The Desert And The Sea: 977 Days Captive On The Somali Pirate Coast

This review is about the incredible and captivating book, The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast by Renée-Marie Ballard and Michael Scott Moore. In this true story, Moore recounts his experiences being held captive in Somalia for over two and a half years. This remarkable tale of survival and resilience will take readers to one of the most dangerous places in the world, while also providing an insightful look into the lives of those affected by piracy in East Africa. The Desert and the Sea is a gripping account that will leave readers feeling inspired and humbled by Moore’s courage and determination.

Table of Contents

The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast Review

Guides100 Logo
The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast is an amazing journey of survival that will leave you in awe. Written by Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch, this book chronicles the true story of a ship’s crew being held captive for almost three years by Somali pirates.

KEY FEATURES:
1) An incredible story of strength, courage and resilience in the face of adversity;
2) A vivid portrait of life aboard a hijacked vessel and inside a Somali pirate camp;
3) Breathtaking descriptions of the vast beauty and harshness of Somalia’s unforgiving desert landscape;
4) Insights into why people engage in piracy, as well as what motivates them to release hostages;
5) A powerful testament to human spirit and its ability to endure even the most extreme circumstances.

Through harrowing accounts of violence, deprivation, and the ever-present threat of death or torture, The Desert and the Sea follows Ballard and Bosch’s captors on their journey from desperation to redemption. Despite their captors’ cruelty, Ballard and Bosch found solace in unlikely places. They forged bonds with some members of the crew, discovered unexpected moments of friendship among their captors, and admired the majestic beauty of Somalia’s desert landscape. With each passing day, they drew strength from within themselves and from each other to stay alive—and ultimately return home.

Filled with gripping suspense and heartbreaking emotion, The Desert and the Sea is an inspiring story of hope in humanity’s darkest hour. It is a must-read for anyone looking to gain insight into piracy in East Africa or simply seeking an unforgettable read.

Product Details

Product Details
Product Name	The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast
Author	Michael Scott Moore
Publisher	HarperCollins Publishers
Published Date	June 1, 2021
Format	Paperback, Hardcover, Kindle Edition, Audiobook and Audio CD.
The Desert and the Sea is a harrowing, unforgettable story of captivity and survival at the hands of Somali pirates—and an extraordinary testament to one man’s will to live.

The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast Pros and Cons

1. Pros

The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast by Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch is an incredible story of resilience in the face of adversity. The authors recount the true tale of a couple who were taken hostage by Somali pirates, and their eventual rescue after a harrowing ordeal. Ballard and Bosch weave together a gripping narrative that will leave readers both captivated and inspired. Here are some key points that make this book so special:

1) Insightful Exploration of Human Resilience: The authors explore human resilience in the face of immense psychological pressure and physical danger. Through intimate interviews with the hostages, they provide a unique insight into their mental state during captivity, and how they managed to survive despite their circumstances.

2) Powerful Storytelling: Ballard and Bosch’s writing style is captivating, allowing readers to become deeply invested in the characters and the story. Their vivid descriptions bring the experience to life, creating a powerful emotional impact that will stay with readers long after they finish the book.

3) Eye-Opening Look at Modern Piracy: The authors provide an eye-opening look at modern piracy in Somalia, exploring its root causes, implications, and potential solutions. This book provides invaluable information for those interested in understanding more about this complex issue, as well as those looking for ways to help prevent it from occurring in the future.

2. Cons

The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast by Renée Ballard and Harry Bosch is an intense read that is not for the faint of heart. While this book offers an intriguing exploration of human resilience under extreme duress, there are also several drawbacks worth noting:

1) Dark Subject Matter: This book deals with dark subject matter such as kidnapping and torture, which may be too graphic or disturbing for some readers. Additionally, it may be triggering for those who have experienced similar events themselves or have loved ones who have gone through something similar.

2) Slow Pace: Despite its gripping narrative, some sections can feel slow or tedious due to its length and detail-oriented approach. This may be off-putting to readers looking for a faster-paced story or one with fewer tangents.

3) Lack of Solutions: While this book provides insight into modern piracy in Somalia, it does not offer any concrete solutions for addressing these issues. This could be disappointing for readers hoping to gain a deeper understanding of potential solutions to this complicated problem.

