Stalling for Time

My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator

By: Gary Noesner

Narrated by: Gary Noesner

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.

What you don't see on the news.

When the ATF tried to make a commercial of its brute force at Waco and failed, it was negotiators that worked to save those that got out. The stories in this book are the ones you do not hear on the news. Instead of flash, pow, bang, these are the true stories of the men and women that work to get everyone from babies to perpetrators out of situations alive.

very griping

keeps you on the edge of your seat. I never knew how much negotiators have to deal with. incredible book.

A VERY ENTERTAINING AND QUICK LISTEN

An 8 hour book but it flew by. This man has led a very interesting life as a hostage negotiater working on the highest profile cases from the 70's to the 2000's. He basically helped build the protocols that are still used to this day and his stories are both informative and entertaining. I'll definitely give it a second listen at some point.

Outstanding

the inside the author provides is amazing this book is worth a listen or read

Good story and lessons, but audio was distracting

the overall presentation was a good way to deliver a non-violent approach to terrorism. But often the audio kept cutting between the speaker's active and passive voice which was distracting