This is the incredible story of one of the most heroic anti-terrorist rescues of modern times. In this captivating book, William Stevenson records in minute detail Israel's courageous 1976 rescue mission to free its citizens held as hostages by terrorists in an in-flight hijacking of Air France Flight 139 en route from Athens to Paris, carrying over 262 passengers and crew. This excellent book reconstructs the critical events, including the terrorists’ demands, ultimatums and deadlines. The individual make-up of the terrorist group is also examined, as are the political and military reactions of those on the Israeli side, together with the military preparations for the rescue mission.

This book makes for essential reading on Middle East history. In a time when security and safety during air travel is again at the forefront of everyone's minds, this is a stirring reminder of how the heroism of ordinary people will not, and indeed cannot, submit to the demands of those who would hold the innocent to ransom amid threats of violence.