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Marc Gonsalves

Gary Brozek

Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle Paperback – Illustrated, February 9, 2010

by Marc Gonsalves (Author), Tom Howes (Author), Keith Stansell (Author),

272 ratings

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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 covered in blood with automatic rifles pointing at their faces. As of that moment they belonged to the Colombian terrorist organization known as the FARC, American captives in Colombia′s volatile conflict that has stretched over the last half century. This harrowing crash and abduction began five and a half years of captivity at the hands of the FARC, as these three men struggled to survive the madness of their surroundings.

In OUT OF CAPTIVITY, Gonsalves, Howes, and Stansell recount their amazing tale of survival, friendship, and ultimately rescue in its entirety for the first time. Revealing the details of their crash, their horrific treatment at the hands of the FARC, what they witnessed as captives, and how they survived the experiences of their years, this book provides vivid firsthand accounts of their five and half years in the jungle. 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.

A story of life, death, survival, and the saving power of friendship, OUT OF CAPTIVITY is a remarkable look at the unbreakable bonds between friends and indomitable strength of the human spirit.

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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.

Tom Howes has been a pilot working in the United States and South America for thirty-seven years. He currently lives with his son, Tommy, in Merritt Island, Florida.

Keith Stansell is a former Marine in the United States Marine Corps. He lives with his daughter, Lauren, his son Kyle, his twins Keith Jr. and Nick, and his fiancée, Patricia, in Bradenton, Florida.

Gary Brozek is a freelance writer and the author of more than 20 books, including 6 New York Times bestsellers. He lives in Colorado.

Product details

Publisher : William Morrow Paperbacks; Illustrated edition (February 9, 2010)
Language : English
Paperback : 480 pages
ISBN-10 : 0061769533
ISBN-13 : 978-0061769535
Item Weight : 14.7 ounces
Dimensions : 5.31 x 0.8 x 8 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,287,624 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #7,868 in Political Leader Biographies
- #45,111 in Memoirs (Books)

Customer Reviews:
272 ratings

Customer reviews

5 star		71%
4 star		20%
3 star		4%
2 star		2%
1 star		3%

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Top reviews from the United States

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ashbeeeee

Excellent book!

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2018

Verified Purchase

I was in the National Guard with Keith. I prayed for him for so long. I'm not surprised he survived. He's always been the best at what he does. It's amazing that these guys lived through their ordeal. I thank God they were spared. It was hard for me to read the book with me personally knowing Keith and being a great friend with him. I was moved to tears. I think this book was very well written. Easy read. God Bless Them.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Patricia C. Stendal

Amazing First Person Account

Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is the true account of Marc Gonsalves and his two other American fellow captives who spent over five years in captivity in the jungles of Colombia. The account overlaps with the also well-known kidnap story of Colombian presidential candidate Ingrid Betancout and her personal assistant. I believe that each one of these women have also written the stories of their ordeals. The three Americans were given up as death for periods of months at a time until more information surfaced. As also being Americans living in Colombia and also undergoing the ordeal of having a family member kidnapped, we followed the story with great interest and compassion. Our sons did all that was possible to secure their release. However the months dragged on into years, and hope of their safe return grew dim. We were electrified on July 2, 2008 (I hope I have the date correct) to see on TV the story of their amazing release. We all gobbled up this first person account as soon as the book was released. Another book in Spanish written by a Colombian journalist is also available. The details of the complicated escapte are slightly different in the two books, but this adds flavor and curiosity to the story. Gonsalves writes from within the experience. The journalist from outside, perhaps with the oficial government authorized version.

2 people found this helpful

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Rome

It’s more than a book. An absolute must read

Reviewed in the United States on August 11, 2018

Verified Purchase

This took me a long time to read because it is so raw and emotional. I had to take breaks to grieve after each story and try to wrap my head around what they went through. I’m now reading out loud with my 13 year old. I want her to know about these American heroes and those that did not come home. On a personal note, my ex husband worked at SouthCom during this time. A year later we PCS’d to Ft. Huachuca and the day the rescue aired on TV, he sat on the sofa with tears rolling down his face. Now I know why..

One person found this helpful

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David Paulson

Inspiring story

Reviewed in the United States on November 5, 2011

Verified Purchase

I read the memoir by Ingrid Betancourt first, and then read this one to compare. Both books are excellent and worth reading, but here I'd like to make a few comments about this one.

