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Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six
A harrowing and heartwrenching memoir of humanitarian aid worker Jessica Buchanan’s kidnapping by Somali land pirates, her three months in captivity, her rescue by the Navy SEALs, and her husband’s extraordinary efforts to help bring her home.
In 2006, twenty-seven-year-old Jessica Buchanan arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, with a teaching degree and long-held dreams of helping to educate African children. By 2009, she had met and married the man of her dreams, a native Swede named Erik Landemalm, who worked to coordinate humanitarian aid with local authorities in Africa. With dreams of starting a family, they moved from Nairobi to Somalia, and their future couldn’t have been brighter…
But on October 25, 2011, Jessica and a male colleague were kidnapped at gunpoint and held for ransom by an organized band of Somali land pirates. For the next three months, Jessica was terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters. She was held outdoors in filthy conditions and kept on a starvation diet while her health steadily deteriorated. Negotiations for ransom dragged on, and as the ordeal stretched into its third month, the captors grew increasingly impatient.
Every terrifying moment Jessica spent suffering in captivity was matched by that of her adoring husband working behind the scenes to deal with her captors. Finally, on January 25, 2012, President Barack Obama ordered a rescue operation by a team of twenty-four Navy SEALs. The team killed all nine kidnappers, with no harm to the hostages, who were quickly airlifted out on a military rescue helicopter.
In riveting detail, Impossible Odds details Jessica and Erik’s mutual journey during those torturous months. Together they relate the events prior to the kidnapping, the drama of Jessica’s fight to stay alive, and Erik’s efforts to bolster and support the hunt for her while he acted as liaison between their two families, the FBI, professional hostage negotiators, and the United States government.
In 2006, twenty-seven-year-old Jessica Buchanan arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, with a teaching degree and long-held dreams of helping to educate African children. By 2009, she had met and married the man of her dreams, a native Swede named Erik Landemalm, who worked to coordinate humanitarian aid with local authorities in Africa. With dreams of starting a family, they moved from Nairobi to Somalia, and their future couldn’t have been brighter…
But on October 25, 2011, Jessica and a male colleague were kidnapped at gunpoint and held for ransom by an organized band of Somali land pirates. For the next three months, Jessica was terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters. She was held outdoors in filthy conditions and kept on a starvation diet while her health steadily deteriorated. Negotiations for ransom dragged on, and as the ordeal stretched into its third month, the captors grew increasingly impatient.
Every terrifying moment Jessica spent suffering in captivity was matched by that of her adoring husband working behind the scenes to deal with her captors. Finally, on January 25, 2012, President Barack Obama ordered a rescue operation by a team of twenty-four Navy SEALs. The team killed all nine kidnappers, with no harm to the hostages, who were quickly airlifted out on a military rescue helicopter.
In riveting detail, Impossible Odds details Jessica and Erik’s mutual journey during those torturous months. Together they relate the events prior to the kidnapping, the drama of Jessica’s fight to stay alive, and Erik’s efforts to bolster and support the hunt for her while he acted as liaison between their two families, the FBI, professional hostage negotiators, and the United States government.
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First published May 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 225 reviews
June 21, 2013
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.
June 13, 2013
Somehow when I selected this book, I had not heard the story of Jessica Buchanan's kidnapping in Somalia in 2006, nor her rescue several months later. Curiosity perhaps led me to select this book from NetGalley.
Jessica and Erik's story is harrowing, life-threatening and emotionally tumultuous. Their story is not always easy to read.
Fortunately, the book's rapid-fire start with Jessica's kidnapping occurring within the first third of the book captivates the reader. Jessica and Erik are working in an area of Somalia considered unsafe, but despite this, Jessica's NGO requires her to travel across the Green Line, an invisible line to the naked eye and on maps but well-known to the peoples it divides. The area, its culture and traditions are well described leaving an uneasy feeling about anyone's safety who is not from the area.
Detailed information about their roles in Somalia is provided, and it is clear that as a woman, a westerner and a social worker, Jessica is a high risk. The love and concern that flows between Jessica and Erik about an upcoming trip she must make adds significant tension to the story. The book is quick-paced and filled with apprehension.
Despite the subject, the language used is full of imagery and flows well. Some examples follow:
"Time drips, while the sickly awareness of how toxic and deadly the situation is builds up in my blood." ~ Jessica on her circumstances immediately following capture
"The afternoon bleeds into evening . . ." ~ Jessica on the ending of
their first day in captivity
"The soldier . . . did much more than just carry me out of that camp; he took me all the way back out through the looking glass." ~ Jessica on her rescue and the feeling of passing from one world back into another
Details of the kidnapping and the lengthy negotiations for Jessica's return are nerve-wracking and often I felt tangled in the battle to free Jessica, who is after some time ill and in need of medicine and medical care.
The book relates a growing relationship between Erik and Jessica's father and siblings, how they handle negotiations for ransom, the efforts of our country including the FBI and CIA to free Jessica, and the cooperation among all to free Jessica . . . and suddenly Seal Team Six frees Jessica and brings her home to her husband.
This is where I became disenchanted. After all Jessica's worry if her poor health will keep her from getting pregnant, something she and Erik have longed for but have been unsuccessful in accomplishing, and the risk to their marriage from all that has happened to Jessica during her kidnapping, not much is written about how the two handled a return to their marriage and work, moving forward, and eventually having a son.
Having read through the tension and details of all that had gone before, closing the book with some knowledge of how they successfully made it through the aftermath would have been rewarding. Unless, they are perhaps planning a sequel.
I leave it to you to decide. This book is well written, descriptive, as far as I can tell culturally accurate. Beware, however, that I felt it ended rather poorly for a book with so much energy, mystery, and apprehension throughout.
Jessica and Erik's story is harrowing, life-threatening and emotionally tumultuous. Their story is not always easy to read.
Fortunately, the book's rapid-fire start with Jessica's kidnapping occurring within the first third of the book captivates the reader. Jessica and Erik are working in an area of Somalia considered unsafe, but despite this, Jessica's NGO requires her to travel across the Green Line, an invisible line to the naked eye and on maps but well-known to the peoples it divides. The area, its culture and traditions are well described leaving an uneasy feeling about anyone's safety who is not from the area.
