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Hostage
by Eli Sharabi • 2025
He read his captors like a book. The worst news arrived the day he was freed.
4.74
11k+
Hostage Summary
Hostage 92%
He read his captors like a book. The worst news arrived the day he was freed.
by Eli Sharabi 2025
4.74
11k+ ratings
Prisoner
by Jason Rezaian • 2019
544 days inside Iran's most feared prison. The crime: journalism. The lifeline: his wife.
3.88
2k+
Prisoner Summary
Prisoner 92%
544 days inside Iran's most feared prison. The crime: journalism. The lifeline: his wife.
by Jason Rezaian 2019
3.88
2k+ ratings
Prisoners of Hope
by Dayna Curry • 2002
Arrested by the Taliban for their faith. Then the towers fell, and the bombing began.
3.99
2k+
Prisoners of Hope Summary
Prisoners of Hope 92%
Arrested by the Taliban for their faith. Then the towers fell, and the bombing began.
by Dayna Curry 2002
3.99
2k+ ratings
Hope
by Amanda Berry • 2015
A decade held in Cleveland. A daughter born in chains. One escape freed three women.
4.37
20k+
Hope Summary
Hope 91%
A decade held in Cleveland. A daughter born in chains. One escape freed three women.
by Amanda Berry 2015
4.37
20k+ ratings
A House in the Sky
by Amanda Lindhout • 2013
460 days in a dark room: how one woman built an escape inside her own mind.
4.28
73k+
A House in the Sky Summary
A House in the Sky 91%
460 days in a dark room: how one woman built an escape inside her own mind.
by Amanda Lindhout 2013
4.28
73k+ ratings
The Long Walk
by Slavomir Rawicz • 1956
Seven prisoners escape a Soviet gulag. Four thousand miles later, four reach India.
4.24
22k+
The Long Walk Summary
The Long Walk 91%
Seven prisoners escape a Soviet gulag. Four thousand miles later, four reach India.
by Slavomir Rawicz 1956
4.24
22k+ ratings
The Desert and the Sea
by Michael Scott Moore • 2018
For 977 days, he was a bargaining chip: a journalist’s survival inside the Somali pirate economy.
3.98
3k+
The Desert and the Sea Summary
The Desert and the Sea 91%
For 977 days, he was a bargaining chip: a journalist’s survival inside the Somali pirate economy.
by Michael Scott Moore 2018
3.98
3k+ ratings
My Story
by Elizabeth Smart • 2013
A white veil, a man's voice, nine months. The 14-year-old who survived by becoming invisible.
3.89
49k+
My Story Summary
My Story 91%
A white veil, a man's voice, nine months. The 14-year-old who survived by becoming invisible.
by Elizabeth Smart 2013
3.89
49k+ ratings
1001 Nights in Iraq
by Shant Kenderian • 2005
How does a Chicago teen end up in Saddam's navy, dodging American bombs, praying for capture?
3.93
146
1001 Nights in Iraq Summary
1001 Nights in Iraq 90%
How does a Chicago teen end up in Saddam's navy, dodging American bombs, praying for capture?
by Shant Kenderian 2005
3.93
146 ratings
Over the Edge
by Greg Child • 2002
Four climbers pushed their captor off a cliff to escape. Then they learned he survived.
3.78
643
Over the Edge Summary
Over the Edge 90%
Four climbers pushed their captor off a cliff to escape. Then they learned he survived.
by Greg Child 2002
3.78
643 ratings
In the Presence of My Enemies
by Gracia Burnham • 2003
Captured by Abu Sayyaf on their 18th anniversary, she survived 376 days. Her husband did not.
4.30
8k+
In the Presence of My Enemies Summary
In the Presence of My Enemies 90%
Captured by Abu Sayyaf on their 18th anniversary, she survived 376 days. Her husband did not.
by Gracia Burnham 2003
4.30
8k+ ratings
The Autistic Brain
by Temple Grandin • 2013
A free Black man is sold into slavery; a single smuggled letter holds his escape.
4.1
11k+
The Autistic Brain Summary
The Autistic Brain 90%
A free Black man is sold into slavery; a single smuggled letter holds his escape.
by Temple Grandin 2013
4.1
11k+ ratings
White Gold
by Giles Milton • 2004
Barbary corsairs took a million Europeans. One boy was eleven when taken, thirty-four when free.
