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Rescued from ISIS: The Gripping True Story of How a Father Saved His Son
Rescued from ISIS is the inspiring and terrifying tale of one man's journey to the Middle East to save his child from radical Islam, and its surprising worldwide repercussions.
Dimitri Bontinck lived every parent's worst nightmare. His teenage son, introduced to Islam by his girlfriend, fell into the clutches of a radical mosque. Dimitri watched helplessly as his son, Jay, transformed from a gentle boy to a soldier in training, wearing traditional robes and following a strict diet. Completely brainwashed, Jay snuck out of the house and traveled to Syria, all but vanishing. Too late, Dimitri learned that their country, Belgium, was the leading hotbed of Islamic radicalization. Large numbers of teenagers were being lured into this world and expertly indoctrinated into radical Islam. One by one, they disappeared into the Middle East, most never to be seen again.
With no one to help him, Dimitri--a white, Christian-raised atheist--set off on his own to save his son. Using only his military training, a lot of courage, and a little luck, he gradually embedded himself deeper and deeper into the Middle East. After months of searching and several close calls--including being thrown in a jail cell and beaten--he was able to find his son and bring him home. The world was shocked at his unprecedented success, and he started receiving pleas from families around the world, asking that he rescue their children, as well. Increasingly fearful for his own life but unable to ignore these cries for help, Dimitri accepted his newfound role as The Jihadi Hunter.
Dimitri Bontinck lived every parent's worst nightmare. His teenage son, introduced to Islam by his girlfriend, fell into the clutches of a radical mosque. Dimitri watched helplessly as his son, Jay, transformed from a gentle boy to a soldier in training, wearing traditional robes and following a strict diet. Completely brainwashed, Jay snuck out of the house and traveled to Syria, all but vanishing. Too late, Dimitri learned that their country, Belgium, was the leading hotbed of Islamic radicalization. Large numbers of teenagers were being lured into this world and expertly indoctrinated into radical Islam. One by one, they disappeared into the Middle East, most never to be seen again.
With no one to help him, Dimitri--a white, Christian-raised atheist--set off on his own to save his son. Using only his military training, a lot of courage, and a little luck, he gradually embedded himself deeper and deeper into the Middle East. After months of searching and several close calls--including being thrown in a jail cell and beaten--he was able to find his son and bring him home. The world was shocked at his unprecedented success, and he started receiving pleas from families around the world, asking that he rescue their children, as well. Increasingly fearful for his own life but unable to ignore these cries for help, Dimitri accepted his newfound role as The Jihadi Hunter.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published August 8, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 30, 2017
After serving in Slovenia as part of the United Nations peacekeeping force, Dimitri Bontinck travelled to West Africa on leave. While there, he met and fell in love with a Nigerian girl whom he married after completing his military service.
The couple moved back to Bontinck’s native Belgium and settled into a happy middle class life. They had two children— a boy and a girl. Dimitri doted on his children, and had an especially close relationship with his son, Jay. But when Jay was a teenager, he became infatuated with an Islamic militant, an ISIS recruiter, who persuaded Jay to become a jihadist fighter in Syria. When Jay saw what actually was happening in the war, he became disillusioned and requested permission to leave. After several requests to leave Syria, Jay Bontinck was jailed in a makeshift prison.
Thus began a nightmare for Dimitri, who frantically sought help in rescuing his son from the clutches of ISIS. His appeals for help from government agencies, relief groups, and Jay’s “friends” from the Antwerp mosque went unanswered. If his son needed to be rescued, it would have to be done by Dimitri.
In this spellbinding memoir, Dimitri Bontinck details his efforts to bring his son back from Syria. It is a heartbreaking tale about young, naive people from Western countries who are drawn in to the propaganda that is skillfully presented by members of terrorist cells that are hidden in plain sight in countries all over the world as well as online. This book is a cautionary tale about the dangers inherent in ignoring the warning signs. Many people choose to ignore incidents like this and hope that it is a phase that will go away. In doing so, there can be terrifying repercussions.
I could not put this book down! There is a part included in the book which describes a time when Jay Bontinck was imprisoned with American journalist James Foley. Reading about Foley and his treatment was heart wrenching. Rescued From ISIS is a real eye opener, don’t pass it up!