Detailed information about their roles in Somalia is provided, and it is clear that as a woman, a westerner and a social worker, Jessica is a high risk. The love and concern that flows between Jessica and Erik about an upcoming trip she must make adds significant tension to the story. The book is quick-paced and filled with apprehension.
Despite the subject, the language used is full of imagery and flows well. Some examples follow:
"Time drips, while the sickly awareness of how toxic and deadly the situation is builds up in my blood." ~ Jessica on her circumstances immediately following capture
"The afternoon bleeds into evening . . ." ~ Jessica on the ending of
their first day in captivity
"The soldier . . . did much more than just carry me out of that camp; he took me all the way back out through the looking glass." ~ Jessica on her rescue and the feeling of passing from one world back into another
Details of the kidnapping and the lengthy negotiations for Jessica's return are nerve-wracking and often I felt tangled in the battle to free Jessica, who is after some time ill and in need of medicine and medical care.
The book relates a growing relationship between Erik and Jessica's father and siblings, how they handle negotiations for ransom, the efforts of our country including the FBI and CIA to free Jessica, and the cooperation among all to free Jessica . . . and suddenly Seal Team Six frees Jessica and brings her home to her husband.
This is where I became disenchanted. After all Jessica's worry if her poor health will keep her from getting pregnant, something she and Erik have longed for but have been unsuccessful in accomplishing, and the risk to their marriage from all that has happened to Jessica during her kidnapping, not much is written about how the two handled a return to their marriage and work, moving forward, and eventually having a son.
Having read through the tension and details of all that had gone before, closing the book with some knowledge of how they successfully made it through the aftermath would have been rewarding. Unless, they are perhaps planning a sequel.
I leave it to you to decide. This book is well written, descriptive, as far as I can tell culturally accurate. Beware, however, that I felt it ended rather poorly for a book with so much energy, mystery, and apprehension throughout.
June 11, 2013
Jessica Buchanan and Erik Landemalm were humanitarian aid workers in Somalia. Jessica had a deep desire to help educate the African children. Erik worked to help coordinate humanitarian aid with authorities in Africa.
On October 25, 2011, Jessica and a colleague were kidnapped at gunpoint and held for ransom by a band of Somali pirates. For the next three months, Jessica was held outdoors in filthy conditions and kept on a starvation diet while her health steadily deteriorated.
After 93 days of negotiations, President Barack Obama ordered Navy SEAL Team Six to attempt a rescue mission. On January 25, 2012, a team of 24 SEALS attacked the heavily armed pirates. They killed all the pirates (nine were in the camp at the time of the rescue) with no harm to the hostages.
This is a story of courage, perseverance and faith.
I first heard about this book when Jessica Buchanan was a guest on the Dr. Phil Show. I remember Dr. Phil saying to Jessica, "I read your book...it is very well written." I was touched by Jessica's story and decided this was a book worth reading.
Jessica was a dedicated teacher and was deeply concerned about the child soldiers in Africa. These children are often kidnapped, drugged and forced to kill their entire families so they will have no place to go home to. Jessica was doing the work she loved when she became a victim of the very child soldiers that she was trying to help.
This book provides a detailed account about what it is like to be a victim of cruel and savage kidnappers. It also shares all the behind-the-scenes events that were taking place with her family, her employer and the U.S. government.
Erik's experience was especially poignant and difficult because he felt a great deal of guilt for allowing Jessica to travel into a dangerous area of the country. He wanted to go out and attempt a rescue on his own. It was very difficult for him to be patient during this three month ordeal.
Jessica's memories about her rescue by SEAL Team Six were the highlight of the entire book. I had tears in my eyes when I read the first words that the SEAL rescuer said to Jessica;
"Jessica, this is the American military. We've come to take you home. You're safe."
This story had a happy ending. Thank you to President Barack Obama and all the government and military people involved.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to a movie.
My Rating: 5 Stars+++ Out of 5
On October 25, 2011, Jessica and a colleague were kidnapped at gunpoint and held for ransom by a band of Somali pirates. For the next three months, Jessica was held outdoors in filthy conditions and kept on a starvation diet while her health steadily deteriorated.
After 93 days of negotiations, President Barack Obama ordered Navy SEAL Team Six to attempt a rescue mission. On January 25, 2012, a team of 24 SEALS attacked the heavily armed pirates. They killed all the pirates (nine were in the camp at the time of the rescue) with no harm to the hostages.
This is a story of courage, perseverance and faith.
I first heard about this book when Jessica Buchanan was a guest on the Dr. Phil Show. I remember Dr. Phil saying to Jessica, "I read your book...it is very well written." I was touched by Jessica's story and decided this was a book worth reading.
Jessica was a dedicated teacher and was deeply concerned about the child soldiers in Africa. These children are often kidnapped, drugged and forced to kill their entire families so they will have no place to go home to. Jessica was doing the work she loved when she became a victim of the very child soldiers that she was trying to help.
This book provides a detailed account about what it is like to be a victim of cruel and savage kidnappers. It also shares all the behind-the-scenes events that were taking place with her family, her employer and the U.S. government.
Erik's experience was especially poignant and difficult because he felt a great deal of guilt for allowing Jessica to travel into a dangerous area of the country. He wanted to go out and attempt a rescue on his own. It was very difficult for him to be patient during this three month ordeal.
Jessica's memories about her rescue by SEAL Team Six were the highlight of the entire book. I had tears in my eyes when I read the first words that the SEAL rescuer said to Jessica;
"Jessica, this is the American military. We've come to take you home. You're safe."
This story had a happy ending. Thank you to President Barack Obama and all the government and military people involved.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to a movie.
My Rating: 5 Stars+++ Out of 5
June 4, 2013
The bad guys are bad and the good guys are good. This reads like it has been edited with a government classified red pen. Check out one of the interviews instead.
May 10, 2018
Terrorism knows no boundary, honors no border, respects no people, disregards all tenets of basic humanity, decency, faith, and the allowable existence and betterment of human beings everywhere. Whether these groups are Al Shabaab, Al Qaeda, DAESH, Sinaloa Cartel, Los Caballeros Templarios, Juárez Cartel, these and many others have several commonalities – mental anguish, fiefdom power, monetary rule, and the authority to do as they please at the expense of the masses of innocence.
