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Out of Captivity (Abridged): Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle Audiobook, by Marc Gonsalves Play Audiobook Sample

Out of Captivity (Abridged): Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle Audiobook

Out of Captivity (Abridged): Surviving 1,967 Days in the Colombian Jungle Audiobook, by Marc Gonsalves Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Mark Deakins Publisher: HarperAudio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 4.00 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2009 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9780061876004

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

41

Longest Chapter Length:

19:42 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

04:43 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

11:54 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

1

Listeners Also Enjoyed: > View All...

Publisher Description

“[A] remarkable story….An honest and harrowing memoir of a life-changing ordeal.” —Arizona Republic

The spellbinding New York Times bestseller, Out of Captivity is the amazing true story of Marc Gonsalves, Tom Howes, and Keith Stansell, three American civilian contractors who were held hostage by the FARC rebel group in Colombia for five and a half years. Written with Gary Brozek, this book is an astonishing tale of unbelievable hardship and indomitable will—an “action-packed” (Time magazine) real-life adventure that stands with Alive by Piers Paul Read, Norman Ollestad’s Crazy for the Storm, and other classic true stories of survival.

This historical and political autobiography sheds light on the volatile conflict in Colombia that has stretched over the last half century, revealing the details of the horrific treatment and experiences of three American captives at the hands of the FARC. 

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"This harrowing account from 3 Americans--Marc, Tom, and Keith--who were held hostage by FARC in Columbia will leave you thankful for your mundane life. The three were part of a team that was doing survellience work, the book starts with their plane crashing in the jungle where they immediately find themselves under machine gun fire by the FARC. The 3 are seperated from the others (who didn't make it out) and so starts their journey of forced marches, hellish camps, and abuse by their captors--and surprisingly other hostages as well. Their account is straightforward, honest, and full of enough details to make me grateful for the safely of my everyday life. It is a powerful tale of survival, I highly recommend it to fans of survival stories or anyone who has an interest in International culture/politics."

— Deb (4 out of 5 stars)

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller
  • A USA Today bestseller
  • A Wall Street Journal bestseller
  • A Washington Post bestseller

Out of Captivity Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.7333333333333334 out of 53.7333333333333334 out of 53.7333333333333334 out of 53.7333333333333334 out of 53.7333333333333334 out of 5 (3.73)
5 Stars: 9
4 Stars: 7
3 Stars: 12
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 1
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good, very sad and honest. "

    — Yneleal, 2/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really hard to read at times because of the subject matter. I've been to Colombia, although not these parts, and it's a great reminder to respect foreign countries. "

    — Matt, 2/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love that each of them had their own voice and their own personal experiences. I'm just so glad they're home and that since then so many FARC leaders have been captured or killed. "

    — Allison, 2/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is what I loved about this book: the authors are not interested in public service in Colombia. There are a million pages written about kidnapped people; but they always want something back: a vote. Here are these three guys that only want to tell the world what happened to them and how they survived. I loved the story and the fact that they are neutral to the Colombian conflict. "

    — Ariadna73, 1/24/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Apart from many portions seeming like a motorcycle ad, this book was very well done. "

    — Bug!, 1/22/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An EXCELLENT book! Had my attention from begining to end! Very well written! "

    — Amy, 1/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great story of three American contractors held hostage by the Colombian FARC for over 5 years. Each takes turns with the narrative...their voices are not as distinct as their personalities must actually be, but the story is riveting. Revealing about Ingrid Betancourt...what a piece of work she is! "

    — Jill, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amazing how they survived with their minds and bodies in tact. I'm proud that they represented the USA in everything they did and did not do during this long challenging ordeal. Thank you for sharing your story! "

    — Cheye-Anne, 1/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It's written plainly which makes it an easy/quick read. I think the style of three voices is done very well. I found the book both educational and interesting. "

    — Kara, 1/6/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book but hastily wrote. More effort could have gone into painting the picture by adding more details. Nonetheless, accurate description from their point of view and we are all glad they have returned. "

    — Raymond, 1/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The story of 3 American contractors held captive for 5 years by the FARC in Colombia and their faith that someday they would return to the US. "

