Confidential Co-author to Speak at the Cherry Hill, NJ, Book Festival - Nov. 16th.

Co-author, Joseph Gelman will be delivering a full presentation of the book Confidential, as well as a book signing afterwords, at the JCC Book Festival of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, on November 16th at 7:00 PM.

UPDATE: Well over 200 attend a presentation on Confidential in Cherry Hill New Jersey, by Co-author Joseph Gelman. The hour-long event featured a video and PowerPoint presentation, followed by a book-signing.

Giant Article on Confidential in Berliner Morgenpost

Berlin's second largest newspaper, Berliner Morgenpost, runs a large article on Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan. This is the second large article on the book to appear in Germany in past few days.

Well-Known Anti-Zionist Conspiracy Theorist, Christopher Bollyn Reviews Confidential:

Review of Bollyn's review:

Authors response:
In typical fashion, and as is the case with most conspiracy theorists, renowned Israel-hater Christopher Bollyn takes elements of truth and jumps to wild and bizarre conclusions. Making the claim that Arnon Milchan had something to do with 9/11, let alone being responsible for 9/11, is so far over the top, so incredibly outlandish and even childish, as to destroy any credibility that other, more sane elements of his arguments, may have. The life of Arnon Milchan is interesting enough without the need to build ugly, delusional sandcastles in the sky.

In his review, Bollyn breaths fire and throws epithets when listing incidents of Israeli intelligence activity that has occurred in the United States (note "in" not "against" the US), but he simply ignores the just-as-egregious incidents of US spying on Israel that Confidential also lists. A more mature approach would have been for Bollyn to understand that such activity, as regretful as it may be, is not a one-way street, and is usually handled quietly between friends if discovered.

Bollyn also felt the need to point out that the authors of Confidential are "Zionists" (as if that's a bad thing.... ooooh), yet the authors make clear their sympathy for Israel from the outset, a view that, unlike Bollyn's, is shared by the vast majority of Americans. Every description by Bollyn of Milchan's achievements and activities are described as if they are a bad thing, whereas most Americans are likely sympathetic, or at the very least understanding of Milchan's motives. He writes as if he represents true American interests, when in fact, Bollyn represents himself and a small group of Israel-haters, who dwell on the fringes of the US mainstream... on strange anti-Jewish conspiracy theories, every waking moment of their day.

Bollyn is clearly a talented researcher and has an eye for detail, it is his outlandish, undisciplined conclusions, his unrestrained imagination, and his deep-seeded, obsessive antagonism towards Israel, and by extension Jews, that truly blemishes what otherwise could have been a remarkable career as an investigative journalist. Sad.

China International Radio, and Germany's Die Welt run Segments on Confidential / Arnon Milchan:

Germany's national newspaper Die Welt runs an expose on Confidential, expressing amazement at the life of Hollywood Producer Arnon Milchan.

China Intenational Radio (CRI) does segment on Confidential, nationally accross China. Many thanks to CRI. Confidential has been featured a number of times in China. 

'Confidential' to be Presented at the Austin, Texas Book Fair

The 28th annual Austin, Texas Jewish Book Fair kicks off Nov. 3, with appearances by Melissa Fay Greene, NBC News Correspondent Martin Fletcher and Joseph Gelman, co-author of Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan.

UPDATE: Excellent response to Confidential in Austin, Texas. Over 120 attended this paid event and many signed copies were sold.

Enthusiastic Reviews in Jewish Community Newspapers From New Jersey to Nevada. But from Iran? ah... Not so Much

Jewish Times:
"I enjoyed reading about this extraordinary individual in a new biography that could almost be fiction: Confidential: Secret Agent turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan...is a fascinating read about a larger- than- life character. It can truly be said of Arnon Milchan, “you can’t make this stuff up.”

Las Vegas Isrealite:
"A stunning new book that has made headlines worldwide...there seems to be a general consensus, Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan is a gripping portrait..."

Iran's Press TV:
 "A recent book, Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan by IDF veterans...self-declared Israel-supporters Meir Doron and Joseph Gelman, highlights how he was involved in procuring components to build and maintain Israel's nuclear arsenal. Hundreds of millions of dollars were paid in commissions on deals between Israel and the US which are now used for Mossad's assassination squads. Perhaps we can forgive movie people such as Warren Beatty, Robert De Niro, Sergio Leone and Oliver Stone for needing funding for their movies, regardless of the source."

