SPOILER ALERT -- While this book had all of the components of a true, edge of your seat, can't stop reading story, the author did Jessica and Erik no favors. From the start, they're described in unlikable, self-important ways; the harrowing story of 3 months in captivity contains no details of the practical details of survival (like what did she eat, did her thyroid medicine run out, how did she spend hours every day - not just circling the tree, etc., were there biting bugs, etc), just chapters and chapters of khat chewing and proof-of-life calls. We know that Jessica gets very sick and her body emaciated, but we're told, we don't experience it -- and a photo caption says she had a son in just over 9 months - how did her body recover so quickly? A very shallow capturing of an otherwise dramatic and unimaginable experience. Odd levels of detail: we know exactly how the SEAL team jumped from the helicopter, but don't know any of the details of how the mission logistically occurred. Disappointing. ( )

This true story is a nail-biter. Jessica, an aid worker in Somalia, is kidnapped and held for ransom in primitive, insanitary conditions for over 3 months by a gang of khat-chewing, gun-toting, zonked out, irrational men and boys with a penchant for violence and rape. Luckily, at least for Jessica, a fellow aid worker - a Danish man called Poul, is kidnapped with her so at least she has someone to remind her of the saner world she has been dragged away from. Throughout the book Jessica presents herself as victim rather than heroine, and quietly laughs at herself for being so naïve about the lives of the people she has come to help. The story is told from three different points of view: Jessica's, her husband Erik's, and Flacco the book's 'professional' author. Flacco's role functions to round out the scenario by telling us the US government's position on the kidnapping and the history of the heroes of the story, Seal Team Six. This structure also works well to bring out the contrasting personal and bureaucratic viewpoints of the different players in this nasty event.

This books offers a glimpse of the real dangers that thousands of aid workers face selflessly every day in order to improve the lives of others. It's a cautionary tale.

A strong willed woman, determined to help children in Africa, found herself kidnapped by Somali land pirates. This book details her three months of captivity, near-starvation and increasingly difficult situation. With strength and courage, we see the inner will she must have possessed to survive these harrowing circumstances.

The book was a very fast read, it was hard to put down. I thought the author did a good job of switching points of view, to show us what her husband was suffering through as he tried desperately to seek a resolution. Overall, highly recommended. ( )

This book is quite well-written, better than other books I have read about Seal Team exploits. The voice of Jessica, especially, is vivid and fascinating. I would have liked to know more about how her captivity was researched and how the rescue was planned and carried out, but I gather that information is classified. I would have liked to know more about what Erik did, vs what he felt, but I guess that info is probably also classified. I would have liked to learn more from Poul Thisted's perspective--is he perhaps writing his own book? Or maybe he didn't want to participate in this book because he'd have had to relive the experience.

Regardless of what wasn't in the book, what is in the book is well worth reading. You'll understand what draws people like Jessica Buchanan and Erik Landemalm to such dangerous careers, and you'll appreciate the bravery and determination that enabled them to survive the ordeal. ( )

This memoir of teaching impoverished kids, being kidnaped, being a captive, and being rescued is well written and hard to put down once started. The author provides a very detailed glimpse into life in such impoverished places and the difficulty involved in helping the people in those areas create order out of chaos. Later in the book the author conveys what it is like to be in extended captivity, and the impressive ability of our military's ability to rescue Americans. ( )