Delta Force: A Memoir by the Founder of the U.S. Military's Most Secretive Special-Operations Unit

This is the best book out of around 50 I’ve read so far this year. It is an epic story of a man driven to realise his vision for an SAS like, elite counter terrorise unit in the US. There is really to much of interest to go into in a brief review, all I can say is, if you have an interest is special operations, military history, the remote reaches of the human psyche and the intensely political workings of the US government and military apparatus, you will love this book as much as I did. A great compliment is Eric L. Haney’s excellent book which describes many of the events Beckwith writes about here, but from the Operators’ perspective.

This was an informative story of Delta Force's creation and the struggles and obstacles that the founders faced. This is not a Rambo story, nor does it give juicy details of Delta Force missions. The more you read, the more you realize just how big the Army is and how entrenched the bureaucracy is. At times the book can be quite boring, and it's difficult to keep up with all of the Army staff mentioned in the book. Charlie Beckwith's whining also gets old, and the way he carried himself after Delta's first mission was disappointing. I'd be interested in hearing other accounts of Delta's creation in order to validate this man's tale.

This is an interesting book, but in many ways it's not exactly what you might expect it to be. What it is a great history of the origins of "Delta Force" in Vietnam and the creation of this group in the 1970s and 80s by Col. Beckwith.The book itself is quite interesting and filled with political intrigue and military action. However, half way through it becomes a book on project management as the author deals with the problems of developing the army's elite anti-terrorist unit.It is interesting to note that Beckwith writes about getting his men training. But doesn't get very specific with the skills he required. I think this was an intentional as at the time the book was published there was little information available about this unit. More current information can be found in Eric Haney's book Inside Delta Force: The Story of America's Elite Counter terrorist Unit and The Mission, The Men and Me: Lessons from a former Detla Force Commander by Pete Blaber.It is also interesting to note that while he does give a complete description of what he saw on the failed Iran Hostage Mission that this portion of the book is very small in comparison to the rest of the book. If you are interested in first person accounts of the hostage situation, I would recommend reading 444 Days by Lt. Col. Scott, and Guests of the Ayatollah by Mark Bowdin (not first person).What I enjoyed about this book is it is well written, shows the author has a sense of humor, and most of the entire trip down Memory Lane. I remember these times. They had a big impact on who I am and what I've done in life. This book is a time capsule.

Absolute torture, reading just enough about a non-existent organization that makes one want more, but of course, that cannot be delivered! The recounting of the ridiculous political infighting actually made me lose sleep! And while I was barely aware of the news during the time of Op Eagle Claw, reading it now as a Veteran leaves me astounded that the loss of life was not higher.

One of the most interesting stories I've ever read. Not only is it interesting from the perspective of learning how Delta Force came into being, but the breadth and depth of the way the operators are trained and the meticulous planning that goes into a mission was a real eye-opener. I started out with a huge amount of respect for Special Forces already, and this book increased that respect to awe, and even more appreciation for and gratitude to them.What was just as interesting and terribly disturbing was the shortsightedness and turf-protecting response from the military brass that Col. Beckwith had to struggle against for years. He's not shy about naming names either, which I give him a lot of credit for. It's frightening to think that our armed forces are being run by such short-sighted, petty, and "what's in it for me, to hell what's best for the troops or the country" high-level military brass.Great book, great read, and Colonel Beckwith is a true hero. Thank you, Sir.

Got to just over half way through this book and gave up! The author drags everything out going into too much detail. All I was constantly reading about was meeting after meeting with this general or that general. Too much about who replaced who and why! Or telling us in a full chapter what this officer did from when he opened his eyes first thing in the morning...not interested! From scrolling on it appears that at least half the book deals with the planning and execution of Operation Eagle Claw which in fairness should have been a book on its own, but it's drawn out so much in this that I lost interest!

Charlie Beckwith's memoir of the creation of what is now (unofficially) known as 1 SFOD-D is a solid read. It gets confusion towards the end when a bunch of Generals and Colonels are introduced and following who is who and who is responsible for what takes a fair amount of brain power.I also found in the closing chapters a strange switch from first to third person narrative which suggests to me it may have been written after Col.Beckwith passed away (and somehow got past a proof reader).

Very good book if you want to know about the origins of Delta Force. My only issue if it really is one is the amount of detail it goes into is quite intensive. Not an issue really but I will say anyone who wants a book on Delta that's all action this is not for them. Very interesting read

Delta force started as some man's dreams who after all the red tape finally put into practice the need for a specialized force who could protect America's interests around the world and it was with his persistent' s as it was with the British s as under david Stirling in the second world war who both recognised you need special forces who can think on their own and within a team

Good read