In “Saved” by Benjamin Hall, the author recounts his harrowing experience of being held hostage by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) for 544 days. The book is a firsthand account of the horrors of war, the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of hope in the face of unimaginable adversity.
Chapter 1: The Kidnapping
The book begins with the author’s abduction in 2012 while he was working as a correspondent for FOX News in Baghdad. Hall was taken hostage along with his colleague, fellow journalist, and friend, Luke Somers. The two men were blindfolded and driven to an unknown location where they were held in separate rooms. Hall was subjected to brutal interrogations and torture, but he never gave up hope that he would be saved.
Chapter 2: Life in Captivity
Life in captivity was bleak and monotonous. Hall was kept in a small room with no windows, and his only source of light was a bare bulb that was left on 24/7. He was allowed one hour of exercise each day, which consisted of pacing back and forth in his room. He was fed meager meals of rice and beans, and his only source of entertainment was listening to the radio. Despite the grim circumstances, Hall clung to the hope that he would one day be freed.
Chapter 3: The Negotiations
Hall’s family and employer worked tirelessly to secure his release. They engaged the services of private negotiators who tried to communicate with Hall’s captors. The negotiations were fraught with challenges, and Hall’s hopes were repeatedly dashed when his captors demanded a ransom that his family could not afford. However, they never gave up on him, and their determination to bring him home kept him going.
Chapter 4: The Rescue
Finally, after months of negotiations, Hall’s captors agreed to release him in exchange for a ransom. On December 10, 2014, he was rescued by US Special Forces in a daring raid on his captors’ hideout. He was flown to a military hospital in Germany where he received medical treatment for his injuries. Upon his release, he was reunited with his family and friends, and he was finally able to come home.
Conclusion
In “Saved” by Benjamin Hall, we are given a glimpse into the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit. Hall’s story is a testament to the power of hope in the face of adversity. Despite the brutal treatment he endured at the hands of his captors, he never lost hope that he would one day be freed. His story is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of light that can guide us towards a brighter future. “Saved” is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the true cost of war and the importance of never giving up hope.
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