Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle [Hardcover]

Marc Gonsalves (Author), Tom Howes (Author), Keith Stansell (Author), Gary Brozek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 24, 2009

On February 13, 2003, a plane carrying three American military contractors - Marc Gonsalves, Tom Howes, and Keith Stansell - crashed in the mountainous jungle of Colombia. Dazed and shaken, they awoke battered and covered in blood with automatic rifles pointing at their faces. As of that moment they belonged to the terrorist organization known as the FARC, the military arm of the Colombia Communist Party established in the 1960s. Thus began five-and-a-half years of captivity as these three men struggled to survive the madness of their surroundings. Gonsalves, Howes, and Stansell recount their amazing tale of survival, friendship, and, ultimately, rescue in its entirety for the first time. Revealing the story of their crash, their horrific treatment at the hands of the FARC, what they witnessed as captives, and how they survived, the book provides vivid and gruesome firsthand accounts of their years in the jungle. In their own words, they detail the brutality they endured both physically and mentally at the hands of their captors, describing month-long, unrelenting 'starvation' marches while suffering broken bones, dehydration, exhaustion, and infection. They speak of months of solitary confinement and heavy chains wrapped around their necks that often left them wishing for death. Offering a glimpse inside one of the world's most notorious terrorist organizations, "Out of Captivity" tells the story of how far three Americans were willing to go as they fought to survive for themselves, their families, and each other, providing unflinching insight into: their plane crash into a FARC strategic meeting site, and the FARC's execution-style murders of their crewmembers Tom Janis and Luis Cruz; the U.S. counter-narcotics surveillance role in 'Plan Colombia', including their aerial flights for electronic eavesdropping and FARC communication interceptions; the clandestine role they played as U.S Government contractors in the War on Drugs; their five-and-a-half years of captivity, torture, and deprivation; and, their experiences with other hostages, including their fraught relationship with fellow captive Ingrid Betancourt. This title also provides insight into: how they learned to live off the jungle and survive in some of the world's harshest conditions; how their friendship helped each of them to survive; how spirituality played a role for each during different phases of their imprisonment; the FARC's leaders, activities, movements, and organization; their dramatic rescue by special military units on the ground in Colombia; the reintegration process and the emotional reunions with their families and loved ones; and, how captivity has changed them and what their lives are like seven-and-a-half months after being rescued.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Marc Gonsalves is a former member of the United States Air Force who worked as a civilian military contractor for four years before the crash. He has a daughter, Destiney, and two stepsons, Cody and Joey. He lives in Connecticut.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 480 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1 edition (February 24, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061769525
• ISBN-13: 978-0061769528
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.5 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (114 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #300,017 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #24 in Books > History > Americas > South America > Colombia

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Started it yesterday afternoon and finished today., March 1, 2009

By 

CBanks (Alabama) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle (Hardcover)

This is a tremendous story told with remarkable integrity and humility. I can't imagine switching places with any of these three amazing Americans for an hour much less 5+ years. I was engrossed by their heart-wrenching drama from the moment I picked up the book yesterday afternoon and only put it down with reluctance because I was too tired to read any further until today.

I did feel that Gary Brozek had a heavy hand in how their story was presented because each person's account seemed to be written in a similar voice. I think I would have rather read the voices of the hostages without the editorial intervention of a freelance writer; however, it was still a very worthy, well done endeavor and I'm glad I spent some time with these incredible people by reading their astonishing story.

44 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping story, and much more..., March 10, 2009

By 

John Perez (all over the United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle (Hardcover)

I have followed this story for several years, praying for Marc/Keith/Tom's safe return and honoring the memories of their two colleagues, Tom Janis and Luis Alcides Cruz, who were murdered by FARC terrorists in the incident that led to the former three's captivity. Now that they're home, I'm especially glad to hear their story in their own words.

Other reviewers have already covered the book in great detail, but it's worth recapping some central themes. First and foremost, this is a story about how some very diverse human beings--the authors and the other twelve hostages rescued last July 2nd in a daring deception operation--reacted to and ultimately overcame the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Their stories are remarkable: they pull no punches in describing their highs and lows, their successes and failures.

Some have made much of the authors' observations on fellow hostage and noted Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt; however, these comments are a relatively small part of the overall story. I interpreted them not as a smear on Ms. Betancourt but as a realistic depiction of the inevitable to-and-fro, and occasional conflict, that arises when you put together a group of strong personalities under any circumstances. These conflicts serve only to underscore their humanity. That they all triumphed over 5 years or more of captivity with relative grace and dignity is the real point.

I'm eagerly awaiting comparable treatment of related stories that deserve to be told. First is that of Operation Jaque ("Check"), the rescue mission that lead to their freedom and a testament to the professionalism and dedication of the Colombian armed forces and police, as well as those of all nationalities who supported their efforts. Second, I'd like to read more about Colombia's grass-roots initiatives rejecting the FARC and rebuilding that country's institutions. Finally--someday--I look forward to reading about the end of the FARC... the ELN... and the other narcoterrorist organizations that have long hurt not just Colombia, but all the partner nations of the Americas.

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A profound revelation..., March 17, 2009

By 

Maria E. Vanegas (Frederick, MD) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle (Hardcover)

"Out of Captivity" reveals the immense capacity of the human spirit to overcome obstacles that in normal circumstances may seem overwhelming and devastating. It also shows the highs and lows of the human nature. I am very grateful for these three brave Americans in telling the truth as they experienced it in the Colombian jungle. Not only the horrors themselves, but also how each individual can behave in so many different and unexpected ways under unthinkable conditions. In their account, they reveal an important aspect of Colombian culture: social classes seem to behave in the same way even when they seem to be on the other side of the spectrum. As a native of Colombia I understand that aspect very well. Those in the upper class seem to feel that they can always manipulate anyone or anything to get their way.

I recommend this book to anyone with an open mind and heart to understand the devastating plague of terrorism and violence that Colombians have lived under for decades, due mostly to social and economic inequality. Ignorance, poverty, fear and greed are an all too effective combination that enables these types of organizations to continue kidnapping, torturing and killing innocent soldiers and civilians in Colombia. That these things can be observed, experienced, and told about by these 3 Americans from their point of view (with a different culture and background), as painful as it was, will add credence to a profound revelation that needs to be told.