    — Medic, 1/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Wow! Having visited Colombia several times, I am at awe with this story. Well written, this book is very raw at times and holds nothing back. Anyone who has romantic notions of the FARC will be in for a disappointment. "

    — Craig, 12/29/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Stopped reading it when a newborn baby was taken away from one of the prisoners and it just went downhill from there. I thought it was going to be inspiring. "

    — Kasha, 12/12/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting story of the three drug agents that went down in Columbia and the minds and views on Americans by third-world cultures. "

    — Clint, 11/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great book. True story about survivors of a plane wreck in Columbia, who are captured by the FARC and held as hostages for ransom for over 5 years. Puts some perspective on things, whats really important in life and what isnt. "

    — Bryan, 7/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " 3.5 stars. (This was a loooong book, too long in my opinion.) The authors (the former hostages) are just regular guys so the depth and quality of their writing was surprising. I know there was a professional author helping them out, but he seemed to take a pretty light hand in editing their story. "

    — Bridget, 5/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Non-fiction - fascinating book - these guys were just rescued about one year ago, so it is very contemporary. An amazing story of survival and I learned a huge amt of info about politics in C.A. & the US. "

    — Neumann, 5/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Very male perspective after reading Ingrid Betancourt's book. Often could not distinguish among the three male voices. Interesting but not great. "

    — Beth, 3/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Unknown by many, given up for lost most who remembered, but never forgotten by those who kept the faith and secured their rescue...an epic tale of survival and hope realized against seemingly insurmountable odds! "

    — Dave, 2/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A well written book that illustrates the true savagry of the FARC. Hard to believe they were prisoners for so many years. Glad they are free and trying to rebuild their lives now. "

    — Beth, 6/27/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was a great book! I cant belive what they went through it was a little slow at times but worth it anyways. "

    — Kendra, 5/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book gives us a glimpse into the unimaginable world of a group of captives in the Colombian jungle. <br/>It is a good study of group dynamics under stress. "

    — Jo-ann, 4/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was almost 500 pages &amp; as you can tell by the title, it certainly wasn't a light, fluffy read. (I definitely got some looks sitting in my lounge chair on vacation with this one!!) These guys were held in captivity for almost five years. Their strength is absolutely amazing. "

    — Tina, 4/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good, very sad and honest. "

    — Yneleal, 2/15/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " After reading Ingrid Betancourt's books I enjoyed the perspective shift in this one as told by three American men...those poor families and children who were without there fathers...it is sickening to think about! "

    — Stephanie, 1/26/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting, until I got the feeling the author was going to recount all 1,967 days in the jungle individually. Also, the point of view changed too often for me to keep all of the individuals straight in my mind. Wouldn't really recommend this book. "

    — Saundra, 12/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " For some reason I have been reading a lot of true survival, trimuph over evil books. This one was very good. I'm planning to read the book by Ingrid Betancourt who was held captive during the same time period. "

    — Gay, 12/24/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " eBook- Too much of an &quot;as told to&quot; type book. The best parts of the book are the parts that deal with Ingrid Betancourt; her book &quot;Even Silence Has an End&quot; is a much better read, even though she is such a flawed individual. "

    — David, 12/5/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Wow! Having visited Colombia several times, I am at awe with this story. Well written, this book is very raw at times and holds nothing back. Anyone who has romantic notions of the FARC will be in for a disappointment. "

    — Craig, 12/2/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting, esp'ly re: dynamics amongst hostages. Informative, too. But, <br/>1. The authors are not professional writers. <br/>2. They are describing being in captivity for 5 years. "

    — Glenn, 12/1/2010

About the Authors

Marc Gonsalves is a former member of the United States Air Force who worked as a civilian military contractor for four years before the crash. He has a daughter, Destiney, and two stepsons, Cody and Joey. He lives in Connecticut.

Gary Brozek has coauthored and ghostwritten nearly twenty books, including four New York Times bestsellers.

About Mark Deakins

Mark Deakins is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator and actor whose television appearances include Head Case, Star Trek: Voyager, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. His film credits include Intervention, Star Trek: Insurrection, and The Devil’s Advocate. He wrote, directed, and produced the short film The Smith Interviews.