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Taken on Trust: An Autobiography
by
Terry Waite
In his prison cell in Beirut, where he spent 1,460 days in solitary confinement, Terry Waite wrote his autobiography in his head. Here he reveals the inner strength that helped him endure the savage treatment he received, his constant struggle to maintain his faith, and his resolve to have no regrets, no false sentimentality, no self-pity. of photos.
Paperback
,
377 pages
Published
October 28th 1995
by Quill
(first published 1993)
Community Reviews
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1-30
of
384)
A five-star review for an autobiography must be a rarity, but this is an exceptional book. It is articulate, considered, and above all a testament to the sheer courage and integrity of an unassuming man called Terry Waite.
The author states that he mentally wrote this autobiography in his prison cell in Beirut, and frequently asserts that this was one of the things that kept him sane through his 1,460 day ordeal. It begins several hours before his capture, recording his thoughts and feelings imme ...more
The author states that he mentally wrote this autobiography in his prison cell in Beirut, and frequently asserts that this was one of the things that kept him sane through his 1,460 day ordeal. It begins several hours before his capture, recording his thoughts and feelings imme ...more
view all 7 comments
This is a truly compelling story of survival and personal history. Nearly four years in captivity, as the senior cleric of the Anglican Church of England, Waite was employing the good offices of his church attempting to mediate/facilitate a release of Druze hostages, when he became a hostage also. I was compelled to learn of his story, as I had watched with the world as it unfolded. I never thought he would ever be seen again. I was nevertheless impressed at how his spirit and trust in his God,
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I had the good fortune to meet Terry Waite at a dinner where he was the featured speaker. I was seated next to him at the end of the table and for some reason the other people at the table didn't seem interested or able to talk to him very much. So I had a chance to really engage him in conversation. I found him to be a fascincating individual and immediately went out and purchased his book, Taken on Trust. To have lived through such an ordeal and be as wonderfully positive and inspiring a perso
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This book was absolutely fascinating. Not very well written, as it's obvious that Terry Waite isn't a professional writer, but still I couldn't put it down, because reading about his life - especially the years in Africa and the five years as a prisoner - was incredibly interesting. It made me wonder - how on earth would I cope with being held prisoner for 5 years, and be in isolation for 4 of those? I guess it's one of those things you'll never know until you're actually in the situation - and
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Terry's story demonstrates the strength of the human character. He is a living example that any of can follow.
It takes endurance to survive brutality; Terry demonstrates that. It took creativity to write his story while undergoing those abuses; again, he displays that. Writing it down - now I find this a courageous step because writing it down involves reliving the experience. He shows us that he did that. Then, overall, there is the fortitude to display your humaness before the public and your ...more
It takes endurance to survive brutality; Terry demonstrates that. It took creativity to write his story while undergoing those abuses; again, he displays that. Writing it down - now I find this a courageous step because writing it down involves reliving the experience. He shows us that he did that. Then, overall, there is the fortitude to display your humaness before the public and your ...more
This is an intense and honest account of Waite's terrible isolation during his years as a captive. Suddenly, when reading it and sharing the awfulness of his suffering, his doubts and sorrow and self hatreds and all the other things that lie in we humans under the surface, the fragility of our faith and values and principles, suddenly something fell away and when you read it you may be lucky enough, like me, to discover an amazing truth.
An very decent account of the man's interesting life. But part of his life was of course as a hostage in Lebanon. He endured, that is obvious. And how he has written about that tells us that he is a man of good character. A humanitarian who tried to help.
There are many papers, conversations, books and even films regarding unjust incarceration. But Terry Waite has spoken here in a way which helps the discussion. Not just because of his experiences as a political prisoner, but also because his app ...more
There are many papers, conversations, books and even films regarding unjust incarceration. But Terry Waite has spoken here in a way which helps the discussion. Not just because of his experiences as a political prisoner, but also because his app ...more
Aug 24, 2011
Lisa
added it
Having just read John McCarthy's account of his time as a captive in Beirut, it seemed a good idea to read Terry Waite's version when I spottted it on a second-hand bookstall. It's a little dry to read and at times, I struggled to continue as it is peppered with 'I' and 'myself' which makes it a bit tiresome to read. However Waite does write in proper sentences, if somewhat long-windedly.
