In the Shadows

True Stories of High-Stakes Negotiations to Free Americans Captured Abroad

By: Mickey Bergman, Ellis Henican

Narrated by: Assaf Cohen, Mickey Bergman

A top negotiator in countless high-stakes missions to free Americans captured abroad and held in the world's scariest prisons takes listeners inside the dramatic and shadowy world of international hostage rescue.

Who else are their desperate loved ones supposed to call? Mickey and his tight team of savvy negotiators at the Richardson Center for Global Engagement are the go-to rescuers of last resort, carrying on the high-stakes, round-the-world mission of master negotiator Bill Richardson. Mickey and his team do what U.S. government officials are often unable or unwilling to do: sit down with America’s toughest adversaries and find creative ways to bring our people home.

That's life In the Shadows.

This is the heart-pounding story of these urgent negotiations, what it’s like to climb inside the minds of some of the world’s most notorious strongmen, where the clear divisions between good and evil are replaced by a thousand shades of gray.

The hard work is done far from the glare of media publicity. The negotiations don’t follow traditional diplomatic rules. As innocent Americans sit behind bars in hellhole foreign prisons, Mickey and his colleagues stop at nothing to get our people home. And these cases almost never go as smoothly as they should, as the independent negotiators navigate between U.S. government officials and some of the world’s most headstrong leaders. And as soon as one American is freed, Mickey is off on another dicey mission to Moscow, Caracas, Naypyidaw, Pyongyang, or some other complex foreign capital. These painstaking campaigns require creative thinking, hardball pressure tactics, excruciating patience, and a genuine sense of compassion for the anxious families whose lives are thrown into turmoil when a loved one is imprisoned abroad.

In Mickey Bergman's own words, In the Shadows tells the hidden story of these high-drama rescue campaigns. The crafty negotiating strategies. The strong-willed foreign leaders. The emotional rollercoaster of being responsible for innocent American lives. The exhilaration when another American is released from a foreign prison—and the terrible letdown when a promising effort hits another maddening roadblock. Mickey recounts his unique relationship with his mentor, the late, great Richardson, the former governor of New Mexico, ambassador to the United Nations and legendary negotiator. He shares the wrenching closeness he develops with the desperate families he serves, who often have nowhere else to turn. He offers a detailed account of his one-on-one interactions with Washington’s top power players, both Democrats and Republicans, and some of the world’s most isolated and misunderstood heads of state.

For listeners who want the full, searing story of these life-or-death rescue missions and the fascinating people behind them, it’s all In the Shadows. As Mickey Bergman and New York Times bestselling author Ellis Henican make clear, international diplomacy isn’t just for government officials anymore.

©2024 Mickey Bergman and Ellis Henican (P)2024 Center Street

Critic reviews

"One person with intelligence, creativity, and drive can make all the difference in the world—in ways that governments are often unable to. In Backchannel, Mickey Bergman takes readers inside his heroic campaign to free innocent Americans from hellhole prisons abroad. On his heart-pounding journey into the scariest countries on the planet, Mickey proves it over and over again: The future of diplomacy is on the fringe, and individual courage is everything." —Walter Isaacson, New York Times bestselling author of Elon Musk, Steve Jobs and The Code Breaker

"Mickey and Governor Richardson are a big part of why I’m home. They traveled to Russia, put their own lives at risk, called on their deep relationships, and educated and communicated compassionately with my family and my team – whatever it took to bring me home. I am still astounded by their passion, experience, and deep commitment to the cause of reuniting families." —Brittney Griner, WNBA and Olympic star; freed from wrongful detainment in Russia"

Riveting!

This is an incredibly riveting book, that is both bad ass and full of heart. The stories are gripping and important and beautifully told. Highly recommend recommend.

Great stories from the shadows

a well told story from the invisible trenches of global politics, where individuals can be grist for the mill

Detailed analysis of the art of Fringe Diplomacy

There are many heroes in this gripping saga but it’s primarily the story of the author Michael , Mickey and Governor Bill Richardson. We follow them as they work deep behind the scenes to release wrongly imprisoned American citizens abroad. Fascinating.

Amazing

It was amazing to learn the hidden secrets behind some of the stories that hit the news - Very inspirational and insightful

LOVED Mickey’s fabulous story!

I enjoy reading thrillers, knowing that they are works of fiction. I absolutely loved Mickey’s book, and it kept me on the edge of my seat because it was a true thriller with incredible stories.

I also enjoyed hearing about Mickey’s view of government figures around the world and what makes them tick. Mickey, thank you so much for the work that you do and for bringing our Americans home.

Compelling behind the scenes details!

Just finished this book! Wow! Some of the stories were familiar but it was so great to hear the “rest of the story”! The narration was a great mix of the author & the narrator giving authenticity to the work! Great job! Keep up this fine work!! I look forward to the next book!

The art of communication

I learned so much about the art of negotiations and communication. Everyone, especially those who work in the Whitehouse, could benefit from the wisdom and knowledge this book imparts. A fascinating look behind the scenes. I highly recommend this book.

“In the Shadows”

“In the Shadows” by Mickey Bergman offers a glimpse of high stakes negotiations to free wrongly imprisoned Americans abroad; very powerful

Humanity’s complex nature

"In the Shadows" by Mickey Bergman reads like a thrilling novel, yet it's grounded in reality. Through Bergman's narrative, readers experience the profound power of empathy and genuine dialogue. The book eloquently captures the complexity of human nature, demonstrating that life is full of shades of gray rather than black and white. At its core, it highlights that love is the ultimate truth. This is a testament to the nuanced nature of humanity and the transformative power of understanding.