The Age of Deception

Nuclear Diplomacy in Treacherous Times

By: Mohamed ElBaradei

Narrated by: David Drummond

Length: 13 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

For the past two decades, Mohamed ElBaradei has played a key role in the most high-stakes conflicts of our time. Unique in maintaining credibility in the Arab world and the West alike, ElBaradei has emerged as a singularly independent, uncompromised voice. As the director of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency, he has contended with the Bush administration's assault on Iraq, the nuclear aspirations of North Korea, and the West's standoff with Iran. For their efforts to control nuclear proliferation, ElBaradei and his agency received the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

Now, in a vivid and thoughtful account, ElBaradei takes us inside the international fray. Inspector, adviser, and mediator, ElBaradei moves from Baghdad, where Iraqi officials bleakly predict the coming war, to behind-the-scenes exchanges with Condoleezza Rice, to the streets of Pyongyang and the trail of Pakistani nuclear smugglers. He dissects the possibility of rapprochement with Iran while rejecting hard-line ideologies of every kind, decrying an us-versus-them approach and insisting on the necessity of relentless diplomacy. Above all, he illustrates that the security of nations is tied to the security of individuals, dependent not only on disarmament but on a universal commitment to human dignity, democratic values, and the freedom from want. Probing and eloquent, The Age of Deception is an unparalleled account of society's struggle to come to grips with the uncertainties of our age.

©2011 Mohamed ElBaradei (P)2011 Tantor

Critic reviews

"A lively, outspoken take on recent geo-political confrontations that makes an impassioned case for using persuasion rather than punishment to resolve the direst threats." ( Publishers Weekly)

A one sided view from the IAEA perspective

Any additional comments?

I have a new appreciation for Mohamed ElBaradei's integrity and efforts as an independent Director of the IAEA but I am less impressed with his rather narrow perspective based on legal definitions, etc. Mohamed ElBaradei was always perfectly eager to extend "respect" and understanding to those who violated the terms of the NPT but seldom offered such respect and understanding to those (The US mainly) who sought to enforce them (ex: his accusation that Bush is a "war criminal"). ElBaradei never made an attempt to see the issues outside of the very narrow scope of the IAEA, which, I believe, did an excellent job on behalf of all nations.

His POV and words should be understood but at the same time one should know that much else was not said.

Narrartion is sub-par with nary a breath betwixt chapters (a bit disconcerting).

The Age of Deception

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

I was expecting much more from Mr. ElBaradei than simply slamming the Ameicans at every opportunity.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of David Drummond?

Mr. ElBaradei, himself.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment.