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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
Read David Thibodeau’s account of Waco instead. Much more unbiased account of what happened there. Gary’s account of what happened at Waco made me question everything else he said. I wanted to like this book but the blatant lies are tough to ignore.
challenging
dark
informative
fast-paced
In Stalling for Time, Gary Noesner shares his experience as an FBI hostage negotiator. It’s a relatively short book packed with captivating true stories. Noesner worked on high-profile events such as Waco and Ruby Ridge, as well as fascinating events I never heard of. The stories read like a suspense novel with great tension. I loved how the narrative also weaves in human psychology, hostage techniques, and the history of the FBI negotiation team as well. My one critique is that sometimes the tone felt braggy. The book definitely piqued my interest to learn more about these events, particularly Waco. I recommend this for anyone who enjoys suspense and true crime!
Facinating memoir of the FBI's chief hostage negotiator. Interesting commentary on the tension between using negotiators and using force (e.g. SWAT teams). Insider view of some of the biggest standoffs of the last several decades.
I first learned about this book when Michael Shannon, who plays Gary Noesner in the new TV mini-series "Waco", appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He described Noesner and this book, and I knew I wanted to read it.
The book is intense--too intense in one particular chapter (chapter 5) that still haunts me--and eye-opening. I love the perspective and hearing Noesner's personal insight/opinions about how things could have turned out differently in various cases. Learning about Waco was certainly interesting, but there's a lot more to this book than just Waco.
I highly recommend for anyone wanting an educational and exciting read.
The book is intense--too intense in one particular chapter (chapter 5) that still haunts me--and eye-opening. I love the perspective and hearing Noesner's personal insight/opinions about how things could have turned out differently in various cases. Learning about Waco was certainly interesting, but there's a lot more to this book than just Waco.
I highly recommend for anyone wanting an educational and exciting read.
Excellent book. Reads like a novel, but Mr Noesner was at major terrorism and hostage crises over the last 30 years.
Interesting, Balanced Account of a Hostage Negotiator's Career
Crisis Negotiation is a fairly new tool for law enforcement, and this book is a fascinating read. Gary Noesner was instrumental in the development of the most effective tools to use when crises arise.
What is most interesting is that Mr. Noesner does not pull his punches, yet at the same time remains respectful toward his former employer (the FBI) as well as the people he has worked with over the years. The author's descriptions ring true and fit with other details the reader can find through research, while at the same time filling in the blanks concerning much of what was happening behind the scenes. Mr. Noesner is a firm believer of hostage negotiations (and that negotiators should work closely with tactical agents), and that belief can be felt throughout the book.
I also enjoyed the quotes prefacing each chapter. It is a side benefit that some of the the techniques employed by hostage negotiators can be used by anyone to enhance their relationships in the workplace as well as in one's personal life (this is not a point made by the author, just a personal reflection).
"Stalling for Time" is an easy read, told in a story form that places the reader within the action. Many of the highlights of Mr. Noesner's career are some of the biggest news stories, such as Waco and the Freemen siege in Montana. For readers aware of these incidents this book will add to your knowledge, as well as educate those first hearing about these historical events.
Crisis Negotiation is a fairly new tool for law enforcement, and this book is a fascinating read. Gary Noesner was instrumental in the development of the most effective tools to use when crises arise.
What is most interesting is that Mr. Noesner does not pull his punches, yet at the same time remains respectful toward his former employer (the FBI) as well as the people he has worked with over the years. The author's descriptions ring true and fit with other details the reader can find through research, while at the same time filling in the blanks concerning much of what was happening behind the scenes. Mr. Noesner is a firm believer of hostage negotiations (and that negotiators should work closely with tactical agents), and that belief can be felt throughout the book.
I also enjoyed the quotes prefacing each chapter. It is a side benefit that some of the the techniques employed by hostage negotiators can be used by anyone to enhance their relationships in the workplace as well as in one's personal life (this is not a point made by the author, just a personal reflection).
"Stalling for Time" is an easy read, told in a story form that places the reader within the action. Many of the highlights of Mr. Noesner's career are some of the biggest news stories, such as Waco and the Freemen siege in Montana. For readers aware of these incidents this book will add to your knowledge, as well as educate those first hearing about these historical events.
I was listening to the American Scandal podcast about the standoff at Waco and they referenced this book so in hearing how the negotiators were overlooked by command I decided to check out this book to see what Noesner's perspective on that event was.
I got the answers to that but also a lot more. Being involved in the development of negotiating tactics gives him an interesting view into not just specific negotiations and incidents but on the concepts that have developed the art and how different situations require different strategies and that the most important things are to listen, adapt and not be driven by your own emotions. Knowing what your goals are and being focused on those instead of what it may look like is important. I thought that this could be a dry book but it was none of that.
I got the answers to that but also a lot more. Being involved in the development of negotiating tactics gives him an interesting view into not just specific negotiations and incidents but on the concepts that have developed the art and how different situations require different strategies and that the most important things are to listen, adapt and not be driven by your own emotions. Knowing what your goals are and being focused on those instead of what it may look like is important. I thought that this could be a dry book but it was none of that.
Interesting topic but boring execution. I understand why this is written like a case report, but the amount of procedural details included somehow managed to remove all the suspense from a topic as riveting as hostage negotiation. I think I just expected something different and didn’t have the patience this book requires. Perhaps it’s worth a re-read at a different time.
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