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Ben
In 1991 Kerry and her son Ben followed Kerry’s parents to live on the Greek island of Kos. On July 24th she was at work when her mum Christine arrived crying uncontrollably. Ben had been playing outside, and then disappeared. Someone had taken Ben. In her heartbreaking memoir, Kerry describes the agony of being initially suspected by the police, which meant the closure of airport and ferry terminals were delayed, the early sightings that raised their hopes, and the hoaxes which dashed them completely. And the unbearable pain of knowing her baby boy was alone somewhere without his mum. Back in the UK, the long years of waiting and hoping have been difficult on the whole family. Kerry has raised her daughter, Leighanna, while following up more than 300 leads. In 2011 they had a breakthrough when South Yorkshire Police agreed to work with the Greek authorities to reopen the case. The chance that Ben will read about himself and come home becomes more real every day. All of Kerry's royalties from the sale of this book will go toward the Help Find Ben campaign.
311 pages, Hardcover
First published May 9, 2013
11 people are currently reading
128 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
September 2, 2016
This is a truly heartbreaking story about a young mum who had her little boy taken away from her. It is a truly riveting book, which shows the strength and determination of the family to find their lost son/grandson/nephew. The book highlights the differences between police forces, and how the UK could/would help a family in a similar position. The help of the volunteers and strangers was amazing, and it shows that if we all make a small effort we could make a big difference in someone's life. I hope the family find Ben soon
September 17, 2020
Most British people will be familiar with the story of little Ben Needham, who disappeared during a family holiday in the early nineties. Many years later, the case remains unsolved although there are several credible theories about baby Ben’s fate.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster and was difficult to read at times. Bens mother authored the book, and my heart ached for her, along with the rest of her family. Ben would now be in his late twenties, if he is still alive - a hope that has truly never left his mothers thoughts.
The catastrophic failures of the Greek police was by far the biggest frustration with this story. I would like to think that the Greek police force have made changes as a direct result of Ben’s case.
Otherwise, this book draws attention to Ben and the beautiful little boy he was. I hope his family get answers one day of what happened to their baby.
This book took me on an emotional rollercoaster and was difficult to read at times. Bens mother authored the book, and my heart ached for her, along with the rest of her family. Ben would now be in his late twenties, if he is still alive - a hope that has truly never left his mothers thoughts.
The catastrophic failures of the Greek police was by far the biggest frustration with this story. I would like to think that the Greek police force have made changes as a direct result of Ben’s case.
Otherwise, this book draws attention to Ben and the beautiful little boy he was. I hope his family get answers one day of what happened to their baby.
May 4, 2014
In so many ways, books like this are so difficult to review. There’s really little point in giving a star rating here (although I’ve awarded four due to the educative purpose of the book) and there has to be an admission, on my part, that I didn’t pick up the book for entertainment purposes. Reading this book familiarised me then with the case of Ben Needham – a young British boy who disappeared whilst his family were living on the Greek island of Kos.
Coming from the Yorkshire region as I do, I have always followed the Needham campaign with a great deal of interest. Like anyone, I’ve always felt for the Needham family who have suffered a great deal of hardship after their boy Ben went missing in July 1991. Ben’s mum Kerry gives a full account of how the disappearance was dealt with shoddily by the Greek authorities and, it has to be said, the British government. It’s hard to believe that South Yorkshire Police were not given the authority to join the hunt until 2011 yet unfortunately this was true.
Towards the end of the book, Kerry Needham talks frankly about some of her reactions towards the way that her son’s disappearance was treated in stark contrast to that of Madeleine McCann in Portugal. Clearly, the omnipresence and availability of technology between 1991 and 2007 must have played a part but it is interesting to know that she personally charts almost a pecking order due to the British class system in how the Needham and McCann cases were responded to by parts of the British establishment. Saying that the middle-class McCanns received more rapid and in many guises more preferential governmental treatment is honest for Needham to admit. Fortunately, she adds that she didn’t begrudge the McCanns in any personal way and this also comes across.
Obviously finishing a book like this is really quite emotional and draining. As towards any person in similar circumstances, one ends their reading with a respect for Kerry Needham in telling her story. She is a brave woman who surely deserves to find answers after years of agony and soul searching. I only hope the British government and South Yorkshire Police will continue to have a mandate in helping with the inquiry and fully supporting the Needham family.
