Book Review: 'Argo: How the CIA & Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History' by Antonio Mendez & Matt Baglio

✰✰✰✰½ What happens when a gifted artist joins the CIA? Magic. On November 4, 1979, Iranian student protesters stormed the American Embassy in Tehran. The diplomats had experienced something similar earlier in the year, so initially they weren't too worried. Unfortunately, this was different. It was just the beginning of a 444-day ordeal in which Americans were held hostage in horrible conditions.

As if the situation weren't intense enough, six Americans had managed to evade capture and were hiding somewhere in the city. It would only be a matter of time before they were discovered. With the clock ticking, the United States began to create scenarios for rescue, and Antonio Mendez, a top CIA officer, was brought on board.

The result was a plan so fantastical, it just had to work. Or would it? With the help of Hollywood special-effects artists, a script for a sci-fi flick, and courageous Canadians, Mendez was about to undertake a rescue so daring, it would be one for the history books.

The Bottom Line: Told by a true hero, Argo is a real page-turner. This quick read will keep you on the edge of your seat and provide the reader with a fascinating look at some of the "tricks of the trade" used in the past to exfiltrate people. Perfect for the armchair adventurer, fans of spy novels, and students of American History, this book is highly recommended.

Book Club Notes: As a group, we rated this book very highly with a median of 4.5 stars. For those of us who watched both the movie and read the book, we gave the movie 3 stars. We found the movie a bit disappointing because of the many fictional parts created just for the sake of adding suspense. It's already suspenseful without jazzing it up. Nevertheless, for those members who only watched the film, the movie was very entertaining. Both (but especially the book) are enthusiastically recommended for book clubs.

The book takes the reader back to a time many of us still remember, albeit vaguely. Many scenes in the book were filled with memories. It was a a fast and easy to read book with lots of suspense. We appreciated the backstory into what it was like working for the CIA at the time. This book also highlighted the coordination between the Americans and the Canadians. (Thank you, CANADA!) The only thing missing from this book were maps and photos, but I was able to make up for this with information I found online.

Since the book did not come with a reading guide, I put together discussion questions from the following resources: Teach With Movies, the Carnegie Council, Pilgrim Uniting Church, and a teacher resource guide from News in Review. My list of discussion questions is at the bottom of this post and includes some of my own as well as those from the previously listed sites. [NOTE: If you use the list of questions for your book club, please give credit where credit is due.]

Additionally, here are some of the links I used to supplement the discussion: The Official Website of Tony & Jonna Mendez, Pleasant Valley Studios (featuring artwork by the authors), Anonio Mendez's obituary, Ken Taylor's obituary, a fascinating article about Jonna Mendez, artifacts from the ARGO caper, a survivor story, Tony Mendez's case study, and a short video of The Real "ARGO."

Details: Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History by Antonio Mendez & Matt Baglio. Paperback published in 2012. 320 p. ISBN: 978-0-14-750973-4 

ARGO  Discussion Questions created & compiled by Nana A. Herron:

The day of the takeover:

• Did you know anything about this event prior to reading this book? 
• Did you know anything about the houseguests before reading the book or watching this film?
• What issues does this film/book raise?
• What preconceived notions did you have about Iran before reading this book? Did these change after reading the book? 
• Why wasn’t the embassy simply closed?
• Were there any other options for freeing the hostages or houseguests? (Military interventions, negotiations, dialogue…)  Before Tony came up with the exfiltration plan featuring a Hollywood cover story, there was another plan. The original idea was to create a dead body double of the shah in exchange for the American hostages? What were the pros and cons of this option?
• Discuss the culture of Iran.
• In the film, were Iranians portrayed unfairly? Were they stereotyped? 

Questions about the houseguests:

• How do you think the Americans felt about leaving their diplomatic post and walking out into the street?
• What would have happened if they had been discovered?
• How would you have spent your time in hiding?
• Do you think this incident left any long term effects on the houseguests?
• If you were a houseguest, which exfiltration scenario would you have considered? (English teachers, nutritionists, or Hollywood) What made the Hollywood cover story stand out from the other options?
• Discuss the ARGO exfiltration plan. What did you like or not like about it? Who was the primary audience for the Argo cover?
• Discuss the lengths the CIA went to in order to create a face production company, man phones in Hollywood, and create fake Canadian identities for the houseguests.
• What were their chances for success? How did the houseguests feel about the rescue plan? At the end of the film, former President Jimmy Carter says their chances for success was 50%. The houseguests did not know that at the time. Do you think it would have made a difference at the time if they had known?
• Discuss the personal risks to the Canadians involved and the political risks to Canada as a country.

