The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA

The line, "stranger than fiction" applies. Doesn't read like fiction, but it isn't. The trade craft in his books is fascinating to read. I admire him so much that I will read anything he writes. It is so much more interesting to hear it from someone "who has been there--done it".

I am 80% through the book (according to my Kindle), but it is enjoyable. The one thing that makes it difficult to read is that author constantly points out how great he is. He has an extremely high opinion of his own greatness and does not hesitate to remind the reader.

Well written and entertaining while informative. Mendez does a great job of taking the reader down the path of a great career by a true patriot who put his neck on the line for the security of this country and its citizens. He is to be commended for his generous sacrifices and his wonderful book.

Overall the book was good. I thought the stories that Mendez brought up were interesting. However, I'm not the biggest fan of his writing style. He goes on multiple paragraph tangents in the middle of a story and I felt that really subtracted from the read. Also
by the end I was tired of reading the word "Clandestine"

Fantastic read about the intricacies of life behind the veil as an operative in the clandestine world of the Central Intelligence Agency. The Master of Disguise was a gripping journey of one man's trials and tribulations, success and failures spanning over 25 years living a life of deception through the Cold War. Antonio J. Mendez's intricate details paint a portrait of what everyone wants to know about true espionage work. Illustrated with harrowing accounts of operations that ultimately protected the sovereignty of our nation, this is a book that once you are intrigued within the first few pages you will struggle to put down. Highly, highly recommend!

Wow, this was a great book. It was technical without being too technical. It gives you a great understanding of what this type of life is like and why things were done the way they were done.
Told without bravado in just enough detail to keep the action moving along without slowing it down. A great read.

Much better than any 'made-up' story. You can feel the tension of the downs and the highs of the ups of each case. Great to see how a certain talent can be used in so many ways that one never thought of. A true inspiration to think outside of the box.

I saw Argo this year and loved it. That compelled me to read Master of Disguise and equally love it. The book felt like a "bonus round" to Argo in that it provided both deeper background and insight into the movie but also provided broader context and background about Mendez' storied CIA career. This was a nice read that has me now continuing on a spy tradecraft reading jag!

These people are a very devoted group, who actually give of their selves to protect us from our enemies. They are hard working, long hours and almost all the time not recognized for their devoted service to our country. I was glad for a peek into their lives. It makes me wonder if I have ever met any of these interesting people.

He's the "master of disguise" but Tony Mendez comes across as a novice storyteller.

The globe-trotting CIA operative helped countless people hide from the enemy in broad daylight, by helping them create new identities with documents, even disguises their own friends wouldn't recognize. It's pretty interesting stuff, and where else can you get an inside account? That's the attraction to this book, but unfortunately, it doesn't pay off.

As seen in the Academy-award winning Argo, Mendez' ability to cloak others from the bad guys pays off when Mendez helps a team of American diplomats escape Iran by posing as a science fiction film crew.

But Mendez' work is better left in the hands of Hollywood storytellers. If you're hoping to learn the inner mind of a man who pulled it off, you're not going to find that here. Don't expect great revelations about his childhood or relationships.

My grandpa always told me to "find out what makes people tick."

After slogging my way through this book, I still have very little understanding who Mendez is. Is he fueled by his childhood poverty or his dad's early death? I have no idea. And was it really a smooth transition from being an artist in a technical company to creating documents, even disguises for the CIA?

Apparently, it was no big deal to uproot his family and take on a job he couldn't talk about. Did it strain his marriage? What did he tell the other parents when he went to his kids' activities? No clue.

But he made a heckuva disguise for some foreign diplomat who was giving us communist secrets.

Maybe his best disguise is the one keeping outsiders from knowing his true identity.

This books has so many exciting stories to enjoy. The story of Argo is just one. I learned to appreciate the behind the scenes actions of the CIA in protecting our country. I am so glad they let Mendez finally tell his stories.

This autobiography is so interesting. It not only chronicles the fascinating career of its author, but reveals the processes and politics of the CIA, especially during the Cold War. As a native Nevadan, I particularly enjoyed learning about the author's childhood in isolated locales around our state. Throughout his life, he refers to the impact the Nevada adventures and people of his youth had on his decisions and attitudes. There is so much more to his story than the Argo mission. I believe readers will relish all of the numerous international escapades and intrigueTony Mendez describes.

I enjoyed the book written by Mr Mendez, "The Master of Disguise: My Secret Life in the CIA". I thought it was well written and the story was told in an engaging and entertaining way. Given the nature of the tale, I had to keep reminding myself this was not a work of fiction. I served in the military during those times and events that Mr. Mendez described, in some of the same places, and he reawakened in me some of my own memories of a very troubling time. Fortunately, mostly good memories.

