13 Days of Terror: Held Hostage by Al-Qaeda Linked Extremists -- A True Story [Hardcover]

Greg Williams (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2003

When American missionary Greg Williams travels to the Philippines, he dreams of helping the starving children of the island nation. But his dreams turn into a nightmare when, within days of his arrival, he is taken hostage by an Islamic terrorist organization, Abu Sayyaf. Linked to Osama bin Laden’s Al Qaeda network, the terrorists put a high price on the missionary’s head.

Imprisoned t the jungle camp, Williams is brutally beaten and ordered to turn over the name of someone who will pay for his freedom. But Williams knows no one in the Philippines and has no name to give. Realizing that he is marked for death, Williams turns to his religious beliefs to sustain him through the darkness. His deep faith helps him endure days of torture and nights of despair. However, just at the moment when his death seems certain, Williams is saved by an utterly remarkable and surprising turn of events.

More than just an adventure story, 13 Days of Terror is a gripping account of one man’s struggle to win his freedom. It is an inspirational tale of faith and brotherhood ultimately triumphing over brutality and evil.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Kidnapping for ransom is among the tactics used by the Philippine terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, which has been linked to al Qaida and has received millions of dollars for the release of Western and Asian hostages. As one of the group's first American hostages, in 1996, Williams initially had no understanding of why he was kidnapped. Williams skims over his life before his kidnapping by Abu Sayyaf rebels. Working in hospital and hotel management in Florida for 15 years, he traveled to Chile, Colombia, Honduras, Peru and other countries, training government employees. But in 1996, disabled and unemployed because of a back injury and sunk in despair, he had a vision of Jesus, and he volunteered for missionary work in the Philippines. Shortly after his arrival, he was taken hostage and led to a remote jungle camp, where he was taunted, intimidated, starved and subjected to sadistic beatings. After witnessing a gang rape and a beheading, his own death seemed imminent after a failed escape attempt. Then, incredibly, Joseph, one of his keepers, engineered his escape, influenced, he said, by the example of Williams's profound faith in God. Williams continued to live in the Philippines until 2000 and married a Filipino; they now reside in Rockford, Ill. Williams's pedestrian writing is punctuated with comic book-style sound effects ("THHUUUMP!") and cliches: "this living nightmare was reality. My heart sank as I apprehended the cruel truth of my situation and fear once again took hold of me." Only occasionally does the narrative manage to evoke, rather than describe, the fear and uncertainty of his captivity.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Greg Williams is a former expert in the field of Hospital and Hotel Management. In 1996, he became a Christian missionary, traveled to the Philippines and lived through the events described in this book. After his escape, William’s stayed on in the Philippines and eventually married a Filipino member of his church. He and his family now live in Rockford, Illinois.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: New Horizon Press (June 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882822292
• ISBN-13: 978-0882822297
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,056,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful Book!, August 8, 2003

By 

Ben Constantine (Beverly Hills, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 13 Days of Terror: Held Hostage by Al-Qaeda Linked Extremists -- A True Story (Hardcover)

I found "13 Days of Terror" to be a fascinating book that I could not put down until I had read every page. In a world full of tell all books this book was a refreshing honest look at one persons life, the good and the bad. It was a gripping story that takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions and experiences.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes True life stories. And I think it would be a very informative book for people of all cultures and religions. There is a terrific moral to this true story!

Ben Constantine

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational!, July 29, 2003

By 

Tony Bernardo (Alexandria, Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 13 Days of Terror: Held Hostage by Al-Qaeda Linked Extremists -- A True Story (Hardcover)

Mr. William's gripping account of his life, his travels and his captivity with the Abu Sayyaf is wonderfully written and laid out in surprising detail. I was captivated from the very first chapter and could not put the book down until I had finished it!
It reads like a novel!

I must admit, I admire the noble way he carried himself thru all of his troubles and how he clung fiercely to his faith even as he faced his own death. This book is a great adventure story with a spiritual twist. And what is even more incredible is that this is a true story!

Bravo! I salute you, Mr. Williams! Your book has been an inspiration to not only me, but my family and friends. We have all been touched by your great story. It is so good to know that there are great americans like you out there.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what it is like to face a terrorist! And what it takes to overcome them!

Sincerely,

Tony Bernardo
Alexandria, Virginia

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Hell of a plan, June 19, 2005

By 

KAOSKTRL (FL.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: 13 Days of Terror: Held Hostage by Al-Qaeda Linked Extremists -- A True Story (Hardcover)

I don't understand how the author suggest that a war with Islam is not inevitable using his only proof that he was helped by a person who left islam for a life in Christ. Is he suggesting that we set up a system for hostages to be taken in the hope they convert one at a time ,one out a few dozen every few weeks for a billion people .That would take weeks*
Flat out the Quran calls for my death the subjugation and eventual eradication of all non muslims I would like to avoid that but I cant change that I wont over look it either.