Hard Lessons Of War From An Elite Soldier - Inside Delta Force

Atlanta Journal and Constitution BOOK REVIEW | August 25, 2002 | Steve Weinberg

[Stand Watch Listen]

Hard Lessons Of War From An Elite Soldier

Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counterterrorist Unit. By Eric L. Haney. Delacorte. $25.95. 324 pages.

By Steve Weinberg

The verdict: Blood-and-guts patriotism.

Eric L. Haney, command sergeant major (retired), lives what he describes as a relatively peaceful life in Marietta. But when he joined the super-secret, super-scary Delta Force 25 years ago, his life was anything but peaceful.

Given what occurred Sept. 11 (just after Haney finished the book), the story of the U.S. military's elite counterterrorism warriors obviously is timely. It also is fascinating, whether the reader is a believer in the deployment of U.S. military might around the globe, or an opponent of what could be seen as immoral intervention in the affairs of other governments.

Furthermore, the book is well-written, with a pleasant, non-macho tone --- at least considering the author's gory resume.

Anybody who cares about the accuracy of nonfiction books, though, must be careful with "Inside Delta Force." Haney provides no source notes, no bibliography, no index.

Haney did not submit the manuscript for clearance from the Pentagon, the CIA, the White House or any other government entity that normally enforces secrecy oaths signed by military officers.

In a question-and-answer session with Haney that was supplied to all potential reviewers of "Inside Delta Force," the author is asked this: "The military still refuses to acknowledge the existence of Delta Force. You're the first veteran of this unit to ever write about its selection process, training, as well as missions it has executed. Why did you decide to break the silence?"

"Silence serves an operational importance," Haney answers. "But as with all things in the military, custom takes hold and people continue to do many things simply because 'that's the way we've always done things around here.' And in many cases that serves no useful purpose."

That is refreshing --- a counterterrorist placing a dent in the fortress of mindless national security. Haney wants as many of his fellow citizens as possible to know about the effectiveness and bravery of those serving as Delta Force operatives.

His personal tale recounts the excruciating physical, mental and emotional tests he had to pass before being accepted as a stone-cold killer in uniform. His assignments in Iran, Lebanon, Sudan, Honduras and Grenada are filled with suspense and blood.

I found the bloodiness disturbing. I realize, though, that many readers will find the book uplifting. So I will hang onto these words by Haney; they demonstrate the subtlety of this military memoir compared with the straight-ahead ruthlessness of so many others:

I hate the destructiveness and waste of warfare, but I love the sensation of it. In combat, mankind is seen in absolutes --- at his very best or his very worst. . . . In combat, there are no winners. The victors just happen to lose less than the vanquished. One side may impose its will on the other, but there is nothing noble or virtuous about the process. People are killed and maimed, homes and communities are destroyed, lives are shattered, families are broken apart and scattered to the wind --- and just a few years later, we can barely remember why.

Steve Weinberg is the author of six nonfiction books. He lives in Columbia, Mo.

[WhiskeyPapa]

This is not the first Delta Force expose; Charlie Beckworth's book was out 20 years ago.

Walt

[Ciexyz]

After watching all the Chuck Norris movies about Delta Force, I'd be interested in reading this book.