This book is inevitably about terrorism as it relates to Al Shabaab; however, this event as written is one of courage, faith, love, trust, and the ability to overcome indecency within impossible odds. The people that work in Non-Governmental Offices (NGO’s), who teach basic education, agriculture, science, math, and for those such as Ms. Buchanan that served a purpose of disarming minefields and protecting children, the elderly, the sick – these sorts of people that Mr. Landemalm represent who work for the greater purpose of humanity in a caring, kind, and natural manner are but one of several reasons to question “humanity” itself when events such as these occur, and as had occurred to both of these caring educators. But for people that have the courage to forgo the ability to carry arms in order to teach the deprived a better existence, these sorts of people have character and heart far above anything that I myself have – and this is an honorable flaw of my own but requires a special sort of bravery of purpose through persons such as these. (Gives this Jarhead hope for the future.)
All people of decency will be able to relate to this book, all Veterans will be able to know the anguish we feel as we read this book in wanting to rescue Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Landemalm from their torment, every husband will feel anger, every wife will feel hope and strength, children in the future will look back at this event of both Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Landemalm and likely ask the honest child question “how could you have dealt with this?” “Out of the mouths of babes….” None should be afraid of the answer either would provide, this Historical event lay now in the hands of two people who worked through it together, found a way to keep the torment demons at bay and lived to tell the tale for generations yet to come.
As I completed this book, I could feel my eyes begin to water that I had to hide, I felt a strength in my heart that there is “hope” for humanity. I hope, that both Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Landemalm will provide an update every 10 years to this book, but that they do this in such a manner that does not change the first edition. The future editions should merely be “additional chapters” and updates to the event, their lives, their work, and further reflections to the later (hopefully) declassified events. I can only imagine there was much to this horrific event that could not be published in 2013. I sincerely appreciated the “Afterward” and “Acknowledgment” section of this life event.
For persons interested in the topics of History, Terrorism, Faith, and Hope – then this book is for you to read – with my other books I have read on terrorism and cartels – this work is as important as any I have read to this point.
This book is inevitably about terrorism as it relates to Al Shabaab; however, this event as written is one of courage, faith, love, trust, and the ability to overcome indecency within impossible odds. The people that work in Non-Governmental Offices (NGO’s), who teach basic education, agriculture, science, math, and for those such as Ms. Buchanan that served a purpose of disarming minefields and protecting children, the elderly, the sick – these sorts of people that Mr. Landemalm represent who work for the greater purpose of humanity in a caring, kind, and natural manner are but one of several reasons to question “humanity” itself when events such as these occur, and as had occurred to both of these caring educators. But for people that have the courage to forgo the ability to carry arms in order to teach the deprived a better existence, these sorts of people have character and heart far above anything that I myself have – and this is an honorable flaw of my own but requires a special sort of bravery of purpose through persons such as these. (Gives this Jarhead hope for the future.)
All people of decency will be able to relate to this book, all Veterans will be able to know the anguish we feel as we read this book in wanting to rescue Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Landemalm from their torment, every husband will feel anger, every wife will feel hope and strength, children in the future will look back at this event of both Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Landemalm and likely ask the honest child question “how could you have dealt with this?” “Out of the mouths of babes….” None should be afraid of the answer either would provide, this Historical event lay now in the hands of two people who worked through it together, found a way to keep the torment demons at bay and lived to tell the tale for generations yet to come.
As I completed this book, I could feel my eyes begin to water that I had to hide, I felt a strength in my heart that there is “hope” for humanity. I hope, that both Ms. Buchanan and Mr. Landemalm will provide an update every 10 years to this book, but that they do this in such a manner that does not change the first edition. The future editions should merely be “additional chapters” and updates to the event, their lives, their work, and further reflections to the later (hopefully) declassified events. I can only imagine there was much to this horrific event that could not be published in 2013. I sincerely appreciated the “Afterward” and “Acknowledgment” section of this life event.
For persons interested in the topics of History, Terrorism, Faith, and Hope – then this book is for you to read – with my other books I have read on terrorism and cartels – this work is as important as any I have read to this point.
January 23, 2024
The beginning is a little slow as the author gives her background story and how she and her husband met. I did enjoy the different narrators for the chapters from separate characters.
The actual rescue was fast-paced and exciting. The fact that she suffered no abuse besides neglectful hygiene is really a miracle. I loved hearing how seal team six did the operation and it makes me so grateful to be an American because we have a military who rescues their own.
Several other books state the same sentiment when being rescued: unbelief then relief, abundant gratitude for our country.
There was a little bit of language
*Listen FREE on Hoopla
Also read:
📖 Saved by Benjamin Hall
The actual rescue was fast-paced and exciting. The fact that she suffered no abuse besides neglectful hygiene is really a miracle. I loved hearing how seal team six did the operation and it makes me so grateful to be an American because we have a military who rescues their own.
Several other books state the same sentiment when being rescued: unbelief then relief, abundant gratitude for our country.
There was a little bit of language
*Listen FREE on Hoopla
Also read:
📖 Saved by Benjamin Hall
June 3, 2013
Jessica Buchanan vividly describes her 93 day ordeal as a hostage in Somalia, and her ultimate rescue by SEAL Team Six. Jessica was working for an international nonprofit organization when she and a colleague were kidnapped by Somali "pirates" and held for ransom in October 2011. She was kept in deplorable conditions and was continually threatened by pirates wielding automatic weapons. As days turned into months, the situation became desperate. The book alternates between Jessica's account of her experience, and that of her husband, Erik, as he frantically sought to assist in negotiating terms for her release. This unforgettable true story was hard to put down!
September 3, 2020
This has been on my list for a long time...ever since it came out and Jessica Buchanan made the interview rounds. Amazing story of a woman doing Africa relief work who gets kidnapped. About survival, aid work, Somalia, and the role of hope, faith, and love had in her story. Told partially in first person and partially from third person (what others were doing to get Jessica rescued). Interesting behind the scenes stuff on how humanitarian aid works, hostage negotiations work, and recovery from kidnapping works as well. Pretty uplifting book, may be a good read for pandemic times, actually. Good reminder that America is pretty amazing and that miraculous things can and do happen. The audio version has two readers and is decent.
March 20, 2024
Interesting story especially at the end but the beginning was a little slow setting up the story but so is the way of nonfiction.
September 29, 2024
People are mad SEAL team six didn’t want to divulge military secrets in this book, they are dumb.
