A Rope and a Prayer: The Story of a Kidnapping

by David Rohde, Kristen Mulvihill

The compelling and insightful account of a New York Times reporter's abduction by the Taliban, and his wife's struggle to free him. In November 2008, David Rohde, a Pulitzer Prize-winning correspondent for The New York Times , was kidnapped by the Taliban and held captive for seven months in the tribal areas of Pakistan. In the process, Rohde became the first American to witness how Pakistan's powerful military turns a blind eye toward a Taliban ministate thriving inside its borders. In New York, David's wife Kristen Mulvihill, together with his family, kept the kidnapping secret for David's safety and struggled to navigate a labyrinth of conflicting agendas, misinformation, and lies. Part memoir, part work of journalism, A Rope and a Prayer is a story of duplicity, faith, resilience, and love.

Genres: Nonfiction, War, Memoir, History, Biography, Audiobook, International

384 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 2010

Reviews

[Tova · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was one wild ride. I have a lot of respect for David Rohde now. RTC
---
Because apparently, I like reading depressing but powerful memoirs about people facing difficult situations and injustice in other countries. Also, David Rohde's niece happens to be a friend of mine and she thought I might like this since I am liking Between Two Worlds: My Life and Captivity in Iran.

[Paul Pessolano · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reporters today put themselves at risk to get the big story. David Rhohde is one of them. He was doing a story on the Taliban and thought he needed more authenticity for his story. He decided, against his better judgement, to meet with a leader fo the Taliban. He knew the risk he was taking, and sure enough, he walked into a trap and became a kidnap victim.

"A Rope and a Prayer" is a story of what it is like to be a kidnap victim of the Taliban with everyday not knowing if it will be your last. You must live with that possibility, and you are reminded everyday that you could be beheaded at any time. This coupled with the harsh living conditions, brutal weather, and the continually moving from location to location plays on ones mind.

The situation is exacerbated when you take into consideration your friends and relatives that you have back home who are worried about you and are looking to the government and private organizations to secure your freedom.

Although my heart goes out to these people, one must realize that they have put themselves into this situation and they were not acting for the governmentin any way. They were working for private industry and the risk they take are well known to them and are made for their personal benefit.

In this case, David Rohde, becomes a very lucky man. He is able to escape and find refugee in a very hostile enviornment. This is probably one of the few stories, out of this conflict, that has a good ending. I would hope that other people who read this story will take a second look at what they are doing. It is one thing to put oneself at risk, but most also be aware of what the consequences are to other people involved in your life.

People like David Rohde must take personal responsibility for their actions.

[Melania 🍒]

3,6/5

[DocHolidavid · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Rohde’s account of his capture by the Taliban in Afghanistan with alternating accounts by his wife, Kristen Mulvihill, of her struggle in determining David’s predicament and location as she fights for his return through political means from her home in the U.S.

It is an account revealing the defiant, vengeful, aimless and ragtag nature of radical Islam cast in the backdrop of a good international historical explanation of prior circumstances.

It provides some insight into a culture in chaos, lost in endless revolution among its own factions as the world leaves them in a stone age they seem to embrace as they grant no grace among themselves or toward other cultures, religions or nations.

It also provides insight into the helpless nature of international negotiations for such isolated cases of international kidnapping for political purposes.

I recommend this book.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's tough to rate;

I enjoyed reading the story even though I don't find David or his wife particularly admirable, sympathetic or even likeable. I enjoyed the parts about the culture clash, the region where he was being held, the success of propaganda and the resulting mindset of the kidnappers.

Toward the end of the book I began to skip Mulvehill's sections entirely as I really couldn't careless about her cosmo fashion shoots, ticking biological clock or one more mention of being a newlywed wife without a husband, as she never once mentions the duration of David's captivity without also reminding us of the wedding.

That being said, I still recommend the book.. odd huh?

[Garwen Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but David had been kidnapped before . . . hello?

[Gerry · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is an important one as told by the author and his wife - both of whom lived through the ordeal from different places of the globe. The author the captive and the author's wife the person in NYC attempting to work his release.

