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Reza Kahlili
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A Time to Betray: A Gripping True Spy Story of Betrayal, Fear, and Courage Paperback – February 12, 2013

by Reza Kahlili (Author)
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An exhilarating true story that reads like a spy thriller about a former CIA operative recruited out of Iran, while he served as a member of the secretive and highly feared Revolutionary Guards of Iran.

A TIME TO BETRAY

This exhilarating, award-winning memoir of a secret double life reveals the heart-wrenching story of a man who spied for the American government in the ranks of the notorious Revolutionary Guards of Iran, risking everything by betraying his homeland in order to save it.

Reza Kahlili grew up in Tehran surrounded by his close-knit family and friends. But the enlightened Iran of his youth vanished forever, as Reza discovered upon returning home from studying computer science in the United States, when the revolution of 1979 ushered in Ayatollah Khomeini’s dark age of religious fundamentalism. Clinging to the hope of a Persian Renaissance, Reza joined the Ayatollah’s elite Revolutionary Guards. As Khomeini’s tyrannies unfolded, as fellow countrymen turned on each other, and after the deeply personal horrors he witnessed firsthand inside Evin Prison, a shattered and disillusioned Reza returned to America to dangerously become “Wally,” a spy for the CIA.

In A Time to Betray, Reza not only relates his razor’s-edge, undercover existence from moment to heart-pounding moment as he supplies vital information from the Iran-Iraq War, the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, the Iran-Contra affair, and more; he also documents a chain of incredible events that culminates in a nation’s fight for freedom that continues to this very day, making this a timely and vital perspective on the future of Iran and the fate of the world.
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  1. Print length
    352 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    February 12, 2013
  4. Dimensions
    6.13 x 0.9 x 9.25 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1439189684
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1439189689
  7. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
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Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
578 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the plot profound, credible, and gripping from the first page. They also describe the content as eye-opening, giving them political insight to Iran. Readers describe the reading experience as great and the writing style as well-written and easy to read.

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Reading experiencePlotContentWriting styleEngagingness
97 customers mention "Reading experience"97 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a great read that holds their interest to the end. They also say it's a real page turner.

"...It is very well written and really draws the reader in to the point where you don't want to put the book down...." Read more

"...Anyway...enough of that...this is an exceptional book and if this is an accurate account of what happened...this is one of the most remarkable men..." Read more

"This is a great read. I just couldn't put it down...." Read more

"I saw a review by Michael Totten who said this book is a real page turner - that he couldn't put it down. True words...." Read more

83 customers mention "Plot"74 positive9 negative

Customers find the plot profound, suspenseful, and engaging. They also say the book is riveting, heartbreaking, and amazing. Readers also say it grips them from the first page. They say the author's courage is amazing and his attention to detail is what makes this book.

"...joined the CIA to try and bring help to his country of Iran is both riveting and heartbreaking...." Read more

"...Like someone says here...this is the story of a true hero...risking everything for a cause..everything...with absolutely no foreseeable promise of..." Read more

"...While most of the story is completely believable and I understand that names, places and descriptions of buildings and events may need to be changed..." Read more

"The courage demonstrated by the author is amazing and his attention to detail is what makes this book hard to put down...." Read more

82 customers mention "Content"79 positive3 negative

Customers find the book eye-opening, with a picture clear explanation of life in modern day Iran. They say it explains a lot of history behind what we see today from the eyes of an ordinary person. Readers also say it has a profound impact on them, making them better understand Iran and the villains, heroes, and love. They also say the book makes them like the Persian people and is a must read for espionage enthusiasts.

"...I definitely do not regret buying this book. It gives you a good look into what Islam can lead to eventually when allowed to run its natural course." Read more

"...what is great about the book is the story it has to tell...it's hugely eye opening in a lot of ways... quite honestly, it helped me see Iran as a..." Read more

"...plus is the history lesson about modern day Iran and the picture clear explanation of life there before and after the Revolution...." Read more

"...A Time to Betray" is such a book. It helped me to understand Iran, and villains, and heroes, and love...." Read more

32 customers mention "Writing style"28 positive4 negative

Customers find the writing style riveting, detailed, and easy to read. They also say the book makes them think twice.

"...It is very well written and really draws the reader in to the point where you don't want to put the book down...." Read more

"...Perhaps you will feel the same way after reading this well-written almost novel like spy story...." Read more

"...With this excellent writing of the difficult history of his life, Reza Khalili (an understandable pseudonym) tells of many terrible and heart..." Read more

"...What a surprising read this was. It was so well written that I literally could not put it down, reading till late into the night...." Read more

9 customers mention "Engagingness"4 positive5 negative

Customers are mixed about the engagingness of the book. Some mention that it's hard to put down, while others say that it is hard to stop reading once half way into it.