4.13
2k+
White Gold Summary
White Gold 90%
Barbary corsairs took a million Europeans. One boy was eleven when taken, thirty-four when free.
by Giles Milton 2004
4.13
2k+ ratings
Papillon
by Henri Charrière • 1969
Framed for murder, he spent 14 years planning the one escape Devil's Island thought impossible.
4.23
76k+
Papillon Summary
Papillon 90%
Framed for murder, he spent 14 years planning the one escape Devil's Island thought impossible.
by Henri Charrière 1969
4.23
76k+ ratings
Escape from Saddam
by Lewis Alsamari • 2007
He escaped the army, the wolves, and Saddam's Iraq. Then his family was arrested for it.
4.05
270
Escape from Saddam Summary
Escape from Saddam 90%
He escaped the army, the wolves, and Saddam's Iraq. Then his family was arrested for it.
by Lewis Alsamari 2007
4.05
270 ratings
Not Forgotten
by Kenneth Bae • 2016
North Korea sentences a missionary to 15 years hard labor. His jailers become his congregation.
4.13
1k+
Not Forgotten Summary
Not Forgotten 90%
North Korea sentences a missionary to 15 years hard labor. His jailers become his congregation.
by Kenneth Bae 2016
4.13
1k+ ratings
God's Hostage
by Andrew Brunson • 2019
An American pastor arrested as a spy. Twenty-two months as Turkey's hostage. One faith to break.
4.41
810
God's Hostage Summary
God's Hostage 89%
An American pastor arrested as a spy. Twenty-two months as Turkey's hostage. One faith to break.
by Andrew Brunson 2019
4.41
810 ratings
Not Without My Daughter
by Betty Mahmoody • 1987
Two weeks in Iran became forever. Her husband held the law. She held their daughter.
4.19
39k+
Not Without My Daughter Summary
Not Without My Daughter 89%
Two weeks in Iran became forever. Her husband held the law. She held their daughter.
by Betty Mahmoody 1987
4.19
39k+ ratings
Song of the Nightingale
by Helen Berhane • 2009
Her captors beat her until the stick broke. She still refused to recant.
4.35
173
Song of the Nightingale Summary
Song of the Nightingale 89%
Her captors beat her until the stick broke. She still refused to recant.
by Helen Berhane 2009
4.35
173 ratings
Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot
by James B. Stockdale • 1995
A downed pilot applies Stoicism in a torture cell. The blueprint for surviving the unsurvivable.
4.11
644
Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot Summary
Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot 89%
A downed pilot applies Stoicism in a torture cell. The blueprint for surviving the unsurvivable.
by James B. Stockdale 1995
4.11
644 ratings
Education of a Felon
by Edward Bunker • 1999
A career criminal's brutal education behind bars, and how literature gave him a way out.
4.14
2k+
Education of a Felon Summary
Education of a Felon 89%
A career criminal's brutal education behind bars, and how literature gave him a way out.
by Edward Bunker 1999
4.14
2k+ ratings
The Forgotten Highlander
by Alistair Urquhart • 2010
Death Railway, hellship, Nagasaki. A Scottish soldier breaks his silence to demand Japan atone.
4.54
6k+
The Forgotten Highlander Summary
The Forgotten Highlander 89%
Death Railway, hellship, Nagasaki. A Scottish soldier breaks his silence to demand Japan atone.
by Alistair Urquhart 2010
4.54
6k+ ratings
Solitude
by Terry Waite • 2017
Solitude can crush or transform. A former hostage maps its extremes, from Beirut to the deathbed.
3.78
108
Solitude Summary
Solitude 89%
Solitude can crush or transform. A former hostage maps its extremes, from Beirut to the deathbed.
by Terry Waite 2017
3.78
108 ratings
Life and Death in Shanghai
by Nien Cheng • 1986
When Red Guards destroyed her Shanghai home, she used Mao's own words to survive prison.
4.33
14k+
Life and Death in Shanghai Summary
Life and Death in Shanghai 89%
When Red Guards destroyed her Shanghai home, she used Mao's own words to survive prison.
by Nien Cheng 1986
4.33
14k+ ratings
The Parrot's Perch
by Karen Keilt • 2019
Forty-five days in a Brazilian torture cell. Freedom was only the beginning of the fight.
4.23
334
The Parrot's Perch Summary
The Parrot's Perch 89%
Forty-five days in a Brazilian torture cell. Freedom was only the beginning of the fight.
by Karen Keilt 2019
4.23
334 ratings
In Order to Live
by Yeonmi Park • 2015
Frozen rivers, human traffickers, and a desert crossing: a 13-year-old's escape from North Korea.
