Held Captive: The Kidnapping and Rescue of Elizabeth Smart (Mass Market Paperback)

by Maggie Haberman (Author), Jeane MacIntosh (Author) "He called himself the "true prophet," but his was a religion of two..." (more)
Key Phrases: cut screen, Salt Lake, Mary Katherine, Elizabeth Smart (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A family's worst nightmare ...

On a June night in 2002, Salt Lake City teenager Elizabeth Smart was abducted at knifepoint from her own bedroom. For months afterward her distraught family prayed for her safe return while a massive manhunt was undertaken. Then, in March of the following year, Elizabeth Smart was discovered alive just a few miles from her home, the prisoner of a man who believed himself the Messiah and his loyal, complacent wife. What happened to Elizabeth during her nine months in captivity is shocking; how she finally gained her freedom is remarkable. And now the story can be told -- including startling information about the controversial investigation and the heartbreaking torment endured by an extraordinary young survivor.

About the Author
Haberman is a staff reporter for the New York Daily News, for whom she covered the Smart case. She began her career as a New York Post reporter, where she covered local politics and many national stories, from the arrest of Dr. Jack Kevorkian to the school shooting in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Avon; First Printing edition (June 24, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060580208
• ISBN-13: 978-0060580209
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #741,627 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll never forget it, July 14, 2003

By	marcia cohen "cohennyc3" (Santa Fe, New Mexico United States) - See all my reviews

"Held Captive" is the edge-of-your seat page-turner it is because Maggie Haberman and Jeane MacIntosh, the book's authors, were clever enough to let this suspenseful tale run its inevitable course. No sugar sprinkles, no hype, no sentimentality, the entire horror tale told in such a skillful manner that the pace doesn't falter for a second.
And what a sickening tale it is! A beautiful little 14-year-old abducted from her bed in the middle of the night in full view of her terrified younger sister and --worse yet!--unrecovered for nine months!
The kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart had frightened the nation on and off since it was first revealed by the Salt Lake City police in June 2002.But to read about it, as we did then, in bits and pieces in newspapers and magazines is different from absorbing the whole stomach-churning story as step by ominous step, the search actually chugged on. The Smart family's anxiety is unimaginable, yet the authors bring it insightfully to the fore. As they do with the lunatic minds of Elisabeth's kidnappers, the bizarre, religion-besotted Brian Mitchell and his pathetic companion Wanda Barzee. A revolting pair!
"Held Captive" was written by two top-notch New York journalists, and their clear-headedness shows. Read it. You will never forget it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough and not trashy, July 1, 2003

By A Customer

This book is a detail of events, starting many years prior to the abduction, woven into a comprehensive chronology that is highly readable. The information is based on interviews with family members and previously published material. The two authors' investigative journalism background is apparent -- the book approaches the subject matter-of-factly. The authors took care to be thorough with little sensationlism. This is not a creatively embellished interpretation of persons and events. I especially liked how MacIntosh and Haberman included information from experts knowledgeable in cult practices and from missing children recovery agencies. Overall, I think the authors did a fine job piecing the story together while being sensitive toward the young victim and her family.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the investigation and events that lead to Elizabeth's joyful rescue.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Story & Miracle, July 31, 2004

By	KittyKins "KittyKins" - See all my reviews

I read part of this book when the hardcover version first came out. What a horrific experience for that family and how miraculous that they had a happy ending!! I still remember where I was when I heard that she had been found. I didn't read the whole book because it was too disturbing and I get nightmares easily. It really bothers me when people criticize the family for writing a book and allowing it to be put into a movie. Why shouldn't they share their miracle? I would! Not a whole lot of children/teens come back alive when they are kidnapped and so I think the family are doing right to share their story. I'm sure that it will help other families to have hope. And what is the family doing now? They are presently helping another family who has a missing family member! So many others would want to just forget about it, but instead they are out there trying to help and comfort another family. That's really quite commendable. I did notice when I read what I read, that they do include a bit of information about their belief system. Although I don't agree with their theology at all, I do believe that they have every right to talk about it in their book. All of us would do that if we were in the same situation. They were sharing how they got through the ordeal and of course their faith is going to be mentioned. I was certainly praying too and I even hung light blue ribbons (her favourite colour) in a few places. There are so few miracles in the news nowadays and I'm glad that the Smarts are sharing their story. I really think the point of the book is how good is coming out of such a terrible tragedy.