Out of Captivity: Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle

by Marc Gonsalves, Tom Howes, Keith Stansell

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0061769533
• ISBN13: 9780061769535
• Release Date: February 2010
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A profound revelation...

"Out of Captivity" reveals the immense capacity of the human spirit to overcome obstacles that in normal circumstances may seem overwhelming and devastating. It also shows the highs and lows of the human nature. I am very grateful for these three brave Americans in telling the truth as they experienced it in the Colombian jungle. Not only the horrors themselves, but also how each individual can behave in so many different and unexpected ways under unthinkable conditions. In their account, they reveal an important aspect of Colombian culture: social classes seem to behave in the same way even when they seem to be on the other side of the spectrum. As a native of Colombia I understand that aspect very well. Those in the upper class seem to feel that they can always manipulate anyone or anything to get their way. I recommend this book to anyone with an open mind and heart to understand the devastating plague of terrorism and violence that Colombians have lived under for decades, due mostly to social and economic inequality. Ignorance, poverty, fear and greed are an all too effective combination that enables these types of organizations to continue kidnapping, torturing and killing innocent soldiers and civilians in Colombia. That these things can be observed, experienced, and told about by these 3 Americans from their point of view (with a different culture and background), as painful as it was, will add credence to a profound revelation that needs to be told.

A gripping story, and much more...

I have followed this story for several years, praying for Marc/Keith/Tom's safe return and honoring the memories of their two colleagues, Tom Janis and Luis Alcides Cruz, who were murdered by FARC terrorists in the incident that led to the former three's captivity. Now that they're home, I'm especially glad to hear their story in their own words. Other reviewers have already covered the book in great detail, but it's worth recapping some central themes. First and foremost, this is a story about how some very diverse human beings--the authors and the other twelve hostages rescued last July 2nd in a daring deception operation--reacted to and ultimately overcame the most difficult circumstances imaginable. Their stories are remarkable: they pull no punches in describing their highs and lows, their successes and failures. Some have made much of the authors' observations on fellow hostage and noted Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt; however, these comments are a relatively small part of the overall story. I interpreted them not as a smear on Ms. Betancourt but as a realistic depiction of the inevitable to-and-fro, and occasional conflict, that arises when you put together a group of strong personalities under any circumstances. These conflicts serve only to underscore their humanity. That they all triumphed over 5 years or more of captivity with relative grace and dignity is the real point. I'm eagerly awaiting comparable treatment of related stories that deserve to be told. First is that of Operation Jaque ("Check"), the rescue mission that lead to their freedom and a testament to the professionalism and dedication of the Colombian armed forces and police, as well as those of all nationalities who supported their efforts. Second, I'd like to read more about Colombia's grass-roots initiatives rejecting the FARC and rebuilding that country's institutions. Finally--someday--I look forward to reading about the end of the FARC... the ELN... and the other narcoterrorist organizations that have long hurt not just Colombia, but all the partner nations of the Americas.

Surviving Terror

Excellent....! It is a book well written, thanks to Mr. Gary Brozec. The story of three Americans held captive by rebels in Colombia. But they are no heroes here, simply three paid adventurers who looking for excitement fell captive and did what they had to do.... Survive...! And that was not easy....! Mr. Brozec captures very well their distressing personalities. Their melancholic dreams in the jungle are nothing but an expression of their frustrations. The experiences of their miserable existence are well written. Their return to "society" seems to be a new trivial adventure.... This time on motorcycles....! Another important protagonist is Ms. Ingrid Betancourt an aspiring political figure in Colombia who is portrayed as an egotistical, insensitive, vile, disrespectful woman who approaches a treacherous conduct and is nothing but the product of her narcissistic inattentive society. Ms. Clara Rojas has a baby in the middle of the jungle; "Rogelio", a terrorist of some importance seems to be the father, but nobody wants to have the child of a terrorist, this should be kept secret. Ingrid will never forgive her for that. Clara's cesarean section is performed not by any qualified, but by the most sadistic "volunteer" of the terrorists. The fracture of the arm of the newborn and permanent damage to the nerves of his arm was also an act of plain sadism. Even during their captivity the disturbing ranking of their social stratus is maintained by the Colombians, Ms. Betancourt, "Lucho", Gloria Polanco, "Jorge", Clara, Consuelo and Orlando in that order. Seem that in Colombia to have some foreign blood give special privileges.... Not for the adventurers from America, they simply did not belong anywhere. The various sequential emotional affairs of Ms. Betancourt with "Lucho", or with "William", or with one of the Americans are exposed as manifestations of her disturbing emotional vulnerability and lack of respect for others. The emotional attachments of Ms. Polanco with Mr. Guerchen are also an expression of their susceptibility. The behavior of the military personnel still captive is related in a respectful manner, like the real brave and disciplined men they are.... They are real heroes....! Excellent book....! Thanks to Mr. Brozec....!

