This book was written in 1996, but I only heard about it a few weeks ago. Tom was one of the hostages held in the 1980’s by Islamic Jihad in Beirut, Lebanon. At the time of his kidnapping he was serving as Dean of Agriculture at the American University in Beirut. He was held for six and a half years by his captors. This book is the story of that experience along with the story of his wife’s experience waiting and working for his release. It is extremely well written and very interesting to read.
I well remember the day that Tom was captured. My husband called me on the phone to tell me and I threw myself on my bed and cried for the longest time. Tom Sutherland was not some mysterious name of some person overseas who got in a jam. I knew Mr. Sutherland. He built a house on the lot next door to our home in Fort Collins, Colorado. His daughter was one of my favorite playmates. Later, when I was a student he was my unofficial faculty advisor. He was a man I loved and respected and I have such fond memories of times together with him and his family.
I will admit that I am pretty ignorant about foreign policy and politics, but I love human interest stories and this is a rich one. I am in awe of both Tom and Jean as they told their stories. Tom because he has chosen to take a positive attitude and move forward to build from this tremendously painful experience and Jean for the way she persevered throughout the six and a half years. She is an amazing woman. They are both remarkable people.
There were a couple things that I take away from this book. I love that the family chose (because they knew Tom would want them to) to go ahead and live life fully, celebrate occasions, enjoy life all the while recording the events so that he could enjoy them when he was released. I would want my family to do that. In the midst of tragedy it’s that kind of choice that makes the difference, I think, in the end.
I am inspired by their commitment. “If something terrible happens to you on a mission you have undertaken you don’t give up on that mission.” We don’t see that type of perseverance very often anymore. Their spirit and commitment never wavered.
I am glad to know the bigger picture of this story. I confess, I enjoyed the fact that I could hear the lilt in the voice, picture the twinkle in the eye and genuinely feel that Tom and Jean were speaking to me personally, telling me about the risk they chose to take and the subsequent results.

At Your Own Risk: An American Chronicle of Crisis and Capitivity in the Middle East