On the other hand, a great review for Confidential in Vietnam:

Peter Bart Calls 'Confidential' Title "Gaudy"

In the first negative comment about 'Confidential' since Iran's Press TV, Peter Bart, VP over at Variety, called Confidential's title "Gaudy". The title Confidential was inspired by Milchan's own L.A. Confidential. Maybe Bart was referring to the subtitle, of which there is an interesting back-story involving Mr. Milchan, and how the exact wording came about. But that's for another time.

In any event, Mr. Bart might be unaware that the original version of Confidential explained in detail the longtime cozy relationship between Mr. Milchan and Mr. Peter Bart. That segment in the book was removed because it was not central to the story, but also to avoid unnecessary embarrassment. Apparently, no good deed goes unpunished. Of course, anyone can Google "Arnon Milchan Peter Bart"   to scratch the surface of that relationship. The fix is clearly in.

Mr. Bart's line that Milchan "points out that he inherited a company that manufactured chemical fertilizer and, as a player in the chemicals business for a nation that was often at war, he had his share of military contracts" is truly laughable. Mr. Milchan's downplaying-response is of course understandable, but Mr. Bart's stunning lack of intellectual curiosity on this rather weighty matter (ironically, a far more serious matter than the fluffy subject of his article) is not exactly what anyone would call real "Journalism".

Perhaps he should read the book... or at least read the forward written by Israel's premier national-security journalist, Yossi Melman, of the Ha'aretz newspaper: "I never believed in my lifetime that so many accurate facts about Mr. Milchan and the LAKAM would ever be published," said Mr. Melman, who along with CBS News correspondent Dan Raviv is the author of two aclaimed books on the history of Israeli intelligence; Every Spy a Prince, and Friends Indeed. Of course, Raviv and Melman are also what one might describe as real journalist... unlike Mr. Bart.

'Confidential' Submitted for Pulitzer Prize

Confidential was submitted today for consideration for the Pulitzer Prize in the Biography category. Although the book may initially be mistaken for Hollywood fluff, Pulitzers judges will quickly realize the weightiness of the material and the extensive investigative journalism that is at the heart of this project. We thank the judges for their consideration, regardless of outcome.       

Thumbs Up for 'Confidential' In Israel's Anglo Community

ESRA Magazine, serving Israel's anglo community, reviews Confidential: "

"...The authors write in a punchy, engaging style and offer up many surprises... interesting and well-written.... Readers interested in the gritty minutiae of intelligence and counterintelligence will be fascinated by Milchan’s exploits and vicariously proud of his achievements. Show business junkies, like myself, will be amazed at how many of their favorite movies of the past few years came into being largely as a result of Milchan’s prodigious efforts. Above all, Confidential is a really good read."

UPDATE: Far left UK media outlet Counterpunch, is outraged that The New York Times made light of New Corp. Peter Chernin's comments about Arnon Milchan and "weapons of mass destruction.":

The New York Times tried to make light of it, quoting Murdoch’s former lieutenant, Peter Chernin as saying “Never, never tell jokes about a man with easy access to weapons of mass destruction.” How hilarious.

Hudson News Orders Confidential for Airports and Train Stations Across North America

Confidential will soon be available in airports and train stations, as Hudson News moves to place the book in its stores at major travel hubs across North America. Thank you Hudson News. Also now available at Walmart.com.  

Confidential Now Available in Hebrew on Amazon

We are happy to report that Confidential in the Hebrew language will now be available on Amazon. Many Israelis living outside of Israel have expressed frustration that the book is not available in Hebrew at US bookstores. Fortunately, "Sodot" can now be ordered directly from Amazon and shipped quickly to your destination, worldwide. Thank you for your patience.

Arnon Milchan Has Long Been a Magnet for Conspiracy Theorists & Anti-Semites in the Darkest Corners of the Internet

When we first began our research on Confidential, we immediately discovered that there is an entire subculture on the Internet spewing vile conspiracy theories and classic anti-Semitisim about legendary Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. Some of these sites go so far as to implicate Mr. Milchan in 9-11, and even in the assassination of JFK (Milchan was in his teens when JFK was assassinated). Of course, the usual “Zionists control the media” assertions are a given with this crowd.

Our two-year journey of interviewing and researching this project revealed that indeed, Mr. Milchan acted in a covert capacity for his country for many years, from the mid 1960’s to the mid 1980’s. We spell out exactly how and when he was recruited, and by whom. We describe in great detail many of his activities… none of which even remotely involve the kinds of wacky conspiracies and vile anti-Semitisim posted all over the internet in relation to Mr. Milchan.

NEW: Personalized and signed-by-the-Authors copies of Confidential are now available at this site. Upper right hand 'Amazon' button.