I would recommend this book to anyone that would like to get a brief, but factual and engaging overview of CIA operations of the recent past.

Antonio Mendez writes a brief synopsis of the work he did with the CIA - getting people in danger out of a country -- the most famous example being the story told in the recent movie "Argo." You'll enjoy finding out more about the man with a cool head and expert skills.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was a very interesting tale of a major player in the CIA. Very detailed accounts of many operations, and the difficult circumstances these men and women encounter in their service to their country.

Not quite James Bond, although some of the tricks employed are Bond-esque. More important, Mr. Mendez helps us understand how important the CIA was and is to our national security. Good read, lokingforward to picking up Argo.

Mendez has rehashed his stories into several (half dozen?) books. This is the first and probably the best. It covers his whole career, of which the Argo episode is a small part.
His writing is not as exciting as a good fiction writer's -- in fact kind of dry and downright clumsy in places. But his writing ability is serviceable for telling about his career during the heyday (and low days) of the CIA.

So it's generally interesting but not a page-turner. Most of what you read about you already know, suspect, or have seen overdone is Hollywood pics -- being in the CIA is much more boring than being James Bond. Fair enough, the book reflects that in more ways than one.

But all the rehash string of books by Mendez -- good grief, even Music companies don't make this many opuses out of one original work.

This was an interesting and isightful story about a top CIA official. This real life story shows the interworkings of the CIA during different periods of was time. After reading this story I enjoyed watching the movie ARGO. Thes agents desirve recognition and praise.

Bought the book after seeing the movie "Argo" which was based on an episode in Anthony Mendez life. He is a fascinating man, and helped explain why he was chosed to execute the plan to free Americans from Iran in 1979. I recommend it highly

I really liked this book, because it gave a behind the scenes view of being a spy. I am sure it was an overly glamorized story of wha really happened. But it is interesting to read about what really went on in Iran during the hostage crisis. I recommend this to all who are interested in the history of the cold war and the role the CIA played in it.

With a peek into the workings of the CIA (without divulging secrets) I found this book very interesting. The author tells of his hair raising adventures without subjecting his audience to too much war horror. Sometimes the tension is almost palpable but he eases you through it. He led an adrenaline filled spy-life, not one that I could live, I'm glad someone could.

The history of the CIA's development of disguises and certain ways to run operations against the Soviet Union was especially interesting. The background and actual history of the movie "Argo" are revealed in this book.

While not elegant prose, it's a well written trip through the secret side of American history from the 60's through the post Cold War world of espionage. Who knew? The impact of Tony Mendez's work behind the scenes certainly helped shape the outcome of world events. Enjoyed it very much.

This book was really insightful into the CIA. After reading it, I had to rent the movie ARGO. There is more information in here about that exciting event than the movie told. There are also many other exciting stories.

Before reading this book, my knowledge of the CIA was based on Hollywood productions. I am sad to say my understanding of real historical events was also lacking. I found this book to be both educational and entertaining. There are many people working very hard to "keep America safe" whose service cannot be made public, therefore they do not receive the acknowledgement and appreciation they rightly deserve.

Thea author have great artistically skills , writing it's just one. The last part of the book I consider it is part of his retirement assignments
because is just a "legend" .....of what really happened with the Iron Curtain.

A Great read from someone who actually was there and did it. Mr. Mendez shows us why the witch hunts of the the past did disservice to an important organization we need today to keep the bad guys at bay.

I purchased this purely out of curiosity, only two weeks before the ads for the movie "Argo" began to come on tv. It was well paced enough to keep me engaged, while still being informative. Made me want to check out the movie to see if they were true to the actual details!

Most of us have no idea the painstaking details involved in "Real life" espionage. Too many Bond & Borne movies I guess. This was a very informative study in how the CIA operates using "craftsman".

I appreciated this book for providing first hand insight into how the Company does business. The description of how they got embassy staff out of the middle east hostage situation was excellent. I read it as the movie ARGO was being released. One thing I'd like to know - is that Antonio's real image on the cover?

I enjoy reading "real" history. Although I understand and agree the secret service's, CIA, Seals, Secret Service, etc. should not reveal everything they do it is interesting to see what real American Patriots, not the so called tea pot variety have and will continue do in support of our freedoms and way of life.
John

Mendez is obviously a very, very dedicated and smart spook, and it gives one a warm, fuzzy feeling that such people were (and one hopes still are) out there, working to protect us. The book has lots of interesting nuggets of information, on very diverse subjects, but is not at all well-written. Mendez had obviously spent too much of his life with The Company, and apparently has forgotten some of the English we all know and love in favor of CIA alphabet soup, and he has also lived too closed to the operations he described, which makes some of the descriptions essentially incomprehensible. Plus, the book is more a collection of stories than a coherent whole. S