Called to Die: The Story of American Linguist Chet Bitterman, Slain by Terrorists [Paperback]

Steve Estes (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1986

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Product Details

• Paperback: 198 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310283817
• ISBN-13: 978-0310283812
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,297,974 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Steven Estes holds Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology degrees from Westminster Theological Seminary and Columbia Bible College. He is the senior pastor of Community Evangelical Church in Elverson, Pennsylvania. With Joni Tada, he co-authored A Step Further and When God Weeps and also wrote Called to Die, the biography of slain missionary linguist Chet Bitterman.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended, July 13, 2004

By 

Grass Tiger (Wadsworth, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Called to Die: The Story of American Linguist Chet Bitterman, Slain by Terrorists (Paperback)

Some years ago I worked in Lomalinda, Colombia for the summer. Shortly after I arrived one of the women handed me this book and told me that if I really wanted to understand "what happened here" that I should read it. I am so glad I did.

Early one morning, guerrillas entered the group house in Bogotá posing as policemen looking for the director, but the director was not there. The men kept insisting that the people tell them where the director was, but no one did. Chet, who spoke Spanish very well, interested them and so they took him instead. The negotiations began.

Now, whenever someone goes to work with SIL (Summer Institute of Linguistics) in such a country they sign a form that says that in the event of a kidnapping no ransom will be paid because this will encourage more kidnappings (I signed it myself). At this time the guerrillas wanted to make SIL leave the country altogether, but apparently after a while they realized that SIL was not going to leave. SIL tried to help them "save face", but they killed Chet anyway. But through the efforts that SIL made, SIL gained the respect of the government and the people of that nation.

Eleven years later, I read his story and visited his grave in Lomalinda. Even then, the impact of the events in this book affected the people and tenor of the community - people were visibly distressed when they told me their own versions of the story and some were only just returning after having to leave all those years ago. The read is worthwhile and gripping even if you've never been to Colombia or know any of the people involved.

This tale will sweep you along. You will come to know this country in a way that probably no other book can. And you will get an inside look at the dangers of that kind of work and the inner workings of Colombia. It is a dangerous country, but I would go back in an instant if I had the chance.

For those interested I also recommend "Guerrilla Hostage" by Denise Marie Siino. That story picks up about 12 years later when Ray Rising is kidnapped near Lomalinda and is released 810 days later. That book is better written than this one, but reading both will give you a bit of an inside look at SIL's work in Colombia. Not long after Ray Rising's kidnapping the base at Lomalinda was closed and the land turned over to the local inhabitants. It is greatly missed.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars M-19 Terrorists kill an American linguist in 1981, October 20, 2002

By 

Bert Ruiz "Author" (Pleasantville, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Called to Die: The Story of American Linguist Chet Bitterman, Slain by Terrorists (Paperback)

Chet Bitterman is the All-American boy. He has a great sense of humor, a strong work ethic, the ability to love deeply and a strong dedication to his faith. However, his biggest asset is his heart. Chet Bittterman is a giver. He wants to help others and finds himself in Colombia with his linguist wife and two young children. Somehow, the M-19 terrorist group considers Chet and his group of linguists a threat and kidnap him. This young man, who had so much potential sadly is killed when the M-19 demands are not met.

Steve Estes writes a great book. He went to school with Chet and does his homework in writing this manuscript. Estes understands Colombia and will surprise anyone with a special competence in Colombian affairs with his knowledge of the political and economic landscape. "Called to Die" is a tragic book. It is such a pity that a fine young man who posed no threat to anyone and is in Colombia to help the Indians is killed. This book is a tribute to Chet Bitterman. He will never be forgotten.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great biography...., November 28, 2007

By 

Michelle Polk (Mississippi, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Called to Die: The Story of American Linguist Chet Bitterman, Slain by Terrorists (Paperback)

Such an insight to the life of Chet Bitterman. A man that just wanted to serve the Lord and ending up giving his whole life for Him. This is a wonderful biography because it helps us to find out what happened and brings it to us in a way that makes us feel like we know Chet personally.

I recommend this book to everyone.