Coming from the Yorkshire region as I do, I have always followed the Needham campaign with a great deal of interest. Like anyone, I’ve always felt for the Needham family who have suffered a great deal of hardship after their boy Ben went missing in July 1991. Ben’s mum Kerry gives a full account of how the disappearance was dealt with shoddily by the Greek authorities and, it has to be said, the British government. It’s hard to believe that South Yorkshire Police were not given the authority to join the hunt until 2011 yet unfortunately this was true.
Towards the end of the book, Kerry Needham talks frankly about some of her reactions towards the way that her son’s disappearance was treated in stark contrast to that of Madeleine McCann in Portugal. Clearly, the omnipresence and availability of technology between 1991 and 2007 must have played a part but it is interesting to know that she personally charts almost a pecking order due to the British class system in how the Needham and McCann cases were responded to by parts of the British establishment. Saying that the middle-class McCanns received more rapid and in many guises more preferential governmental treatment is honest for Needham to admit. Fortunately, she adds that she didn’t begrudge the McCanns in any personal way and this also comes across.
Obviously finishing a book like this is really quite emotional and draining. As towards any person in similar circumstances, one ends their reading with a respect for Kerry Needham in telling her story. She is a brave woman who surely deserves to find answers after years of agony and soul searching. I only hope the British government and South Yorkshire Police will continue to have a mandate in helping with the inquiry and fully supporting the Needham family.
July 9, 2018
Very heartbreaking read I really
Feel for the whole family and hope one day they can get the answers they are looking for I don’t personally that Ben is alive anymore sadly but that’s more own thoughts on the matter. But I think the book could be written in a more better format and that some of the facts and information shouldn’t of been left out as there is more facts on the internet about the missing boy then in the book it’s self. I personally wouldn’t read the book again xxx
Feel for the whole family and hope one day they can get the answers they are looking for I don’t personally that Ben is alive anymore sadly but that’s more own thoughts on the matter. But I think the book could be written in a more better format and that some of the facts and information shouldn’t of been left out as there is more facts on the internet about the missing boy then in the book it’s self. I personally wouldn’t read the book again xxx
May 26, 2019
This starts with Ben's abduction in the first couple of pages, then rewinds and goes to his grandparents and then his parents meeting up and then the story of Ben's abduction and all the follow ups of sightings.
It is, as you can imagine, a very sad story - not always though, as it concentrates on the love of a family and all the frustrations and obstacles they faced over the years.
It is, as you can imagine, a very sad story - not always though, as it concentrates on the love of a family and all the frustrations and obstacles they faced over the years.
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August 19, 2016 I don't know why but I don't rate biographies or memoirs, just feel that people who writes their lives stories for us to read are all good, that people all write differently to get there point across and to let the readers to understand why they chose to write. I also don't rate them because of what the story maybe, it could be anything from survival from a plane crash or a shooting or illness, to a child like Adam Welsh who got kidnapped and murdered, to this story, twenty-two month old Ben's disappearance and the family continue fight to find him years after years. They are all life stories that are told so that they can try to cope as best they can.
I found this book very interesting from the beginning where Kerry told us all about her family life, her teenage life and how she handled her relationship with Simon and becoming a parent at just seventeen.
The Needham family was turned upside on July 24,1991 when Kerry's twenty-two months old son Ben disappeared without a trace on the Greek Island of Kos where Kerry flew there to be with her parents and two younger bothers. Although I realized that in 1991 the police and everyone didn't have the search and technology we have nowadays and probably a missing child was more overlooked, from day one police in Greek seemed to have no clue how to deal with a kidnapping case and was throwing the family in every direction possible. My heart broke when the police accused Stephan of murdering his nephew. How awful to have that happen to you when you are so young. To me they were basically trying to cover up that a toddler could go missing on there turf and wanted to be down with this case. I have my ow suspicions about what happened about little Ben, that he got kidnapped then sold him. The Needham did everything possible they could under these circumstances, all they could in the early 1990's. Even today, the family are still very active in the search for Ben after twenty-four years and the only good things is they have all the gadgets and technology that will hopefully spend up the search and will hopefully have a happy ending for the family and at least some peace surrounding Ben.
