Antonio joseph mendez november 15, 1940 january 19, 2019 was an american technical. Antonio tony mendez, former cia officer portrayed in argo. Mendez 2000, trade paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Jan 19, 2019 screenwriter chris terrio eventually based the argo film on mendezs master of disguise, as well as joshuah bearmans 2007 wired story how the cia used a fake scifi flick to rescue americans. Screenwriter chris terrio adapted the screenplay from the 1999 book by the u. Intelligence is only as good as the consumers ability to believe and utilize it. How the cia used a fake scifi flick to rescue americans from tehran written by joshuah bearman and was published in wired. Rather than detracting from the stories it ups the cloak and dagger feel of the book. The author of the master of disguise and spy dust, mendez lives with his family in rural washington county, maryland. Mendez while the movie presents myriad dramatic complications and lastminute twists and turns, the plan actually went off without a hitch. The two wrote a book about their agency work in moscow in the final. Review of master of disguise, studies in intelligence v. Who was, among many other things, the character played by ben affleck in the movie argo.
How the cia used a fake scifi flick to rescue americans from tehran and from tony mendezs memoir, the master of disguise 1999. For history buffs and affleck fans, argo the book, provides added insight into a wild, if not widely known, incident in the history of american foreign policy and the cia. Antonio tony mendez, former cia officer portrayed in. Jan 21, 2019 a former cia technical operations officer who helped rescue six u. Pictures and no portion of it may be performed, distributed, reproduced, used, quoted or published without prior written permission. Since that time he appeared on various national media across the united states, while traveling and lecturing regarding his cia experiences. Antonio tony mendez, a former cia technical operations officer who helped rescue six u. To all the members of our families who also served the cause. Argo drew its inspiration from a 2007 article in wired magazine written by joshuah bearman titled the great escape. The book, along with bearmans article in wired, served as the source material for argo, which won. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the master of disguise.
Mendezs book agent, christy fletcher, announced the news on twitter saturday morning. Argo is a 2012 american historical drama thriller film directed by ben affleck. The screenplay for the movie came from a series of real life spy stories written by master spy antonio mendez in the book master of disguise. The master of disguise, site of tony and jonna mendez, former cia intelligence officers with 52 years of combined service. From the author of argo comes an unforgettable behindthes. The true story behind operation argo to rescue americans. The master of disguise gives us a privileged look at what really happens at the highest levels of international espionage. The master of disguise navy mwr digital library overdrive. A former chief of disguise with 27 years in the cia, she discusses her latest book coauthored with her husband tony mendez, her experience in the cia, and her.
His wife, jonna, is also a former chief of disguise in the cias office of technical service. This movie is adapted from a book named the master of disguise written by tony mendez a former cia operative and an article named the great escape. The book, along with bearmans article in wired, served as the source material for argo, which won the oscar for best picture. The movie, which i saw after reading the book, states that it is based on a true story. If you saw the movie argo, ben afleck, portrays him. He explained that the last book was written to make sure the correct historical narrative was put on record.
Central intelligence agency operative tony mendez, the master of disguise, and the 2007 wired article by joshuah bearman, the great escape. Mendez audio books, best sellers, author bio audible. Jonna mendez, former cia chief of disguise, plays not my job on. In the first ever memoir by a toplevel operative to be authorized by the cia, antonio j. How the cia and hollywood pulled off the most audacious rescue in history 2012, with matt baglio. My secret life in the cia, was published by william morrow in november 1999 on the tenth anniversary of the wall coming down in berlin. Argo 2012 starring ben affleck, bryan cranston, john goodman, alan arkin based on the book the master of disguise by antonio j. In 1980, he orchestrated the escape of six americans from a hostage situation in revolutionary tehran, iran. Based on a wired magazine article by joshuah bearman, as well as mendezs own book the master of disguise, argo marks terrios first appearance as an academy award nominee. The master of disguise king county library system overdrive. Antonio mendez finally details the extraordinarily complex and dangerous operation he led more than three decades ago. He is an awardwinning painter and the author of the master of disguise and spy dust, which he cowrote with his wife jonna mendez, also a retired intelligence officer. Tony mendez, cia master of disguise who was the real argo. Pictures, in association with gk films, a smokehouse.
