It's nonfiction and the research done on this was massive. It's everything you would want to know about recent Colombian events, politics, and U.S. involvement in the fight against the drug trade.
I titled the blog referring to the new James Bond movie because in this book they reveal a Colombian intelligence operation that released fifteen hostages from the jungle after years in captivity. It was a brilliant move that is worthy of being made into a movie. Those fifteen included 3 American hostages who had been held for 5 1/2 years.
This account requires setting aside the rose colored glasses with regard to our U.S. government. Don't get me wrong, having lived abroad I am deeply grateful for the birth right of being an American citizen. I have religious freedom, clean water, reliable electricity, and opportunity to better myself and find work.
That being said, how the U.S. handled the captivity of these three men is a cautionary tale of how you can fall through the cracks. The men were working as subcontractors for the U.S. gathering intelligence, but because they were not military, no U.S. troops would be allowed to rescue them when their plane crashed in guerrilla territory. The U.S. refused to negotiate their release because of Bush's policy to not negotiate with terrorists, and any attempts by the Colombians to rescue them would have probably ended in their being killed. It finally came down to an ingenious plan of the Colombian intelligence to deceive the guerrilla group into handing them over with no arms involved!
The book gives an in depth account of the behind the scenes attempts to work out the release of the hostages, including many Colombians who were being held captive as well. I definitely recommend this book!
Any good books you'd recommend?
Over five years? That is scary.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine the desperation! That is a LONG time.
DeleteThanks for the recommendation. Sounds like something I'd like to read.
ReplyDeleteEven though this was research for my novel, it's the kind of book I'd choose to read anyway. I think you'll like it.
DeleteInteresting...and great research reading opportunity for you and your MS.
ReplyDeleteYou know all my book recs since I post them each Monday. Always of the middle grade variety for me.
The "research" has led me down a very interesting road, without a doubt!
DeleteTruth seems to more surreal than fiction sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! :)
DeleteWow, I can't believe living in captivity for five (or longer) years.
ReplyDeleteIn the Amazon, no less. Hardly a comfortable place to live, let alone in captivity.
DeleteWow, incredible and I cannot begin to imagine.... Thanks for the recommendation, glad they got the hostages out.
ReplyDeleteThanks to the Colombians! That was in 2008- otherwise they just might still be there.
DeleteThat's really scary that it happened.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me grateful that I blend in when I travel to Ecuador!
DeleteWow, that sounds like an amazing story and an amazing book - thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteIt was amazing! I'm glad I read it.
DeleteOh my gosh... I can't imagine FIVE YEARS of my life being stolen like that... absolutely unreal... !!!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard, if not impossible, to imagine what they went through. Some of the Colombians held hostage had been in captivity for ten years!
DeleteThis sound like an amazing book. Imagine the horror of what they all went through.
ReplyDeleteNas
It was quite amazing. At the end of the book, in 2009, there were STILL hostages being kept.
DeleteWow, Rose. I'm impressed that you even read the book. I admire people who can read such a serious book. I might read a magazine article of this nature, but I don't think I could read a whole book. The subject matter sounds too complicated. Or maybe I'm a wimp. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm a news junkie, so this is the kind of thing I like to read. I guess it helps feed my "chicken little" philosophy :)
DeleteHi Rose, thanks for stopping by and saying hello! Great to meet you. I couldn't imagine being a hostage in a foreign land for five years. One would be a much different person once released.
ReplyDeleteA nightmare, without question. I have the book they wrote, Out of Captivity, on my to-read list.
DeleteAfter 5 years in captivity, under those conditions, I wonder how much of your sanity remains intact? I would imagine that a certain level of mental resilience is required for surviving this type of experience...
ReplyDeleteIn the book it was mentioned that much more difficult then the physical challenges where the mental ones. Boredom would have consumed me, I think.
DeleteOh wow, this sounds like a fascinating read. I can't even imagine what it would've been like for those in captivity for so long.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot from this book- and it was horrible for them for sure. Thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteStraight over from Alex's - your novel sounds really interesting!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Pleasure to meet you :)
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