The couple moved back to Bontinck’s native Belgium and settled into a happy middle class life. They had two children— a boy and a girl. Dimitri doted on his children, and had an especially close relationship with his son, Jay. But when Jay was a teenager, he became infatuated with an Islamic militant, an ISIS recruiter, who persuaded Jay to become a jihadist fighter in Syria. When Jay saw what actually was happening in the war, he became disillusioned and requested permission to leave. After several requests to leave Syria, Jay Bontinck was jailed in a makeshift prison.
Thus began a nightmare for Dimitri, who frantically sought help in rescuing his son from the clutches of ISIS. His appeals for help from government agencies, relief groups, and Jay’s “friends” from the Antwerp mosque went unanswered. If his son needed to be rescued, it would have to be done by Dimitri.
In this spellbinding memoir, Dimitri Bontinck details his efforts to bring his son back from Syria. It is a heartbreaking tale about young, naive people from Western countries who are drawn in to the propaganda that is skillfully presented by members of terrorist cells that are hidden in plain sight in countries all over the world as well as online. This book is a cautionary tale about the dangers inherent in ignoring the warning signs. Many people choose to ignore incidents like this and hope that it is a phase that will go away. In doing so, there can be terrifying repercussions.
I could not put this book down! There is a part included in the book which describes a time when Jay Bontinck was imprisoned with American journalist James Foley. Reading about Foley and his treatment was heart wrenching. Rescued From ISIS is a real eye opener, don’t pass it up!
July 18, 2017
This was a really harrowing book, especially for anyone that has a son and you could imagine them being lost to one of these terrorist training groups. Just as former soldier Dmitri Bontinck found himself, with his son a runaway to one of the camps in Syria and little information to go on. He bravely went to Syria to search for his son when he gave up on him being able to come back on his own. In fact, he had to make several trips in order to even locate his son because his location kept changing. These were not easy trips either, it was at high personal risk, as he'd already been tortured and threatened, and told not to return. But this was his son, what could he do? The book was very moving and frightening, showing the violence and danger that are common in areas of Syria. I had no doubt of the things Bontinck went through trying to get his son and the sons of others back. My thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press, and the author, for providing me with an ARC for my review for my review.
April 26, 2018
The first half concerns the search and travel with some horrendous physical and mental anguish of this father author for his son who has joined ISIS in Syria.
The second half is much more encompassing the different ordeals which people have ensued for him to make in trying to arrange escape for their women relatives or other ISIS connected.
I'm glad I read it, but it was not written well. It could have been the language differences, or not? It's sad, desperate, and at times jumpy. It's very hard for myself to fully understand (mother, grandmother etc. experiences) how this progression occurs. And the cultural feel is also very different than mind. It lets the child determine the "right" or "want" or "this fits" abilities far, far more than the system of my family. And the father also has a very "I felt the need to get away and high/low energies embedded in joining for the good" too- his actions before he had children in Nigeria and after in the services he works at now re rescues and "awareness"- they both support that kind of temperament. His bravery is absolutely unquestioned. And his love for his son very evident.
It's seems this persuasion for Islam in this guise is a mighty attraction for the adolescent or young man looking for emotive and strong collective "purpose".
Some of these outcomes were so dire, I won't read this kind of non-fiction now for quite some time. Any base conversation is accompanied by beating, near lethal levels of physical abuse (beating on the tops of the feet with poles and also the back of the head and back too) or ends in beheading with a rusty curved knife used for agriculture.
The fact that 6% of the population of Belgium as a group now demands a state for Belgium law which holds Sharia Law as THE law- that is quite a window.
The second half is much more encompassing the different ordeals which people have ensued for him to make in trying to arrange escape for their women relatives or other ISIS connected.
I'm glad I read it, but it was not written well. It could have been the language differences, or not? It's sad, desperate, and at times jumpy. It's very hard for myself to fully understand (mother, grandmother etc. experiences) how this progression occurs. And the cultural feel is also very different than mind. It lets the child determine the "right" or "want" or "this fits" abilities far, far more than the system of my family. And the father also has a very "I felt the need to get away and high/low energies embedded in joining for the good" too- his actions before he had children in Nigeria and after in the services he works at now re rescues and "awareness"- they both support that kind of temperament. His bravery is absolutely unquestioned. And his love for his son very evident.
