redeem the honor lost in three previous wars.

Based on declassified Israeli government documents and revealing interviews with soldiers, generals, and intelligence operatives on both sides of the conflict, The Eve of Destruction weaves a suspenseful, eye-opening story of war, politics, and deception. It also tells the moving human tale of the men and women who fought to maintain love and honor as their lives and destinies were swept up in the Yom Kippur War.

How did one of the world's most formidable intelligence services miss the signs of a meticulously planned invasion?

• The Untold Story: Go behind the headlines of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War to uncover the secret plots, political maneuvering, and high-stakes deceptions that nearly brought a nation to its knees.
• Declassified Intelligence: Built from recently declassified government documents and firsthand interviews with soldiers, spies, and generals from both Israel and the Arab world.
• A Geopolitical Thriller: Follow the real-life spies, including a high-level Mossad agent in the Egyptian government, as they navigate a shadow war where one misstep could prove fatal.
• The Human Cost of War: Experience the conflict through the eyes of the men and women on the front lines, including a newly married couple whose honeymoon is cut short by the call to defend their country.

From the Back Cover

On October 6, 1973--Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar--the Arab world launched a bold and ingeniously conceived surprise attack against Israel. After three days of intense, bloody combat, an unprepared Israel was fighting for survival, while the Arabs, with massive forces closing in on the Jewish heartland, were poised to redeem the honor lost in three previous wars.

Based on declassified Israeli government documents and revealing interviews with soldiers, generals, and intelligence operatives on both sides of the conflict, The Eve of Destruction weaves a suspenseful, eye-opening story of war, politics, and deception. It also tells the moving human tale of the men and women who fought to maintain love and honor as their lives and destinies were swept up in the Yom Kippur War.

Review Quotes

"Remarkable." - New York Times

"Remarkable....The Brigade [is] an illuminating addition to the annals of World War II." - New York Times Book Review

"One of the most moving accounts of the war to appear in many decades." - Washington Post