"...A Time to Betray is difficult to put down as Reza takes us on his journey into the double life of "Wally" the C.I.A. operative and his internal..." Read more

"...It was a hard book to put down. You see how lines are drawn as Iran moves into a police state and how childhood friends become enemies." Read more

"...Once half way into it, it is hard to put down." Read more

"...This book was hard to put down, I finished it in 5 days...." Read more

A Treasure!
5 out of 5 stars
A Treasure!
Eye and mind opening book about the real IRAN!Once you start reading you wont put it down til it is over.Very well written - both combining Reza'a real life experiences, with some history of what actually happened during the evil regime and of course you will find all the spy suspense and action that you expect from such a book.highly recommended and also watch some videos of Reza and the documentary - . IraniumThumbs Up!
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Top reviews from the United States

BroBrock
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic Book
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
If I am not mistaken I read the entire book in about 1 day. This first hand account by a muslim who joined the CIA to try and bring help to his country of Iran is both riveting and heartbreaking. It is very well written and really draws the reader in to the point where you don't want to put the book down. I definitely do not regret buying this book. It gives you a good look into what Islam can lead to eventually when allowed to run its natural course.
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Mark L
5.0 out of 5 stars Astonishing Indeed!--Eye Opening on multiple levels...
Reviewed in the United States on May 9, 2010
Verified Purchase
Love this book...and I'm not a big fan of (for lack of a better term) "political" books, fictional or not.

First of all, it's an excellent read. REALLY makes you feel like you are in Reza's head and in his actual predicaments...there's some really 'edge of your seat' type moments here. And you absolutely feel the sustained discomfort of his situation...appearing to his family as part of the problem...but secretly, being a huge patriot for the preservation of their way of life. Like someone says here...this is the story of a true hero...risking everything for a cause..everything...with absolutely no foreseeable promise of personal gain or glory.

However, what is great about the book is the story it has to tell...it's hugely eye opening in a lot of ways... quite honestly, it helped me see Iran as a nation of people rather than a nation of religious zealotry. However, although it opened my mind in a lot of ways...it, confirmed my suspicions in others. It so very effectively articulates the age old lesson (often taught, seemingly never learned), that religious fanaticism MUST be keep in check...and the MOST despicable of deeds are usually carried out in the name of religion (one of the most brutal ironies of human existence!).

Any Westerner that thinks these zealots can be reasoned with...and that peace and love will win the day is profoundly delusional ...and should be required to read this book...especially the passages about Evin Prison, the systematic brutal raping of girls to prevent their entry into heaven, etc.....

Anyway...enough of that...this is an exceptional book and if this is an accurate account of what happened...this is one of the most remarkable men of our time.
8 people found this helpful
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Poquelin
4.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling! but take it with a grain of salt!
Reviewed in the United States on April 16, 2010
Verified Purchase
This is a great read. I just couldn't put it down. You won't be dissapointed if you're looking for all the emotions you'd expect to get from a thrilling spy story: Excitement, fear, sadness, suspense, etc.

A definate plus is the history lesson about modern day Iran and the picture clear explanation of life there before and after the Revolution. I enjoyed reading about their family traditions, gatherings and how normal family life in Iran was then. How children in Iran could be as mischievous and prone to play pranks and get grounded just like any western child would. Somehow, I never thought about it before.

No need to try to express in a different way the many accolades already given by the other reviewers. I agree with all the good things that have already been said.

The only thing that bothers me is that, having read hundreds of personal stories in my life, this is the first time that I find myself wondering the veracity of some of the events described. While most of the story is completely believable and I understand that names, places and descriptions of buildings and events may need to be changed for security reasons, there are certain events about which their timing is suspicious at best and their convenience to move the story to the next necessary step almost rises to the level of a Deus ex Machina.

Perhaps you will feel the same way after reading this well-written almost novel like spy story. It was a joy reading it except for the everpresent question mark on the back of my mind about some of the events.

As for the other 98% of the book, it is definately a thumbs up!
7 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars truly a story that had to be told and should be read by all Americans
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024
Verified Purchase
The courage demonstrated by the author is amazing and his attention to detail is what makes this book hard to put down. The savagery and barbarism that the common innocent Iranian people have had to endure is all in this book. It is sickening and tragic beyond belief that in the name of religion, so many people have been subjected to torture and death. I recommend this book.
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Top reviews from other countries

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A VAIDYA
5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling, amazing, buy it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 17, 2014
Verified Purchase
I don't usually write reviews on anything, but this book was emotional as well as educational, on a subject I find truly intriguing and riveting. Even as a slow reader, and one who struggles through books, this book was impossible to put down. Thoroughly recommend this book for anyone who wants their eyes opened, but to not just be bombarded with dates and information.
One person found this helpful
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penelope costin
5.0 out of 5 stars A Time to Betray
Reviewed in Canada on February 28, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book is so informative and explains so very much of what is going on in the middle east and how dumb or ignorant westerners have been and are. No body seems to understand the pervasive enemy of islam and how Russia, China and many other countries were feeding the enemy with weapons and all sorts of gear to be be incredible killers. Evil evil evil. What goes on in the prison alone is enough to warp you forever. All of this has not changed except that it has increased and is a threat to all freedom.
One person found this helpful
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Albert Schmidt
5.0 out of 5 stars Spannend!
Reviewed in Germany on April 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
Spannend wie ein Agententhriller und doch ein Sachbuch/Biographie. Fällt sicher unter die Kategorie "absolut lesenswert". Packend von der ersten Zeile an.
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julie woodhouse
5.0 out of 5 stars Fighting for truth is so difficult
Reviewed in Canada on January 15, 2020
Verified Purchase
I finally understand the conflicts in the Middle East. This man is brave and I hope revived after the recent changes by the current POTUS.
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P. Hatami-Gharibwand
5.0 out of 5 stars The truth at last
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a riveting book because its a true story. He draws you in to the life he lead and gives you the truth in a realistic and measured way. Anyone interested in the Middle East especially Iran will buy this book and be glad they did. It takes courage to do what he did for which he must be admired for.
One person found this helpful
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