Controversial issues about the film:   (Note: The genres are historical fiction/historical drama thriller.)

• How faithful was the film to the book? What did the movie get right? What is inaccurate? Do the inaccuracies bother you?
• This film won the 2013 Oscar for Best Picture, but it’s been “widely criticized for not being historically accurate,...” Creating a story of film sometimes means leaving out some information while including other details. Discuss the necessity to include or cut some facts.
• Do you think filmmakers and writers have a responsibility to represent historical events with accuracy? How much creative license should a writer/artist have?
• In Canada, this incident was known as the Canadian Caper. What was Canada’s role? John Sheardon & his wife are not represented in the movie. Discuss this omission.
• Should the movie have given Canada more credit? If so, would an American audience have been interested?
• What do you think about the scenes that were fictional, but used to create suspense in the movie? Was Affleck justified in using them to create tension?
• Was there anything that you saw or heard in the film that was unconvincing or seemed out of place?
• For those who both read the book and saw the film, which did you prefer?

Wrap-up:

• Do you think the author was the right person to tell the story?
• Who do you think acted more heroically? The Canadian ambassador, Ken Taylor, or the author, Antonio Mendez?
• Did this book or film improve your understanding of the hostage crisis?
• How does this book help you understand what is going on in Iran today? Do the issues raised in this book affect the world now? In the future? How so? 
• What was your impression of the CIA before reading the book? Has it changed?
• Why did the CIA keep this rescue operation concealed for so long (for 17 years...until 1997)?
• Did you learn something new? If so, what was it? If not, how did the author fail? 
• Did this book broaden your perspective of the world? In what way?
• Please rate the book from 1 - 5 (with 5 being the highest) and share why you either liked or disliked the book/film.

Book Review: 'The Day the World Came to Town' by Jim DeFede

✰✰✰✰✰ When U.S. airspace was closed due to the events of September 11, 2001, pilots were diverted elsewhere. Thirty-eight jetliners were forced to land in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland Canada. Many of the passengers had no idea where they were.

Gander had seen better days, but the community rallied together, and the townspeople didn’t hesitate to help. Gander responded with everything they had: food, towels, clothes, rides, and hugs. Many even welcomed the displaced passengers into their own homes to take showers or just have some quiet time. This is the extraordinary true story of the generosity of complete strangers and the lasting friendships they forged during a trying time in American history.

The Bottom Line: This quick, inspirational read highlights a lesser known story of the events of 9/11. The lengths Gander and surrounding communities went to in order to make the displaced passengers feel welcome is both memorable and heartwarming. This tale of the kindness of strangers is proof that there is still good in the world. Highly recommended for readers of history and nonfiction.

Book Club Notes: This was by far our most highly rated book of the year. Book Club members gave it an average of 4.75 stars. We appreciated that the book was written in small sections. Through the book, we were allowed to see a different side of humanity. The actions of the people in Newfoundland were filled with compassion and caring. This book is enlightening and inspirational. All too often we hear about all the bad in the world; however, this book highlights what is good. Highly recommended for book clubs. Also, highly recommended for high schools and colleges. 

Since I could not find a reading guide or list of book club discussion questions, I created the following sets of questions: 

The Day of the Attack: 

• Do you remember where you were when you first heard about the terrorist acts on 9/11? What were your initial reactions? How did these reactions change as the day want on? How was it different for us living in the Midwest compared to people living closer to the attacks?
•  Were you watching TV that day? What role did the media play in the way viewers reacted to the attacks? At the time, what were some of the images that made an impression on you?
•  When Mineta ordered the planes down, “…the US was effectively passing the potential threat posed by these planes onto” Canada…Despite the risk, Canada didn’t hesitate. 6 Discuss. Do you think this was fair?
• On P. 19, DeFede talks about Captain Knoth. As he waited for instruction, he wondered about the people on his plane. How would you have felt as a pilot or flight attendant? What would you have told your passengers? How would you have felt as a passenger?
• On p. 61, DeFede writes about one of the passengers studying her fellow passengers and wondering: What does a terrorist look like? She didn’t know. Think about the word “terrorist” for a moment. What images/stereotypes come to mind? Where do these stereotypes come from? How do we break down these stereotypes? 

