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Most people were unfamiliar with Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl before his kidnapping and murder in Pakistan. In A Mighty Heart, his widow Mariane introduces us to Danny as he was when he was alive while also providing a heart-breaking first person account of his disappearance and death. There are plenty of endearing details about Danny--his insistence on moving his favorite Barcalounger with him around the world, his love of playing mandolin, his private conversations with his unborn son--but the more remarkable portrait that emerges is one of extraordinary bravery. Danny placed himself in post-9/11 Pakistan, realizing full well that region's inherent dangers, because of his courageous dedication to getting the truth about attempted shoe bomber Richard Reid and other terrorist activity. When he is kidnapped and pictures are e-mailed to his wife, she notices that he's slyly showing the peace or victory sign with one hand and flipping the kidnappers off with the other. And while clues to his fate are still being pieced together, Mariane's story, until now, has not been widely told. Realizing Danny has been abducted, she must navigate underworld politics, the international spotlight, and her own shattered nerves in a race against time to save her husband. Along the way, with the broad array of people and agencies assisting the cause, clues are gathered about the kidnappers' identity and the intricate machinations of the international terrorist community. When his fate is finally learned, the spotlight does not abate even as she is devastated and awaiting the couple's first child. Mariane Pearl's candor is remarkable and her courage, along with that of her late husband, serve to make A Mighty Heart, despite Danny Pearl's death, an uplifting story. --John Moe
Book Description
For five weeks the world waited for news about Danny Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped in Karachi, Pakistan....And then came the broadcast of his shocking murder. The complete account of his abduction, the intense effort to rescue him, and the aftermath are told here -- in astonishing detail, and with courage and insight -- by his surviving wife, Mariane.
A Mighty Heart is the unforgettable story of two journalists who fell in love with their work -- and with each other. Together, Mariane and Danny Pearl traveled across the globe, dedicated to journalism that increases the understanding of international politics and of ethnic and religious conflict. In the end, Danny was caught in the dangerous fissure where warring cultures, politics, and ideologies collide. A Mighty Heart is both a portrait of a partnership built on the ideals of love, truth, and justice and a critical look at the methods and structure of the Al Qaeda network.
Customer Reviews:
Poetic Writing Led By A Wife's Heart.......2007-09-05
"I signal to Danny to take the first (cab) since he is in the greater hurry. After he tosses his bag in, he cups my neck with his free hand, pulls me to him, and kisses my cheek."
"In a matter of seconds, Danny is gone."
Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl was kidnapped then murdered by terrorists in Karachi, Pakistan, in February 2002. The person he kissed was his wife Mariane Pearl, co-author (with Sarah Crichton)of A MIGHTY HEART. I call this writing pure poetry.
"There might be dozens of reasons for Danny to turn off his cell phone, but he doesn't usually. 'Your correspondent cannot be reached at this moment. Please try again later,' says the cheerily robotic, feminine voice... I will come to detest that voice."
This is Mariane-as-narrator's first intimation something's wrong. As a reader, I know Danny's been kidnapped and soon will be beheaded, but her words "I will come to detest that voice" grabs my gut and shakes away that knowing. Maybe he'll be okay? Maybe the news was wrong?
Marianne relates this beautifully poetic truth: "I call and call Danny's phone; it is never answered," and still I find myself turning the page, hoping Danny picks up. How does she get me to do this? By leading with her heart. My heart has to follow hers.
Some writers lead with thier heart, excitement, fear, pain, joy. Read A MIGHT HEART for a glimpse of how it's done.
Note: I read the book when its title was A MIGHTY HEART:The Brave Life And Death Of My Husband Danny Pearl. I don't like the new title. It doesn't say the book is a memoir. Perhaps this is a way to appeal to a broader audience.
Very sad.......2007-08-28
A very sad story. It also makes the anger towards these terrible people come out. I wish that Bush would stop being a sissy and go after these people. I also lost my husband but to an auto accident. Nevertheless, the pain is the same. I would hope that her story will stop people from going to these countrys for any reason. The US also needs to be more militant in going after the hostage takers.
Madness of the dregs of Islam.......2007-08-07
The writing is extraordinary! I felt the frustration of the auther in her
struggles with the Pakistani security services and as she progressively
learned about the madness of the subculture who had kidnapped her husband.
I felt the pain and cried for Marriane and Adam as the facts that I
already knew became clear. Fortunately, there were also Moslems who were
heroes in this drama. Sadly, many paid with their careers for their
commitment to the search. However, in her global view, Mariane had the
ability to rise above her tragedy and provide us an inspiring glimpse into
these people's behavior, as well. Despite the heart-rending pain, I am
glad that I read the book and saw this world through the eyes of this
extraordinary woman.
I feel terrible saying this but..........2007-07-09
This is a strange book -- and the first time I have ever been tempted to lie on a review. Why? It feels wrong to say that I thought the book had some major flaws, as if I'm tarnishing the memory of Daniel Pearl, rather than just judging the book on its literary merits. (I am also wondering why the title was changed...?)
Strangely, the biggest problem with A Mighty Heart is that it lacks emotion. It is essentially a 234-page newspaper article, filled with names, dates, and movements -- so many, in fact, that I had a hard time keeping track of who all the characters were. I didn't know that much about Daniel Pearl going in, and I don't really know anything more about him now -- he owned a mandolin, and occasionally wrote inappropriate emails to his friends. But that's not knowing a man. Perhaps that, most of all, makes me sadder than any part of the book...as a journalist, to read a book about a journalist who gave his life for this profession, and to admire that, while he still remains pretty faceless. I know that Mariane loved him, and it sounds like they had a wonderful marriage -- but her love doesn't shine through on the page, but more in the labor of love that is the book itself. (Reading other people's reviews, I think that's where everyone gets confused.)
The most moving section of A Mighty Heart are, oddly, the letters in the back that were sent to Mariane and the unborn Adam, from people around the world. Some letters are from politicians, like President Bush and French president-at-the-time Jacques Chirac, but then others are from ordinary people. It's amazing how many people wrote to them, just to say, I'm sorry and have hope. It's the strength of that book, that ending.
But on a different track, the other bit of oddness is being plunged back in time, to 2001, but that's that resonated. Terrorism is still so real and present in our lives, but it's like we live in a completely different era, even though today it's only 6 years later.
But that's not really what A Mighty Heart was about. The book itself was a very detailed description of a search that, up until page 143, was on a wild goosechase. The grammar was bad (I know she's French, but she had co-writer), and some information was badly organized. At the same time, A Mighty Heart made me rememember, and more importantly, think. And that's it. I both liked and disliked it at the same time...and feel bad for saying so.
Heartbreaking... and surprisingly an excellent read!.......2007-07-03
I picked up this book after being incredibly shocked and moved by the movie. I had conflicted feeling about watching because I felt like a very recent tragedy was being exploited. So, I decided to read the book. I had little expectations.
But the more I read the more invested I was in the account. Mrs. Pearl shares this tragic experience with incredible detail. I honestly expected the prose to be a little awkward or perhaps heavy, but it wasn't like that at all. The style is very light and engaging.
One thing that I honestly liked was that Mrs. Pearl does not assume that the reader knows much about the situation in the Middle East. She gives us just enough background for us to get a basic understanding of the climate in which her husband was abducted. And for me it was extremely helpful and useful.
Book Description
For five weeks the world waited for news about Danny Pearl, the Wall Street
Journal reporter who was kidnapped in Karachi, Pakistan...And then came the
broadcast of his shocking murder. The complete account of his abduction, the
intense effort to rescue him, and the aftermath are told here - in astonishing
detail, and with courage and insight - by his surviving wife Mariane.
A Mighty Heart is the unforgettable story of two journalists who fell in
love with their work - and with each other. Together, Mariane and Danny Pearl
traveled across the globe, dedicated to journalism that increases the under-
standing of international politics and of ethnic and religious conflict. In the
end, Danny was caught in the dangerous fissure where warring cultures, politics,
and ideologies collide. A Mighty Heart is both a portrait of a partner-
ship built on the ideals of love, truth, and justice and a critical look at the
methods and structure of the Al Qaeda network.
Customer Reviews:
Touching memoir.......2007-08-19
This is a touching memoir. The epilogue letters are probably the most emotional part of the book. However, there are other touching moments throughout centering around the relationships she forms with the people who helped her through the tragedy of her husband's kidnapping and murder. It's clear she learned who her friends were and made many.
It didn't seem to me that she lacked emotion, as the previous reviewer criticized. However, if there are times when she does, she makes it clear that she never wanted to give terrorists the satisfaction of her tears. People deal with emotions and adversity differently. She is clearly an exceptionally strong individual.
The writing gave the feeling of a suspensful page turner despite knowing what the tragic outcome would be. An extremely sad narrative.
An Excellent Book.......2007-07-12
Mariane Pearl does a remarkable job writing about her life and relationship with Daniel Pearl, his kidnapping and death, and her journey afterwards.
I feel terrible saying this but..........2007-07-09
This is a strange book -- and the first time I have ever been tempted to lie on a review. Why? It feels wrong to say that I thought the book had some major flaws, as if I'm tarnishing the memory of Daniel Pearl, rather than just judging the book on its literary merits.
Strangely, the biggest problem with A Mighty Heart is that it lacks emotion. It is essentially a 234-page newspaper article, filled with names, dates, and movements -- so many, in fact, that I had a hard time keeping track of who all the characters were. I didn't know that much about Daniel Pearl going in, and I don't really know anything more about him now -- he owned a mandolin, and occasionally wrote inappropriate emails to his friends. But that's not knowing a man. Perhaps that, most of all, makes me sadder than any part of the book...to read a book about a journalist who gave his life for his profession, and to admire that, while he still remains pretty faceless.
The most moving section of A Mighty Heart are, oddly, the letters in the back that were sent to Mariane and the unborn Adam, from people around the world. Some letters are from politicians, like President Bush and French president-at-the-time Jacques Chirac, but then others are from ordinary people. It's amazing how many people wrote to them, just to say, I'm sorry and have hope. It's the strength of that book, that ending.
But on a different track, the other bit of oddness is being plunged back in time, to 2001, but that's what resonated. Terrorism is still so real and present in our lives, but it's like we live in a completely different era, even though today it's only 6 years later.
But that's not really what A Mighty Heart was about. The book itself was a very detailed description of a search that, up until page 143, was on a wild goosechase. The grammar was bad (I know she's French, but she had co-writer), and some information was badly organized. At the same time, A Mighty Heart made me rememember, and more importantly, think. And that's it. I both liked and disliked it at the same time...and feel bad for saying so.
Such a sad story -.......2007-06-17
This is such a sad story. I can't imagine what Mariane and Daniel went through. Thank you for sharing your story. I really think the book is fantastic and very detailed...
Average customer rating:
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Sursum corda: (upward, hearts!) meditations on mighty opposites
Franklin P Cole
Manufacturer: Casco Printing Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
 Contemporary
| General
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
General
| United States
| World Literature
| Literature & Fiction
| Subjects
| Books
Meditations
| Spirituality
| Religion & Spirituality
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: B00072QTU6 |
Average customer rating:
- Good reading, but could use a little more "colour"
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Kootenai Brown: Canada's Unknown Frontiersman
William Rodney
Manufacturer: Heritage House Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
General
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Historical
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Canadian
| Historical
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Prairie Provinces
| Regional Canada
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
Maritime Provinces
| Regional Canada
| Biographies & Memoirs
| Subjects
| Books
General
| 19th Century
| United States
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
General
| Canada
| Americas
| History
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 1895811317 |
Customer Reviews:
Good reading, but could use a little more "colour".......1997-07-14
It is written to much like a chronicle rather than a novel. It gives a little different outlook to the American and Canadian West in the mid 1800's.
The story also shows Canadians that it's West was not "won" without some violence.....It may spark a little more interest in the Canadian West as soon as we take off our "rose coloured" glasses and look for a little more of the truth.
Book Description
She is the heiress to a legacy of power, wealth, unfulfilled promise, and unspeakable tragedy. Her father was gunned down before a stunned world forty years ago, forever changing the course of history. Her mother became the most celebrated American woman of the twentieth century -- an icon of style, glamour, and personal courage. Her brother was the most promising Kennedy of his generation -- a global heartthrob who was killed when his plane crashed within sight of his mother's estate on Martha's Vineyard. Through it all, the sole surviving member of Camelot's First Family, Caroline Kennedy, has remained largely a mystery. Until now. In the manner of his #1 New York Times bestsellers The Day Diana Died and The Day John Died, as well as his other bestselling books on the Kennedys, Jack and Jackie and Jackie After Jack, Christopher Andersen draws on important sources -- many speaking here for the first time -- to provide a full, compelling portrait of Caroline, the young wife and mother left to carry on in her legendary family's name. Among the revelations:
- New details about life inside the Kennedy White House -- and the events surrounding JFK's assassination -- from Caroline's unique perspective.
- A spellbinding account of the surreal years she spent as the stepdaughter of Aristotle Onassis.
- Caroline's own battles with a variety of harrowing personal problems, both physical and emotional.
- The times she, too, cheated death; the stalkers who have caused her to fear for her life.
- Her often frustrating attempts to carve out an identity for herself in the shadow of her famous mother.
- Her loves, and the enigmatic character she chose to marry.
- The way she coped with the heartbreaking losses of her father, mother, and brother -- as well as the countless catastrophes that have plagued the Kennedy family over the last half-century and the demons that haunt her to this day.
- How she is raising her children, and what lessons she is teaching them about love -- and loss.
Sweet Caroline: Last Child of Camelot is an often moving, always captivating look at the life of one little girl who was handed more than her share of heartache -- and has not only survived but flourished. It is the story of America's daughter.
Customer Reviews:
Wow! Tarnished Camelot.......2007-08-20
A lot of celebrity biographies, or "tell-alls", I take with a grain of salt, but this one seemed very credible when I was reading it. Most of the author's sources were people from the Kennedy's inner circle, including Pierre Salinger, Ben Bradlee etc. I didn't think this book would expose anything new, but I was actually quite surprised and intrigued. Most often I was surprised by the behavior of Jackie Kennedy and new facets of her character were revealed that made me see her in a totally different light from her Camelot image (an image which she created). A fascinating page turner!
An intimate portrait of the Kennedy's America's royalty .......2006-07-14
Not only does this book do a fabulos job of detailing the intimate life of Caroline the only remaining survior of Camelot. But it also gives an imtimate look of the lives of her family. Jackie, John and John Jr. And even the before and after family events surrounding the assination of her father President John F. Kennedy. Whom Caroline herself, first heard about the assination from the radio. Also intimate details of the power and control that Jackie exerted over her family. Her (Jackie) extreme drive to obtain her vast wealth and to protect the family image and to shelter her and her children's privacy from the public-at all costs. The struggles that Caoroline faced with being a Kennedy, how she could't understand why she was famous for nothing more than her name. So, if you like me, enjoy reading about the intimate life of America's royal family, this book is for you.
interesting, new insights.......2006-05-09
this was a good book, and we got to know a lot about caroline, and how sweet she was, despite her tragedies. it broke my heart to learn that she always felt neglected without a strong male figure in her life, especially since her mother centered all her efforts on her son having a strong father figure, or risk having him "grow up to be a fruit." yet, caroline made it through. i absolutely felt sorry for her, and i don't even know how the erroneous belief that jackie kennedy onassis was such a great mother has lasted up until today. she spent most of her time on vacations and shopping, and sent her kids off to boarding school when they were so young, spending little time with them. i feel caroline suffered greatly from it, since she got taken care of mostly by nannies, and not so much by her parents, since her dad was killed when she was young, and her mother was so into shopping and money that she neglected her daughter's needs regarding the idolization her daughter felt for her father, and being there for her in this aspect. overall, a great book
A Book About the Kennedy Family.......2004-08-21
Andersen misleads the reader when he markets this book as a book about Caroline Kennedy. In fact this author does nothing more than re-hash everything that has already been written about the family. He sells it as a book about Caroline simply because he constantly uses the possessive form of her name to refer to the actual main characters in this book (Caroline's mother, Caroline's brother, Caroline's father etc.).After reading this book, I realized that this is because Caroline has lived a rather simple and scandel free life. The only remarkable thing about Caroline's life is that it's not that remarkable. Like so many Americans, she cooks her children breakfast every morning, video tapes their school pageants, and considers being their mom her most rewarding job in life. Caroline is to be commended for her stellar academic record and her accomplishments as an author. However, without the last name "Kennedy" no one would find her life particularly compelling reading. There simply isn't enough provacative information out there to fill up an entire book about Caroline alone. Unlike her mother, she wasn't first lady of the United States, married to one of the most beloved presidents, she didn't hold up an entire nation during three of the darkest days in our nation's history, she didn't marry a wealthy shipping magnate from whom she inherited 26 million dollars and then went on to parlay that money into 200 million. I could go on and on about Jackie but in the interest of brevity, I think you've got the picture.
That said, I believe Mr. Andersen has done a great disservice to his reader when he sold them a book complete with the tacit implication that we were to really learn who Caroline Kennedy was as a person. The information may well be out there but Mr. Andersen has yet to find it.
Not only "same old, same old"... but inaccurate.......2004-01-14
I have read all of the Kennedy biographies and there is very little new information in this biography. The first part has been covered in all of the others, and the second part has been covered in the tabloids, which makes we question the accuracy of anything here that has not been lifted from another source. I noted two parts of this book that do not appear to be in keeping with what has been well documented. 1. The books states, that on April 4, 1968, Caroline was in her classroom when a teacher came in and whispered to her teacher that Martin Luther King had been shot. Quick research on the Web states this happened at about 4:30PM EST..Are 11 year olds in class at that time? 2. The books states that when visiting the White House JFK Jr. told then President Nixon, that he used to play under his desk. Everyone knows that the famous Kennedy desk was removed when he died, and not used again until it was brought back by President Clinton.
Book Description
Nearly everywhere Charles G. Finney (1792-1875) preached, revival broke out. A brilliant lawyer who turned to preaching after an emotional conversion in his late twenties, Finney was used mightily by God in America's "Second Great Awakening." Thousands of people accepted Christ during Finney's eight-year revival tour of New York, New England, and the mid-Atlantic states. It has been said that Finney's preaching altered the course of American history; whether or not that claim is exaggerated, it is certain that he had a tremendous impact on his age.
Customer Reviews:
A man possessed by God.......2004-12-17
I would recommend any Charles Finney book to anybody who is hungry for more of God. Charles Finney was a man possessed by God and the Holy Spirit. He emphasized the grace of God and our need for a Savior to make it into heaven. I think the big problem that American Christians have with Finney is that he actually places responsibility on the person to work out his salvation. We are so afraid that if we make any kind of effort we are taking the work of salvation out of God's hands and placing it into our own. Finney actually says that there must be a change when a person accepts Christ as their Savior; that they must live a holy life, and that if they turn their back on God and live a life of sin, they may actually lose their salvation. When you look at the statistics of the American church, a divorce rate that would make most any other country blush, sexual sin running rampant throughout so called believers, the lack of fire and zeal for the glory of Christ and the advancement of God's kingdom, it is no wonder that American Christians would have a problem with Finney's theology and his call to live a consecrated, holy and Spirit-filled life throughout their time here on this earth.
Finney does not belong in this book series.......2004-03-19
The Heroes of the Faith series has proven to be a good introduction to the lives of historical saints. The inclusion of Charles Finney in this series is nothing short of embarrassing. "No single man is more responsible for the distortion of Christian truth in our age than Charles Grandison Finney." -Dr. Michael Horton
He's a heretic plain and simple, and I do not understand why many modern Christians continue to place him on a pedestal. This biography does not even touch upon the controversial nature of his unorthodox teachings.
Books:
- A Need to Testify: Four Portraits
- A Rage for Justice: The Passion and Politics of Phillip Burton
- Abraham Lincoln: America's 16th President (Encyclopedia of Presidents. Second Series)
- An Uncommon Soldier: The Civil War Letters of Sarah Rosetta Wakeman, alias Pvt. Lyons Wakeman, 153rd Regiment, New York State Volunteers, 1862-1864
- Bangladesh 2000: On the Brink of Civil War
- bin Laden : The Man Who Declared War on America
- Black Belt Scalawag: Charles Hays and the Southern Republicans in the Era of Reconstruction
- Breaking Free: Discover the Victory of Total Surrender
- Burnham: King of Scouts
- Called to Command: A World War II Fighter Ace's Adventurous Journey
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Who Killed Daniel Pearl?
I Am Jewish: Personal Reflections Inspired By The Last Words Of Daniel Pearl
A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband, Danny Pearl
