Kabul 24: The Story of a Taliban Kidnapping and Unwavering Faith in the Face of True Terror

Discover the complete truth behind the capture and imprisonment of 8 Western aid workers and their 16 Muslim co-workers in Afghanistan by the Taliban for three months in 2001. Kabul 24 draws from interviews with each of these former hostages to give a more complete understanding of the truth behind this news story that garnered international attention. A documentary film based on this book is being produced by Michael W. Smith and will be released in 2010.

The story of the capture and imprisonment of eight Western aid workers in Afghanistan by the Taliban.

For three months in 2001, the desperate plight of aid workers kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan captured the attention of the world. With the growing specter of U.S. retaliation for 9/11, the Taliban and Osama bin Laden attempted to use their Western hostages as bargaining tools. What the captors did not count on was coming face-to-face with the enduring faith of people who know their only hope was in Christ.

Kabul 24 revisits their grueling interrogations, their sham trials before the Taliban Supreme Court, their peril during the bombing of Kabul, and the crushing sense that the world had abandoned them. It reveals not only the eight Westerners’ 105 days in captivity but also the gauntlet endured by their 16 Muslim coworkers who, after being taken to the notorious Pulicharki Prison, were beaten and tortured, having been accused by the Taliban of converting to Christianity.

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Reviewed by Christopher Bowman (Indianapolis, IN), January 27, 2010

I thought this might be one of those movies that was made into a book and that the book might be short in the number of pages. I was totally wrong. The movie was definitely made from the book. I would recommend it to anyone.

Reviewed by Linda Reddoch (Lafayette, LA), December 12, 2009

This is the most amazing story of innocent people being falsely accused, imprisoned (Kidnapped really) - all in a 3rd world country. This story is just captivating. But it's more than just a story. The words on these pages really happened. Once I picked up this book I couldn't hardly put it down! When everything looked dim and hopeless...hope would come alive through different ones that I'm sure God placed in their paths. Read how this real life adventure unfolds from the beginning...the days BEFORE 9/11 and through to their escape and rescue. God truly works in mysterious and amazing ways!

Reviewed by Heidi (Dover, FL), December 05, 2009

This is a riveting and well written story. The time taken to gather thorough accounts resulted in a superb re-telling of the account. I only wish they had included more photos.

Reviewed by Terrance Henry (IL), November 17, 2009

Kabul24 by Henry O. Arnold and Ben Pearson Imprisoned for doing good. Accused of a crime that was not committed. Betrayed by the people you have spent so much time loving, giving to, and caring for. No, this is not a retelling of the life of Christ. Rather Kabul24 is account of 8 Shelter Now International humanitarian workers in Kabul who are betrayed by those they are helping, arrested for a crime they did not commit and wrongly held as prisoners. Arrested just days before 9/11 and held for months, Kabul24 gives a detailed account of the faith of these 8 SNI workers. As I read this text, my mind took me back to the Lion’s Den, to the Fiery Furnace, to a prison that was opened at night. Biblical faith lived out in modern times. The servant’s faithfulness and God’s grace are displayed in the service of these 8 SNI workers. However, the faithfulness is seen in the lives of those who work for the “enemy” as it were, but yet, still loved Jesus. The passing of notes and verses, the prayers offered up, the information shared. This book shows the beauty of Christian brotherhood even in the midst of despair. Highly recommended. Reviewed for: Thomas Nelson Book Review Blogger Program http://brb.thomasnelson.com

