From Library Journal
Of all terrorist acts, hostage-taking has been, and remains, the most difficult to manage. In the past, Washington has paid ransom, negotiated, or otherwise sought the rapid release of its subjects whenever in a bind. As its military might increased, however, the U.S. appetite for cajoling hostage-takers diminished exponentially, although it was not totally eliminated. Historian Buhite has dug deep to give us a readable account of these many tergiversations. His account of diplomatic negotiations with the USSR, China, North Korea, and Iran are first-rate, even if his policy recommendations are mundane. Little is revealed of more recent cases, presumably because of a lack of documentation, but Buhite's denunciation of our "no-ransom-no-negotiation" policy falls flat. For its historical erudition, however, this volume is recommended both to general readers as well as the scholarly community.?Joseph A. Kechichian, Rand Corp., Santa Monica, Cal.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
This masterful history of hostage taking with Americans as victims raises the question of whether open societies, even with the highest technology, will ever be able to cope with this curse. (
The Washington Times )
Lives at Risk is a scholarly and highly readable account of a problem that has been with us since the early days of the republic and will continue to confront us in the future. A very timely, important book. (Robert James Maddox )
Sprightly written narrative that places incidents of terrorism against the United States within historical context and demonstrates their impact on the nation's foreign poicy. A timely work tha tis a must read for Americans in general and policymakers in particular. (Howard Jones )
Russell D. Buhite's book could not come at a better time...Buhite transcends the chaotic drama of events and achieves a meaningful marriage of historical analysis and policy considerations. (
The Journal Of American History )
