Buried Alive By Roy Hallums

March 4, 2010
By Lakshmi Rajan

buried alive

Buried alive is a true story of kidnapping, captivity, and a dramatic rescue that spanned 311 days.

Post occupation, Iraq is one of the most violent and dangerous zone and world has been terrorized with the videos of brutal beheading of hostages. Buried Alive gives you a chilling true account of the author Roy Hallums, an ex-US naval commander, who was abducted and held hostage for 311 days.

After retiring from navy, Roy Hallums, father of two children took up a job in Saudi Arabia as a food supply contractor. He hid his family the fact that he has been posted in Iraq not wanting them to fear for his life in the volatile unsafe region of the world. But the worst happens one day when armed men stormed into his office and kidnaps him. What follows is long period of beatings, uncertainty under horrible living conditions and almost buried alive in a four feet high dark cellar. All through the ordeal he was blindfolded in a mask, tied up, brutally beat at the whims and fancy of the kidnappers and barely fed to the point of survival.

The gritty survivor story is told very vividly and fast paced. The narrative is very descriptive and fluid that you tend to live as a captive along with Roy as you read on. Though the entire crisis and the experience may numb your heart, the author has peppered the story with interesting humour that lightens you up inspite of the painful situation he recounts. The story also revolves around his family and how they coped up during the entire emotionally uneasy ordeal, gives you a bit of insight on the neighbourhoods of Iraq, a bit of information on how FBI and American agencies handle the hostage crisis. There are even pictures of the house he was held hostage, the underground chamber he was confined to that gives one a real feel of the situation.

Overall, it’s a true story that captivates you.

Note: I received this book as a complimentary copy from Nelson publication for review purpose with no condition imposed on my personal judgement of the book.

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8 Responses to “ Buried Alive By Roy Hallums ”

  1. Lazy Pineapple on March 4, 2010 at 2:32 pm

    this seems horrific….but will try to find this book…Thanks for the review.

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  2. Shilpa Garg on March 4, 2010 at 4:26 pm

    Must be truly a traumatic and horrible experience for Roy and his family. Tremble
    This one goes on the Must Read List then!

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  3. Nalini Hebbar on March 4, 2010 at 7:13 pm

    There is some show on one of the English channels, I forget which, about people who are caught in different countries and the hardship they undergo to return to their own country…Most of them are buried in jails never to return….this book must be interesting…should get a copy

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    • Lakshmi Rajan on March 23, 2010 at 11:21 pm

      When you read or see such shows, our mind goes numb seeing how a precious life is assaulted for petty reasons… Frown

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  4. Siddhesh 'Ravan' Kabe on March 4, 2010 at 7:57 pm

    I got an idea readng this review…thanks…Grin

    Oh have read it…its marvelous book

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  5. Mani on March 4, 2010 at 9:22 pm

    I think you picked up a bok after a long time. Good choice.. The review is also short and crisp. Star

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  6. Dhiman on March 23, 2010 at 12:00 pm

    Short and Crisp review would certainly look for this book

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  7. Lakshmi Rajan on March 23, 2010 at 11:19 pm

    @ Lazypineapple, Shilpa, Sid, Mani & Dhiman

    Thanks. ya the book makes a good read and knowing it as a real life account, it strikes chord with your emotions.

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