America Held Hostage: The Iran Hostage Crisis and the Iran-Contra Affair (Twentieth Century American History Book) [Library Binding]

Don Lawson (Author), Barbara Silberdick Feinberg (Author)

Book Description

Series: Twentieth Century American History Book | Publication Date: April 1991

Describes how extremist groups and governments have resorted to hostage taking in recent years, and shows how both the Carter and Reagan administrations have dealt with such crises.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7-12-- Lawson outlines the foreign policy decisions and historical events in Iran, Nicaragua, and in the U. S. in recent years and does a fine job of untangling the contradictory actions, covert dealings, and legal proceedings that occurred through August, 1990. The plotting and deception reads at times like a spy novel, but the episodes are unfortunately all too true. Background information on the key players such as Robert McFarlane and Oliver North is given, and while he acknowledges that some people found North to be a hero, Lawson clearly disapproves of the unethical and at times illegal course of events. Although he speculates on the future of the hostage situation, the author does not attempt a full analysis of past deals nor does he predict the constitutional or foreign policy implications; indeed, the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait throws a new factor into Middle Eastern politics. It is unfortunate that no maps are included; readers would benefit by placing the countries and factions involved in a geographical context. A chronology of events beginning with the Shah's 1979 exit from Iran, black-and-white photographs of principal participants, and a list of hostages held in Lebanon are included. --Susan Schuller, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

American citizens have been held hostage in the Middle East at least since 1979, when our embassy in Teheran was seized by a mob; Lawson's history of the US government's response in the 80's makes a sad tale of hypocrisy, incompetence, and corruption. He shows how, after the hostage crisis cost Carter his political career, Reagan allowed a series of profitable arms-for-hostages deals to go through--while publicly condemning the idea--to finance his ``pet anti-communist project.'' The ensuing revelations, investigations, and trials are covered here in some detail. In an epilogue, Lawson notes that a new group of hostages were taken when Iraqi forces invaded Kuwait in 1990. A thematic introduction by Arthur L. Liman, an attorney involved in the Senate Iran-contra investigation, sums it up: Reagan's advisors, acting from ``disrespect, bordering on contempt'' for the Constitution, established a ``secret government within the Government'' for specifically illegal purposes. B&w photos; adequate bibliography; long chronology; excellent notes; chart listing hostages taken in the 80's; index. (Nonfiction. YA) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Library Binding: 128 pages
• Publisher: Franklin Watts (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531110095
• ISBN-13: 978-0531110096
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,465,699 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.