The most interesting parts of this book for me were when the author would provide a historical narrative of the context to his observations in reflection) while describing the events as they unfolded. There were many other parts of this book that simply dragged on for me, to the point I would lose interest in the book and then return a couple of days later. I am one of those readers that when I start a book - I simply have to finish it. This book could not end quick enough for me.

I am thankful and grateful that the author lived to write his story and that he returned home safely. The author has had many good people in his life that care for him and this is commendable. It simply adds value to the existence of each of us in the end.

The real one irony in this book as published in 2010 are the interactions on the porous border between Pakistan and Afghanistan. There are no real tight controls and tribal feudalism rules the day in many of these locations as the author wrote on his own experiences and reflections to this end. For example; during his travels in and throughout Pakistan, Afghanistan and the too and fro' the captures kept moving, he was able to witness similar accounts at various places. In his writing (though not through his intent of purpose) he informs us of the lack of security at any of the border points he went through - in one section he even writes Living in the tribal areas has made me even more convinced. Compared with the dynamism of New Delhi, Islamabad, and Kabul, Miran Shah is frozen in time. An incessant focus on the next world has led to intolerance, zealotry, and stagnation to this one. Porous borders simply lead to a feudalism and fiefdom existence, not unlike many parts just south of the United States as the many Cartels have organized for their continued ability to kidnap, human traffic, drug running, and currency running and gun running as they do. There is little if any difference to these areas of existence in the world today. Human trafficking is the largest problem world wide - at one point, this author was himself a victim of these sorts of atrocities and lived to write the story. Unrealistic demands for money or exchange of prisoners (or both) only proves and solidifies the case further - "Americans are all rich; therefore when you cross from Mexico to the USA you will pay me $5,000 or you will end up like fish food if you do this willingly on your own." Or, "Americans are rich; therefore we want $15M for your along with the release of 23 of our brothers imprisoned in your prisons for exchange." There is no difference in extortion - humans are a cheap commodity to some that hold high price tags for those who value life to be priceless in which each one counts for some purpose.

I cannot in good conscience give more than three stars to this book.

[Justin Tapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I reviewed this book with several others on Americans living in Afghanistan and Pakistan and other parts of the Middle East. See list below.)

If you want to know what it's like to be a hostage in a hostile land, or the wife of a hostage trying to maintain a normal life while also working on whatever channels are available to free your husband, this is your book. If you enjoyed the season of Serial that looked at the captivity of Bo Bergdahl, you might like this book better. This book might be The Taliban Shuffle if a kidnapping had happened.

Rohde was already an accomplished journalist working with the Christian Science Monitor at the time he was kidnapped in 2008 and held for seven months. A decade before, he had been kidnapped by Serbians while reporting on the Balkans war; his reporting gave the world evidence of Milosevic's war crimes. Richard Holbrooke had negotiated his release and once Holbrooke learns he's going to Afghanistan, he almost jokingly cautions him on getting captured a second time. Rohde had been in New York on 9/11, had already made a career reporting on the harsh treatment of US prisoners at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo-- making him an ironic kidnapping target. Rohde admits that his ambition got the best of him, he reached out for one great story, one risky interview that would have really made the book he was working on Afghanistan valuable. He had just gotten married and his wife deserves great credit for helping his situation. The proceeds of this book go to Kiva.org and another non-profit, meaning the author did not personally benefit from his (and his employees') captivity, which I greatly respect.

Rohde gives a depressing account of the war in Afghanistan, of the lack of coordination and aid. At some point, President Bush favored a "Marshall Plan" for the country, but this was shot down by Donald Rumsfeld who publicly said the US did not have the resources to engage in nation-building. So, the US would muddle through, particularly after the Iraq invasion began and world attention was diverted elsewhere. USAID had few members (and according to Kim Barker's book there was no central agency coordinating military and civilian efforts). Rohde decries the amount of aid going to Afghanistan as inadequate from 2001-2005. But judging from World Bank statistics over that period, Afghanistan received $2.5 billion in aid in 2005, an ever-increasing amount. http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/D... Other countries, like the Congo, received similar amounts and perhaps that works to Rohde's point-- Afghanistan was a bigger mission than was funded (Iraq, by comparison, received over $22 billion in foreign aid in 2005). Rohde writes that much of the aid was lost to corruption and to the Taliban-- that's sad but true in just about every war-torn country.