Gander: 

• Has anyone visited Gander?
• Discuss the culture of Gander. How does it differ from yours? Is anyone from a small town?
• Discuss the importance of Gander in getting the planes down quickly & safely.
• Are there any stories that stood out? Please share specific quotes or passages.
• Some passengers craved news, others wanted to avoid it. Discuss.
• Would you invite strangers into your home? Why or why not?
• Discuss the Screeching-In ceremony in Chapter 17. Does your family or hometown have special celebrations? If so, tell us about them.
• After all the passengers left, the people of Gander turned down a party. Why? How do you think the people of Gander felt after everything was over? Discuss the Newfie way. (Chap. 19) 

Returning Home: 

• Everyone has a different way of coping with stress. When it came time to get back on the planes, “…there was genuine fear among the flight crews,…” 173 Consider the events of 9/11 & imagine having to get back on a plane. How would you have felt? How would you have handled it?
• In Chapter 15 when the Lopers discover that their flight is not going back to the U.S. as planned, but returning to Germany, they decide to drive. They had to figure out their own way home. What would you have done?
• The chairman of Hugo Boss, Baldessarini could have gone home on a private jet. Instead he returned with his fellow passengers. He said,”… flying home while the others were left behind would have been an act of betrayal of everything that had happened over the last 72 hours. He would go when the others went…He was in this until the end.” 194 Discuss his reasoning. What would you have done?
• Do you feel differently after these events when you fly? Do you still fly? Do you feel safe? 

The Legacy of 9/11: 

• Discuss some of the other stories from 9/11.
• How did life in America change after 9/11? Who was most affected by these changes?
• Did the story make you question any of your own beliefs?
• How did the events of September 11 bring out both the “worst” & the “best” in people?
• Have the events of 9/11 changed your daily lives in a positive way? In a negative way?
• What is the legacy of 9/11? What does it mean to live in a post-9/11 world?
• Would you change any of the policies or laws that have been put in place since 9/11? 

About the author & the book: 

• Why did the author open the book the way he did? (the adoption story) 
• Is the author’s background reflected in the book? Discuss the writing style. This was the author’s first book. Was the writing accessible to readers at large? 
• What is original about this book? How is it different from other books? 
• What was the author’s attitude towards his subject. How do you think the author was changed by the experience of writing the book. 
• What did you think about the title of the book? Why was it titled that way? Can you think of an alternative title? 
• What’s the overall message the author is trying to convey? 

Wrap-up: 

• For the person who chose the book, why did you select it? 
• Did you know anything about this event prior to reading this book? 
• What preconceived notions did you have about 9/11 before reading this book? Did these change after reading the book? 
• Did you learn something new? If so, what was it? If not, how did the author fail? 
• Did you learn anything new about yourself as you read the book? Please share. 
• Do the issues raised in this book affect your life now? In the future? How so? 
• Did this book broaden your perspective of the world? In what way? 
• Has reading this book changed your opinion of person or events? 
• FYI – There is a Broadway musical called “Come From Away.” Do you think it would make a good movie? Who would you pick to direct & star in it? 
• Rate the book from 1 – 5. What are the book’s strengths and weaknesses? Would you recommend this book to readers who don’t read nonfiction? Why? 

[NOTE: These questions are for personal use in book clubs. Please credit this site. Thank you!]

Details: The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander Newfoundland by Jim DeFede. Paperback published by William Morrow in 2002. 244 p. ISBN: 978-0-06-055971-7

Book Review: 'As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust' by Alan Bradley

✰✰✰✰ After finally putting her mother to rest, Flavia de Luce is suddenly banished from her beloved ancestral home, Buckshaw, and England. Transported to Canada, Flavia is enrolled in Miss Bodycote’s Female Academy like her mother had been. Before Flavia has time to settle into the boarding school, a gruesome corpse is discovered. Quick as a wink, Flavia is on the case. In between attending classes, making friends, and avoiding new enemies, Flavia must navigate a minefield of dangerous situations. Along the way she discovers that students have gone missing and that Miss Bodycote’s is no ordinary school. With danger around every corner, the stakes are high as Flavia rushes solve the mysteries and discover more information about her family’s secrets and her own personal destiny,

The Bottom Line: In this installment Flavia faces new challenges, while continuing to be as charming and brilliant as ever. This cozy series is a must-read for both adult and young adult mystery aficionados. Like previous installments, this book is a quick and fun read perfect for weekend or beach reading.