August 10, 2014
Held hostage for ninety three days by drug addled Somali pirates Jessica Buchanan shares her story. I have no idea how this steel magnolia kept her wits about her but Jessica did. She remained calm, cool and collected while facing the most frightening experience of her life. Always thinking, trying to recall her training seminars regarding kidnapping she made the best of her situation while trying to remain as safe as possible given the circumstances. Not knowing from minute to minute if death was next, endless threats from her captors, this brave woman mentally and emotionally faced the situation amazingly. Facing deplorable sanitary conditions as well as a pre-existing condition and other health challenges due to poor hygienic conditions, this woman relied on hope, faith and the ultimate goal of seeing her husband and family while living with the unpredictability of her kidnappers. Jessica relied on her strength, intelligence and sheer will, despair was never an option, an inspiring woman by all accounts.
Her husband Erik - a humanitarian worker as well, and her immediate family share their feelings and thoughts during this most difficult time. A trying and emotional time for all and each one demonstrated strength, hope and faith. Each held captive in their own way until the race to rescue Jessica was complete.
Infamous Seal Team Six was summoned - due to their heroic efforts and expertise successfully rescued Jessica and her co-worker from their captors. I salute the US Military as well as specialized operations groups such as the Navy Seals and others for their tireless endless sacrifices and selflessness.
A riveting story of strength, hope, faith and heroics by all parties. A wake up call in realizing the risks humanitarian workers take while trying to improve the quality of life for others. A labor of love despite the high risk.
Her husband Erik - a humanitarian worker as well, and her immediate family share their feelings and thoughts during this most difficult time. A trying and emotional time for all and each one demonstrated strength, hope and faith. Each held captive in their own way until the race to rescue Jessica was complete.
Infamous Seal Team Six was summoned - due to their heroic efforts and expertise successfully rescued Jessica and her co-worker from their captors. I salute the US Military as well as specialized operations groups such as the Navy Seals and others for their tireless endless sacrifices and selflessness.
A riveting story of strength, hope, faith and heroics by all parties. A wake up call in realizing the risks humanitarian workers take while trying to improve the quality of life for others. A labor of love despite the high risk.
May 26, 2013
This is a harrowing story about the kidnapping of Jessica, an aide worker who worked in Somalia to make individuals aware of mines and especially to reach out to child soldiers. So, it was especially troubling that one of the kidnappers was a child soldier who wore a wristband from her aide agency. This is a story of family and a story of faith. It also provided a glimpse into how the US responds to these tragedies. While Jessica was treated horribly, she was spared from sexual assault and torture. Her family bonded together in prayer and support. Jessica's story provides insight into a culture that Americans can't understand and she tries to explain how the Somalians view piracy and kidnapping as a way to achieve "the American dream" of wealth and prosperity. This is their way to get out of a meager existence.
As the story draws to a close, I was proud to be an American and a member of a country that cares about our international aide workers. The secret mission of the SEALS is amazing. It would have been interesting to learn more of the facts of the mission but this information is classified. What is amazing is that at the time of the mission, the kidnappers were all asleep, something that should never have happened, but allowed the SEALS to make a secret assault that saved Jessica and her colleague.
This story is exciting. Even though we know the outcomes, it is well worth it to achieve understanding of the culture that allowed this situation to take place.
As the story draws to a close, I was proud to be an American and a member of a country that cares about our international aide workers. The secret mission of the SEALS is amazing. It would have been interesting to learn more of the facts of the mission but this information is classified. What is amazing is that at the time of the mission, the kidnappers were all asleep, something that should never have happened, but allowed the SEALS to make a secret assault that saved Jessica and her colleague.
This story is exciting. Even though we know the outcomes, it is well worth it to achieve understanding of the culture that allowed this situation to take place.
July 15, 2013
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.
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.
April 12, 2017
Impossible Odds chronicles Buchanan's kidnapping that took place 2011-2012. She was held captive alongside her colleague Poul Hagen Thisted for 3 excruciating months by Somalian pirates. I was riveted by her harrowing experience and practically held my breath as I read about her rescue. The entire account was written very well. I did have some issues with the book though. I was turned off by Jess's sardonic outlook that she often took when reflecting on her ordeal. In addition, the author included some language and figures of speech that I found inappropriate for explaining such a dire situation. Lastly, as a Christian, I couldn't help but feel disappointed that neither Jess nor her husband embraced Christianity. Although they both claimed to have some kind of spiritual realization, it was not specific to any religion. I was surprised by this since several times they both mentioned Jessica's father's Christian faith and how it held them steady in some of their worst moments. Obviously, this is just a personal complaint and I still very much recommend this book. Both Jessica's and Erik's fierce determination, love, and gratitude through such a horrifying nightmare makes their story both inspirational and beautiful.
October 18, 2018
3.5. Good story, but I would have loved to have a bit more perspective from rescuers, or at least more information as to how the process happens, and the logistics it takes to plan an operation like this.
June 19, 2013
A remarkable story of personal strength and endurance, perseverance and conviction, and, ultimately, love and faith.
October 25, 2017
Good, though it seemed like there were gaps.
June 12, 2020
I saw a show a few years back on TV called Navy SEALs: America's Secret Warriors, and on it was the story of Jessica Buchanan's kidnapping in Africa and her rescue by SEAL Team Six.
I saw it again earlier this year and decided to see if the library had the book, and thankfully they did.
I thought it would be nice to read this year while I'm 27, because Jessica started her work in Africa at 27.
This was surprisingly funny, which you wouldn't expect in a story about a terrible event. I also wasn't expecting such a serious story to be so enjoyable. It was humorous throughout, even in situations that were most definitely not funny. Her humor, wit, and snark had me laughing and smiling. You could just see her anger, resentment and bitterness coming out at her captors, and how she channeled it into making fun of them. Particularly how she'd always say they didn't think planes flew at night, and always moved them out in the open at night, thinking they couldn't be seen. It was inspiring. They didn't break her spirit, that's for sure.
I liked hearing about her and her husband, how they met, his background in the military, how he wanted to go after her, and wanted to do a swap with her captors, him for her. That was really sweet. Also how he was worried she wouldn't want to be with him anymore, because he had relented in letting her go on the trip. In the end, when they reunite he tells her he'll give her space if she doesn't want to be around him. I'm so glad this didn't break their marriage.
