Code Word, Catherine

by Jodie Collins

Two Americans who dared to defy a hostile government. Ten children whose only crime was belonging to the royal family. An escape story as suspenseful as any action thriller - but every word true.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

325 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

I lived in Ethiopia in 1975-1977, and so was very interested to read this book. It’s an amazing true story of one woman’s tremendous courage to rescue 10 children from a hateful regime. After a bloody coup the ruling officials sought to destroy the royal line of Emperor Haile Selassie. These children were his living grandchildren, whose parents had been killed or imprisoned. She, along with her husband, loved and cared for 4 of these children in their home.
As the revolution became more violent and bloodied, the risk of remaining in Ethiopia became a matter of life and death. The revolt of Eritrea in the north and war with Somalia in the south led to utter chaos. It was during this time that the couple decided that an escape is the only option for saving the lives of ten innocent children.
Armed with a strong faith in God and the help of surviving members of Selassie’s family and his high officials living in exile in England a plan is made.
The story reads like a spy novel! I was riveted and had a difficult time setting it down.

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curious after Polly Jane's fascinating research on the Queen of Sheba and the subsequent Solomonic line of Ethiopian rulers, I picked up this book. I knew a tiny bit about Operation Solomon, a secret airlift to transport Ethiopian Jews to Israel during the Cold War. Code Word: Catherine tells what happened to Solomon's last descendants while Ethiopia fell to communism. God was pleased to use a Christian---a Mom---to do good. In using her, God also was pleased to build her faith. This is an inspiring story.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing true story. Well worth reading.

[Becky Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story.

[Umpahh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ethiopia 1970

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a biography. It is the true story of how a missionary couple were able to smuggle six of Emperor Haile Selassie's grandchildren out of Ethiopia during the Communist revolution.