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227 reviews for:
Argo: How the CIA & Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History
Antonio J. Méndez
3.71 AVERAGE
227 reviews for:
Argo: How the CIA & Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History
Antonio J. Méndez
3.71 AVERAGE
adventurous
medium-paced
Good story, somewhat annoying narration style, especially the pronunciation of the word "houseguests," which happens dozens, if not hundreds of times.
Detailed, well-paced true story of how a small group of embassy staff who managed to make it into hiding in Tehran just at the beginning of the Iranian hostage crisis were ultimately exfiltrated.
informative
medium-paced
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
I've had this book in my possession for a year and a half now. I originally bought it right around the time I first saw the movie and in anticipation of reading it while cruise-bound in the Caribbean. It never happened. So it languished on my shelf until I finally picked it back up last month.
I don't know why I waited, it's a really good book.
Antonio Mendez is a real CIA operative. He has worked in covert ops for a while creating false documents and IDs for agents in the field as well as for himself and then moved into costumes and makeups to back up those documents. In 1979, he received the orders to create an entire plan to exfiltrate six "houseguests" in hiding under the watch of the Canadian embassy in Tehran, Iran. With the help of Hollywood, Mendez and his team went to work.
Most people know the story because of the film of the same name that came out in 2012 directed by and starring Ben Affleck. But there are extreme differences primarily involving the participation of the Canadian government, which is really only glossed over (at best) in the movie. If you want the real story, insofar as declassified documents will allow, check the book out. It's a quick, but engrossing, read.
I don't know why I waited, it's a really good book.
Antonio Mendez is a real CIA operative. He has worked in covert ops for a while creating false documents and IDs for agents in the field as well as for himself and then moved into costumes and makeups to back up those documents. In 1979, he received the orders to create an entire plan to exfiltrate six "houseguests" in hiding under the watch of the Canadian embassy in Tehran, Iran. With the help of Hollywood, Mendez and his team went to work.
Most people know the story because of the film of the same name that came out in 2012 directed by and starring Ben Affleck. But there are extreme differences primarily involving the participation of the Canadian government, which is really only glossed over (at best) in the movie. If you want the real story, insofar as declassified documents will allow, check the book out. It's a quick, but engrossing, read.
I haven't watched the movie, but I saw the book at the library and was interested enough to read it. I thought it was pretty good. It wasn't very suspenseful like the trailer made me think the movie is. It goes into more of the historical background of Iran and America's background before breaking down the details of the actual covert operation. Being allowed into the world of the CIA was very magical and it was neat to see what real spies do. Overall, I enjoyed the book and I'm glad that Mendez was able to finally share his side of the story.
Side-note, as a Canadian, I'm pretty proud that we played such a large role in helping out the Americans =).
Side-note, as a Canadian, I'm pretty proud that we played such a large role in helping out the Americans =).
I haven't seen the movie yet (still on the waiting list at the library) so I thought I'd get a head start by reading the book. The book mainly focuses on the history of the Shah and the unrest in Iran at the time and Tony's life and how he got into the CIA. A lot of backstory, and the actual event goes rather quickly. The only bits I knew about the Shah came from watching Persepolis, and being this all happened when I was 4, it was good to know more about pivotal things that have happened in my lifetime. I do look forward to seeing the movie, and I feel I have a good grasp of how they got there.
This is an awesome light read about the ARGO escape that was made famous by the movie. Excellent read.