It was interesting to learn that one of three conditions have to be met in order to launch a rescue attempt. If the victim is in immediate danger, if their health has declined or if negotiations have failed.
I loved when we finally got to the rescue and the military's plan on the raid. I'm disappointed it was such a short part, and was over quickly. This really should be made into a movie. I liked all the info on the military, in particular SEAL Team Six. The ending of a warning to the kidnappers was nothing short of badass, as was all the descriptions of SEAL Team Six.
Of course they can't give away military or government secrets, and how the mission was planned. They couldn't even confirm if they used drones! It would have been nice to hear more from the military about the raid.
I felt bad Poul didn't get to talk to his family during the negotiations, and we didn't see him reunite with his family. After the rescue, he wasn't even mentioned on the plane. There's a line on the Navy SEALs show where Poul informs her the guys were Navy SEALs who were saving them, but that wasn't mentioned in the book for some reason.
It also appeared his country wasn't trying to get him back. Really, who was working behind the scenes for him from his country?
The scene of them talking to Erik during the negotiations was touching, and funny, how he assured Erik she hadn't been touched and she was strong, but Erik didn't know it was Poul talking. When Erik says he needs Jessica to come home, Poul said he hopes they're working on both of them coming home, and he sounds hurt. Erik then realizes who it was. It was also sweet how Erik almost broke down when Jess tells him she loves him.
Another minor thing was that in the description it made her husband Erik sound like a key player, negotiating with her captors, being liaison to their families, the FBI, the Crisis Management Team, and the US government. That's a bit misleading because he only 'negotiated' with the the captors when they wanted a family member to verify the negotiator they spoke with, that he was indeed acting for the family. Also, the book doesn't even mention that Erik called his family and told them about his wife's kidnapping. There's only one phone call to her dad, we're told he talked to her family, and there were a few calls with the FBI and CMT team, but that was it. I'm certain he worked tirelessly, in contact with her family and the FBI and CMT, it's just that the book didn't really show us that as much as it could have.
Being in that atmosphere, with the twisted and cruel kidnappers, and the scare tactics they would do and the way they treated Jess and Poul started to grate on me a little after a while. So I'm glad I read this in three days, and didn't drag it out any longer. I'm also glad her story wasn't any worse than it was.
I saw it again earlier this year and decided to see if the library had the book, and thankfully they did.
I thought it would be nice to read this year while I'm 27, because Jessica started her work in Africa at 27.
This was surprisingly funny, which you wouldn't expect in a story about a terrible event. I also wasn't expecting such a serious story to be so enjoyable. It was humorous throughout, even in situations that were most definitely not funny. Her humor, wit, and snark had me laughing and smiling. You could just see her anger, resentment and bitterness coming out at her captors, and how she channeled it into making fun of them. Particularly how she'd always say they didn't think planes flew at night, and always moved them out in the open at night, thinking they couldn't be seen. It was inspiring. They didn't break her spirit, that's for sure.
I liked hearing about her and her husband, how they met, his background in the military, how he wanted to go after her, and wanted to do a swap with her captors, him for her. That was really sweet. Also how he was worried she wouldn't want to be with him anymore, because he had relented in letting her go on the trip. In the end, when they reunite he tells her he'll give her space if she doesn't want to be around him. I'm so glad this didn't break their marriage.
It was interesting to learn that one of three conditions have to be met in order to launch a rescue attempt. If the victim is in immediate danger, if their health has declined or if negotiations have failed.
I loved when we finally got to the rescue and the military's plan on the raid. I'm disappointed it was such a short part, and was over quickly. This really should be made into a movie. I liked all the info on the military, in particular SEAL Team Six. The ending of a warning to the kidnappers was nothing short of badass, as was all the descriptions of SEAL Team Six.
Of course they can't give away military or government secrets, and how the mission was planned. They couldn't even confirm if they used drones! It would have been nice to hear more from the military about the raid.
I felt bad Poul didn't get to talk to his family during the negotiations, and we didn't see him reunite with his family. After the rescue, he wasn't even mentioned on the plane. There's a line on the Navy SEALs show where Poul informs her the guys were Navy SEALs who were saving them, but that wasn't mentioned in the book for some reason.
It also appeared his country wasn't trying to get him back. Really, who was working behind the scenes for him from his country?
The scene of them talking to Erik during the negotiations was touching, and funny, how he assured Erik she hadn't been touched and she was strong, but Erik didn't know it was Poul talking. When Erik says he needs Jessica to come home, Poul said he hopes they're working on both of them coming home, and he sounds hurt. Erik then realizes who it was. It was also sweet how Erik almost broke down when Jess tells him she loves him.
Another minor thing was that in the description it made her husband Erik sound like a key player, negotiating with her captors, being liaison to their families, the FBI, the Crisis Management Team, and the US government. That's a bit misleading because he only 'negotiated' with the the captors when they wanted a family member to verify the negotiator they spoke with, that he was indeed acting for the family. Also, the book doesn't even mention that Erik called his family and told them about his wife's kidnapping. There's only one phone call to her dad, we're told he talked to her family, and there were a few calls with the FBI and CMT team, but that was it. I'm certain he worked tirelessly, in contact with her family and the FBI and CMT, it's just that the book didn't really show us that as much as it could have.
Being in that atmosphere, with the twisted and cruel kidnappers, and the scare tactics they would do and the way they treated Jess and Poul started to grate on me a little after a while. So I'm glad I read this in three days, and didn't drag it out any longer. I'm also glad her story wasn't any worse than it was.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2025
This true story of the rescue of Jessica Buchanan and her male colleague, Poul, from Somalian land pirates in 2012 was new to me. I had a bit of a struggle engaging with the story at first but once I did, I was hooked.
No doubt the horrors of captivity were not recounted explicitly. Nor was the rescue by Navy SEAL Team Six overly emphasized. It was just a simple retelling.
One thing that fascinated me was the constant supply of khat to the guards and how their addiction to this drug kept them compliant. Like their captives, they were imprisoned but didn’t even realize it. (Yes. I had to look up khat).
No doubt the horrors of captivity were not recounted explicitly. Nor was the rescue by Navy SEAL Team Six overly emphasized. It was just a simple retelling.
One thing that fascinated me was the constant supply of khat to the guards and how their addiction to this drug kept them compliant. Like their captives, they were imprisoned but didn’t even realize it. (Yes. I had to look up khat).
