I listened to this twice in a row!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! This is such a fascinating slice of (fairly) recent history, but so few (until now) knew anything about it. If you already saw the movie, this will fill in many, many details for you - as well as delineate what was theatrical license to make the movie flow & what, in the movie, was portrayed exactly like it happened. If you haven't seen the movie, you'll love this book, too! As I said, I listened to this twice in a row & might listen again, soon, as each time I picked up on something different. A true-life spy thriller, with all the bells & whistles.

Which scene was your favorite?

When the author went back to where the diplomats were staying, & they'd all gotten into character for the roles of their lives.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

How many people and how much planning, at the CIA, goes into POSSIBLE situations that MAY erupt around the world (made me proud). Plus, all the details that might change from moment to moment on something as seemingly innocuous as an entry visa, & what "our people" do to keep on top of those details. I love all the minutiae/idiosyncrasies/technicalities of real spy work. :)

Any additional comments?

I saw the movie at the theater twice (which I never, ever, ever do...which shows how fabulous I thought it was!), wanted to know all the details one couldn't learn from the movie, & therefore used a credit for the audiobook. I am so glad I did, as the story has loads more to it, and the narrator keeps it moving. I kept having to remind myself that the author wasn't sitting with me, telling me his story!

6 people found this helpful

Fantastic, must read!

Really enjoyed this, if you like the movie, you should listen to this book to get the real story.

5 people found this helpful

Amazing story!

Got this to keep me awake during road trip by myself. Loved the story. Really fascinating to hear the background details on how the CIA really operated ... it's not blasting through doors and spraying gun fire, it's detailed work, research, smart decisions, and good graphic artists. Graphic artists! We in the US (and the world, really) never heard the full story behind the six who got out, and here's our chance.

For those of us who remember watching the news daily (including Ted Koppel's new show at the time Nightline), it's amazing to remember that news from the embassies to D.C. had to be "cabled." And no one was live Tweeting during the embassy takeover. No camera phone pics. Embassy personnel were stationed at phones to ensure connections stayed open. And during extraction operations, CIA operatives were stationed at phones to call in a "go" signal. Public phone booths, remember those?

The narrator was the biggest weakness. He sounded a little stilted, sort of carboard or wooden. And his emphasis on the last "s" in the word "houseguests" (what the six were called prior to their extraction from Iran), had me rolling my eyes by the end. But I'm so glad I didn't let the narrator keep me from this story. It's a great listen and a fabulous story.

For any artists, graphic artists or counterfeiters out there, it's a must listen!

5 people found this helpful

Better Than the Movie

I listened to the audiobook before I saw the movie. I preferred listening to the nonfiction account of the mission in Iran and other fascinating CIA missions rather than the Hollywood-ized version of events for the movie. The truth really was amazing and there was no need to fictionalize it.

Antonio Mendez is a hero and I'm glad he got the credit he deserved.

7 people found this helpful

Amazing story, the narrator can be annoying

This is such a wild story, and extremely well written by Mendez. The way Dylan Baker pronounces “houseguests” and any word ending in -sts is grating. Otherwise he’s great, but since the hostages were called the houseguests you get it a lot.

2 people found this helpful

Better than the movie that came from it

Would you listen to Argo again? Why?

Probably not. It was a little long

What did you like best about this story?

Finding out the hidden workings of the CIA.

What about Dylan Baker’s performance did you like?

His energy.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was happy at the end that the hostages got out.

Any additional comments?

I read the book first. Then saw the movie. I was very angry at the changes Affleck made in the story. The true story was suspenseful. Affleck didn't need to screw around with the actual events.

2 people found this helpful

Excellent story and performance

Would you listen to Argo again? Why?

This was a great story. It was exciting from start to finish. Being from Ottawa it was also nice to here about Canada's involvement in the rescue. I also found the narrator did a great job. All around excellent book.

5 people found this helpful

Ego!

wow! what an ego this man has. the whole story was like.. i did this.. i did that.. i was right.. i .. i .. i.. no one else's story had a chance in his book.
i wish i listened to my friend and watched the movie instead.

1 person found this helpful

Fascinating.

I remember when it was reported that some Americans got out of Iraq but I had no idea the intrigue involved. It was interesting which countries would not help the Americans. The Canadians were true heroes. Great read.

1 person found this helpful

Loved the movie, love the book

I did not know much about Argo prior to seeing the movie. I really enjoyed the movie. But I figured there was more to the story, and boy is there a lot more to tell. Mendes is one of those outstanding American characters that seems more fiction than fact. Now granted everyone likes to pain themselves in a positive light but I get a feel that he is for real. So if you liked Argo and want to know the details inbetween then definitly listen to the book. If you have not seen Argo then listen to the book and you will get a treat that sheds light on the evergoing complicated world of espionage, government and the Middle East.

1 person found this helpful