The thing that impressed me the most was how the three men stuck together during these 5 1/2 years of misery, and how much they benefited from their military training, especially Keith's training in the Marines. One thing that helped them keep up hope is that they understood the grim military reality of what would happen if the Columbian Army attempted a forcible rescue--they would be executed on the spot by the FARC.

While being careful not to do anything to help their enemy, they conducted themselves in such a way that most of the time the kidnappers felt they did not have to take extreme measures (like chains) to control them. They also had a lot of situational awareness. They tried to keep track of where they were geographically, and by recognizing the sounds of different aircraft they could anticipate when the time was right to escape. Fortunately the Columbian Army used deception rather than violence, so escape was not necessary.

Psychologically this training also helped them live one day at a time and survive. They make a lot of interesting observations the Columbian captives, and it is interesting to see how they attempted to avoid some of the conflict. This book has some criticisms of Ingrid Betancourt, but also recognizes her good qualities. Even Keith acknowledges "the balls" she had to attempt escape with Lucho by swimming in the snake and Caimen-infested river.

This is an inspiring book and I recommend it to other readers. I also recommend Ingrid Betancourts. It is richer emotionally. If anyone has any illusions about the FARC, I urge them to read either of these books and see how evil this organization is.

5 people found this helpful

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Mary M. Tucker

It flowed well and was an easy interesting read

Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2018

Verified Purchase

Well written, tells the true story of three American contractors who were kidnapped in Columbia by the FARC in 2003 and spent 5 years in captivity along with other military and political prisoners. I was grateful that it wasn't too graphically violent. It flowed well and was an easy interesting read. I'd recommend it especially if you are interested in central and South American history.

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

What a miraculous story!!! I could never have lived even a week in those conditions.

Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2018

Verified Purchase

I am so great be able to have read this accounting. It so confirmed many points of life that I lived through and know that my heart and principles are right on.

My admiration for these 3 men and their tremendous families is phenomenal!! I salute them for their indomitable courage, spirit, and resilience. God bless them, each one! Thank you! 💟

One person found this helpful

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Top reviews from other countries

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Roundpeg

Inspiring read

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 17, 2010

Verified Purchase

This book is presented from the three different viewpoints of the captives throughout their ordeal. It really is amazing what some human beings manage to survive, especially when they have no idea when, and if, they'll ever be set free. It starts with the plane crash - and is if that isn't enough, they are then marched through the jungle from hiding place to hiding place, meeting other captives as they go. I found it interesting to get the American perspective on Colombian culture and FARC, and also how each set of captives interacted with each other. Nothing was ever straight forward or simple. There is also the underlying thread of how each captive copes with missing his family and the 'not knowing' of how things will be when he returns. Each captive's story is easy to read and often very moving.

One person found this helpful

mr smith

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 29, 2018

Verified Purchase

A good detail account of what happened to them. Intresting reading.

Good book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 18, 2018

Verified Purchase

Interesting story

Mrs J Gonzalez

Amazing read.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 2, 2013

Verified Purchase

This is a wonderful and very moving read at the same time.
I couldn't put it down
I will now be reading Ingrid Betancourt next.

One person found this helpful

Julie

Sehr interessant

Reviewed in Germany on May 15, 2018

Verified Purchase

Im Buch wird die dramatische Geschichte der drei FARC Geiseln im kolumbianischen Dschungel sehr anschaulich und detailreich beschrieben. Man erhaelt einen sehr reellen Einblick in den Alltag im Dschungel und in die Handlungsweisen der Geiseln und Entfuehrer, was beide Seiten menschlich und zugaenglich macht.

Ich habe parallel dazu das hochgelobte Buch von Ingrid Betancourt gelesen, die zur selben Zeit von der FARC festgehalten wurde, fand "OUT of CAPTIVITY" aber viel, viel mitreissender!!! Waehrend sich Fr. Betancourts Buch vor allem mit persoenlichen Befindlichkeiten beschaeftigt und in einem konstant arrogant-weinerlichen Tonfall erzaehlt wird, erlebt man mit Marc Gonsalves und seinen beiden Mitgefangenen viel Durchhaltewillen und Tatkraft, um im Dschungel irgendwie zu ueberleben.

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