Professer Collins
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The narrative of the book correctly portrayed a compelling story that the world should hear and understand. There were aspects of the novel that tied into the time period and connected the reader to the emotions of the characters by changing viewpoints every chapter or so. This let the reader become attached and aware of all the moving parts that the plot was made up of. Even the historical aspects are very detailed and complete. That should be expected coming from a narrative that is very time and place oriented. These events changed people’s lives and deserve to be told. The narrative is almost like a report and the reader becomes invested in the outcome even though it is already known. As an event that is so important to American history it should be well known. Not just among history buffs and journalistic pundits, but the general population can benefit from all the details of the escape and complications that both the CIA and six escapees in Tehran had to endure.
Mendez gave insight to the world of CIA officers and the work that they do for their country, which usually overlooked. The meticulous details that these men thought of during a time of crisis that deceived a nation shows a deep devotion for their countrymen. This novel is historically accurate it doesn't deserve a Pulitzer Prize because it isn’t true Journalism. It shows the events of national crisis from the views of those people working to save the people that escaped from the Iranian protesters.
The basic plot can be explained as how to exfiltrate endangered people from a hostile situation. That sounds hard enough on its own, without the added struggle of not compromising anyone involved. “Every intelligence agency is ultimately judged on its ability to successfully rescue people and bring them out of harm's way, which is essentially what an exfiltration is.” As a esteemed history professor I enjoyed an accurate account of the events that unfolded in Iran during their revolution of 1979. Tony accurately described how the revolt began; giving any reader a well developed background on the issue and how serious the event was to the the not just the people involved people involved, but the fragile relations of two very influential countries. I would highly recommend this book for historically accurate information. however the novel could have developed the characters more than just having a few explanations given about their situations. However, one could argue whether or not the whimsical “story book” element needed to be present along wit a well documented and entertaining report. In fact the writing frequently switched between being very descriptive and not so descriptive. However, there were moments when I became very emotionally attached to what the characters were going through, it’s hard to be emotionally invested in something that hasn't happened to you, Tony Mendez and Matt Bagilo used the power of language to help the reader become connected to the hostage situation of 1979. They authors got the information out there, and told a soon to be classic tale of American ingenuity in a very respectable 310 pages.
Mendez gave insight to the world of CIA officers and the work that they do for their country, which usually overlooked. The meticulous details that these men thought of during a time of crisis that deceived a nation shows a deep devotion for their countrymen. This novel is historically accurate it doesn't deserve a Pulitzer Prize because it isn’t true Journalism. It shows the events of national crisis from the views of those people working to save the people that escaped from the Iranian protesters.
The basic plot can be explained as how to exfiltrate endangered people from a hostile situation. That sounds hard enough on its own, without the added struggle of not compromising anyone involved. “Every intelligence agency is ultimately judged on its ability to successfully rescue people and bring them out of harm's way, which is essentially what an exfiltration is.” As a esteemed history professor I enjoyed an accurate account of the events that unfolded in Iran during their revolution of 1979. Tony accurately described how the revolt began; giving any reader a well developed background on the issue and how serious the event was to the the not just the people involved people involved, but the fragile relations of two very influential countries. I would highly recommend this book for historically accurate information. however the novel could have developed the characters more than just having a few explanations given about their situations. However, one could argue whether or not the whimsical “story book” element needed to be present along wit a well documented and entertaining report. In fact the writing frequently switched between being very descriptive and not so descriptive. However, there were moments when I became very emotionally attached to what the characters were going through, it’s hard to be emotionally invested in something that hasn't happened to you, Tony Mendez and Matt Bagilo used the power of language to help the reader become connected to the hostage situation of 1979. They authors got the information out there, and told a soon to be classic tale of American ingenuity in a very respectable 310 pages.
Anne Reese: Literary Critic for Boston Globe
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This seemingly ordinary historical story surprises its readers with intrigue and unsuspected scenes. Although a well known event and the ending predictable the journey there is masterfully written. The novel delights the audience with elements of comic relief and well developed characters. As the novel progresses the experience is heightened as the events unfold, debunking spy myths and create a suspenseful read.
Written by the very CIA agent in charge of the operation and who went into the field to help rescue the six diplomats clearly explains the process and amount of work (that is usually overlooked by the average person) that goes into a well composed operation. Both Matt Baglio and Tiny Mendez use language to masterfully describe the horrific events that unfold in 1979. The novel takes a journalistic approach to telling the story of how Hollywood, the CIA, Canada, and the six Hostages successfully helped pull off a “audacious rescue.” Although, a very well narrated story it is not worthy of a Pulitzer Prize, it’s story line is too good to be true, a non fiction that seems to fluffy and only telling the good of what happened. There’s barely any conflict, only in the beginning to give the reader background information. The Iranian Revolution of 1979 had many complex components that could have been added to the story. Not only that but also the Canadian involvement was downplayed and should have been more crucial to the story especially since there was a special name for the joint operation between the Canadians and the CIA called “Canadian Caper. ” The was no journalistic aspects to the novel it was just fluff that was written by the CIA officer in charge who made it sound too easy to be true. There wasn’t much conflict. Even so, it wasn’t boring and the writing was exceptional, but that doesn't mean it deserves a Pulitzer Prize. I once wrote a brilliant wedding toast, but I have yet to receive my Pulitzer nomination. The coveted award, which is really reserved for journalistic writing this is just a story being told to clear up any misconceptions and identify the people involved giving them credit to where it was due. Many of the hostages involved would have been appalled by the lack of detail about their personal struggles. In a way the book was written like it was a fantasy and that all that had happened was very simple, however, I believed there should have been explanations on the behind the scenes political drama that was occurring between Iran and the United States and the Iranian revolution that was also occurring. The book is written looking back on the past, there should have been more details given about the hostage situation and a conclusion that clearly explained how the hostages were returned to the United states. The book felt unfinished. The book was published in 2010 giving plenty of time to sort of details that the public deserves to know. But perhaps all the details are already known and presented, but st don’t make for as riveting a story as was intended.
