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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
Read this. It’s worth it. It was such a PHENOMENAL book. Noesner tells the stories of huge sieges in USA history. From the perspective of a negotiator, this was a fantastic read.
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
sad
tense
Gary Noesner has written a fascinating account of the development of the FBI’s hostage negotiation arm, and (to a lesser extent) of his own development as a negotiator. Most interesting to me was his descriptions of many of the cases he worked as a negotiator. That kind of rich description is relatively unusual, and welcome to someone like me who teaches negotiation skills. My only wish is that he would have been as descriptive about the tools and techniques of negotiation in crisis situations as he was about the chronology of events associated with those hostage situations.
Some other reviewers complained about Noesner’s self-centeredness and his seeming to excuse himself or blaming others for snafus in hostage negotiation. I can see that, and felt the same way from time to time, but I can also see his points. Yes, he sounds a little whiny, but after years of fighting an unsupportive establishment, losing lives through little fault of your own, I think I might feel a little unappreciated and self-justifying also.
All in all, though I wish there were more educational detail, this was a worthwhile read, and one I have recommended to the students in my negotiation classes.
Some other reviewers complained about Noesner’s self-centeredness and his seeming to excuse himself or blaming others for snafus in hostage negotiation. I can see that, and felt the same way from time to time, but I can also see his points. Yes, he sounds a little whiny, but after years of fighting an unsupportive establishment, losing lives through little fault of your own, I think I might feel a little unappreciated and self-justifying also.
All in all, though I wish there were more educational detail, this was a worthwhile read, and one I have recommended to the students in my negotiation classes.
informative
tense
medium-paced
A fascinating memoir with a great message and a surprisingly poignant ending. I picked this up after having watched the Netflix mini-series. The Waco siege is only part of the story as it is his memoir and his career extends past that. The Waco siege happens a little after the halfway point. Noesner is a reasonable, intelligent voice that I thoroughly enjoyed listening to.
Interesting story of the history of the use of negotiations by the FBI. Also presents a side history of right wing militia groups and how the FBI handled different cases.
This book may not be for everyone as it is a blunt, straightforward description of how the FBI developed their negotiating handbook through a series of cases. Personally, living in a country where militia groups don't seem to randomly pop up and hold people hostage, I found it quite fascinating.
Captivating book. Provides insight into relevant discourses in a somewhat obscure field. Kind of makes me want to become an FBI Hostage Negotiator.