Israeli News Chief Quits Over Apology to Mogul

According to the Associated Press, Israel's channel 10 TV news chief has resigned because his channel agreed to apologize for a report critical of U.S. casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, a close associate of Israel's prime minister and the owner of Sands International, the parent company of the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas, with additional huge operations in Macau and Singapore.

 

The Haaretz newspaper says Adelson threatened to sue Channel 10, partially owned by fellow billionaires Arnon Milchan and Ron Lauder if it didn't apologize for its profile of his [Adelson's] conduct and business dealings. Israeli newspapers on Thursday published a statement by Channel 10's news chief, Reudor Benziman, saying that in his professional capacity, he "cannot live with the apology".
 
Israel's Channel 10 is owned by Israelis Yossi Maiman and Arnon Milchan, a Hollywood film producer; and Ron Lauder, another U.S. businessman with close ties to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Page 65 of 'Confidential': Spielberg's Munich Captures a Number of Methods Described in 'Confidential', Along With Some Mistakes

In Steven Spielberg's Munich, a number of characters and methods of operations are accurately described. A character very similar to Rafi Eitan is played very well by Geoffrey Rush (1:06). Eitan was indeed a legendary Mossad agent, and was later Arnon Milchan's superior and the head of LAKAM (Science Liaison Bureau), a top secret Israeli intelligence organization unknown to the United States until 1985. From scene 1:04-1:13, Spielberg accurately describes the kind of secret accounts portrayed in Confidential. One unrealistic scene in Munich, is when an accountant demands of the secret agent played by Eric Bana, to keep all of his receipts. A ridicules request because no one would ask their agent to keep an incriminating paper-trail. And secret accounts were not exactly from "taxpayer funds" as described by the accountant in the movie. Confidential reveals real methods of funding. Non-the-less, those who found Munich an interesting movie (based on a true story), will love the non-fiction Confidential.

Arnon Milchan Moves to Retake Command of New Regency

Upon the publication of Confidential, which garnered worldwide media attention, Arnon Milchan took a lengthy vacation far from the limelight, and far from the long list of reporters eager to get his reaction to the stunning revelations about him in the book. Upon reemerging for the first time this week, Mr. Milchan executed a shake-up of the senior management at his flagship company, New Regency Productions, tipping off the trade publications who for years, some have argued, maintain a cozy relationship with Mr. Milchan. It might be noted that despite worldwide coverage, from the New York Times to the UK Daily Mail, and despite the fact that the book is sitting in the front section of every bookstore from Hollywood to New York City, the Hollywood trades have yet to take note of Confidential. It looks like Hutch Parker and Bob Harper are out, and Brad Weston from Paramount is in... that's the big news with them. "Milchan wants to run the company himself, more the way he did in the early days, which is a significant change from what Bob and I were brought in to do," said Mr. Parker. 

Arnon Milchan has yet to respond to a single reporter's inquiry about the book Confidential, despite tens of requests from outlets like CNN, Israel's Channel 1, The New York Times, and many other major media outlets worldwide.

UPDATE: Arnon Milchan appoints his daughter Alexandra Milchan to the position of Senior Vice President of Productions of New Regency Films.

As Described in 'Confidential', Page 246: Yariv Milchan's Photo's of Angelina Jolie

As described on page 246 of Confidential, this is the series of Photographs of Angelina Jolie taken by Arnon Milchan's son, Yariv Milchan, a clearly talented photographer.

Barnes and Noble Moves 'Confidential' To Front of Store Display in Los Angeles, Las Vegas & and New York

UPDATE: In addition to all other digital platforms, Confidential is now available on NOOK, B&N's digital platform.

Join us for a Hollywood Book Signing August 28th at Book Soup on the Sunset Strip

SAVE THE DATE: Please join the authors of Confidential at Book Soup, the largest independent bookstore in Hollywood, for a book-signing and discussion... and a little wine and cheese. We will be there at 4:00 PM on August 28, at 8818 Sunset Blvd. W. Hollywood CA 90069.

We look forward to seeing you there.

UPDATE: Thanks to all those who attended this successful event. Over 50 in attendance, over 30 books sold. Signed books are currently also available at Barnes & Noble on Ventura Blvd. in Studio City, CA [Book Star]; Barnes and Noble in Victorville, CA; and the Barnes and Noble on Charleston Blvd. in Las Vegas. 

Los Angeles Jewish Journal - Review of Confidential: "It's a Wonder it Was Real"

 Danielle Berrin of the Los Angeles Jewish Journal reviews Confidential, The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan. A small sample:

"A new book exposes juicy details about Hollywood tycoon Arnon Milchan...
The book goes from party scenes and Hollywood sets to Iran, the former Soviet Union and even South African apartheid, revealing the exhilarating if not divided life of an international powerbroker. Milchan’s gift for seamlessly skirting the bounds between entertainment and warfare as if all of his life played out on a movie set is perhaps his greatest talent. It is a wonder it was real." 