December 23, 2024
Wow! I finished this in two days. Jessica Buchanan’s story is incredible. I’ve read and watched a lot about her experience, but this book gave me a deeper understanding of what she went through and the details of her rescue. Such a powerful story.
Personal note: I could only find the audiobook on Goodreads, but I read the physical book instead.
Personal note: I could only find the audiobook on Goodreads, but I read the physical book instead.
May 18, 2020
Couldn’t put it down. Amazing story.
March 31, 2024
What bravery and a fantastic and upsetting book of Jessica's kidnapping and survival.
March 11, 2024
It's always hard rating someone's personal story as they are just telling you facts. Jessica's rescue story from being held captive by Somali pirates for a outrageous ransom to being rescued by USA Navy SEAL Team Six was fascinating. She was held for 93 days while negotiations drew out and eventually lead President Barack Obama to order the operation. I loved learning about the special SEAL Team Six and what was happening behind the scenes with her husband Erik. It was interesting to hear about what Jessica's days and nights were like being held captive but the writing could of been better. Some parts dragged with unnecessary info and there was not enough of what her life looked like when she got home and reunited with family.
May 15, 2013
I received Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six from NetGalley in exchange for a review.
I remember hearing of Jessica’s kidnapping and following the story until finally she was brought home. I was thankful, relieved, and amazed that SEAL Team Six got in and got the job done. That was honestly the first time I had ever really heard of that group of our military men by that name that I can remember.
I don’t know if I have a understandable explanation for why I follow stories like these on the news but I will try. It’s not the train wreck affect. Not at all. It’s the fact that these people are going through something horrendous and they may be sitting there wondering if anyone back home is even worried about them. They are isolated from the world. How would they know? To me, they are important. I will never meet them, they will never know that I cried for them, I prayed for them, but I hope that somehow they realize that they are important, not just to their loved ones, but to the rest of us back home or in other countries as I would be to Poul, the man who was kidnapped with her.
There are no spoilers here, we know Jessica was rescued, so I can freely admit that I cried while reading where she first realized that the American military was there for her. I was riding the emotional roller coaster, I knew the beginning and the end, but I didn’t know the middle, exactly what she went through. It was hard. I don’t know how she survived it. You read of someone in those moments, and you wonder could you survive? My first instinct is probably not, my second? I would have to. I have 4 kids waiting for me at home. There isn’t a choice but trying to survive.
The heroes of the book, SEAL Team Six, may you never have them on your tail. After the killing of Osama Bin Laden, everyone in the world, or at the very least in the USA, knows who Seal Team Six is. How many Americans are glad they are on our side? I am.
I cried at another point in the book. I have the ebook, so I’m not sure where these are at in the print version, but the pictures at the end. I had tears. They were beautiful and spoke volumes about how Jessica and Erik are thriving now, one in particular, but I’ll let you look for yourself. That might be a spoiler and I don’t do spoilers.
Anthony Flacco did an amazing job getting Jessica and Erik’s story down on paper. It’s well written, it pulls you in, you don’t want to put it down until you get to the last page. I love biographies/non fiction that can keep my attention. I am slightly ADD and if it’s dry and boring at all, I can’t finish it. This was the opposite. It was excellently written to capture your interest and keep you tuned in to Jessica’s ordeal, her struggles, and finally her rescue.
Amazing book.
Amazing woman with an amazing husband and family. (I can’t help but love them all now.)
And the amazing SEAL team six.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a copy of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six to review.
I remember hearing of Jessica’s kidnapping and following the story until finally she was brought home. I was thankful, relieved, and amazed that SEAL Team Six got in and got the job done. That was honestly the first time I had ever really heard of that group of our military men by that name that I can remember.
I don’t know if I have a understandable explanation for why I follow stories like these on the news but I will try. It’s not the train wreck affect. Not at all. It’s the fact that these people are going through something horrendous and they may be sitting there wondering if anyone back home is even worried about them. They are isolated from the world. How would they know? To me, they are important. I will never meet them, they will never know that I cried for them, I prayed for them, but I hope that somehow they realize that they are important, not just to their loved ones, but to the rest of us back home or in other countries as I would be to Poul, the man who was kidnapped with her.
There are no spoilers here, we know Jessica was rescued, so I can freely admit that I cried while reading where she first realized that the American military was there for her. I was riding the emotional roller coaster, I knew the beginning and the end, but I didn’t know the middle, exactly what she went through. It was hard. I don’t know how she survived it. You read of someone in those moments, and you wonder could you survive? My first instinct is probably not, my second? I would have to. I have 4 kids waiting for me at home. There isn’t a choice but trying to survive.
The heroes of the book, SEAL Team Six, may you never have them on your tail. After the killing of Osama Bin Laden, everyone in the world, or at the very least in the USA, knows who Seal Team Six is. How many Americans are glad they are on our side? I am.
I cried at another point in the book. I have the ebook, so I’m not sure where these are at in the print version, but the pictures at the end. I had tears. They were beautiful and spoke volumes about how Jessica and Erik are thriving now, one in particular, but I’ll let you look for yourself. That might be a spoiler and I don’t do spoilers.
Anthony Flacco did an amazing job getting Jessica and Erik’s story down on paper. It’s well written, it pulls you in, you don’t want to put it down until you get to the last page. I love biographies/non fiction that can keep my attention. I am slightly ADD and if it’s dry and boring at all, I can’t finish it. This was the opposite. It was excellently written to capture your interest and keep you tuned in to Jessica’s ordeal, her struggles, and finally her rescue.
Amazing book.
Amazing woman with an amazing husband and family. (I can’t help but love them all now.)
And the amazing SEAL team six.
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me a copy of Impossible Odds: The Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six to review.
June 21, 2013
Probably one of the most gripping books I've read. If the kidnapping of humanitarian aid worker Jessica Buchanan by Somali thugs for a three-month period wasn't a true story, you'd think it was Hollywood fiction. It's an unimaginable hell to imagine - travelling to Africa to improve the lives of children, only to be taken away at gunpoint and forced to exist in deplorable conditions, never knowing what will happen from one minute to the next, including whether you will live or die, or be raped or tortured, or even if you will have something to eat or have a sip of water. When SEAL Team Six swoops in for the rescue after several months, it feels like the words on the page are some sort of religious awakening, that puts the spirit in you, so to speak.
