The boats of Cherbourg
A thrilling tale of intrigue, diplomacy, and daring. The author, an Israeli journalist, provides a thoroughly satisfying account of the Israeli move to bolster its naval defense capability through the acquisition of high-speed motor torpedo boats mounted with sea-to-sea missiles. The boats were built by the French, but in the middle of the project the French government put an embargo on arms to the Middle East. Then, in an Israeli quasimilitary operation on Christmas Eve 1969, five boats were "rescued" from a French shipyard and brought to Israel. A follow-up describes the vessels' role in the 1973 Arab-Israeli conflict. Recommended to both specialists in military affairs as well as casual readers. Sanford R. Silverberg, Catawba Coll., Salisbury, N.C.Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.