Reviewed by Jodi (Indianapolis, IN), November 02, 2009

I had read the book Prisoners Of Hope, by Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer, several years ago. Kabul24 is the same story but relayed to us from the understanding of authors, Henry O. Arnold and Ben Pearson, as told to them. (Note: Ben Pearson is a key character in Donald Miller’s book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.) A large portion of the content is on the thoughts and experiences of Georg Taubmann, the current Shelter Now International (SNI) Director, and Peter Bunch, a former SNI worker. The prisoners were held captive under the Taliban regime for 105 days. The book documents the faith and perseverance of the SNI workers. It clearly depicts their steadfast efforts to honor God and be respectful of the customs and people in the land of Afghanistan. It resembles a modern day account that mirrors the miraculous escapes that we read about in the New Testament. The book is enjoyable. That seems rather trite of me to say. What these people experienced for the cause of Christ is commendable. They relied on the Word that they had memorized, used praise and worship, were united in the fellowship of believers, had relatively little personal artifacts, and yet still retained a steadfast hope in the Living God. Truly it makes me ponder and consider, “What am I willing to die for?” I recommend that you ask for this book at Christmas, visit your local library, or find it at PaperBackSwap. Please know that Thomas Nelson did not pay me to write this blog post. All thoughts and comments are written using my brain and two little hands. BUT I received this book for free.

Reviewed by Barbara Harvill (Harvill), October 31, 2009

This incredible book takes you on the journey of the kidnapping and imprisonment of 8 brave Western aid Christians who were working and pouring their hearts and lives out to the people in Afghanistan through Shelter Now International. Each time I picked up this book, I sat mesmerized as I read about this group of people who were so dedicated and faithful for "the sake of the call." Through horrendous conditions, deprivation of all sorts, lonliness and separation, these 8 endured as soldiers of Christ. There were also 16 Afghan workers who were also treated horribly along with the 8. Their story of the daily battle of holding on to their faith was awe inspiring. These men and women were moved from one site to another during three long months in 2001. Their daily battles must have been nearly impossible to hurdle, but they did it through their deep faith in God, daily prayer and bible study and their unbelieveable love for these people. I was entralled and encouraged by this wonderful book. It brought me hope and opened up such a bigger picture of this world and the millions who strive to bless and serve others as well as share the Gospel. I reccomend this book to everyone. You will never forget their story.

Reviewed by Denise Oldham (Chattanooga Tennessee), October 27, 2009

The story of the capture and imprisonment of eight Western aid workers in Afghanistan by the Taliban. For three months in 2001, the desperate plight of aid workers kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan, captured the attention of the world. With the growing specter of U.S. retaliation for 9/11, the Taliban and Osama bin Laden attempted to use their Western hostages as bargaining tools. What the captors did not count on, was coming face-to-face with the enduring faith, of people who knew their only hope was in Christ. Kabul 24 revisits their grueling interrogations, their sham trials before the Taliban Supreme Court, their peril during the bombing of Kabul, and the crushing sense, that the world had abandoned them. It reveals not only the eight Westerners’ 105 days in captivity, but also the gauntlet endured by their 16 Muslim coworkers who, after being taken to the notorious Pulicharki Prison, were beaten and tortured, having been accused by the Taliban of converting to Christianity. This book will renew your hope. I highly reccommend it.

Reviewed by Amy (Atlanta, GA), October 20, 2009

I recently finished 'Kabul 24' by Ben Pearson and Henry O. Arnold. This book chronicles the saga of eight Western SNI aid workers who are falsely accused of proliferating in the country of Afghanistan, while doing relief work, shortly before 9-11. In a mind-boggling series of real life twists, the eight are shuffled from prison to prison in the midst of the Taliban's collapse. Their prison conditions are horrible, their court trial is ridiculous as far as justice goes but their hope and faith in God never wavers. These eight have experienced the fire and lived to come through the other side. If the story itself is not amazing enough, what is even more intriguing are the "miracles" that happen within the story. Example after example of God showing up in even the darkest, most frightening of circumstances. I will admit, I don't fully understand the Taliban, Northern Alliance and all of the different regime fighting and changing in the middle east. This book did a good job in helping me to piece together a little bit of what was happening on that side of the world before the World Trade Center Towers were attacked. If eight Christians can persevere against a sect such as the Taliban who are quite 'anti-Christian', at times showing fear but always trusting God, then their ordeal was not in vain and their story is a beacon of hope to us all. Check this book out!

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