Jessica Buchanan is eminently likeable from the start of this book, and it's a quick study into her life that brings her to Africa. The contrast after her kidnapping by drug-addled land pirates (which I didn't even know was a term) is jarring. These idiotic gangsters have it in their small minds that an American hostage must mean incredible payoffs await, due to sea pirates being paid off in the millions by corporations seeking the return of their vessels and crews. So when they don't receive $18 million for an average, middle-class children's volunteer, they can barely wrap their heads around it. Even just in terms of sanitary conditions, which I won't describe lest I sicken everyone, Jessica suffers a great deal, and when you factor in her not being able to take her medication for a thyroid condition, it never seems to stop getting worse. I was actually worried what each page was going to reveal for much of this book, despite being aware of what the final positive outcome of her ordeal was.
This book also gives the perspective of Jessica's husband, Eric, who, it goes without saying, tries to move heaven and earth to bring his wife home. He works with her family and the FBI and the U.S. government to ensure her safety, and clearly feels powerless at the same time. He is even so bold as to want to trade himself for her to the pirates, but the FBI stops him as it won't do any good, obviously. He is a different sort of metaphorical hostage himself, in a sense.
There isn't a tremendous amount of coverage of the SEAL Team Six rescue itself in this book, probably over security and privacy issues, but Jessica's wonderment as they rescue her really makes you feel as bewildered as her; much as her kidnapping was swift, so was her rescue. It's bizarre how quickly life can change from literally one second to another.
What an enthralling read. I hope I am able to meet Jessica Buchanan one day, if she does a speaking engagement or an appearance. Such an incredible story that seems unbelievable but is very real.
Jessica Buchanan is eminently likeable from the start of this book, and it's a quick study into her life that brings her to Africa. The contrast after her kidnapping by drug-addled land pirates (which I didn't even know was a term) is jarring. These idiotic gangsters have it in their small minds that an American hostage must mean incredible payoffs await, due to sea pirates being paid off in the millions by corporations seeking the return of their vessels and crews. So when they don't receive $18 million for an average, middle-class children's volunteer, they can barely wrap their heads around it. Even just in terms of sanitary conditions, which I won't describe lest I sicken everyone, Jessica suffers a great deal, and when you factor in her not being able to take her medication for a thyroid condition, it never seems to stop getting worse. I was actually worried what each page was going to reveal for much of this book, despite being aware of what the final positive outcome of her ordeal was.
This book also gives the perspective of Jessica's husband, Eric, who, it goes without saying, tries to move heaven and earth to bring his wife home. He works with her family and the FBI and the U.S. government to ensure her safety, and clearly feels powerless at the same time. He is even so bold as to want to trade himself for her to the pirates, but the FBI stops him as it won't do any good, obviously. He is a different sort of metaphorical hostage himself, in a sense.
There isn't a tremendous amount of coverage of the SEAL Team Six rescue itself in this book, probably over security and privacy issues, but Jessica's wonderment as they rescue her really makes you feel as bewildered as her; much as her kidnapping was swift, so was her rescue. It's bizarre how quickly life can change from literally one second to another.
What an enthralling read. I hope I am able to meet Jessica Buchanan one day, if she does a speaking engagement or an appearance. Such an incredible story that seems unbelievable but is very real.
Read
July 31, 2013Impossible Odds: the Kidnapping of Jessica Buchanan and her Dramatic Rescue by SEALS Team 6, by Jessica Buchanan, Erik Landemalm, and Anthony Flacco, narrated by Anthony Flacco, Candace Thaxton, and George Newbern, Produced by Simon and Schuster Audio, Downloaded from audible.com.
The memoir of humanitarian aid worker Jessica Buchanan's kidnapping by Somali land pirates, her three months in captivity, her rescue by the Navy SEALs, and her husband's efforts to help bring her home. In 2006, 27-year-old Jessica Buchanan arrived in Nairobi,
Kenya, with a teaching degree and long-held dreams of helping to educate African children. By 2009, she had met and married a native Swede named Erik Landemalm, who worked to coordinate humanitarian aid with local authorities in Africa. They moved from
Nairobi to Somalia, with both of them engaged in the work they had come to Africa to perform. But on October 25, 2011, Jessica and a male colleague were kidnapped at gunpoint and held for ransom by an organized band of Somali land pirates. For the next three months, Jessica was terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters. She
was held outdoors in filthy conditions and kept on a starvation diet while her health steadily deteriorated. Negotiations for ransom dragged on, and as
the ordeal stretched into its third month, the captors grew increasingly impatient. Every terrifying moment Jessica spent suffering in captivity was matched
by that of her husband and father, working behind the scenes to deal with her captors. Finally, on January 25, 2012, President Barack Obama ordered a rescue
operation by a team of 24 Navy SEALs. The team killed all nine kidnappers, with no harm to the hostages, who were quickly airlifted out on a military rescue
helicopter. In riveting detail, Impossible Odds details Jessica and Erik's mutual journey during those torturous months. Together they relate the events
prior to the kidnapping, the drama of Jessica's fight to stay alive, and Erik's efforts to bolster and support the hunt for her while he acted as liaison
between their two families, the FBI, professional hostage negotiators, and the United States government. The narrators chosen to read Jessica’s and her husband’s stories were great, especially the onefor Jessica. When I heard her 60 Minutes story of the ordeal, I realized they had done as much as they could to have the narrator’s voice match her own voice. Very well done.