Rohde is kidnapped with his translator Tahir Ludin, and their driver, Asadullah "Asad" Mangal, mostly likely by the Haqqani network. Like Bergdahl's kidnapping, there is a hierarchy the kidnappers are subject to, and whom they want to impress. Pashtun Wali is what keeps the men alive, they are shown hospitality. (See Marcus Luttrell's Lone Survivor for a similar tale, as well as the similarity of a husband-wife team telling the story from different sides.) Unlike Bergdahl, they were fed well and had electricity, warm water, fruit, etc. The Taliban wanted a prisoner swap, and then millions of dollars.

Perhaps the most amazing part of the story is that multiple news agencies worked together to keep the kidnapping a secret. Wikipedia even agreed to combat efforts to put the news on their pages; the less public the kidnapping, the lower the ransom and the less incentive for others to be kidnapped. Initially, the Taliban wanted to keep it out of the media because they did not want elders to know. The Red Cross does not get involved in negotiations, and Kristen has to work a network of sources while keeping her day job. The US government officially does not negotiate with terrorists but off-the-record encourages families to negotiate. Mulvihill has a love-hate relationship with the newspapers' lawyers, government experts, and others that are helping. She decides to hire a private firm to do the negotiation. They hire a team of ex-military contractors who are supposedly doing scouting on the ground. It's never clear whether the intelligence they are gathering is accurate or whether the family is just being played/extorted by these guys. (The company was later investigated for shady dealings with the military.) Kristen has to keep her hopes up but realistic. Their families offer a great deal of moral support. The Taliban are cheap enough to make a collect phone call in November, 2008. They believe Kristen's family is made of money, like millions of dollars are no big deal for Amerians. Another time, David calls home and leaves a message on the answering machine. There are negotiations and demands. At one point, Mulvihill meets the new Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and gets a strong word of support.

Rohde ponders a hunger strike as well as fakes a suicide attempt, putting pressure on his guards. A nearby drone strike shows the company is in grave danger and enrages his guards. One night in Pakistan, he and Tahir make their escape, leaving their house ostensibly to use the bathroom and lowering themselves out a window with a rope. David feels bad that they did not inform their driver, Asad, but he also does not know if Asad or anyone is trustworthy. Once they arrive on a Pakistani base, things get tense again as they want the Americans contacted before the ISI can find out-- as they do not trust the ISI since they are so complicitly working with the Taliban. The Taliban guards apparently beat Asad after finding him alone, but he later is able to escape as well. Fears of the ISI are not unfounded, but the men are safely carried away and Rohde is reunited with his family.

It's a good story and the reader is glad that it only lasted months and had a happy ending. While deplorable, the Taliban were much more humane to their guests than, say, ISIS would be. From a 2016 vantage point, there does not appear to be much long-term hope from the international community regarding the country-- we never fixed the problems Rohde identified. Rohde advocates somehow empowering Pashtu moderates in Afghanistan and Pakistan to help counter the extremism of the Taliban. In all, I give this book 4 stars out of 5. Some of the political commentating was perhaps a bit much, but Rohde is as credible a source about what happens there as one can find.
-----------------
Other books by Americans abroad, in the general region, reviewed in 2016:
Between Two Worlds - Roxana Saberi (2.5 stars)
Children of Jihad - Jared Cohen (4 stars)
The Taliban Shuffle - Kim Barker (4 stars)
A Rope and a Prayer - David Rohde and Kristin Mulvihill (4 stars)
Left of Boom - Douglas Laux (3.5 stars)

Other books on US intervention in Afghanistan/Pakistan related to the review above:
Lone Survivor - Marcus Luttrell
Descent Into Chaos - Ahmed Rashid

[Nancy Nehila · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wanted a rope to hang myself reading this book. Where to start? .... ok. How about I can’t believe Mr. Rohde is actually a professional writer?!? He loves the comma (,). I found myself counting how many sentences had one. Almost an entire chapters worth. (If you were wondering). Most sentences had 3 or more. They made his meaning hard to follow.

