A Time to Betray

The Astonishing Double Life of a CIA Agent inside the Revolutionary Guards of Iran

By: Reza Kahlili

Narrated by: Richard Allen

Length: 13 hrs and 54 mins

Publisher's summary

A true story as exhilarating as a great spy thriller, as turbulent as today's headlines from the Middle East, A Time to Betray reveals what no other previous CIA operative's memoir possibly could: the inner workings of the notorious Revolutionary Guards of Iran, as witnessed by an Iranian man inside their ranks who spied for the American government.

It is a human story, a chronicle of family and friendships torn apart by a terror-mongering regime, and how the adult choices of three childhood mates during the Islamic Republic yielded divisive and tragic fates. And it is the stunningly courageous account of one man's decades-long commitment to lead a shocking double life informing on the beloved country of his birth, a place that once offered the promise of freedom and enlightenment---but instead ruled by murderous violence and spirit-crushing oppression. Reza Kahlili grew up in Tehran surrounded by his close-knit family and two spirited boyhood friends. The Iran of his youth allowed Reza to think and act freely, and even indulge a penchant for rebellious pranks in the face of the local mullahs. His political and personal freedoms flourished while he studied computer science at the University of Southern California in the 1970s. But his carefree time in America was cut short with the sudden death of his father, and Reza returned home to find a country on the cusp of change. The revolution of 1979 plunged Iran into a dark age of religious fundamentalism under the Ayatollah Khomeini, and Reza, clinging to the hope of a Persian Renaissance, joined the Revolutionary Guards, an elite force at the beck and call of the Ayatollah.

But as Khomeini's tyrannies unfolded, as his fellow countrymen turned on each other, and after the horror he witnessed inside Evin Prison, a shattered and disillusioned Reza returned to America to dangerously become "Wally," a spy for the CIA.

©2010 Lepton Investments, LLC (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“Genuinely powerful.... People in the Iranian operations division at the CIA should welcome A Time to Betray as a virtual recruitment poster.” ( The Washington Post)

Stays in my mind

This book prompted me to start researching as best I can a time in modern history that was the beginning of our current prejudices.
I admit to choosing audio books for their entertainment value, so it was a nice surprise, to be both entertained and educated.
In short I loved "A Time to Betray"

Inspiring, insightful, and entertaining all at onc

I found this book just plain excellent. Besides his own story, which is interesting in and of itself, the views expressed in the book by his family give the reader a very good idea of how most Iranians feel about the Islamic government. Very timely, and something everyone should read or listen to.

Speaking of "listen", Richard Allen gives a very good performance, if a bit melodramatic at times. In particular, he doesn't mess up the "kh" sound in the Farsi words, which a lot of native English speakers turn into "k" (fx. "Komeini" instead of "Khomeini").

An Informative Memoir

A Time to Betray is Reza Kahili’s story of how he became disillusioned with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and came under the influence of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). It provides a unique insight into the role of the CIA in information gathering in the country, life under the religious fundamentalism, and how working as a double agent affected Kahili’s family life. In this regard, this is more of a memoir. Anyone looking for a hard hitting expose of how the CIA worked during Kahili’s era might be disappointed. However, the book carries a lot of human interest and insight into how the life of a spy can disrupt an entire life. Segments of the book seemed a little melodramatic to me, but my personal preferences should not deter one from enjoying this excellent book. The reading of Richard Allen is excellent.

Worth the listen

Good insight on the inner workings of a Moslem led government. This proves the value to me the value of a separation of church and state.

Good story irritating narration

What did you love best about A Time to Betray?

This story is interesting and about a very secretive society in a very secretive country

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Richard Allen?

Someone with a Persian accent should have been cast or alternatively someone that can impersonate a Persian accent. This guy does a terrible job and his fake accent isn't close. I've spent lots of time in the Middle East and have Persian friends. It's just irritating to hear a voice so far off base.

Time to Betray

Loved it. The narrator did a great job and filled me with compassion for the Iranian people and the lives that were taken from them; for the terror they endure and I pray for their freedom. Thank you, Reza, for sharing your story with the world. I cannot imagine what you have endured, but you are anything but a coward. Quite the contrary. It takes such bravery to do what you did. God bless you and your family.

Makes you look at what you would want to ignore

We have all seen some little news about Iran, far away and seemingly irrelevant. What Kahlili does is to humanize the agony of nation of people, many of whom are much like us. He makes us feel pain rather than look away. The story is effective partly because the writing is very simple, which allows the manifest sincerity to shine through. While just this would have enough, Kahili also informs and warns about the deeds and aims of the despotic Iranian regime. It is a very important work.

Wow

Thought I knew more then most abut the middle east. Iran however, appears to be a different animal they any other country. The story was great as well as the performance. Must read if you love good stories.

Peace and Hope to the Middle East

I LOVED THIS AUDIO BOOK. Yes I had to get used to the narrator BUT OVERALL I LEARNED A LOT. I loved the long history of the author’s childhood and family. I think in order to understand the author and the Iranian people YOU MUST KNOW THE PEOPLE AND THEIR HISTORY. At some part of the book, I wept and prayed to God for the Iranian people. Keep in mind I did not WEEP FOR THE WICKED, EVIL CLERICS AND LEADERS AS WELL AS THE TERRORISTS. By listening to this book I sensed the decades of hopelessness and sorrow the Iranian people must feel.

As many Iranians are religious I hope that they know the true meaning of a LOVING, yet JUST AND MERCIFUL GOD I KNOW. THE GOD WHO DIED ON A CROSS (JESUS) FOR ALL SINS AND THAT BRINGS PEACE AND HOPE TO ALL MANKIND.

The Iranian people have been betrayed by their government and FALSE RELIGIOUS IDEOLOGY. I cannot wait for the time when the people in the Middle East see God’s peace and hope.

Please listen to this book. Mr. Kahlili I thank you for your courage. May YOU KNOW THE LOVE OF JESUS AND HIS LOVE FOR THE IRANIAN PEOPLE. MY LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

how our gov uses people

see how democrats and CIA use this guy then throw him to the wolves but he escapes then they screw him over. way to go!