4.48
107k+
In Order to Live Summary
In Order to Live 89%
Frozen rivers, human traffickers, and a desert crossing: a 13-year-old's escape from North Korea.
by Yeonmi Park 2015
4.48
107k+ ratings
The Gulag Archipelago
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn • 1973
A hidden continent of prison camps spanned the Soviet Union, reconstructed here by a survivor.
4.35
14k+
The Gulag Archipelago Summary
The Gulag Archipelago 89%
A hidden continent of prison camps spanned the Soviet Union, reconstructed here by a survivor.
by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1973
4.35
14k+ ratings
Tears of the Desert
by Halima Bashir • 2008
A Darfuri doctor escapes genocide and rape, only to land inside the UK's asylum machine.
4.24
4k+
Tears of the Desert Summary
Tears of the Desert 89%
A Darfuri doctor escapes genocide and rape, only to land inside the UK's asylum machine.
by Halima Bashir 2008
4.24
4k+ ratings
The Pianist from Syria
by Aeham Ahmad • 2017
After his piano-in-the-rubble videos went viral, the hard part began: getting out alive.
4.27
2k+
The Pianist from Syria Summary
The Pianist from Syria 89%
After his piano-in-the-rubble videos went viral, the hard part began: getting out alive.
by Aeham Ahmad 2017
4.27
2k+ ratings
Nobody Knows You're Here
by Bryn Greenwood • 2025
A drugged coffee lands her captive in the woods, caring for kidnapped children whose captors kill.
4.02
31k+
Nobody Knows You're Here Summary
Nobody Knows You're Here 89%
A drugged coffee lands her captive in the woods, caring for kidnapped children whose captors kill.
by Bryn Greenwood 2025
4.02
31k+ ratings
Coming Home
by Brittney Griner • 2024
293 days in a Russian prison, and the arms dealer traded for her freedom.
4.37
12k+
Coming Home Summary
Coming Home 89%
293 days in a Russian prison, and the arms dealer traded for her freedom.
by Brittney Griner 2024
4.37
12k+ ratings
A Long Way Gone
by Ishmael Beah • 2007
The army gave him cocaine and an AK-47 at 13. UNICEF pulled him out at 16.
4.16
195k+
A Long Way Gone Summary
A Long Way Gone 89%
The army gave him cocaine and an AK-47 at 13. UNICEF pulled him out at 16.
by Ishmael Beah 2007
4.16
195k+ ratings
Castaway
by Lucy Irvine • 1983
A visa marriage, a deserted island, a year alone. The real survival test? Each other.
3.76
871
Castaway Summary
Castaway 89%
A visa marriage, a deserted island, a year alone. The real survival test? Each other.
by Lucy Irvine 1983
3.76
871 ratings
The Sound of Gravel
by Ruth Wariner • 2016
A polygamist prophet's thirty-ninth child: poverty, abuse, her father's murder, and the long escape.
4.31
68k+
The Sound of Gravel Summary
The Sound of Gravel 89%
A polygamist prophet's thirty-ninth child: poverty, abuse, her father's murder, and the long escape.
by Ruth Wariner 2016
4.31
68k+ ratings
Crucible of Terror
by Max Liebster • 2003
He carried his father to the crematorium. Then the purple triangles taught him to forgive.
4.69
166
Crucible of Terror Summary
Crucible of Terror 89%
He carried his father to the crematorium. Then the purple triangles taught him to forgive.
by Max Liebster 2003
4.69
166 ratings
Orange Is the New Black
by Piper Kerman • 2010
A decade-old drug crime. A year in federal prison. The hidden world of women doing time.
3.72
207k+
Orange Is the New Black Summary
Orange Is the New Black 89%
A decade-old drug crime. A year in federal prison. The hidden world of women doing time.
by Piper Kerman 2010
3.72
207k+ ratings
Marching Powder
by Rusty Young • 2003
A prison where inmates buy cells and a British smuggler leads tours for backpackers.
4.31
31k+
Marching Powder Summary
Marching Powder 89%
A prison where inmates buy cells and a British smuggler leads tours for backpackers.
by Rusty Young 2003
4.31
31k+ ratings
Escape
by Carolyn Jessop • 2007
Forced into polygamy at eighteen. Fifteen years and eight children later, she fled with all of them.
3.99
47k+
Escape Summary
Escape 89%
Forced into polygamy at eighteen. Fifteen years and eight children later, she fled with all of them.
by Carolyn Jessop 2007
3.99
47k+ ratings
L'instinct de mort
by Jacques Mesrine • 1984
From mourning a dead songbird to mastering the prison break: the gangster France could never hold.
