Lee R. (fibonacci) reviewed on 2/4/2011 + 29 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

Martin and Gracia Burnham were held captive by Islamic terrorist in the Philippine jungles. Their patience and faith stand out has hallmarks of this ordeal along with the remarkable ignorance of their captors. Gracia tells the story of receiving a letter from home somehow during this time. In it was a picture of their daughter along with several of her friends who had recently been on a trip to go snow skiing. When she showed it to her captors there were amazed at what they saw: everyone was wearing shoes! Apparently a novelty among these poor and backward people. This snapshot is troubling, much like the rest of the story, because it reveals the profound ignorance of those holding the guns. I could wish this was unique in terrorism but I am afraid it is the norm. Much of terrorism is the work of misguided wealthy people getting the poor and ignorant to do their bidding.
The story does not end as one would hope (I won't tell in case you don't know the ending) but it remains a tale of patience and deep faith in what must be among the most terrifying of circumstances.

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