The Eve of Destruction: The Untold Story of the Yom Kippur War

A page–turning, headline–making narrative on the Yom Kippur War that is, all at once, a war drama, a political history, as well as an espionage story.

The Yom Kippur War is a turning point in the history of the Middle East –– and a conflict that continues to influence and shape Israeli – Arab relations and the prospects for peace.

In October 1973, a coalition of Arab armies caught Israel in an inventive surprise attack. More than 80,000 highly trained Egyptian troops crossed the ⨭pregnable⟓uez Canal in a daring offensive that overran the Israeli forts and penetrated deep into the Sinai Peninsula. In the north, Syrian tank brigades rushed through the weak Israeli lines and stood poised to storm major cities. And the vaunted Israeli Air Force was shattered by the sophisticated missile defence systems that protected the Syrian and Egyptian lines: one third of all its fighter jets were shot down in the first two days of the war.

By the end of the third day of the fighting, as an Israeli counterattack in the Sinai failed totally, the leaders of Israel were convinced that not only was defeat imminent, but also the end of the Jewish state. Prime Minister Golda Meir, after the terms of surrender were outlined in a cabinet meeting, acquired a suicide pill. Defence Minister Moshe Dayan told the cabinet that ⳨e destruction of the Third Temple is at hand⟡nd ordered Jericho missiles armed with atomic warheads prepared for launching: If Israel is no longer to exist, he will destroy the Arab world too.

Yet even as Israel was on the verge of being annihilated, it began to fight back. In a series of dramatic battles on the land, sea, and air Israel turned the tide. In the north, 7 tanks hold off 178 Syrian tanks for two days –– and when Israeli reinforcements finally arrive they push on to the outskirts of Damascus. While in the south, the largest tank battle in history takes place –– and after three days of constant brutal fighting Israeli forces recross the canal and penetrate into Egypt.

This is a big, sprawling and important tale –– and one that has never before been told in a popular book. It is story that will attract attention because of the news it will reveal –– the account, for example, of a daring Egyptian double agent who fooled the Mossad. And it will be of interest because the events in this war continue to influence how both Arabs and Jews think about peace today.

But most compelling is the way New York Times–bestselling author Howard Blum tells this story: as a self–contained dramatic narrative about Arabs and Jews, a story about love, war, and courage and the possibility of peace.

“Remarkable....The Brigade [is] an illuminating addition to the annals of World War II.” New York Times Book Review

“One of the most moving accounts of the war to appear in many decades.” Washington Post

“Remarkable.” New York Times

On October 6, 1973—Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish calendar—the Arab world launched a bold and ingeniously conceived surprise attack against Israel. After three days of intense, bloody combat, an unprepared Israel was fighting for survival, while the Arabs, with massive forces closing in on the Jewish heartland, were poised to redeem the honor lost in three previous wars.

Based on declassified Israeli government documents and revealing interviews with soldiers, generals, and intelligence operatives on both sides of the conflict, The Eve of Destruction weaves a suspenseful, eye-opening story of war, politics, and deception. It also tells the moving human tale of the men and women who fought to maintain love and honor as their lives and destinies were swept up in the Yom Kippur War.

A page-turning, headline-making narrative on the Yom Kippur War that is, all at once, a war drama, a political history, as well as an espionage story.

The Yom Kippur War is a turning point in the history of the Middle East -- and a conflict that continues to influence and shape Israeli - Arab relations and the prospects for peace.

In October 1973, a coalition of Arab armies caught Israel in an inventive surprise attack. More than 80,000 highly trained Egyptian troops crossed the “ impregnable” Suez Canal in a daring offensive that overran the Israeli forts and penetrated deep into the Sinai Peninsula. In the north, Syrian tank brigades rushed through the weak Israeli lines and stood poised to storm major cities. And the vaunted Israeli Air Force was shattered by the sophisticated missile defence systems that protected the Syrian and Egyptian lines: one third of all its fighter jets were shot down in the first two days of the war.

By the end of the third day of the fighting, as an Israeli counterattack in the Sinai failed totally, the leaders of Israel were convinced that not only was defeat imminent, but also the end of the Jewish state. Prime Minister Golda Meir, after the terms of surrender were outlined in a cabinet meeting, acquired a suicide pill. Defence Minister Moshe Dayan told the cabinet that “ the destruction of the Third Temple is at hand” and ordered Jericho missiles armed with atomic warheads prepared for launching: If Israel is no longer to exist, he will destroy the Arab world too.

Yet even as Israel was on the verge of being annihilated, it began to fight back. In a series of dramatic battles on the land, sea, and air Israel turned thetide. In the north, 7 tanks hold off 178 Syrian tanks for two days -- and when Israeli reinforcements finally arrive they push on to the outskirts of Damascus. While in the south, the largest tank battle in history takes place -- and after three days of constant brutal fighting Israeli forces recross the canal and penetrate into Egypt.

This is a big, sprawling and important tale -- and one that has never before been told in a popular book. It is story that will attract attention because of the news it will reveal -- the account, for example, of a daring Egyptian double agent who fooled the Mossad. And it will be of interest because the events in this war continue to influence how both Arabs and Jews think about peace today.

But most compelling is the way New York Times-bestselling author Howard Blum tells this story: as a self-contained dramatic narrative about Arabs and Jews, a story about love, war, and courage and the possibility of peace.

In Dark Eden: Eve of Destruction, the thrilling sequel to New York Times bestselling author Patrick Carmans Dark Eden, the seven teens who were “cured” by Rainsford reunite to find relief from their ailments...and realize they may have the power to stop Rainsfords ghoulish reign once and for all.

Ensnared in a dangerous and ever-deepening mystery, Will Besting must lead his friends through a perilous underground trap masterminded by two devious souls at war with one another. Its a game of cat-and-mouse, and not everyone will be alive when its over.

Dark Eden: Eve of Destruction is a harrowing journey into the depths of fear, love, revenge, and—ultimately—redemption.

Howard Blum is the author of the New York Times bestseller and Edgar Award winner American Lightning, as well as Wanted!, The Gold of Exodus, Gangland, and The Floor of Heaven. Blum is a contributing editor at Vanity Fair. While at the New York Times, he was twice nominated for a Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting. He is the father of three children, and lives in Connecticut.