It's seems this persuasion for Islam in this guise is a mighty attraction for the adolescent or young man looking for emotive and strong collective "purpose".
Some of these outcomes were so dire, I won't read this kind of non-fiction now for quite some time. Any base conversation is accompanied by beating, near lethal levels of physical abuse (beating on the tops of the feet with poles and also the back of the head and back too) or ends in beheading with a rusty curved knife used for agriculture.
The fact that 6% of the population of Belgium as a group now demands a state for Belgium law which holds Sharia Law as THE law- that is quite a window.
September 6, 2017
As parents we worry about many things. Over the last decade parents in western countries be they Muslim or Christian have a new source for concern – The Islamic State or ISIS. It seems many of their children have become vulnerable to ISIS’ slick online propaganda or the radicalization that is preached at a number of Mosques. In Dimitri Bontnick’s new memoir the nightmare of losing a child to the “Caliphate” is real and destructive. In his book, RESCUED FROM ISIS: THE GRIPING TRUE STORY OF HOW A FATHER SAVED HIS SON he details the recruitment of his son, his physical return, and the temporary loss of his mind. In addition, Bontnick is able to convey the stories of numerous other families who try and gain the freedom of their sons and daughters.
After beginning the book with his own life story and how he raised his son Jejoen or Jay, Bontnick seems confounded by what led up to his son joining ISIS. He was raised in a bi-racial liberal Belgium family with few restrictions. The author points out a number of factors that he thinks contributed to Jay’s recruitment. First, he was forced to change schools; second, the breakup with his girlfriend of three years; and third, their home was on the edge of a neighborhood that was a hotbed of jihadism. Throughout the book Bontnick tries to wrap his head around why his son and so many others have given up their families and lives to join what they hoped to be the Caliphate. The author takes us through his son’s recruitment as well as many others as they make the decision to travel to Turkey and cross the border into Syria. From there we learn of their training, brain washing, and existence as part of radical Islamists.
Bontnick describes in detail how he went about trying to save his son, who ostensibly had turned his back on him. Jay’s actions destroyed his family and resulted in his parent’s divorce. We travel with Bontnick on numerous occasions into Syria and the minefield of Aleppo and Raqqa in search of his son, and after finally gaining Jay’s freedom, the sons of many parents pleaded to him for help. Bontnick conveys what he was up against, first Sharia4Belgium, an organization designed to bring Belgium under Sharia law and a member of the Caliphate; then he had to deal with a series of characters in Syria, many of which were very dangerous as he was captured, beaten, and released. During his odyssey he did come across a number of journalists, Islamists, rebel fighters, and Syrian citizens who did their best to locate Jay and allow his father to bring him home.
The first question a parent asks is why did I not see this coming? In retrospect the answer is they did, but did not want to admit that their child, as in the case of Jay was becoming a stranger. Bontnick explores his parental errors and warns parents how not to behave if they want to protect their children. The author points out the difficulties in navigating Syria due to the many factions, armies, and ideological groups. Bontnick traveled to Kafr Hama, a very dangerous enclave where Belgium jihadis were located. He did and said a number of things that he feels guilty about, but justifies his actions in trying to save his son.
As Bontnick tells his story he does briefly integrate the political and military history of the Syrian Civil War. Once he is able to free his son he will return often to Syria to bring medical supplies and assist other distraught parents in trying to free their children. These endeavors were rarely successful, but Bontnick should be praised for all of his efforts. The greatest fears of the sons in returning home was being prosecuted and going to prison. Bontnick’s attitude is based on the belief that they were brainwashed as teenagers by a predatory organization that recruited westerners in “the hope of rewriting the software in the heads of children” should be taken into account. His argument that Belgium authorities have no programs or policies in place to deal with individuals who have given up on radicalization and want to return home is very sound. His suggestion to use their experiences as intelligence or allow them to provide information from within the Islamic State is something authorities should consider.