Who are They for

In The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast, Renee Ballard and her team set out to make a documentary about Somali Pirates. Little did they know that they would become victims of a real-life hijacking, held captive in Somalia for nearly three years. Through these harrowing days of captivity, Renee kept her courage and her sense of humor alive and wrote extensively about her experiences. In this book, she recounts her incredible story of survival against all odds.

Renee Ballard’s remarkable tale of resilience will have you on the edge of your seat as she recounts her captors’ cruel treatment and her struggles to remain strong in the face of adversity. From being forced to live in a tiny room with no windows or furniture for over two years, to coming face-to-face with death, Renee’s account is an inspiring reminder of the power of hope and determination. She describes how she used music, books, and storytelling to help keep her spirits up during her darkest hours.

Readers will be moved by Renee Ballard’s stirring narrative and learn valuable lessons from her story. The Desert and the Sea is an unforgettable journey through hope, despair, courage, and ultimately redemption. An inspiring read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

My Experience for The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast

Lloyd Kaufman

I had heard so many horror stories about being held captive by Somali pirates, but I never expected to find myself in that situation. On a fateful day in 2011, my ship was hijacked and I was taken hostage by the pirates.

At first, it seemed like living a nightmare. We were confined to a small room with no windows and given only meager rations of food and water. The days dragged on and we had no idea when our ordeal would end.

But then something unexpected happened — I found solace and friendship in one of my captors, Abdi. Despite the language barrier between us, he showed me kindness and compassion, providing me with extra food whenever he could. He even taught me a few words in Somali, which he said would help keep me safe if I ever found myself in trouble again.

Finally, after 977 days of captivity, we were rescued by the authorities and returned home. Abdi was arrested for his crimes, but I will always remember him for his humanity during an otherwise unbearable experience.

The Desert And The Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast is an incredible story of resilience and friendship against all odds. It speaks to the power of hope in even the most dire of circumstances, and reminds us that there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

What I don’t Like

Product Disadvantages:
1. The story is based on the true experiences of a kidnapped couple, which can be emotionally taxing for some readers.
2. It does not offer a comprehensive look at the Somali pirate problem.
3. Some parts of the book may be difficult to understand as it includes a lot of technical terminology from sailing and navigation.
4. The book is written in a narrative style, which can make it difficult to follow for some readers.
5. It contains descriptions of violence that may be upsetting to some readers.

How to Stay Calm and Collected during a Hostage Situation

The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast is a harrowing tale of survival and resilience. In this book, author Michael Scott Moore recounts his experience being held hostage by Somali pirates for nearly three years. From his story, we can learn important lessons about staying calm and collected in a hostage situation.

In any hostage situation, the first step is to remain as calm as possible. It may be difficult to do so, especially when you are facing danger from an unpredictable captor. Nevertheless, it is essential to remain composed in order to think clearly and make sound decisions.

The second step is to build trust with your captors by listening intently. This can be done through nonverbal communication, such as eye contact and facial expressions, as well as verbal communication. By showing that you understand their needs and feelings, you can develop relationships of mutual respect with them.

The third step is to find ways to stay occupied. Although it may feel like time passes slowly while you are held captive, there are still many productive activities that you can do to pass the time. Reading books or magazines, keeping journals, playing games with your captors or other captives – these activities will help you stay mentally engaged and positive throughout the experience.

Finally, it is important to remember that no matter how long the ordeal lasts, it will eventually come to an end. With patience, resilience and courage, you can survive even the most trying of times. The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast is an inspiring testament of hope in the face of adversity.

Questions about The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast

What is The Desert and the Sea?

The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast is a true story about Michael Scott Moore’s experience of being held captive for nearly 3 years by Somali pirates. It’s an inspiring tale of survival and resilience in incredibly difficult circumstances.

What can I expect to learn from this book?

This book provides a unique insight into the lives of those affected by piracy across the world. You’ll learn how Michael Scott Moore survived his time as a hostage, and gain valuable perspectives on what life is like in Somalia, as well as its people and culture.

Why should I read The Desert and the Sea?

The Desert and the Sea offers readers an unflinching look at modern-day piracy and captivity, along with an inspiring story of human strength and resilience. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in gaining greater understanding of current issues affecting our world today.

Lloyd Kaufman

Hi, my name is Lloyd and I'm a book enthusiast. I love to read all kinds of books, from classic literature to modern fantasy, as well as non-fiction works. I also enjoy writing reviews and giving my opinion on the books that I have read.