Reviewer Fran Lewis:
Fran worked in the NYC Public Schools as the Reading and Writing
Staff Developer for over 36 years. She has three masters degrees and
a PD in Supervision and Administration. Currently. She is a member of
Who's Who of America's Teachers and Who's
Who of America's Executives from Cambridge. In addition,
she is the author of three children's books and a fourth Alzheimer’s
book is Memories are Precious: Alzheimer’s Journey: Ruth’s story
in honor of her mom. Fran
hopes to create more awareness for a cure of Alzheimer.
She
was also the musical director for shows in her school and ran the
school's newspaper. Fran writes reviews for authors upon request and
for several other sites. You can read some of my reviews on Ezine.com
and on ijustfinished under
the name Gabina.
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Author: Antonio Mendez and coauthor Matt Baglio
ISBN: 978-0-14-750973-4
Publisher: Penguin
Author: Antonio Mendez and coauthor Matt Baglio
ISBN: 978-0-14-750973-4
Publisher: Penguin
Movies often create
illusions for the world to see and take the viewer into places they
might never visit in their lifetime. Viewers envelop themselves
within the story portrayed on the screen and for 2 or more hours
their lives outside the theater and their troubles are set aside.
When Iranian militants decided to take over the American Embassy on
November 4, 1979 little did they think that anyone would be able to
foil their plans and rescue the hostages being held there.
This was
real life and definitely not a movie. As the dramatic events unfolded
that day and the final realization that the embassy and its staff
were being held hostage little did anyone think it would take 444
days to free them. Thinking the Iranian government would come to
their rescue, demand that they set these people free and tell the
militants to leave never did happen. Workers coming in that day never
realized that their lives would change for so long and that the
lasting effects would linger on for a very long time. As John Graves,
the public affairs officer entered the embassy, he saw a group of
women carrying protest signs. Thinking they were just trying to make
a statement it never registered that they were just decoys setting
their own stage for the next scene to come. Militants climbing the
walls of the embassy, some rushing inside and the scene unfolding so
fast that the workers inside either ignored what they saw, did not
realize the danger but the end result would be more than just tragic.
Author Antonio Mendez takes everyone back to that day in November and graphically, vividly and creatively describes the events that unfolded as if they were happening today. Anyone that lived that day, remembered those moments when handcuffed, blindfolded and led into captivity, would relive it just from reading what he wrote.
But, first the author enlightens readers as to his role, his areas of expertise and shares with us his art, his studio and his creative talents. The author explains the CIA group that he works with called the Directorate of Operations, their goals, jobs and capabilities which included creating photos/videos, disguises, documents and much more his title this day: CHIEF OF DISGUISES rising to a higher position that would put him in charge of the CIA’s worldwide disguise program titling him as chief of authentication. But, how does this fit into the rescue?
Learning that a
group of six working at the consulate escaped and were housed by
Canadian diplomats in their homes hoping they would not be
discovered. With the help of the Canadians the fugitive Americans
were able to move with the approval of the Canadian Prime Minister.
From start to the daring rescue the author relates what the
Americans, British and Canadians did as well as agents involved. His
inner most thoughts and concerns revealed, his willingness to take
risks and the ability to create a plan so wild and covert that the
Iranians never saw it coming.
Even in the midst of a military crisis, Hollywood rolls on, and Hollywood execs are crazy enough to visit war-torn countries seeking places to film. Using a script for a science fiction movie project that had fallen through a few months earlier, the CIA created the elusion of a production company scouting locations in Iran. The next step after all of the discussions and plans took place was to get Canadian Passports for the six houseguests, changing their names and creating disguises plus cover stories. But, the Canadians had done the necessary legwork to create the documents needed.
As author Tony Mendez
takes readers inside the mind of a CIA operative and many diplomats
you experience the missions, the pre-work, high voltage energy and
creativity that went into orchestrating a rescue that deserved more
than just an academy award for each and every person’s performance.
Volunteering for the mission, explaining the role of each person in a
production company looking for a sight to film, getting all of the
necessary documents and enlisting the aid of the right people Argo
proved to be more than just what they credited as a Science Fiction
Movie.
As the final phase takes place and you experience the rescue, the frustrations, fears and their freedom when landing in Switzerland. We are no longer allies with Iran and our thinking and doctrines are worlds apart as the people living there are the ones who are suffering. Many lessons still need to be learned but one is for sure: that Islamic countries will never realize is that tolerance, understanding and respecting our differences is what makes this world so special. Sad, that they never really did take a long and hard look at power of the United States and the fact that we care about others. Replete in history, explaining so many of his other missions and allowing readers to take the journey back in time to that fateful day, authors Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio’s account is more than just a story that the world finally get to hear about it is what makes us proud to be who we are: AMERICANS! Argo: one CIA expert’s brilliant artistic illusion.
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