Once Jay returns we learn of his trial, conviction, and suspended sentence. But despite his freedom he informs an interviewer from New Yorker magazine that his recanting of his radicalization was a sham, breaking his father’s heart. Later their relationship would improve and the author’s experience changed his outlook on life to that of helping others rather than chasing money and a career. The book is a heart rendering journey of a father who is attempting to keep what remains of his family together, and a successful dismantling of a major terrorist network in Belgium. It is also a handbook for parents who must confront the issues laid out in the narrative. Bontnick offers a great deal of advice, some of which is naive, but overall it is a chilling tale that is part of the larger war being fought against terrorism by the west.
After beginning the book with his own life story and how he raised his son Jejoen or Jay, Bontnick seems confounded by what led up to his son joining ISIS. He was raised in a bi-racial liberal Belgium family with few restrictions. The author points out a number of factors that he thinks contributed to Jay’s recruitment. First, he was forced to change schools; second, the breakup with his girlfriend of three years; and third, their home was on the edge of a neighborhood that was a hotbed of jihadism. Throughout the book Bontnick tries to wrap his head around why his son and so many others have given up their families and lives to join what they hoped to be the Caliphate. The author takes us through his son’s recruitment as well as many others as they make the decision to travel to Turkey and cross the border into Syria. From there we learn of their training, brain washing, and existence as part of radical Islamists.
Bontnick describes in detail how he went about trying to save his son, who ostensibly had turned his back on him. Jay’s actions destroyed his family and resulted in his parent’s divorce. We travel with Bontnick on numerous occasions into Syria and the minefield of Aleppo and Raqqa in search of his son, and after finally gaining Jay’s freedom, the sons of many parents pleaded to him for help. Bontnick conveys what he was up against, first Sharia4Belgium, an organization designed to bring Belgium under Sharia law and a member of the Caliphate; then he had to deal with a series of characters in Syria, many of which were very dangerous as he was captured, beaten, and released. During his odyssey he did come across a number of journalists, Islamists, rebel fighters, and Syrian citizens who did their best to locate Jay and allow his father to bring him home.
The first question a parent asks is why did I not see this coming? In retrospect the answer is they did, but did not want to admit that their child, as in the case of Jay was becoming a stranger. Bontnick explores his parental errors and warns parents how not to behave if they want to protect their children. The author points out the difficulties in navigating Syria due to the many factions, armies, and ideological groups. Bontnick traveled to Kafr Hama, a very dangerous enclave where Belgium jihadis were located. He did and said a number of things that he feels guilty about, but justifies his actions in trying to save his son.
As Bontnick tells his story he does briefly integrate the political and military history of the Syrian Civil War. Once he is able to free his son he will return often to Syria to bring medical supplies and assist other distraught parents in trying to free their children. These endeavors were rarely successful, but Bontnick should be praised for all of his efforts. The greatest fears of the sons in returning home was being prosecuted and going to prison. Bontnick’s attitude is based on the belief that they were brainwashed as teenagers by a predatory organization that recruited westerners in “the hope of rewriting the software in the heads of children” should be taken into account. His argument that Belgium authorities have no programs or policies in place to deal with individuals who have given up on radicalization and want to return home is very sound. His suggestion to use their experiences as intelligence or allow them to provide information from within the Islamic State is something authorities should consider.
Once Jay returns we learn of his trial, conviction, and suspended sentence. But despite his freedom he informs an interviewer from New Yorker magazine that his recanting of his radicalization was a sham, breaking his father’s heart. Later their relationship would improve and the author’s experience changed his outlook on life to that of helping others rather than chasing money and a career. The book is a heart rendering journey of a father who is attempting to keep what remains of his family together, and a successful dismantling of a major terrorist network in Belgium. It is also a handbook for parents who must confront the issues laid out in the narrative. Bontnick offers a great deal of advice, some of which is naive, but overall it is a chilling tale that is part of the larger war being fought against terrorism by the west.
January 30, 2020
In 2013 former soldier Dimitri Bontinck's 18-year-old son, Joe, fell under the sway of a radical Islamic mosque and traveled to Syria from Belgium to take part in that country's civil war. Rescued from ISIS (St. Martin's Press, digital galley) recounts his many harrowing trips into Syria to find and ultimately bring his son home.
Bontinck has become something of a minor celebrity in his own country and his story has even been retold in The New Yorker and on CNN. The relevance of Bontinck's story was reinforced last month when a 16-year-old German girl was found fighting alongside the Islamic State in Iraq. At least half of Rescued from ISIS is dedicated to similar stories where youth were recruited through social media and clever marketing, radicalized and sent to Syria or Iraq to fight.
