Blood Ransom - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1472927680 ISBN 13: 9781472927682

Publisher: GARDNERS VI BOOKS AMS006, 2016

Synopsis

For the first time in history, the navies of the world have united against a common enemy - a couple of thousand rag-tag, underfed men and boys in the western Indian Ocean. Crammed into open boats and armed with ancient AK-47s, they range up to a thousand miles from home shores in Somalia. No one knows how many die at sea. But occasionally they hit the jackpot, seizing vessels and crews to be ransomed for millions of dollars. This is a war that has estimated to have cost the global economy as much as $18 billion in a single year. Lawyer turned award-winning filmmaker John Boyle takes us with him in this investigation into modern-day piracy. We meet all those involved - from pirates to presidents, naval commanders to negotiators,and heroes to hostages. He addresses why these young men are choosing to risk their lives and freedom; the reality of life as a pirate; the defence tactics used by the international navies and shipping vessels; and what happens next...

About this title

About the Author

After studying PPE at Oxford John Boyle ran his own criminal law firm for 15 years before selling up to focus on documentary film-making. Over the past 25 years he has made more than 30 documentaries, which have been sold worldwide via National Geographic. He scriptwrites all his own films, as well as writing and narrating for other producers. Current projects include an underwater series in Mexico as well as documentaries in Indonesia and Cuba.

Review

An eye-opening look at what would seem a localized phenomenon but that has implications for developed-developing world encounters generally. * Kirkus * Filmmaker Boyle attempts to unravel the complicated circumstances surrounding the sea-going scourge of Somali piracy in this intriguing study...[its] thorough analysis is enlightening * Publishers Weekly * Intriguing and well-researched * Indian Express * Insightful and accessible. * Nautilus Telegraph * To drown in a storm might be expected, but to be captured by an angry, gun-wielding teenager is incomprehensible. * Geographical *

Edition details

• Publisher: GARDNERS VI BOOKS AMS006
• Publication date: 2016
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1472927680
• ISBN 13: 9781472927682
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304