Book Review: Vengeance by George Jonas

'Vengeance' - a journalistic retelling of Mossad's elimination of terrorists involved in the Munich Olympics massacre of Israeli athletes - is a fantastic book. George Jonas takes one through a journey with his almost mythical Mossad hero "Avner" - a man who leads an eclectic team of spies as they execute the terrorists one by one.

Even though the book has been made into a movie ("Munich") and a fantastic movie at that, it still deserves to be read. To me, the book was less about Israel's vengeance itself but more about the journey of "Avner" who transforms from an army man, wet behind the ears to a spy to a Mossad dropout, denied pay and recognition by the very organization he put his life at risk for. And, you have to admire Mossad's gall - like the CIA or the FBI, Mossad's mandate and expertise extended (and still extends) beyond its physical boundaries; and that is remarkable for a country the size of a thumb on the map.

Jonas has a steady writing hand; 'Vengeance' is the kind of book that will make you forget that you had to sleep, eat or go to office. Gripping and highly recommended. I dare say the book is far better than the movie.