An inspiring story of survival

Here's an inspirational true story that will keep you on the edge of your seat. And make you count your blessings. The book grabs you from the very beginning, with a harrowing, you-are-there plane crash in the Colombian mountains. The story is told by the three men who survived. After the plane's engines fail, the pilots frantically search for a clearing. It's a miracle that one appears: "If we were falling down a deep well, that clearing was like finding a tiny ledge just a few inches above bottom." When the men emerge from the crash, they are being fired upon by FARC guerrillas. Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell and Tom Howes spent over five years as captives of FARC, a Colombian terrorist and guerrilla organization. The group forces the men on a 40-day starvation march through the jungle, chains them, keeps them isolated and threatens to execute them. Surviving the jungle itself is not easy. I think I might always remember the description of the tiny ticks that "got in places on us that had never seen daylight. They worked their way into our skin, and if we had let them stay there long enough, they would have sucked the life out of us." A glossy 16-page section includes 39 color photographs, including family photos before and after the ordeal, an abandoned FARC camp showing how the beds and pathways were constructed, the cigarettes used as camp currency, a chess set one of the men built out a cardboard box and whittled wood, and pages from a journal. Here's the chapter list: Prologue: A Place to Crash 1. Choices and Challenges 2. Changes in Altitude 3. ¿Quién Sabe? 4. The Transition 5. Settling In 6. Proof of Life 7. Caribe 8. Broken Bones and Broken Bonds 9. Ruin and Recovery 10. Getting Healthy 11. Dead 12. Running on Empty 13. Reunited 14. The Swamp 15. Politics and Pawns 16. Fat Camp 17. Freedom 18. Homecoming

An amazing book!

I've been lucky enough to work with many of the people that tried so hard to get these 3 Americans out of the hands of the leftist narco-terrorist group, the FARC over the last 5 years. Thousands of dedicated Colombian's and Americans worked day and night for years trying to get ALL of these POWs back. I can't begin to express how happy I am to see them all returned safely and in one piece. An early copy of this book was just given to us this morning and I literally spent the last 5 hours reading as much of it as I could. I am not surprised at all about the comments they wrote about the leftist politician, FARC sympathiser and 2002 Colombian Presidential canidate, Ingrid Betancourt. Her actions while confined were horrible, vile and should be considered inexcusable. If anyone has read the book "King Rat" by James Clavell, it would give you a good idea about what kind of terrible things she would do to the other prisoners. She would steal food, manipulate her fellow prisoners for better treatment and privlages, and even endangered the American's lives by telling the FARC they were CIA agents!! The abysmal actions of Ingrid Betancourt are exactly the reason why US President Eisenhower, (later amended by President Reagan) created the "Military Code of Conduct", which are rules by which all POWs should live by. For anyone that is interested in: 1. Reading about the amazing struggle of 3 brave Americans held captive by leftist narco-terrorists and how things like the Code of Conduct helped keep them alive over 5 years in captivity 2. Just how low people like Ingrid Betancourt can sink to in POW type situations and betray thier fellow POWs 3. Knowing the true personality of the possible future Presidential canidate for Colombia, Ingrid Betancourt THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU!