Ransom: The Untold Story of International Kidnapping

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing & unfocused
Review: A while back I picked up Robert Pelton's absolutely fascinating "World's Most Dangerous Places, 4th edition". After reading his intrepid accounts of kidnapping in places like Colombia, I was intrigued & wanted to learn more. I bought "Ransom" expecting the same engrossing level of detail that W.M.D.P. provides. Instead, what I got was a patched together, overlong work that purports to give us the "inside scoop" on international kidnapping and instead is a series of chapters verging back and forth between fawning profiles of counter-kidnapping professionals (sans any real insight into what it is they *do*) and melodramatic tales of victims in Kashmir. I'm sure Auerbach meant well, but her book does not provide enough interesting information to be worthwhile; her style is overblown and windy, and her reporting is not up to par. If you're really interested in this subject, my advice is to save your money and pick up W.M.D.P. instead-- you'll be glad you did.

Rating:
Summary: A Disorganized Jumble Of Disconnected Thoughts.
Review: Auerbach's brilliant and prescient book shows us how terrorists-including Osama bin Laden-have been financing their operations all these years: kidnapping innocent tourists and businessmen in a now too-famous part of world. Auerbach's writing is wonderful; the book reads like a thriller. Her reporting is the best of journalism, sensitive and informative. She gets behind the scenes of the private kidnap consultants and the U.S. government that, for complicated political reasons, failed to protect and save Americans in that troubled region. And her message is very important. Your safety is your own reponsibility. No one may be able to warn you more specifically about these terrorists' intent or come to your rescue if you fall into their hands. Auerbach was ahead of her time. But now we all know how right she is. Read the book for your own protection. The kidnap problem is ongoing--and getting worse.

Rating:
Summary: excellent writing
Review: excellent writing, makes you think twice about travel to many nations considered "safe"

Rating:
Summary: Taut, thought provoking
Review: I found Ransom to be a frightening, gripping book that clearly reminds the reader that the real world is often filled with horror and heroism of greater magnitude than fictional scenarios. Ann H. Auerbach weaves many current abduction situations, each with its own frustration, fear and adventure along with the ruthlessness of the kidnappers and murderers into the political and economic conditions of our time. The details in the background, settings and each event crystallize the book into a strong and interesting read.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling & action packed--but w. profound underlying theme
Review: If Robert Ludlum wrote non-fiction, this would be his kind of book. Ann Hagedorn Auerbach gives us the inside story of the global kidnapping crisis. Despite what the tourism industry would have us believe, the problem is not limited to - or even done mainly by - political terrorists. Auerbach, who is quoted in this week's People cover story, shows us that most kidnappings are motivated by money. That fact tells us volumes about the growing gap between rich and poor. The globalists tell us that a WTO-dictated economy is raising all boats. But Auerbach - who, in Crichton-like fashion, weaves an action-packed story with a broader lesson - shows we are merely creating a small rich elite in third world countries. The chickens will come home to roost on all of us - world travelers or no - if we do not insist that rights for workers and small farmers, and our need to preserve our small planet's environment, become universally respected.

Rating:
Summary: Compelling & action packed--but w. profound underlying theme
Review: If Robert Ludlum wrote non-fiction, this would be his kind of book. Ann Hagedorn Auerbach gives us the inside story of the global kidnapping crisis. Despite what the tourism industry would have us believe, the problem is not limited to - or even done mainly by - political terrorists. Auerbach, who is quoted in this week's People cover story, shows us that most kidnappings are motivated by money. That fact tells us volumes about the growing gap between rich and poor. The globalists tell us that a WTO-dictated economy is raising all boats. But Auerbach - who, in Crichton-like fashion, weaves an action-packed story with a broader lesson - shows we are merely creating a small rich elite in third world countries. The chickens will come home to roost on all of us - world travelers or no - if we do not insist that rights for workers and small farmers, and our need to preserve our small planet's environment, become universally respected.

Rating:
Summary: Read like a novel.
Review: So many non-fiction books dealing with politics are so boring to read. I thought this book had the dynamics of a novel with the information of a textbook. I commend Auerbach for successfully marrying the two. This book is a must read for people who want to know more than the media reports about international kidnapping.

Rating:
Summary: Dreams that Turn into Nightmares
Review: The romance of travel today is seriously threatened by the problem Auerbach's book details. People who follow their dreams to beautiful, isolated parts of the world sometimes become pawns in conflicts they had no part in. Auerbach's scrupulous research and moving descriptions form a memorable--and chilling--cautionary tale for globe-trotters and armchair travellers alike.

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating stories
Review: The stories are captivating and emotionally rich. Anyone planning to travel to these countries should read this book. A well written book that I had trouble putting down.

Rating:
Summary: A Disorganized Jumble Of Disconnected Thoughts.
Review: This book is just a jumble of disconnected thoughts in incoherent paragraphs, each having nothing to do with any other. I was so excited to begin reading this book. Then, after reading 100 pages, I was so excited to throw it away. Please, please, please don't buy this book. Not buying it will teach the erroneous editors that let it pass, that people want something better for their reading.