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  • Published: 1 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9780525511281
  • Imprint: Random House US Group
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $38.00

Stalling for Time

My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator




Waco, an original Paramount Network series, is inspired by Gary Noesner's book on his dramatic role as FBI lead hostage negotiator. He is being played in the docu-drama by Michael Shannon (Boardwalk Empire).

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.

  • Published: 1 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9780525511281
  • Imprint: Random House US Group
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 240
  • RRP: $38.00

About the author

Gary Noesner

GARY NOESNER retired from the FBI in 2003 following a thirty-year career as an investigator, instructor, and negotiator. An FBI hostage negotiator for twenty-three years of his career, he spent ten years as the bureau's Chief Negotiator. Following his retirement from the FBI he became a Senior Vice President with Control Risks, an international consultancy. Noesner has appeared on numerous television documentaries produced by A&E, the History Channel, Discovery, TLC, and National Geographic. He is the founder of the National Council of Negotiation Associations, which represents about eighteen organizations and thousands of law enforcement negotiators nationwide. He continues to do consulting work for Control Risks part-time.

Praise for Stalling for Time

  • "Riveting...the most in-depth and absorbing section is devoted to the 1993 siege near Waco, Texas." The Washington Post
  • "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
  • "An intense, immersive narrative, making [Noesner's] real-life experiences read like episodes of a good cop drama." Kirkus Reviews
  • "Noesner is a gripping storyteller, and man, does the guy have stories. It's like watching an emotional bomb squad defuse explosive personalities." Dave Cullen, author of Columbine
  • "The world doesn't need me to tell them that Gary Noesner has been there, and done that. There are hundreds of living victims across the globe that are living testament to Gary's abilities to successfully negotiate, or teach others effective crisis negotiation." Lt. Tom Monahan, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept.
  • "Noesner's passion for the art of hostage/crisis negotiations has influenced hundreds, probably thousands, of police negotiators in the world. His enthusiasm for this highly perfected skill is contagious." Bruce A. Wind, Crisis Negotiator, Seattle Police Department
  • "Riveting...the most in-depth and absorbing section is devoted to the 1993 siege near Waco, Texas." The Washington Post
  • "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
  • "An intense, immersive narrative, making [Noesner's] real-life experiences read like episodes of a good cop drama." Kirkus Reviews
  • "Noesner is a gripping storyteller, and man, does the guy have stories. It's like watching an emotional bomb squad defuse explosive personalities." Dave Cullen, author of Columbine
  • "The world doesn't need me to tell them that Gary Noesner has been there, and done that. There are hundreds of living victims across the globe that are living testament to Gary's abilities to successfully negotiate, or teach others effective crisis negotiation." Lt. Tom Monahan, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Dept.
  • "Noesner's passion for the art of hostage/crisis negotiations has influenced hundreds, probably thousands, of police negotiators in the world. His enthusiasm for this highly perfected skill is contagious." Bruce A. Wind, Crisis Negotiator, Seattle Police Department