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The Volunteer

The Incredible True Story of an Israeli Spy on the Trail of International Terrorists

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The Volunteer

By: Michael Ross, Jonathan Kay
Narrated by: Walter Dixon
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About this listen

In 1982, a 20-something named Michael Ross left home to backpack across Europe. Little did he know that his vacation would set in motion a chain of events that would hurl him into a career where the bosses are seasoned spies, and the work is tracking the world’s most dangerous terrorists. The Volunteer is a fast-paced memoir that provides insight into our world, both pre- and post-9/11, told by a man on the front lines in the war against terror.

©2007, 2011 Michael Ross (P)2013 Audible, Inc. Military & War Politicians Politics & Activism

Editor reviews

In 1982, when Michael Ross was a 21-year old Canadian Anglican, he visited Israel. Soon he had converted to Judaism, married an Israeli woman, served in the Israeli army, and joined the Mossad, Israel’s nerve center for counterterrorism, covert operations, and intelligence gathering. Over the next 20 years Ross lived the classic double life: family man and spy. The Volunteer is his memoir.

Performed briskly and with precision by Walter Dixon, The Volunteer seeks to introduce the listener to the life of a particular spy, and to situate Israel in the larger geopolitical context. Ross is a man whose dangerous life and career are the products of a love for a land that is not obviously his own, and his ideological defense of Israel is made clear.

Critic reviews

"[It’s] James Bond in a T-shirt and slippers...a page-turner, filled with well-observed, convincing detail." (George Jonas, bestselling author of Vengeance [the book that inspired the film Munich])
All stars
Most relevant
Really captivating story, I enjoyed it. I did get lost a little in the middle! Potentially need to read the hard copy, which im no doubt getting.

Very interesting

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Warts and all, one persons account of his time, duties and experience in the Mossad. drudgery, failed efforts, opportunities missed and moments of terror.

Not a history.
Not a balanced analysis.
One persons opinion of his experiences.

One of the more realistic presentations I have heard.

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Sometimes a bit one sided, but brutally honest story of a man's work in the mossad and working with Israelis..... I could see in my head some of the characters so vividly since I have worked with Isrealis in the past..... Very well put together.....

Nice personal account of a mossad agent

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An interesting account of a Canadian’s conversion to Judaism and emigration to Israel, leading to military service with the IDF and subsequent service with MOSSAD, the Israeli intelligence bureau responsible for overseas operations.

Whilst I broadly enjoyed the story, the narration and the overall book, with some chapters being both engaging and informative I couldn’t get away from the nagging, underlying notion of implied stereotypes, of ‘following the party line’ and subtle, or not so subtle propaganda.

The issues described were between 1982-2002 and don’t comment on the current major issues but it was impossible not to transfer the narrative to current day issues.

Many of the issues were described rather one dimensionally from an Israeli perspective and it’s reasonable to believe that little will have changed currently.

That said, I completed the listen and learned about a number of interesting facts and events.

Ultimately, in a war between two opposing theocracies, the notion of ‘an eye for an eye’ will only lead to a lot of sightless people.

Interesting, but…

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The author shared his thoughts and feelings while explaining carefully how the security service operates.

Informative and interesting

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