In this book, Kerry also talked a lot about the disappearance of Madeline McCann who disappeared in May 2007 in a resort in Portugal. I found this part really interesting too because like many people I believed that her parents played a part of her disappearance. I say believed because I am not sure anymore. What if she was indeed taking and was sold for money to? Maybe Portugal police was just like the Greek police? Of course, I don't really know that both Ben and Madeline got kidnapped to be sold but I am just saying that a suspicion I now have. Sadly, I won't ever know I don't think. I just have to hope that both families will have success in their searches for their children and one day find the truth so they heal and have some sort of peace.
I found this book very interesting from the beginning where Kerry told us all about her family life, her teenage life and how she handled her relationship with Simon and becoming a parent at just seventeen.
The Needham family was turned upside on July 24,1991 when Kerry's twenty-two months old son Ben disappeared without a trace on the Greek Island of Kos where Kerry flew there to be with her parents and two younger bothers. Although I realized that in 1991 the police and everyone didn't have the search and technology we have nowadays and probably a missing child was more overlooked, from day one police in Greek seemed to have no clue how to deal with a kidnapping case and was throwing the family in every direction possible. My heart broke when the police accused Stephan of murdering his nephew. How awful to have that happen to you when you are so young. To me they were basically trying to cover up that a toddler could go missing on there turf and wanted to be down with this case. I have my ow suspicions about what happened about little Ben, that he got kidnapped then sold him. The Needham did everything possible they could under these circumstances, all they could in the early 1990's. Even today, the family are still very active in the search for Ben after twenty-four years and the only good things is they have all the gadgets and technology that will hopefully spend up the search and will hopefully have a happy ending for the family and at least some peace surrounding Ben.
In this book, Kerry also talked a lot about the disappearance of Madeline McCann who disappeared in May 2007 in a resort in Portugal. I found this part really interesting too because like many people I believed that her parents played a part of her disappearance. I say believed because I am not sure anymore. What if she was indeed taking and was sold for money to? Maybe Portugal police was just like the Greek police? Of course, I don't really know that both Ben and Madeline got kidnapped to be sold but I am just saying that a suspicion I now have. Sadly, I won't ever know I don't think. I just have to hope that both families will have success in their searches for their children and one day find the truth so they heal and have some sort of peace.
October 31, 2013
A very heartwarming and devastating story, Told by Ben's mother so you read the truth and not all the stuff that you read in newspapers. Kerry and her family went through (and still are)hell, I just don't know how they have kept on going, I really feel for them and just hope that some day they do find Ben and get to at least have the rest of their lives to get to know him again and hve him back in their lives.
January 20, 2016
I remember when Ben Needham went missing, It wasn't until I started this story that I knew he is still missing. His mum shows how she has campaigned over the years for her search for her son. A very moving story. Later in the book she refers to the McCanns and there loss of there daughter and how years earlier there was no such help available to her in her search across the greek isles for her son.
a very powerful story of hope of finding Ben Needham.
a very powerful story of hope of finding Ben Needham.
May 1, 2014
I enjoyed this heart wrenching story. You feel Kerrys pain, I came away, hoping that Ben will be found, How a small boy can go missing, so fast, Somebody on the island must know something, so sad,,,
February 22, 2023
I have followed the Ben Needham case for so so many years now and I sadly think Ben is no longer alive buts that my personal opinion. This book could of been told in a better way and a better format I haven’t learnt a lot from this book sadly as most of the information about Ben going missing is all online yes there was some new information in this book I didn’t know about and I respect Bens mum Kerry for writing this book she did a fantastic job. I just wished it would of had more information In it that people didn’t know about. I hope one day Kerry and her family can found the answers to what happens to Ben over 31 years ago xxx
April 22, 2019
Having read the books on Ben and Madeline I wasnt surprised with the incompetence of both police forces involved we think ours are bad sometimes but nothing compared to the red tape and utter uselessness of the police,their inability to sympathise with the victims or their manyana attitude is beyond belief.having said that I think Kerry was let down by our country as regards support unlike the mccanns got it from day one,I hope at sometime there will be closure for both families.a heart rending read.
June 25, 2023
A heart breaking story about the disappearance of Ben Needham, while on holiday in Greece. Ben has never been found.
The majority of people in the UK are familiar with his case and how it was never resolved.
The story highlights a Mothers heartbreak and the failure of the the Greek Police.
The majority of people in the UK are familiar with his case and how it was never resolved.
