Memoirs can sometimes be tough to read. The reader is only getting one side of the story and the author often pulls a "Brian Williams" and expands their role in the story. There may be some of this in Amanda Lindhour's memoir, but it doesn't take from the fact that this is a compelling, highly intense book.
Amanda had a love for travel and after many trips to war-torn countries, decided to become a journalist and travel to Somalia with a friend. Here they are captured and held hostage for 15 months. The book details her captivity. As you read, you know she will survive, but the details of her struggles are overwhelming. This is not a light beach read nor is it a nice book to read before bed. (Trust me. I had some wicked dreams.)
There are articles online that criticize Amanda for traveling to Somalia and thinking she can become a journalist simply by wanting to be one. And there are even online stories that she gave birth to a child while in captivity even though there is no mention of this at all in her book. She certainly admits that she was stupid to travel there and unprepared for the role of a journalist. But these things do not take away from the book, and I highly recommend it. -June
