Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History
- Narrated by:
- Length: 9 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Release Date:09-13-12
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
People who bought this also bought...
Publisher's Summary
The true account of the 1979 rescue of six American hostages from Iran
On November 4, 1979, Iranian militants stormed the American embassy in Tehran and captured dozens of American hostages, sparking a 444-day ordeal and a quake in global politics still reverberating today. But there's a little-known footnote to the crisis: six Americans escaped. And a midlevel agent named Antonio Mendez devised an ingenious yet incredibly risky plan to rescue them.
Armed with foreign film visas, Mendez and an unlikely team of CIA agents and Hollywood insiders - directors, producers, actors - traveled to Tehran under the guise of scouting locations for a fake film called Argo. While pretending to find the perfect scenery and backdrops, the team succeeded in contacting the escapees and smuggling them out of Iran without a single shot being fired.
Antonio Mendez finally details the mind-bogglingly complex and dangerous operation he led more than three decades ago. A true story of secret identities and international intrigue, Argo is the gripping account of the history-making collusion between Hollywood and high-stakes espionage.
©2012 Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio (P)2012 Penguin Audiobooks
More from the same
What Members Say
Sort by:
-
"Great Detailed Story"
Would you listen to Argo again? Why?Yes, because it is one of my favorite books and movies.
What did you like best about this story?The Amazing Detail!
Which character – as performed by Dylan Baker – was your favorite?The protagonist, because he was likable and brave
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?No, but I would have loved to!
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Had to speed up the narration to make it through"
Would you ever listen to anything by Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio again?Probably not. Too much "I." Even though Mr. Mendez worked for the CIA, much of his job was seemingly not that exciting. Sort of reminded me or having to listen to some bore at a party talking incessantly, essentially saying "Let me repeatedly tell you how awesomely wonderful I am."
If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Argo?The book could have been at least half as long and still covered the interesting parts.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Good insight to a historic event."
Any additional comments?Good book but not great. I wanted to listen to the full book before watching the movie. It didn't leave me excited but I'm glad to learn the untold side of the behind the seen aspects of the CIA. It defiantly gave me a new appreciation for the Canadian government.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Not so much"
This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?The story as such is good ofcourse but the book is a long sit, without any pace or real suspense, going nowhere. I found myself listeing to some Hollywood chitchat for 30 minutes at a time. Very little historic perspective too. I do not recommend this book to anyone,sorry
Would you be willing to try another book from Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio ? Why or why not?No
If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Argo?That whole hollywood bs
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Amazing story with a hollywood movie"
If you could sum up Argo in three words, what would they be?History repeats itself.
What was one of the most memorable moments of Argo?The invasion of the embassy by the militants using their own children, teens and wives as human shields and distractions to gain the element of surprise against the American guards was horrifying since the reader knew how the ploy ended.
Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?At the end of the book after the houseguests had escaped and the involvement of the Canadians in their rescue was revealed to the world. The American response was powerful. It's a shame the movie glosses over those details.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Andy Westport, CT, United States 03-19-13 Member Since 2010
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 937
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 536
- 421
"terrific glimpse into the rescue"
The story of how the hostage crises occurred and how the Canadians and CIA came to the rescue. Exciting to see such innovative problem solving when lives are at stake.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Fabulous book. I enjoyed every minute of it."
Would you consider the audio edition of Argo to be better than the print version?No comment. I didn't read the printed version
Who was your favorite character and why?Antonio Mendez because he is a true patriot and exceedingly intelligent.
What does Dylan Baker bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?Background information of world events and emotion in delivery.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?No, I didn't have extreme reaction to this book, but it refreshed my memory on Carter's administration and how bad a President he was. Furthermore, it brought back so many memories of how hostile the Middle East has been toward America for so many, many years.
Any additional comments?Argo was the first audio book that I ever purchased. I couldn't read for a couple of weeks due to eye surgery, therefore, I thoroughly enjoyed the audio-book version.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"Liked the movie better."
This was an interesting read, but a rare case where the movie is much better than the book. There was some interesting background but not enough focus on the core of the story.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
"The real story behind the movie!"
I saw the movie and wanted to know the REAL story. Dylan Baker is a wonderful narrator and makes listening a joy. This is a great story and should be experienced. The movie was a good thriller, but this book gives an account of how it is remembered by a main character. Highly recommended.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful -
Michael Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada 02-01-13 Member Since 2012
- HELPFUL VOTES
- 3
- ratings
- REVIEWS
- 33
- 9
"Loved the book and narration"
What did you love best about Argo?It was a compelling story that I was very very curious to check out after seeing the movie. I quite enjoyed the movie but as a Canadian felt that the Canadian aspect wasn't given enough credit. I left with a new respect for the actual story which I assume to be the true account. I left with a less jaded view than just watching the movie and more realistic view of the Canadian part in the whole story.With all that said as a stand alone going in cold it'd still be a great listen. I'll qualify that by saying as a younger man I plowed through a lot of spy novels (fiction). This stuff intrigues me and learning a true account was pretty cool for me.
What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?I really got into recounting the era when it happened. I remember the whole hostage affair but didn't really follow the nuts and bolts of what was going on. I'm a bit of a history buff so this referesher with a lot of insight into what happened and why was very interesting to me.
Which character – as performed by Dylan Baker – was your favorite?I really grew to respect Tony Mendez, as this is really his story. I'd love to hear a few more capers like this if he got involved and the info was declassified. Whether read or listened to it's a great story
If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?The Greatest "real life" Escape
Any additional comments?great narration and compelling story.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
© Copyright 1997 - 2017 Audible Inc.