Taken on Trust: A Hostage's True Story

Held captive from January 1987 to November 1991, for much of the time in solitary confinement, Terry Waite wrote his autobiography in his head. Here is his own heart-rending account of an existence robbed of companionship and of emotional, physical and mental stimulation. He describes how his recollections of life from childhood onwards helped him endure a life of monotony and fear in captivity and reveals the inner strengths, which enabled him to survive his captors' often savage treatment. He tells of his resolve never to have any regrets, any false sentimentality, any self-pity.

Taken on Trust is a deeply moving self-portrait of the man behind the headlines. It has become one of the classic accounts of man's survival at the limits of human endurance.

Read by the author.

While trying to free British and American hostages in 1987, Waite was captured in Beruit and kept in solitary confinement for almost four years. During the endless days and nights, he wrote an imaginary book that has evolved into this autobiography. Duotone photos.

Held captive from January 1987 to November 1991, for much of the time in solitary confinement, Terry Waite wrote his autobiography in his head. Here is his own heart-rending account of an existence robbed of companionship and of emotional, physical and mental stimulation. He describes how his recollections of life from childhood onwards helped him endure a life of monotony and fear in captivity and reveals the inner strengths, which enabled him to survive his captors' often savage treatment. He tells of his resolve never to have any regrets, any false sentimentality, any self-pity.

Taken on Trust is a deeply moving self-portrait of the man behind the headlines. It has become one of the classic accounts of man's survival at the limits of human endurance.

Read by the author.

While trying to free British and American hostages in 1987, Waite was captured in Beruit and kept in solitary confinement for almost four years. During the endless days and nights, he wrote an imaginary book that has evolved into this autobiography. Duotone photos.

Terry Waite is a British Quaker and Anglican, humanitarian and author. In the 1980s he was Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie's Assistant for Anglican Communion Affairs. As an envoy for the Church of England, he traveled to Lebanon to try to secure the release of four hostages including journalist John McCarthy. He was himself held captive between 1987 and 1991.