Details: As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust: A Flavia de Luce Novel by Alan Bradley. Hardcover published by Delacorte Press in 2015. 416 p. ISBN: 978-0-345-53993-9

Book Review: 'The Cruelest Month' by Louise Penny

✰✰✰½ Welcome back to the quirky, quaint little village of Three Pines in Canada. It's Eastertime in the village, and the trees are just beginning to bud. To celebrate the holiday the villagers have arranged to hold a séance in the creepy old Hadley residence. Before the night is over, one member of the party will be dead. What appears to be a simple natural death may have been caused by something more sinister. Once again Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his team including the inept Yvette Nichol, find themselves investigating crime in the isolated village.

The Bottom Line: The character of Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is interesting and complex. With two story arcs, there are plenty of surprising twists and turns to keep the reader guessing until the very end. This charming cozy series is suitable for weekend reading, and this installment is the perfect entertainment for a rainy, lazy day. This literary treat will appeal to mystery buffs who enjoy eccentric characters.

Details: The Cruelest Month: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny. Paperback published by Minotaur Books in 2007. 320 p. ISBN: 978-0-312-57350-8

Book Review: 'The Swallow' by Charis Cotter

✰✰✰✰✰ Polly and Rose are two lonely 12-year-old girls who feel invisible to everyone. Set in the 1960s in Toronto during an outbreak of meningitis, the girls live right next door to each other. One day the girls discover that they can communicate through a shared wall in the attic. Besides being the same age, the girls learn that they are nearly exact opposites. Polly comes from a large family, while Rose is an only child. Polly is boisterous, while Rose is reserved. Polly wishes she could see ghosts, while Rose wishes she didn't. In fact, Polly is so convinced that Rose is actually a ghost, she sets out to prove it.

Follow Polly through the many twists and turns of this gothic ghost story with a surprise ending. You won't be disappointed.

The Bottom Line: This is a bittersweet story of friendship.Written from two points of view, each character has a distinctive voice. I enjoyed the use of mood, setting, and hints employed by the author to keep readers guessing. Readers will appreciate the short chapters making this book a very quick read. Check it out if you enjoyed the movie "The Sixth Sense." Very highly recommended for tweens interested in ghost stories and paranormal fiction. This would make a great gift.

Details: The Swallow: A Ghost Story by Charis Cotter. Hardcover published by Tundra Books in 2014. 322 p. ISBN: 978-1-77049-591-3  Note: I received a free copy from Tundra Books in exchange for an honest review. This was made possible by the Early Reviewers program at LibraryThing.

Book Review: 'A Fatal Grace' by Louise Penny

✰✰✰✰½ CC de Poitiers is an arrogant, self-centered, and cold-hearted woman. CC believes that her philosophy of life and self-published book, Li Bien, will soon make her a household name. She also believes that she is on the path to great success. She even had the gall to purchase the old Hadley residence in Three Pines. Unfortunately, she’s managed to alienate just about every single resident of the sleepy little hamlet and is about to become the latest murder victim. When CC is electrocuted in full view of all the spectators at a curling match on Boxing Day, no one sheds a tear.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Gamache had planned to spend Boxing Day with his wife, Reine-Marie, reviewing case files of unsolved murders. Hoping to bring new insight to the cases, once a year Gamache exchanged files with his counterpart at the Montreal Metropolitan Police. One case in particular catches his wife’s eye: the murder of a vagrant just before Christmas. Reine-Marie convinces Gamache to look into the case with the hopes of at least finding the bag lady’s name. With this mystery already on his mind, Gamache and his team arrive in Three Pines to investigate CC’s death. They have their work cut out for them as there are no witnesses. Gamache and his team will have to gently pry out the clues little by little as they uncover one of the town’s darkest secrets.

The Bottom Line: Author Louise Penny does it again by delivering a riveting literary mystery full of twists and turns and a surprise ending. A Fatal Grace is an excellent follow-up to A Still Life. It drew me in from the very beginning and wouldn’t let go. All of my favorite characters (and one not so favorite: Yvette Nichol) return as Penny takes the reader deeper into the secrets of this sleepy little town to uncover another layer of mystery and intrigue. All-in-all, the second book in the series is even better than the first. The eccentric characters have more depth and the writing is breathtaking. Penny makes the reader feel as if they are right there in Three Pines battling the elements and trying to solve the mystery with Gamache and his team. Highly recommended for fans of mysteries, cozies, and literary fiction. Penny keeps the reader guessing until the very end.

Details: A Fatal Grace: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny. Paperback published by Minotaur Books in 2006. 320 p. ISBN: 978-0-312-54116-3