UPDATE: Over 40,000 direct referencences and links to the book Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon on Google search.

Media Bistro, Key LA Media Website Reviews 'Confidential': "A MUST READ"

 "A must-read for Hollywood aficionados...

The revelations in the book are almost too fantastical to believe."



NEWS UPDATE FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY: With an inaugural shipment of a large order for Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon – Arnon Milchan by Meir Doron and Joseph Gelman, Behrman House this week became the U.S. distributor for Jerusalem-based Gefen Publishing House.

Fox News on Confidential: "This Is A Deadly Serious Book"

Fox News editorial comment on Confidential:
"The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan, has already received considerable publicity in the tabloids for its sprinkling of a few salacious tidbits about celebrities. But do not allow that to fool you. This is a deadly serious book, chock-a-block with far more weighty revelations than a few details about Brad and Angelina’s love life."
   With the publication of “Confidential,” it seems that a mystery has been solved. As described, not only was Arnon Milchan a covert operative, but a key figure whose many far-flung companies served as fronts for Israeli intelligence, as well as for securing technology and materials for Israel’s nuclear weapons program.
   The book also asserts that he fronted off-shore bank accounts that financed the special needs of Israeli intelligence worldwide, including some of its most important and well know operations… and that those bank accounts were capitalized by “commissions” earned on large arms transactions that Milchan himself “brokered” on behalf of the Israeli government.
   A man who as a Hollywood producer brought such classics as L.A. Confidential, Once Upon a Time In America and Pretty Woman... also lived an intriguing covert existence that in many ways puts the fictitious James Bond to shame."

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/08/10/inside-story-making-new-book-confidential-life-secret-agent-turned-hollywood/#ixzz1UfFjtYM4

The Daily Mail, Second Largest Paper in the UK, and Fox News in the US, Run Big Articles on Confidential

The book Confidential is primarily about the previous life of legendary Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan as a Secret Agent. However, unbeknownst to us at the time of our writing, we had uncovered a few entertainment related scoops, particularly relating to the Pitt-Jolie-Aniston affair, which many entertainment-oriented publications have picked up on. Today, the UK's second largest newspaper, the Daily Mail ran a large story on our book. As did Fox News in the US. The Image above is from Milchan's movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Coincidentally, the image is certainly compatible with the overall theme of Confidential, the Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan. Also today in the tabloids, the Harold Sun of Australia run a piece on Confidential, as does New Deli TV of India, and the Daily Bhaskar of India. And a long list of blogs like this one. UPDATE: Now on the front page of AOL-Huffington Post. Also, a very good piece in The daily.

Confidential Goes to #1 on Amazon-Kindle, Israel-related books:

Confidential goes to #1 on Amazon-Kindle, Israel-related books, #4 for ALL Israel-related books, and #13 for books about the rich and famous. Of course these numbers are fluid, but it's a good start, and we need to build from here. many thanks to all of our readers.

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Interviews one of the Authors, While the UK Express and Daily Star Publish a Splash on Confidential

We are greatful to the UK Express for taking an interest in Confidential this weekend.  And we are also very greatful to the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) for the nationwide interview about Confidential on the nightly Lang and O'Leary Exchange. We also thank Trunews, a Christian broadcasting network for the leangthy interview on Confidential. The UK Daily Star tabloid also ran a piece on Confidential today.

The Authors Interview With Israeli President Shimon Peres:

On February 8th, 2010, the authors of Confidential interviewed Israeli President Shimon Peres on the life of legendary Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan. The President confirmed in generalities Mr. Milchan's substantial contributions to the defense of Israel in a covert capacity, and that he [Peres] had "recruited him" back during the days when he served in the Ministry of Defense in the 1960's. When we asked whether he believed Mr. Milchan worthy of the Israel Defense Prize, he stated that as President he could not make any individual recommendation but that he certainly felt that he [Milchan] is worthy; "and that that, in fact, is almost a recommendation". He also stated within the context of our discussions about Mr. Milchan and the nuclear program, that "we went for Dimona [Israel's nuclear rector] in order to reach for peace", i.e. peace through strength. A direct acknowledgement of Israel's nuclear program and its defense-related implications. The cordial interview was conducted in Hebrew at the Presidents Residence in Jerusalem. The President was calm, courteous, measured, professional, generous with his time, and straightforward. We asked to tape the interview but his assistant who was also present requested that we take notes instead. The President however, did tape the interview. We are thankful to him for extending us this journalistic opportunity.

