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Facing Down Evil: Life on the Edge as an FBI Hostage Negotiator
An FBI hostage negotiator remembers his contributions to significant cases, from the Hostage Negotiation Program to the trials of Timothy McVeigh and Ted Kaczynski, in a personal account during which he also describes his struggle to balance the demands of his job with his family life and faith. Reprint. 30,000 first printing.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 18, 2019
yes, there's just a little self-aggrandizement in this, and the author does frequently discuss his spirituality. I got a sense that he worked very hard at a job that was not always rewarding, so it was necessary to celebrate the successes. it certainly seems like the life of someone with many exceptional accomplishments. I would not have minded more case studies, but I'm sure some material can't really be published. still an interesting read.
July 26, 2012
A Review by Anthony T. Riggio of Clint Van Zant's "Facing Down Evil
I enjoyed this book. I have great respect for the author's insight and experiences. His views into hostage psychology were enlightening for me and should be an eye opener for those interested in hostage negotiations. I found this book to be a very fast read and very interesting and while I found parts to be somewhat glib, it is recommended for those interested in the workings of the FBI and those with an interest in what the FBI does and the human feelings experienced in the performance of their difficult duties as FBI Agents.
I enjoyed this book. I have great respect for the author's insight and experiences. His views into hostage psychology were enlightening for me and should be an eye opener for those interested in hostage negotiations. I found this book to be a very fast read and very interesting and while I found parts to be somewhat glib, it is recommended for those interested in the workings of the FBI and those with an interest in what the FBI does and the human feelings experienced in the performance of their difficult duties as FBI Agents.
May 21, 2012
Clint Van Zandt is an important figure in law enforcement. He was present and instrumental in many programs and events that established the way that hostage negotiations of all types are conducted today.
I wanted to read his book to gain more insight about the man and what he has done and what he learned. Unfortunately, this book is very shallow and limited. I think that he would have been wise and better served to collaborate with an established journalist or biographer on this effort. In fact, I think his story is important and interesting enough that he ought to do just that.
I wanted to read his book to gain more insight about the man and what he has done and what he learned. Unfortunately, this book is very shallow and limited. I think that he would have been wise and better served to collaborate with an established journalist or biographer on this effort. In fact, I think his story is important and interesting enough that he ought to do just that.
April 8, 2017
About 20% in I almost gave up because the author sounded really full of himself.
Since that seems like a really inconvenient trait to have as a hostage negotiator, I hope that it's just the way the book is written.
That said, at the end he still sounded like an arrogant pompous boastful man, which wasn't helped by the constant reminder of what an excellent Christian he is. (I got that point the first few times, thanks.)
The end, where he describes how a few hostage situations went down, was really interesting though, so I'm glad I stuck with it.
Since that seems like a really inconvenient trait to have as a hostage negotiator, I hope that it's just the way the book is written.
That said, at the end he still sounded like an arrogant pompous boastful man, which wasn't helped by the constant reminder of what an excellent Christian he is. (I got that point the first few times, thanks.)
The end, where he describes how a few hostage situations went down, was really interesting though, so I'm glad I stuck with it.
November 18, 2010
Surprisingly boring....
April 3, 2018
The case studies of the hostage negotiations were interesting for the psychology that goes into talking someone into doing something that (a) he doesn't want to do, and (b) is not to his benefit. However, there weren't nearly enough of them to save this book.
Much of the book was very repetitive as the author would make a statement, then proceed to repeat and restate that point for a paragraph or two without adding any depth to it. The author also has a very strong humblebrag game, and he is super proud of having been both an FBI agent and a devout Christian family man, which he reminds the reader of at every available opportunity. I would have preferred more case studies.
Much of the book was very repetitive as the author would make a statement, then proceed to repeat and restate that point for a paragraph or two without adding any depth to it. The author also has a very strong humblebrag game, and he is super proud of having been both an FBI agent and a devout Christian family man, which he reminds the reader of at every available opportunity. I would have preferred more case studies.
July 15, 2018
2.5 stars? I thought this would be a good alternative to the non-fiction I had been reading which were a series if misses. But this was also a miss. Way too repeatative, was surface level and honestly after I got to the part where it was an excerpt from a transcript from a case he did idk how he was even a good negotiator as he kept interrupting the subject and me, me, me'ing.
August 15, 2020
about hostage negotiation,
October 2, 2020
Love the lighthearted story-telling of this book. Whether you are interested in the FBI or not, this story tells the ins and outs of one of the first FBI hostage negotiators. It is not an in-depth textbook story. What it does have is fascinating behind the scenes of some of the major hostage negotiations.
April 1, 2021
That came off quite smug.
October 6, 2019
Disappointed
Figured it would be hard for this book to be anything less than entertaining but it manage to do it . There are relatively few stories in this book , it is mostly the author meandering thoughts of the this guy's view of life. There's of a lot of discussion of him praying for God to make things come out alright . I never understand that way of thinking . For instance people who are very ill will pray that they will survive their illness , yet if God was loving , omniscient , good and all-powerful surely he would prevent illness in the first place . For a book that is supposed to be about true crime there's very little crime .
Figured it would be hard for this book to be anything less than entertaining but it manage to do it . There are relatively few stories in this book , it is mostly the author meandering thoughts of the this guy's view of life. There's of a lot of discussion of him praying for God to make things come out alright . I never understand that way of thinking . For instance people who are very ill will pray that they will survive their illness , yet if God was loving , omniscient , good and all-powerful surely he would prevent illness in the first place . For a book that is supposed to be about true crime there's very little crime .
September 3, 2011
Van Zandt relays his experiences, as the premier FBI hostage negotiator, with understated objectivity. Think of a hostage situation that turned out (relatively) well, and he was probably on it. Those that were disasters should have had his expertise. Strategies for dealing with hostage takers seem so common-sensical, but he initiated their use. He was the right man for the job.
September 20, 2008
Just one of those books that makes you wish your job was as cool as this one. It's a quick read and it's not earth-shattering or anything, but minute-by-minute accounts of hostage situations and stand offs are always a good read.
February 2, 2012
This is a good book, but a little like a TV show in that is is episodic and just tells the authors experiences. There is little information about the science and practice of hostage negoiation and the pyscology behind it. It is not a very deep book.
January 19, 2016
Probably should not have bothered reading the whole thing... there were only a few interesting tidbits but a lot of self promotion. Yes, it was a personal narrative, but it also felt a little salesy.
March 31, 2009
Not one of my favorites. I think the author is one of his own biggest fans.....maybe his only one....
Read
April 28, 2009Had the exact information I wanted--the techniques and terminology for dealing with a hostage situation.
December 31, 2009
Interesting read. Not very well written but the material was captivating and kept me turning the pages.
February 25, 2010
If you like true crime stories..this is the book for you. FBI Negotiator Clint Van Zandt tells the stories of his most memorable and unforgettable hostage negotiations.
May 12, 2016
Interesting information about this type of job. You could tell the author had experience from his stories which were not too dramatic or unrealistic. Not the big fan of this particular narrator.
October 2, 2007
a little slow moving with infomation i could have lived without
February 26, 2015
You should really be interested in the art of hostage negotiations to read this book. I am not.
May 25, 2015
A little too much religion interjected for my taste. Not a bad book, but not stellar either.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews