October Surprise: America's Hostages in Iran and the Election of Ronald Reagan [Hardcover]

Gary Sick (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1991 | ISBN-10: 0788199765 | ISBN-13: 978-0788199769 | Edition: Ex-Library

Describes how the Reagan-Bush campaign made a secret deal with Iran to delay the release of the American hostages until after the 1980 election in return for arms, revealing how the Reagan cronies prolonged the crisis for political gain. Reprint. 25,000 first printing.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Piercing the shadowy netherworld of international espionage, Sick has written one of the most controversial and disturbing accounts of political intrigue to appear in recent years. In 1980, William Casey, then campaign manager of the Reagan-Bush ticket, without the knowledge or approval of the legitimate government, arranged a deal with the Iranian government that in return for military equipment, the Iranians would not release the 52 American hostages until Ronald Reagan was safely inaugurated. Sick offers no proof, nor does he try to, that George Bush took part in these talks, or that Reagan was aware of this international scam. What is critical and potentially devastating is that a party out of power subverted the democratic process for gain. Sick, with impeccable credentials as one of America's leading authorities on Iran, presents a thoroughly documented, convincing appraisal of what he describes as nothing less than a political coup. Highly recommended for current affairs collections. Previewed in Prepub Alert, LJ 10/15/91.
- Karl Helicher, Upper Merion Twp . Lib., King of Prussia, Pa.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From AudioFile

Gary Slick's inability to prove his premiseÐthat Reagan's campaign leaders conspired with the Iranian government to delay the release of American hostages in exchange for military armsÐdooms this audio program from the start. Joe Regalbuto musters an accusatory tone when stating Slick's sensational accusations, but his soft-voiced documentation of alleged dealings and secret meetings fails to deliver a convincing blow to the Reagan Administration's denial of the charges. When the dust settles, the listener is left with a tangled network of international characters whose testimony leads nowhere. M.P.T. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Diane Pub Co; Ex-Library edition (May 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0788199765
• ISBN-13: 978-0788199769
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,403,464 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A shocking work that should be read by lovers of democracy, November 7, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: October Surprise (Paperback)

The wealth of information from well-documented sources revealed in this book is overwhelming, and I believe that I would do great injustice to its potential impact if I were to summarize it here. Having just finished the book moments ago, I feel compelled to implore that all those who truly believe in democracy and responsible government read it as well. It will open your eyes to the way things really are, or at least make you question many of the assumed truths regarding our recent history.

What makes the author's allegations even more convincing is the fact that he is not merely a conspiracy-theory nut trying to discredit the right-wing at all costs. Rather, he himself has played a central role in various administrations' dealings with the Middle East and can personally testify to many of the events that took place preceding the manipulation of the hostage crisis by Reagan's powerful and influential campaign team.

I couldn't stop shaking my head as I read further and further into the book. The hypocrisy of the Reagan administration was simply appalling. You would have to be a die-hard Republican (unwilling to accept nor even hear of any hints of wrongdoing by Reagan) not to at least acknowledge that the allegations contained in this book warrant a thorough investigation.

If you have already read the many nostalgic books on the Reagan administration, or bought videos about our supposed "one of the greatest Presidents", let me dare you to read this book with an open mind. You'll see that it's not only the "liberals" that commit all types of scandals, they just happen to not be as good as the Republicans at covering it up at the highest levels.

20 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Written and Interesting, April 14, 2002

By 

John G. Hilliard (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: October Surprise (Paperback)

This book is a description of the ascertain that the Reagan-Bush campaign made a secret deal with Iran to delay the release of the American hostages until after the 1980 election in return for arms. This claim gained real credence when the hostages were actually released about 2 hours after the swearing in of Regan but gained further credibility with the on again off again weapon sales made to Iran in the preceding years. Someone that was involved in both the Carter and Regan administrations so you I tended to give him some credibility right from the start writes the book.

I found the book very well documented, well laid out and readable. One chapter lists the fates of those involved in the deal. Overall it will hold your attention no matter what side of the political side you are on. For an interesting different view of this situation I would suggest reading the book "Crisis" by Hamilton Jordan. It covers the topic of the hostages from a different perspective.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story every American should know, November 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: October Surprise (Audio Cassette)

I haven't heard the audio book for "October Surprise," but I did read the hardbound book when it was first published. Perhaps the negative review from "M.P.T." of AudioFile can be explained by the book author's inability to reference virtually every sentence with footnoted sources as he did in the full, paper version. Failing that excuse, the blurb and referenced to a fault, and he used no information from his investigation that he did not have at least two or three unrelated sources for. Though Sick doesn't draw the conclusion in the book, he leaves enough clues for the reader to figure oseems typical of the disinformation reviews written by the small army of media-spinners who enjoy two paychecks--one from their unsuspecting publisher or TV/radio station, and one from a certain U.S. Government agency who wants to discourage the public from knowing about self-serving black bag operations. The fact is that Gary Sick's story is meticulously detailed ut that it was not Ronald Reagan, but likely another still-living former president who was behind the treasonous actions recorded here--someone who still has powerful friends to help quash the truth any time it tries to raise its head. Read or listen to this book, and then buy "Plausible Denial" written by Mark Lane to see what other high-profile shenanigans this same group has been up to. It will also explain just how much control these folks exert over the media to steer the public away from the truth. I very highly recommend both books.