The former cia officer who inspired the movie argo has died. This extraordinary operation inspired the movie argo. Although the movie argo is wellknown, it is only a small part of this authors story. How the cia and hollywood pulled off the most audacious.
Working as a chief of disguise, mendez and his workers helped secret agents remain secret through creating false documents and disguises, according to a biography for his first book, the master. What was most interesting to me were the years this painterturned spy spent behind the iron curtain under disguise. In the first ever memoir by a toplevel operative to be authorized. The master of disguise author antonio mendez talked about his new book, the master of disguise. Directed by ben affleck, argo tells the story of the canadian caper, the extraction of six hostages by cia agent tony mendez from the 1979 us embassy siege in iran. He wrote several memoirs including the master of disguise, coauthored with malcolm mcconnell. Antonio mendez served in the cia for twentyfive years and is a highly decorated cia officer, one of the top 50 officers in its first 50 years and a recipient of the intelligence star for valor for the argo operation. How the cia used a fake scifi flick to rescue americans from tehran. The master of disguise, spy dust with his wife jonna, and argo. Terrios victory in this category will no doubt provide some compensation for affleck, who was bafflingly see full article at the guardian film news. Since that time he appeared on various national media across the united states, while. I have already received ample recognition in the intelligence community. Tony mendez, cia master of disguise who was the real argo spy. Mendez is not modest about his considerable accomplishments.
And the remainder of this book vetted by the agency is, in one sense, a justification of that claim. My secret life in the cia 1999, with malcolm mcconnell, a memoir of his cia experiences. Mendez reveals the cunning tricks and insights that helped save hundreds from deadly situations. The retired, highly decorated chief of disguise for the cia highlights his adventurous 25year career. Analysis of the movie the master of disguise 1589 words. Contents acknowledgments v preface ix 1 a letter slipped in the door 1 2 border crossings 23 3 onto the shadowy battlefield 51. Mendez was born in eureka, nevada, and worked as a plumber and illustrator before joining the cias technical staff and eventually becoming its chief of disguise. He takes credit for creating and deploying many of the most innovative techniques in the espionage trade. Learn more about the moscow rules, the most recent of their four books. Mendez audiobook book on cassette tape audio book argo true story pinkelephantrelics 5 out of 5 stars 486.
Affleck plays antonio mendez, the cia chief of technical services, master of disguise and fake ids, whose job it was to get. The master of disguise the master of disguise audiobook, by antonio j. Nov 01, 1999 having lived through the coldwar years, i was truly impressed with this book while reading it ln its kindle version. My purpose in writing this book, however, is not to bring credit to myself. My secret life in the cia 2000, with malcolm mcconnell. The former cia officer who inspired the movie argo has. While affleck, who also directed the film, was praised for his evocation of tension and. This extraordinary operation inspired the movie argo, directed by and starring ben affleck. The cold war spy and cia master of disguise writing the. Jul 14, 2017 an excerpt from antonio mendez and matt baglios new book, argo. My secret life in the cia ebook written by antonio j. Based on true events, argo chronicles the lifeordeath covert operation to rescue six americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the iran hostage crisis the truth of which was.
The master of disguise harpercollins harpercollins publishers. Mar 25, 2021 the film was based on tony mendezs firsthand account of the mission from his book the master of disguise, and a 2007 wired article by joshuah bearman entitled, the great escape. Argo movie true story meet the real tony mendez and the 6. Two masters of disguise reveal the tools and operations that helped win the cold war, to my 2 read list. Rather, i want this book to describe as accurately as memory permits a few of the operations my colleagues and i conducted. Apr 07, 20 i have added the authors other two books, the master of disguise. Argo by chris terrio based on the may 2007 wired magazine article entitled the great escape by joshuah bearman. His most recent book is argo, which tells the story of the operation he ran to rescue six americans hiding in the canadian embassy in tehran during the hostage crisis. Oct, 2009 he is an awardwinning painter and the author of the master of disguise and spy dust, which he cowrote with his wife jonna mendez, also a retired intelligence officer. For many years, jonna mendez was the cias chief of disguise, so weve decided to quiz her on dose. From the author of argo comes an unforgettable behindthescenes story of espionage in action.
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