Infolive.TV: Hollywood producer was Israeli agent book says

Strangely, this TV report claims that we the authors are Arnon Milchan's brothers-in-law. Meir and I are in fact brothers-in-law, but neither of us are Arnon Milchan's brother-in-law, and had never met or spoken with Mr. Milchan until after our first draft was complete in August of 2009. I believe that this little bit of faulty information originated in a UPI story that went around the world. Very strange.

On the Bookshelves at Barns and Noble - Newport Beach, California:

And simultaneously on the bookshelves, in Hebrew, in the small town of Gedera in Israel on the other side of the world:

Life and Style Magazine does Confidential Splash

Life and Style Magazine describes Confidential as a "shocking...bombshell new book". We'll take it. Thank you L&S Mag! Available at every grocery store checkout stand in America.

Confidential Now Available at Every Steimatzky in Israel

Confidential is now available both in Hebrew and in English at every Steimatzky bookstore in Israel.

Confidential Now Listed on Goodreads.com

Confidential is now listed on goodreads.com, probably the largest social cataloguing service online, with well over 5,000,000 users. We look forward to seeing you there.  

Confidential Now Available on iPhone, iPad & iPod touch via iBooks at iTunes

OK, it looks like we are up on all of the Apple platforms (iPhone, iPod touch, iPad) via iTunes. download your digital Confidential here.

Entertainment Weekly Runs Excerpts of 'Confidential'

"A new biography by Meir Doron and Joseph Gelman, is chock-full of hush-hush anecdotes — more from the Tinseltown gig than the foreign government one, but both can be equally top secret... Arnon Milchan has two high-level lives: One as the producer of big-name movies like Love and Other Drugs and Knight and Day, and the other as an intelligence agent for the Israeli government." Entertainment Weekly has the story.

Arnon Milchan - The Art Collection... as described in the book.

New York Post on 'Confidential': Pitt-Jolie 'heated up set'

According to "Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan," by Joseph Gelman and Meir Doron, "Milchan introduced Pitt to Jolie and immediately sensed that there was a spark between them." Despite denials from Pitt and Jolie that their romance began before his split with Aniston, the book alleges, "A passionate romance ensued, with one slight problem . . . Pitt was married to [Aniston] . . . when Aniston kicked Pitt out of the house, all hell broke loose."

Ha'aretz: 'Hollywood producer gave Israel sketches of centrifuges for Dimona nuclear reactor'

Israeli businessman and Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan played a central role in supplying Israel with sketches and blueprints of uranium enrichment centrifuges for the nuclear reactor in Dimona, a new biography claims.

On Monday, Haaretz reported about the new book, "Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan," written by Meir Doron and Joseph Gelman, which recounts Milchan's life story, from his days as a boy in Rehovot through his friendships with Israeli prime ministers, U.S. presidents and Hollywood stars.

Tablet Magazine Runs Excerpts From 'Confidential'

Israeli tycoon Arnon Milchan is the billionaire Hollywood producer behind Pretty Woman. He was also a secret agent who helped Israel and South Africa broker deals trading nuclear material for propaganda assistance. An excerpt from the forthcoming Confidential.

The Daily Beast / Newsweek Run 'Confidential' Excerpts

In Hollywood, Arnon Milchan is best known as the billionaire producer of films like Pretty Woman and LA Confidential, and as the owner of Fox-based New Regency. But there is another Arnon Milchan, as Meir Doron and Joseph Gelman reveal in their new biography, Confidential: The Life of Secret Agent Turned Hollywood Tycoon Arnon Milchan.

For the first time, the writers expose how in the mid-1960s, while still in his early 20s, Milchan was recruited by Israel’s secretive spy agency, LAKAM; how he became a key operative for Israel’s top master spies, Benjamin Blumberg and Rafi Eitan, and a confidant of such powerful Israeli politicians as President Shimon Peres and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu; and how he participated in a web of complex undercover schemes to procure armaments for his country.

In this adaption from their book, they detail Milchan’s controversial relationship with American aerospace engineer Richard Smyth, a friend who became a fugitive after the U.S. accused him of illegally smuggling nuclear-bomb triggers to Israel. We pick up the two men’s story in May 1985.

The New York Times Does Large Expose on 'Confidential'

Michael Cieply of the New York Times writes an excellent expose of 'Confidential' in the New York Times. This article triggered a flood of additional articles, also leading over 14,000 web sites to reference the article withing 48 hours. It led to frontpage articles in all of the major newspapers in Israel.