I must admit that as a politically disinterested teenager I knew very little of the situation in Beirut and a ...more
I must admit that as a politically disinterested teenager I knew very little of the situation in Beirut and a ...more
: Mr. Waite shares what it's like to be in solitary confinement and how he found to cope--by remembering his life in as minute detail as he was able. Maybe not that minute, but very descriptive with many anecdotes in which he alternates between present events, childhood, and adult events. I am really impressed with this person's strength of will to persist, all the while being very honest about seeking his connection with God (his professional career was entirely with a church but in the book, h
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This is a long book - but Terry Waite spent a long time as a hostage.
He shares, with brutal honesty, his experience of trusting those holding the hostages, but having his trust betrayed, when they took him hostage, too.
After nearly 5 years as a captive, mainly in squalid conditions, in solitary confinement, Terry is still able to feel compassion for his captors.
Throughout the book, he shares his emotional, physical and mental journey, with compelling authenticity. His narrative takes us through ...more
He shares, with brutal honesty, his experience of trusting those holding the hostages, but having his trust betrayed, when they took him hostage, too.
After nearly 5 years as a captive, mainly in squalid conditions, in solitary confinement, Terry is still able to feel compassion for his captors.
Throughout the book, he shares his emotional, physical and mental journey, with compelling authenticity. His narrative takes us through ...more
Mar 30, 2015
Susan (the other Susan)
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
non-fiction
,
beyond-assholery
Waite more than hints that he was taken hostage because he trusted Oliver North, who insisted on meeting with him just before he was taken - and whose then-secret, arms-for-hostages trade mission (to fund the Contras) would have suffered if Waite's own mission, to negotiate the hostages' release, had gone forward. Here's an honorable, self-sacrificing man who spent years in a hole because of North, who is treated like a hero by the right. I think of Terry Waite's hellish imprisonment every time
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On the whole a great book! Found it a little hard going in parts when looking back through his life in Africa etc! I found him likeable and thought the book demonstrates how the hostages are isolated and mentally tortured with very little brutality used simply just sensory deprivation!
It's fantastic to see how bonds between captors and hostages are formed as they both rely and need each other for very different reasons!
On the whole I recommend this book.
It's fantastic to see how bonds between captors and hostages are formed as they both rely and need each other for very different reasons!
On the whole I recommend this book.
Was a very interesting and personal book. It felt like you were there, the no nonsense telling of his experience made it all the more heart wrenching. The casual brutality of chaining someone to a wall day in and day out to make a political statement and the pain of seeing glimpses outside of other people getting on with their lives while he was in some sort of limbo was made real by the narrative.
Jun 28, 2012
Nate Hendrix
added it
Waite was held hostage for 4 years, mostly in solitary confinement. He was trying to secure the release of other who had been taken hostage. His life story is interesting, but the story of his time in confinement is amazing. The book alternates between his life before inprisonment and his time in captivity. Keeps you interested. Makes you wonder if you could do it.
I well remember following Terry Waite and John McCarthys' years of being held hostage...it just seemed never-ending.
I enjoyed this but preferred the John McCarthy and Jill Morell book as it had the backdrop of the love-story with them both and she was tireless in keeping John's name in the press.
I enjoyed this but preferred the John McCarthy and Jill Morell book as it had the backdrop of the love-story with them both and she was tireless in keeping John's name in the press.
This is truly a story of survival. If Terry can survive 4 years in solitary confinement, the rest of us can survive anything. I skimmed through the history part of his story quite a lot because I was more interested in the hostage story. It was a good book.
Having read the biographies of the other two Beirut hostages I felt it was only fair that I should read this one too; possibly I didn't like Waite's writing style - perhaps I had compassion fatigue? Whatever the reason, I found this one rather tedious.
For a man who was held captive and chained to the floor for almost five years in Beirut, he's still an admirable fellow without a shred of regret or malice - even if he was set up by Oliver North as the fall guy.
A chilling tale of egregious naivety. Will God save you in a serious pickle? Answers in [The Sparrow]. A big box of books might just be your salvation.
What a wonderful man this person is! He endured so much. This book is also full of history.
Just a different view than Terry Andersons. I don't know which I like better.
Not a typical book for a seven-year-old girl, but I loved it.
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