Then there’s that he was kidnapped before, in a different country. He was told by people not to be so careless again. His wife went to these same people to ask for help again. He went to a risky area with people he barely knew. He didn’t tell anyone where he was going. Probably because anyone would have told him it was stupid.

Then there’s the wife. She also works in journalism. She’s offended at the reporters for bothering her. So much so she had to tell the buildings doorman to deal with them. They are lucky that for his safety coworkers agreed to not report on his kidnapping. Anyone else is not so lucky.

Why did he take this huge risk? To make enough money to stop being a war reporter. Hmmm... as I said above “the buildings doorman”. As in a Manhattan apartment. Very expensive. This not a poor person trying to get by. He did something risky for a big payoff to fund an expensive lifestyle.

Then his hardships are comical. He had to pick the rocks out of his rice. And his meat was not fresh. Seriously? I’m pretty sure the average family in the area is suffering worse. Then he went on a hunger strike. He lasted less than 2 days. Then a suicide attempt that he claims was faked. As well as his crying in calls and videos. He claims all faked. Then his fellow hostage twisted an ankle but he goes on about how he thought he ripped his calf apart. The kidnappers even bought them board games and newspapers.

Mr Rohde did something stupid which risked his safety and got kidnapped. He seems to want to make a dramatic story out of kidnappers that would sleep without anyone guarding them. They literally walked out. He also is confusing in his politics. He criticizes the government for both getting involved in Afghanistan and Pakistan and not being involved enough. And millions of dollars in foreign aid are not enough. We want help but we want to dictate how much help you give and how you give it. It’s like a beggar throwing your quarter back at you because they wanted a dollar.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a timely read, on the eve of the 9/11 anniversary, with news of increased violence in the region and recent attacks on foreign journalists. A riveting story of a kidnapping told from two perspectives. The part of the book that resonated most for me was this: "I do not believe that religion itself is inherently divisive or destructive. For me, religion in moderation brings out our better angels.... Religion in extremes, though, frequently brings out our worst. It plays upon what is perhaps our gravest flaws as humans: our ability to lose our compassion, to be dogmatic, to think our ideological beliefs are right and others' are wrong, to turn members of different groups into a dangerous other." At this time in our shared history, we could all benefit from reflecting on these words.

[Brienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this because I have an interest in better understanding the political situation in Pakistan and Afghanistan and in how the West has impacted that situation. Am also very much taken with the second season of Serial, about Bowe Bergdahl who was captured by the Taliban and held in the same region as David Rhode (the author of this book) was.

Highly recommend. Insightful and nuanced, the authors resisted sensationalizing Rhode's experienced and made a valiant effort to relay the complexity of the culture in the war-ravaged place where he was held. His insight about organized religion worldwide was particularly compelling; noting that the religious people of this world have much more in common than they realize. In closing the book he writes, "I passionately believe that if you are skeptical of organized religion, as I remain, you can still have ideals."

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can't really feel sorry for a reporter who makes an appointment with the Taliban and then ends up kidnapped. It's not as if they're known for their hospitality and love of Americans. However, David Rohde isn't asking for our pity; in fact, he is genuinely sorry for the consequences of his decision. This is insightful look into U.S. policy, private consultants, and ransom negotiations. And if that's not enough, it is a genuine love story between husband and wife in harrowing circumstances.

[Lynette · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn't as good as I wanted it to be, and interestingly I thought the wife's side was much better written than the husband's side, even though the husband is the reporter. There were tracts of history and background woven in that were important but also took you out of the narrative and just didn't feel natural or compelling at all.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

FASCINATING story of escape from a terrorist kidnapping deep in the mountains of Afghanistan. Such guts to do what he did- and survive!

[Ktolsson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked learning more about the area and the players but the writing in general seemed flat. Im sure it was an extremely emotional experience but that did not come through especially from the wife.

[Andrew Rudolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to read "A Rope and a Prayer" by David Rohde and Kristen Mulvihill because of my interest in the Taliban of Afghanistan and Pakistan and my love for reading big non-fiction novels, especially fascinating ones about a kidnapping. The story begins with David Rohde (Pulitzer Prize winning correspondent for The New York Times) seeking to interview a Taliban leader by the name of Abu Tayyeb. Interviewing Abu Tayyeb would complete his research on the failing American attempt to bring stability to the Afghanistan region since 2001. After a couple hours of driving to Logar Province (where the meeting was expected to take place), David and two of his co-workers are kidnapped by the Haqqani family that has close ties to the Taliban. The book features David´s story of being held captive for seven excruciating months in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) of Afghanistan and Pakistan, said to be one of the most dangerous areas in the world. Intertwined with David’s story is that of his newlywed wife Kristen, back home in New York. There she is teamed up with just about anyone who is willing to help--sending letters to the kidnappers, negotiating in any way possible. Will David ever see his bride again? Will he be able to survive all that the Taliban has in store for him?
I picked this book because it sounded interesting and it really did happen. I enjoyed this book because of its precise, informative detail. Several times I would find myself googling a certain person or place mentioned in the book to learn more. It also made me realize how lucky I am to live in the United States and made me appreciate the sacrifices of our soldiers so that I can live here in peace. I enjoyed learning more about the Taliban--their methods, beliefs and culture. It also made me realize that kidnapping is a global issue. These are a few of the reasons why I liked this thrilling memoir and recommend you to read it.

[Bob Schmitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Rohde goes to interview a Taliban Commander, is taken prisoner and eventually escapes by climbing over a wall, using a rope. In the meantime his wife working for Cosmo mounts a huge effort to get him back using all her contacts in DC, Richard Holbrooke, Hillary etc. but makes no progress. The book alternates chapters from his point of view and from her.

He criticizes the US efforts in Afghanistan as misdirected and not confronting the real problem of Pakistani support for the Taliban. He points out the complex factions within the T. that are competing with each other. He points out that it is part of a world wide mafia-like extortion ring. Of course as most journalist he points out the problems but offers not solutions of his own.

He has a ton of guts to climb out of his compound in the tribal areas of Pakistan and walk to a nearby Pakistani military base and ask for help not knowing if they will shoot him, turn him over to the T. or not admit him.

It is interesting that the Afghani Taliban soldiers are unbelievably uninformed about the world and the US and hold all kinds of superstitious ridiculous ideas. (Sounds like Americans in that respect.)

I kept thinking that the author put a lot of people in danger and people spent a lot of $ and time to get him out and I hope his wife eventually forgives him and that he keeps his promise of not doing such a stupid thing again. (He was also captured in Bosnia and had to get negotiated out)

[Sean Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Rohde was kidnapped by Taliban fighters after being lured to a fake interview with a Taliban commander. He spent several months in captivity (no spoilers here...). I'm not sure what I liked best about this book: both the captivating storytelling from both David's side and his wife Kristen's side or the introspective reminiscences from David as he explains his thought process and his changing/liquid views of organized religion and its tenuous link to fanaticism in the middle east. More than once I felt as though both David and Kristen were able to effectively convey their fears, their frustrations, the strain and stress they were under throughout the ordeal. If anything, David maybe downplayed some of his more harrowing (from my perspective) encounters with semi-stable gun-toting jihadists. I found both sides of this story engaging, fascinating, and terrifying... the sooner the practice of kidnapping and killing in the name of religion ends, the better.