Anonymous Reviewer
The book was incredible. Argo fascinated myself with a harrowing behind the scenes look at how the CIA creates daring escapes for people who are in hiding. Written by the man in charge of the whole operation, Tony Mendez. He had the help of various officers and a few favors from hollywood. The Book is gripping and very entertaining as it gives great insight to what it would be like to be a CIA officer. There are many components that keep the reader on edge, detailing the suspense and gives a sense of urgency rescuing the escapees. Although, in a few places there is some comic relief which is very refreshing. For example while the six diplomats were hiding in their second safe house of three, they discovered some films, realizing it was the coronation of the Shah. Mark though “This is perfect, a group of Komiteh is going to come bursting in here and find us all watching a movie about the shah.” some of these lines add comic relief to the gripping story, making it all the more intriguing
Immediately after I started reading the novel, I became fixated by the lifestyle of the CIA officers. I felt as if a window into their often clandestine lives was briefly opened. There is a certain amount of discovery as tI am guided through disguises and stories of daring reuses. For example, there is a section that describes an extraction of an a man called RAPTOR, originally an Iranian, but who wants to defect to the United States. RAPTOR is completely transformed into someone unrecognizable to pass through the airport as he is guided by multiple CIA officers, one of them Mendez.
The most amazing part about the book is how much Hollywood is involved in completing the disguises and training some of the field workers on how to re-create the disguises in the field. The stories are almost so incredible that people are able to make theses types of rescues it almost sounds made up. It is so unbelievable what the officers come up with for cover stories and all the things they have to make sure they’ve got covered. In the case of Argo, the CIA rented a studio in Hollywood to back up their story and even placed an advertisement in the newspaper about the fake movie that was supposed to be coming out in theaters.
Tony Mendez really brings to life what the runaways are feeling and what they are doing while hiding in Iran. The narrative switches back and forth between the life of the six people who escaped and how to plan is formulated and put together back at the CIA in Washington DC. This type of writing keeps the reader interested and informed about what the characters are thinking mostly all the time and what types of experiences they are having. I didn’t miss a moment of the creativity and drama of the real life plight of the embassy staff.. If there was anything that should have been added, it should have been more information on the hostages and their situation. Sometimes there were excerpts about them and some of the horrors they were enduring, but not many of their struggles were really highlighted. I never really feared for their safety. even though it is a very well written book it shouldn’t be nominated for the the Pulitzer Prize because it doesn’t embody journalistic writing. There is too much fluff that doesn’t give the facts like a journalist. It’s descriptive of the times and events but not from a journalistic point of view.
Immediately after I started reading the novel, I became fixated by the lifestyle of the CIA officers. I felt as if a window into their often clandestine lives was briefly opened. There is a certain amount of discovery as tI am guided through disguises and stories of daring reuses. For example, there is a section that describes an extraction of an a man called RAPTOR, originally an Iranian, but who wants to defect to the United States. RAPTOR is completely transformed into someone unrecognizable to pass through the airport as he is guided by multiple CIA officers, one of them Mendez.
The most amazing part about the book is how much Hollywood is involved in completing the disguises and training some of the field workers on how to re-create the disguises in the field. The stories are almost so incredible that people are able to make theses types of rescues it almost sounds made up. It is so unbelievable what the officers come up with for cover stories and all the things they have to make sure they’ve got covered. In the case of Argo, the CIA rented a studio in Hollywood to back up their story and even placed an advertisement in the newspaper about the fake movie that was supposed to be coming out in theaters.
Tony Mendez really brings to life what the runaways are feeling and what they are doing while hiding in Iran. The narrative switches back and forth between the life of the six people who escaped and how to plan is formulated and put together back at the CIA in Washington DC. This type of writing keeps the reader interested and informed about what the characters are thinking mostly all the time and what types of experiences they are having. I didn’t miss a moment of the creativity and drama of the real life plight of the embassy staff.. If there was anything that should have been added, it should have been more information on the hostages and their situation. Sometimes there were excerpts about them and some of the horrors they were enduring, but not many of their struggles were really highlighted. I never really feared for their safety. even though it is a very well written book it shouldn’t be nominated for the the Pulitzer Prize because it doesn’t embody journalistic writing. There is too much fluff that doesn’t give the facts like a journalist. It’s descriptive of the times and events but not from a journalistic point of view.