The Desert and the Sea: 977 Days Captive on the Somali Pirate Coast Hardcover – July 24, 2018

Many of us live unaware of the flagrant gifts a civilized society extends to each one of us and how the pillars of our peaceful communities are taken for granted. Michael Scott Moore’s book, “The Desert and the Sea” will make you wake-up from your western world slumber.I just finished reading “The Desert and the Sea”. The cliche phrase, “I couldn’t put this book down” is true! The story moves along brilliantly; the author weaves the account of his captivity with cultural history, personal past mis-giving’s and captors’ odd personalists. To be perfectly honest, I did put the book down once or twice because I found myself absorbing the author’s pain and anxiety. Moore’s book was written so well, it touched my psyche deeply. His unjust imprisonment was wrong on so many levels and stomach turning. But I stepped away from the book to mostly reflect on the lethal combination of how poverty, lack of education, political chaos, and religious zeal can turn humans toward ugliness, entropy and insanity. The book shows us that Ideas are indeed powerful; both positive and destructive.The intensity of Moore's story lies in its realness – “This isn’t fiction,” I had to keep reminding myself as I read. As an American citizen, I noted and often appreciated the author’s non-American (European) view on various political and social issues – not completely void of bias. The historical content he provided throughout the book about Somalia, pirating and the Muslim religion was greatly appreciated. And how he noted and quoted other authors who wrote about these subjects so the reader could go beyond the book and learn more. Mr. Moore should be honored as a true survivor. But most importantly, I thank him for sharing his story with those who live in simple ignorance to the favors of a civilized society. Mr. Moore's accounts of the dark and sinister Somalia pirate trade only shines a bright light on the importance of education, a free economy, democracy, and religious freedom.

An introduction to the author's captives, their extended social and religious enclaves of influence, must begin with the ubiquitous khat, a leafy drug of habitation that can cost addicts 20 dollars a day. In Somalia a year's salary could average $550.Piracy in Somalia seemed to follow changes in the failed nation's civil war when the federal government collapsed in 1991.Michael Scott Moore was working on a series of articles about piracy for Der Spiegel, a German magazine in 2009.The journey for Michael begins in the semi-literate nation of Somalia where the air, the roads, and a reliance on strange people can reflect a visitor's dread as dependency on incremental unfamiliar places and things becomes unavoidable.The repetitive days, nights and events endured by Michael is a reflective on the cultural, religious and authoritative doctrines that define social values in many parts of the entrenched Mideast.The Desert and the Sea. Four hundred and forty one pages of enlightenment provides readers with a real look into the daily survival skills needed by the endemic populace as much as it does for a foreign captive to exist in a seemingly immutable society.

Great book, check it out.

I am 88% of the way through according to my Kindle and I would say this was truly a great book. I had to look hard for a place to stop reading for the day, so that's my definition of a good book. His time in captivity and his willingness to pursue every avenue towards gaining his freedom is inspirational and the way that he wove it in with his personal life experiences made the book feel very real and very personal. I felt like I knew Michael better than the pirates did, and, of course with the language barrier, that is certainly true, but it lent a certain feeling of empathy or "relatable-ness" towards the author and the despicable situation he was in and the guilt around the hardships that he put upon his family. This book would make a GREAT movie, if it hasn't been thought of already?

What a fascinating read. Even if this book were a novel instead of a true story, it would still be a riveting page-turner.I could not put this book down. It is an adventure from the first page. It describes Michael's predicament, the result of one fatal mistake any of us could make, in excruciating detail. From disgusting pirates to false hope to "man's inhumanity to man" to finding beauty in the cruelest of conditions, it carries the reader from despair to hope, and back to despair againPhilosophy, religion, colonialism, slavery, economics, politics, love, hate and the entire human condition show up.Thank you Michael for having the courage to both stay alive (I probably would have taken a few of them out and killed myself), and share this with the world. You are a true survivor and a gifted writer.

I liked the main storyline of his captivity, especially the insights into the Somali culture and pirate network, by way of his observations of the various guards and pirate bosses. Some of the historical context was useful but sometimes it was a bit much. There was a fair amount of philosophical musing, sometimes more than I preferred. I wished there'd been information provided about how or if his efforts to be rescued were noticed. You'll enjoy this if you like history or travelogues.

As l got this book for my Grandson birthday l can’t really say much about the story.My Grandson just loves it .That’s all that matters

Good story, but this guy takes every possible opportunity to let you know how w(oke he is. It'll drive you nuts. By the end, I was rooting against him. And of course he used the afterword to make sure we know he's anti-T*rump. Stunning and brave! There are plenty of books to read that won't aggravate you to death, so pass on this one.

This book was recommended to me by my sister. A good read, was hard to put down. I have recommended this book to friends.

Amazing read

Arrived in good condition and my boyfriend loved it!

What an amazing story.

I bought this book because it was reviewed on the BBC Radio Four together with an interview with the author.The BBC Reviewer informed us he was unable to put the book down because it really was a 'page turner' andthe reader just had to know what happened next.It is certainly a different sort of book to that which I normally read. Although not brilliantly written, I did find it very interesting and, through the author's description, was able to form a mental picture of most of the people mentioned in the book. It was easy to put down and pick up from where you left off. To have spent 977 days held as a captive and moving so frequently from one 'prison' to another the author has filled the pages very well. To have chances of escape or to shoot his way out he also had to weigh up the odds in his head so quickly that the chance of escape had timed itself out as fast as it had arrived. Certainly a very interesting and thoroughly readable book. I was sorry to have come to the end but, of course, very pleased he came away with his life. The final few pages describe his life after his terrible time in captivity and it is this happy time that the reader (well I did) gets a big lump in his/her throat and maybe even a few tears too. As I was reading this book my mind also centered upon the many other innocent pople who were also held captive whilst I was fortunate to be simply reading about their dreadful plight. The author comes across as a very nice man and he is so lucky to be alive to tell his story. Yes I recommend this book.