[Tom Schulte · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an incredible opportunity to gain insight into what really happens when a journalist/loved one is kidnapped by the Taliban; how ransom payments are negotiated and what unofficial agencies are available to consider for bagmen, snatch-and-grab, or consulting. Stretching over Pakistan and Afghanistan, the end of W's term and the start of Obama's, this is also a window into the practical workings then of Pakistan's ISI, the multi-national Taliban, and the Haqqani network

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the biography of Richard Holbrooke, I looked for this book. David Rohde was taken prisoner in Bosnia and Holbrooke helped to get him free. And the Rohde got himself into the same situation again for which he was very sorry. As I was reading this book, I was glad to know that I knew how it ended--with his escape. I could not remember if his colleagues also got freed. A
nd now I would like to know how the last ten years have been for David and Kristen. Did they manage to stay together? Did they ever have chidlren? David writes for The New Yorker; don't know if Kristen is still with Cosmopolitan.

The book makes me despair for the situation today in Afghanistan where daily news tells of continued conflict in spite of a temporary peace agreement between the US and the Taliban--but not the Taliban and the Afghan government.

[Adebayo Adegbembo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read. Offers rare insights into the world of religious fanaticism and the complex dynamics to the subject. Some of the things David witnessed in Afghanistan and Pakistan are really scary especially the glorification of suicide bombing. At one point, he describes the gory videos of suicide killings his guards are obsessed with as Jihadi versions of Western music videos. One in which militant groups compete to produce the most gruesome scenes. While mainstream media offers interesting glimpses into the world of religious extremism, David's experience highlights the depth of the subject in a way that's scary. In the end, it's also a story of faith, luck and courage without which this book would have been made possible.

[Jane Comer · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Rohde was kidnapped by the Taliban as he was attempting to do an interview. He, his driver and an Afghan reporter were held for seven months. The book relates his experience as a hostage and his wife's ordeal at working to get his release. Through the telling, the complicated politics of Afghanistan and Pakistan and the complexities of the Taliban become a little more understandable. I recommend the book to anyone interested in the situation in that part of the world. Since we have troops there, all American citizens should be interested.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

In November 2008, New York Times correspondent David Rohde was kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan. He remained their prisoner, held in various locations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, for seven months until he managed to escape. Back in the US, meanwhile, his wife of two months did her utmost to stay strong, keep the kidnapping quiet and out of the press for David's safety, and find a way to get him released. An intriguing memoir, though I admittedly got a little bored with Kristen's handwringing- and prayer-filled sections on occasion.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The underlying story kept me reading, but I often found myself getting bored. Maybe I was reading at the wrong time, or maybe it was too full of details and explanations. It was helpful to learn more about current Afghanistan and Pakistan, but I wanted to know more about the people and the relationships and the impact of this incredibly stressful circumstance. I did find it interesting the various ways that different kinds of faith wove into the narrative.

[Rachelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate giving up on a book, but as much as I wanted to get into this story, I couldn't. Instead of a touching and profound story/journey, I felt I was reading a informational guide/textbook. I found myself lost in facts and figures before I could even try and learn about the people in this book. So sadly, I add this to my give up shelf

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.
The events are interesting, yet the writing so dull from two people who work with journalism/magazines. I can tell that they each tried to be introspective, but despite facing what surely is of life's most agonizing and painful events - a love one being kidnapped by the Taliban -- their accounts felt hollow to me.

[Katy M · Rating 3 out of 5]

2022 Pop Sugar Reading Challenge-A book from 2 POVs.

As a book, this was fine. But, the subject just made me so ragey. When you stupidly allow yourself to get kidnapped by the Taliban, you're not just affecting your life. He endangered his translator and driver. Made life difficult for many governments. Made his whole family put their lives on hold. Grow up.

[Amanda Goedert · Rating 5 out of 5]

David’s testimony about his capture and Kristens patience is nothing short of amazing. I am not into politics much but this book straight line tells you how little government has control when it comes to other countries and journalist/Americans getting captured. GREAT BOOK!

[Kirk Dobihal · Rating 4 out of 5]

Should have read this 10 years ago. The politics, the religiosity, the secularism, the militant extremism, the geopolitical myopia of this area of the world leaves one cold and surely warn of anyone wishing to "interview" any of the area participants.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was interesting from both perspectives; I liked how it jumped back and forth and when. Fascinating to learn more about the area, as well as the psychological things that happened to the kidnapped people, and what they used to keep themselves hopeful. The religious aspect was also