Putting words to paper is necessarily a solitary endeavor. But it is only a small part of writing a book. Most of the rest takes friends, assistants, colleagues, and family. This book would not have been possible without the help of many.
Let me start by expressing a huge debt of gratitude to my researchers, an amazing team who have not (yet!) been introduced. In the U.S., Courtney Glenn Vinopal; in France, Laure Fourquet; and in Spain, Guillermo D. Olmo. All three are experts in their own right. Each made a huge contribution through reporting, translating, analyzing, summarizing, transcribing, and organizing.
I am inspired to work every day with such a dedicated, talented and committed group of people at the Committee to Protect Journalists. I’m indebted to my CPJ colleagues who generously shared information, insights, contacts, and local knowledge. Colin Pereira, CPJ’s self-described “safety guy,” is an expert on kidnapping and ransom. He provided informed criticism and introduced me to his vast network, including Doug Milne, whose account is featured in Chapter Three. Colin was also a reader, as was Jason Stern, a former CPJ Middle East Program researcher and Syria expert. I’m grateful to John Otis, CPJ’s Andes Correspondent and author of the seminal book on kidnapping in Colombia, Law of the Jungle. Special thank yous as well to CPJ’s Deputy Executive Director Robert Mahoney, who picked up the slack while I was on the road, and to my assistant at CPJ, Jake Rothenberg, who helped me keep everything straight.
Former CPJ chair Sandy Rowe could not have been more supportive. She encouraged me to pursue this project, approved time away to research and write, and was the first to read this manuscript. Her editorial insights guided me out of more than a few literary dead ends. I am also grateful to Kathleen Carroll, who replaced Sandy as chair in the summer of 2017, and has led CPJ with wisdom and determination.
It has been an incredible experience to work with Columbia Global Reports, which is playing a critical role at the intersection of journalism and global affairs. Every step of the process was refreshing, streamlined, and thoughtful. It’s been a treat to work with the editorial team of Nick Lemann and Jimmy So. I am grateful to CGR publisher Camille McDuffie along with my agent Stephanie Steiker, who made it all happen.
I’d like to extend a very special thank you to my friend Eric Siblin, who provided detailed feedback on early drafts. Peter Bergen and Christopher Mellon at the New America Foundation generously shared their extensive research and Chris took the time to walk me through the numbers. Thanks as well to others who shared ideas, contacts, or expertise. These include (in no particular order) Doug Frantz, Kati Marton, Rachel Briggs, Phil Balboni, Charlie Sennott, Nick Quested, Sebastian Junger, Martin Morgan, Lisa Monaco, Jen Easterly, Jim O’Brien, Jessica Bohrer, Gary Noesner, David Rohde, Kristen Mulvihill, Christophe Deloire, Ali Soufan, and Josh Geltzer. Thank you as well to the many other experts who spoke with me but asked not to be cited in these pages.
I wrote this book because Diane Foley challenged me to question my assumptions. She did more than that. She recommended me to her vast network. I am so grateful to the many people who shared their experiences, some of them terrible, and deposited in me the trust that I would tell their stories with compassion. I hope that I have met those expectations. I wish to single out Federico Motka, Mike Haines, Florence Aubenas, Didier Francois, Javier Espinosa, and Mónica Prieto. My special thanks as well to Paula and Ed Kassig, and to Art and Shirley Sotloff.
I could also not be more grateful for the attention of Emily Lenzer and Aretae Wyler from The Atlantic, who gave hours of their time to make sure I got the details right (and if I didn’t, the errors are mine).
Finally, there is my family. I include them last only because they are the foundation upon which all else is built. A book is an obsession, so living with a writer—especially one with a full-time job—requires patience and love. This I received in spades. My daughters Ruby and Lola also provided thoughtful criticism and informed insights. They were there for me when I needed to work through tough problems. My wife Ingrid tolerated my absences and managed my frustrations. She even edited my chapters. For the twenty years of our marriage she has been both my soulmate and biggest supporter. She is the best partner any writer could have.