4.31
422
L'instinct de mort Summary
L'instinct de mort 89%
From mourning a dead songbird to mastering the prison break: the gangster France could never hold.
by Jacques Mesrine 1984
4.31
422 ratings
Crucible of Terror
by Max Liebster • 2017
Five concentration camps, one stranger's faith, and a baptism in a former prime minister's bathtub.
4.90
87
Crucible of Terror Summary
Crucible of Terror 89%
Five concentration camps, one stranger's faith, and a baptism in a former prime minister's bathtub.
by Max Liebster 2017
4.90
87 ratings
Knife
by Salman Rushdie • 2024
A knife onstage. One eye gone. Thirty-three years after the fatwa, he writes back.
3.98
29k+
Knife Summary
Knife 88%
A knife onstage. One eye gone. Thirty-three years after the fatwa, he writes back.
by Salman Rushdie 2024
3.98
29k+ ratings
Facing the Lion - Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe
by Simone Arnold Liebster • 2000
Refused the Nazi salute at twelve. Reform school. Parents to camps. Then she chose to forgive.
4.72
2k+
Facing the Lion - Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe Summary
Facing the Lion - Memoirs of a Young Girl in Nazi Europe 88%
Refused the Nazi salute at twelve. Reform school. Parents to camps. Then she chose to forgive.
by Simone Arnold Liebster 2000
4.72
2k+ ratings
The Many Lives of Mama Love
by Lara Love Hardin • 2023
Handcuffed in her cul-de-sac, a mother of four discovers family among the women of county jail.
4.43
133k+
The Many Lives of Mama Love Summary
The Many Lives of Mama Love 88%
Handcuffed in her cul-de-sac, a mother of four discovers family among the women of county jail.
by Lara Love Hardin 2023
4.43
133k+ ratings
Twelve Years a Slave
by Solomon Northup • 2013
Drugged and chained, a free New York violinist begins twelve years as a Louisiana slave.
4.23
126k+
Twelve Years a Slave Summary
Twelve Years a Slave 88%
Drugged and chained, a free New York violinist begins twelve years as a Louisiana slave.
by Solomon Northup 2013
4.23
126k+ ratings
Warsaw Boy
by Andrew Borowiec • 2014
He defied the Nazis at 15, fought in the Warsaw Uprising at 16, then survived the camps.
4.09
180
Warsaw Boy Summary
Warsaw Boy 88%
He defied the Nazis at 15, fought in the Warsaw Uprising at 16, then survived the camps.
by Andrew Borowiec 2014
4.09
180 ratings
My Friend Anne Frank
by Hannah Pick-Goslar • 2023
Anne Frank's best friend was in the camps, not the attic, and they met one last time.
4.66
8k+
My Friend Anne Frank Summary
My Friend Anne Frank 88%
Anne Frank's best friend was in the camps, not the attic, and they met one last time.
by Hannah Pick-Goslar 2023
4.66
8k+ ratings
The Boy on the Wooden Box
by Leon Leyson • 2013
Youngest on Schindler's list, he needed a wooden box just to reach the factory levers.
4.38
30k+
The Boy on the Wooden Box Summary
The Boy on the Wooden Box 88%
Youngest on Schindler's list, he needed a wooden box just to reach the factory levers.
by Leon Leyson 2013
4.38
30k+ ratings
Wavewalker
by Suzanne Heywood • 2023
A decade adrift: her father's sailing dream kept her captive to storms, shipwreck, and neglect.
4.23
9k+
Wavewalker Summary
Wavewalker 88%
A decade adrift: her father's sailing dream kept her captive to storms, shipwreck, and neglect.
by Suzanne Heywood 2023
4.23
9k+ ratings
Lone Survivor
by Marcus Luttrell • 2006
Three goatherds, four SEALs, one vote. The Taliban attacks, and only one man crawls out.
4.34
102k+
Lone Survivor Summary
Lone Survivor 88%
Three goatherds, four SEALs, one vote. The Taliban attacks, and only one man crawls out.
by Marcus Luttrell 2006
4.34
102k+ ratings
The Boer War
by Winston S. Churchill • 1991
Combat, capture, and a moonlit escape: Winston Churchill's firsthand account of the Boer War.
4.07
180
The Boer War Summary
The Boer War 88%
Combat, capture, and a moonlit escape: Winston Churchill's firsthand account of the Boer War.
by Winston S. Churchill 1991
4.07
180 ratings
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