As a movie, the story of Argo captivates and illuminates the story of American fugitives trying to stay alive during the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979 and 1980. The award winning and Academy Award Nominated film keeps you on the edge of your seat, despite knowing the outcome and plot.
As a book, the story of Argo does none of this. In fact, it doesn’t even come close.
The book, Argo is the self-centered retelling of the brilliance (at least in his own eyes) of Antonio Mendez and his one-man rescue of the hiding embassy personnel. To hear Mendez’s version of the story, it is amazing that the CIA can function without him. He’s developed programs, he’s set policy, he’s changed the face of international espionage. If it weren’t for his brilliance and cunning, the embassy personnel would still be hanging out in the Canadian Ambassador’s home to this day.
In fact, this book appears to be Mendez’s attempt to gain the credit that he had to hide for so many years. Because of the CIA’s code of secrecy and the classified status of this operation, Mendez was prevented from blowing his own horn for more than 30 years. It appears to eat at him, gnaw at him to a point that he spends several pages of the last chapter on the awards he received and the humble way he accepts them.
The story of Argo is one for the books, there is no doubt about it. But the book Argo, leaves this reader in serious doubt.