The story highlights a Mothers heartbreak and the failure of the the Greek Police.
June 21, 2023
It' starts a really good read but drags and gets boaring towards the end
April 30, 2015
Over the years I have always been intrigued every time Ben Needham's name is mentioned in the papers or on the television. I have actually had this book awhile but its not the sort of book that you relish reading as you know as a parent what happened to the Needham family is every parents worst nightmare.
Ben by Kerry Needham gave me a lot more insight into what happened on that fateful day and also over the years what the family have been going through and the constant fight into keeping Ben's name out there.
The book starts with Kerry's background and her life as a child and growing up before then going through everything that happened on that horrendous day and the aftermath after it.
I've got to say I was shocked at how little help the Needham's got from the local police and also off the British embassy to start with.
As to be expected with this book it is heartbreaking but I have to take off my hat to Kerry for how brutally honest she is throughout it. Obviously no one knows how they would cope at losing a child especially under the circumstances that Kerry lost her son and Kerry admits herself she didn't cope well at times. It did annoy me reading how people and the media would judge her though.
After reading Ben I really do have a lot of admiration for Kerry and her mum and dad in particular. To go through losing someone so special they have never given up in their search for Ben and they certainly didn't have all the backing and help that a more recent missing child's family had, which is mentioned in the book. I'm so glad that certain people in the media and the South Yorkshire Police have really got behind the family and I do truly hope that one day the Needham's get the answers they so rightfully deserve into what happened that awful day.
Ben by Kerry Needham gave me a lot more insight into what happened on that fateful day and also over the years what the family have been going through and the constant fight into keeping Ben's name out there.
The book starts with Kerry's background and her life as a child and growing up before then going through everything that happened on that horrendous day and the aftermath after it.
I've got to say I was shocked at how little help the Needham's got from the local police and also off the British embassy to start with.
As to be expected with this book it is heartbreaking but I have to take off my hat to Kerry for how brutally honest she is throughout it. Obviously no one knows how they would cope at losing a child especially under the circumstances that Kerry lost her son and Kerry admits herself she didn't cope well at times. It did annoy me reading how people and the media would judge her though.
After reading Ben I really do have a lot of admiration for Kerry and her mum and dad in particular. To go through losing someone so special they have never given up in their search for Ben and they certainly didn't have all the backing and help that a more recent missing child's family had, which is mentioned in the book. I'm so glad that certain people in the media and the South Yorkshire Police have really got behind the family and I do truly hope that one day the Needham's get the answers they so rightfully deserve into what happened that awful day.
August 19, 2015
A thought provoking, open and honest book.
I've always been aware of the story of Ben, but this book was a real eye opener to the lack of help and support for Kerry and her family. From the moment they reported Ben missing until years and years later. I pray for the family that this story soon gets the happy ending it deserves and they are no longer left waiting for Ben's safe return.
I've always been aware of the story of Ben, but this book was a real eye opener to the lack of help and support for Kerry and her family. From the moment they reported Ben missing until years and years later. I pray for the family that this story soon gets the happy ending it deserves and they are no longer left waiting for Ben's safe return.
October 3, 2015
this was a hard book to read. i really can put into words wat the needham family have suffered n still sufferin. that lost childhood would be unbearable. hope ben is found.
January 5, 2015
my heart goes out to Kerry and her family hope you find ben get the closure u need xxx
May 21, 2015
A first hand account of the disappearance of Ben, told by his Mum. Heartbreaking to read, you truly feel like you are there and going through the emotions with the family.
September 23, 2015
So heartbreaking... I only wish it had a proper ending.
January 14, 2016
Very interesting read
I've always followed the press on this case but now I have the facts can't wait for the sequel when Ben is found. easy to read
I've always followed the press on this case but now I have the facts can't wait for the sequel when Ben is found. easy to read
May 21, 2016
Such an excellent book.
May 21, 2016
Heartbreaking with hope
A family who held it together in the worst circumstances possible with eternal hope. A renewed never ending hope xx
A family who held it together in the worst circumstances possible with eternal hope. A renewed never ending hope xx
October 16, 2016
Powerful book, read like a thriller. My heart really bleeds for Kerry and the whole family. Stay strong.x
April 18, 2021
This story is absolutely heartbreaking. I often think of Ben’s mum Kerry and just wish she had answers.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews