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  • Stalling for Time

  • My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator
  • By: Gary Noesner
  • Narrated by: Gary Noesner
  • Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (69 ratings)

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Stalling for Time

By: Gary Noesner
Narrated by: Gary Noesner
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Summary

The FBI’s chief hostage negotiator recounts harrowing standoffs, including the Waco siege with David Koresh and the Branch Davidians, in a memoir that inspired the miniseries Waco, now on Netflix.

“Riveting . . . the most in-depth and absorbing section is devoted to the 1993 siege near Waco, Texas.”—
The Washington Post

In Stalling for Time, the FBI’s chief hostage negotiator takes readers on a harrowing tour through many of the most famous hostage crises in the history of the modern FBI, including the siege at Waco, the Montana Freemen standoff, and the D.C. sniper attacks. Having helped develop the FBI’s nonviolent communication techniques for achieving peaceful outcomes in tense situations, Gary Noesner offers a candid, fascinating look back at his years as an innovator in the ranks of the Bureau and a pioneer on the front lines. Whether vividly recounting showdowns with the radical Republic of Texas militia or clashes with colleagues and superiors that expose the internal politics of America’s premier law enforcement agency, Stalling for Time crackles with insight and breathtaking suspense. Case by case, minute by minute, it’s a behind-the-scenes view of a visionary crime fighter in action.

©2010 Gary Noesner (P)2018 Random House Audio
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Critic reviews

“Captivating . . . an electrifying read . . . No Hollywood movie can top this story for thrills, suspense, or action.”—New York Journal of Books

“Certain to fascinate true crime readers . . . The compelling centerpiece of the book is Noesner’s analysis of ‘what went wrong at Waco’ with the Branch Davidians.”—Publishers Weekly

“Engrossing . . . The book is also an intimate history of contemporary American militia movements.”New Republic

What listeners say about Stalling for Time

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Short but sweet

A gripping story about the hardships of being an FBI negotiator. Each synopsis leaves the reader enthralled and enthused for the outcome, hoping that the best outcome is achieved. But unfortunately, this is not always the case. The book is short, only 8 hours, but definitely worth a read.

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  • Overall
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Very interesting

Liked it overall but chapter 2 felt a little bit out of place with everything else. I liked the reader and was able to finish this quickly. Overall I am glad I read it.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent, very interesting.

The author (also narrator), with his account of the genesis and evolution of negotiation tactics, helps erode the fallacy that all American law-enforcers are gung-ho hotheads who engage lethal force at any given opportunity. The seige at Waco - amongst others - is described excellently and it evokes great sympathy for the negotiators who came so close to peacefully defusing the situation and rescuing the 76 vulnerable people that died and great disdain for their bumbling, knuckle-dragging colleagues in the FBI who favoured brute force.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Captivating read, instant recommendation.

The narrator and guy in question did a terrific job of conveying and laying out the thrills and issues when it comes to dealing with high-stakes negotiations. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Not what i was expecting

Had to go chpter 11 to get into this thats when waco story starts so was disapointed taught it was about waco

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4 people found this helpful

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great book

loved this book and it was narrated fantastically well too by the author. highly recommend!

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1 person found this helpful

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excellent account

For someone who has made such a difference in the world the author has s reassuring humility as well as humanity. I thoroughly recommend this audiobook if you are interested in what make people tick.

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