The memoir of humanitarian aid worker Jessica Buchanan's kidnapping by Somali land pirates, her three months in captivity, her rescue by the Navy SEALs, and her husband's efforts to help bring her home. In 2006, 27-year-old Jessica Buchanan arrived in Nairobi,
Kenya, with a teaching degree and long-held dreams of helping to educate African children. By 2009, she had met and married a native Swede named Erik Landemalm, who worked to coordinate humanitarian aid with local authorities in Africa. They moved from
Nairobi to Somalia, with both of them engaged in the work they had come to Africa to perform. But on October 25, 2011, Jessica and a male colleague were kidnapped at gunpoint and held for ransom by an organized band of Somali land pirates. For the next three months, Jessica was terrorized by more than two dozen gangsters. She
was held outdoors in filthy conditions and kept on a starvation diet while her health steadily deteriorated. Negotiations for ransom dragged on, and as
the ordeal stretched into its third month, the captors grew increasingly impatient. Every terrifying moment Jessica spent suffering in captivity was matched
by that of her husband and father, working behind the scenes to deal with her captors. Finally, on January 25, 2012, President Barack Obama ordered a rescue
operation by a team of 24 Navy SEALs. The team killed all nine kidnappers, with no harm to the hostages, who were quickly airlifted out on a military rescue
helicopter. In riveting detail, Impossible Odds details Jessica and Erik's mutual journey during those torturous months. Together they relate the events
prior to the kidnapping, the drama of Jessica's fight to stay alive, and Erik's efforts to bolster and support the hunt for her while he acted as liaison
between their two families, the FBI, professional hostage negotiators, and the United States government. The narrators chosen to read Jessica’s and her husband’s stories were great, especially the onefor Jessica. When I heard her 60 Minutes story of the ordeal, I realized they had done as much as they could to have the narrator’s voice match her own voice. Very well done.
November 14, 2018
I hate to be “that person” but at what point do you not question a conspiracy theory. Here was a self proclaimed fully ill prepared girl runnng around east Africa trying to find work, her South Sudan story is a good indicator of inexperience and ignorance . Then She gets kidnapped and tells this wild tale in her book which doesn’t jive with her fears told yo those of us living and working with her of having complete fear of going to puntland and knowing her agency was going to send her there (in book this was a surprise) but then getting there and proclaiming on her now deactivated Facebook account to which she friended anyone and everyone that she couldn’t wait to see pirates ( 2 posts from puntland while she was there)
She gets kidnapped and her husband claims in the book he is considering his own rescue mission, hmm. And yet after all this, the publicity, the US killing these guys, millions lost in what the pirates thought they were worth, she immediately writes a book.
This is where my thoughts come in. I think Amanda lindhout was illy prepared and quite stupid honelstly, but when you see her videos she really conveys a true story of suffering, remorse for her decisions, a perspective that this event took a toll.
Jessica leaves after 90 days and is back on Facebook and publishing stories- her book was written in a timeline that doesn’t match any other Somali hostage (hers is insanely faster).
I have and will always think this story is full of many hidden elements.
I get it isn’t fake as navy seals rescued her, but what came to create those events.
How can her husband still freely work in Somalia now if this all really went down as they say, wouldn’t his security be at risk when so many Somalis died for her rescue.
. Yes you can argue he has support from the right people but Somalis are super connected, he would be at risk.
I would love to hear from the guy also held in captivity with her,forgot his name, but he has yet to tell his story.
Meanwhile she makes money from the book and talks. All good, life is business find your edge, but if this isn’t a true representation of what happened, that just isn’t right .
She gets kidnapped and her husband claims in the book he is considering his own rescue mission, hmm. And yet after all this, the publicity, the US killing these guys, millions lost in what the pirates thought they were worth, she immediately writes a book.
This is where my thoughts come in. I think Amanda lindhout was illy prepared and quite stupid honelstly, but when you see her videos she really conveys a true story of suffering, remorse for her decisions, a perspective that this event took a toll.
Jessica leaves after 90 days and is back on Facebook and publishing stories- her book was written in a timeline that doesn’t match any other Somali hostage (hers is insanely faster).
I have and will always think this story is full of many hidden elements.
I get it isn’t fake as navy seals rescued her, but what came to create those events.
How can her husband still freely work in Somalia now if this all really went down as they say, wouldn’t his security be at risk when so many Somalis died for her rescue.
. Yes you can argue he has support from the right people but Somalis are super connected, he would be at risk.
I would love to hear from the guy also held in captivity with her,forgot his name, but he has yet to tell his story.
Meanwhile she makes money from the book and talks. All good, life is business find your edge, but if this isn’t a true representation of what happened, that just isn’t right .
May 27, 2013
I read this a few days before listening to Diane Rhem interview the authors about this book.
Book: The subtitle that referenced "Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six" is accurate, however, this book is more about the kidnapping and less about the rescue. It is an good read, especially if you are considering overseas missions or humanitarian work. Which leads into what I learned from the interview.
Interview: They were not willing to name the organization that put Jessica in danger, but she and her husband basically said the organization did not do their homework. They were diplomatic, but they did not seem very happy that a kidnapping threat was present in the area of operation and that this information was not discovered by the right person. So, lesson learned, make sure that your sponsoring organization can get accurate information about your location.
Summary: Mistakes are efficient, effective, but expensive means of education. You can save some pain by learning from this misadventure.
Note to men: If you are not comfortable with your wife or daughter doing some dangerous, you need to "love" her and tell her no. The Danish group pressured her into going into the hostile area and she finally relented. This would have been a good opportunity for the husband to take the "hit" and be the "bad guy" by expressing his concern.
Book: The subtitle that referenced "Her Dramatic Rescue by SEAL Team Six" is accurate, however, this book is more about the kidnapping and less about the rescue. It is an good read, especially if you are considering overseas missions or humanitarian work. Which leads into what I learned from the interview.
Interview: They were not willing to name the organization that put Jessica in danger, but she and her husband basically said the organization did not do their homework. They were diplomatic, but they did not seem very happy that a kidnapping threat was present in the area of operation and that this information was not discovered by the right person. So, lesson learned, make sure that your sponsoring organization can get accurate information about your location.
Summary: Mistakes are efficient, effective, but expensive means of education. You can save some pain by learning from this misadventure.
Note to men: If you are not comfortable with your wife or daughter doing some dangerous, you need to "love" her and tell her no. The Danish group pressured her into going into the hostile area and she finally relented. This would have been a good opportunity for the husband to take the "hit" and be the "bad guy" by expressing his concern.
December 28, 2014
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.
June 26, 2016
Another non fiction of a kidnapping in Somalia. Jessica Buchanan was in that country doing humanitarian work and was kidnapped by Somalians for ransom and held 93 days before being rescued by the Navy Seals. There are many similarities here to the kidnapping of Canadian Amanda Lindhout who was held for more than 15 months and who wasn't rescued ; her family eventually hired negotiators to get her out and some ransom was paid although not the millions that had been asked for. They were both treated in a very dehumanizing way and it's hard to think that there are those people in the world who think that is OK. A good read , mainly because it is true , but I don't think I will read anymore kidnapping books, not for a while anyway.
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