Bontinck recounts his efforts to help many families trying to reclaim their own children, but his son was one of the few success stories. Not all of the radicalized young men and women were as willing to leave as was his own.
While Bontinck's story is compelling, the telling of it is not. The book too often lets loose platitudes such as "love wins over hate" and rushes through pivotal moments that should have been given more attention. For example, the escape of Bontinck's son from Syria while sitting on the back of a motorcycle should have been an adrenaline pumping play-by-play, but was covered in only one page. It was then followed by a rather prosaic telling of the father and son reunion. The book is surprisingly short on drama.
Rescued from Isis feels disjointed and seems to take on to much, leaving many rescue attempts thinly told, but going into detail on the trade in stolen antiquities and even recounting a sexual encounter that adds nothing to the story. It sounded like simple boasting.
Finally, the story is almost exclusively told from Bontinck's point of view and we learn very little of Joe's time with ISIS. There may be a reason for that, but as a reader we're left to wonder why.
Bontinck has become something of a minor celebrity in his own country and his story has even been retold in The New Yorker and on CNN. The relevance of Bontinck's story was reinforced last month when a 16-year-old German girl was found fighting alongside the Islamic State in Iraq. At least half of Rescued from ISIS is dedicated to similar stories where youth were recruited through social media and clever marketing, radicalized and sent to Syria or Iraq to fight.
Bontinck recounts his efforts to help many families trying to reclaim their own children, but his son was one of the few success stories. Not all of the radicalized young men and women were as willing to leave as was his own.
While Bontinck's story is compelling, the telling of it is not. The book too often lets loose platitudes such as "love wins over hate" and rushes through pivotal moments that should have been given more attention. For example, the escape of Bontinck's son from Syria while sitting on the back of a motorcycle should have been an adrenaline pumping play-by-play, but was covered in only one page. It was then followed by a rather prosaic telling of the father and son reunion. The book is surprisingly short on drama.
Rescued from Isis feels disjointed and seems to take on to much, leaving many rescue attempts thinly told, but going into detail on the trade in stolen antiquities and even recounting a sexual encounter that adds nothing to the story. It sounded like simple boasting.
Finally, the story is almost exclusively told from Bontinck's point of view and we learn very little of Joe's time with ISIS. There may be a reason for that, but as a reader we're left to wonder why.
October 12, 2017
This is an incredible, harrowing tale of a father's high-risk efforts to save his son from the grip of the infamous terrorist group. The story runs along at a fast clip and it's written exactly the way it should be. It's not full of bravado or woe-is-me attitude, nor is it a right-wing screed against all Muslims or Middle Eastern people. Indeed, the author met and befriended many people in that part of the world who were willing to risk their very lives to save a stranger, expecting no compensation in return. They hate the murder and the terror as much as Bontinck does.
September 2, 2017
Upon hearing that his teenage son, Jay, has left his home in Belgium to join Islamic radicals- later to be known as ISIS- ex-soldier Dimitri Bontinck sets out to Syria on a remarkable voyage to save his son. Whats seems to be an unimaginable task, proves to be achievable through this father's courage, determination, and unconditional love for his son. Bontinck succeeds in his mission and brings his son home, and returns to Syria several times more to rescue other wayward teens.
This book looked so promising; full of action, suspense, and in the end, victory. However, Bontinck did a poor job telling it and unfortunately did not do this amazing story justice.
For one, the rescue scene was extremely anticlimactic. It was told in a matter of two pages and lacked emotion, anticipation, drama, and detail. Readers are kept in the dark on the difficulty of the task and are lead to believe the rescue was almost easy. In fact, Bontinck wasn't actually there when Jay escaped, so there were a lot of unknowns and holes in the most critical part of the story. I finished the scene thinking, "That's it??" I was only halfway through the book and found it hard to continue after that.
We also never get a strong gauge of the level of Jay's commitment to radical Islam after he was rescued, which is disturbing. The book never delves into his afterthoughts of the matter, except that he is still a practicing Muslim, and we are left wondering if he is still radicalized and dangerous. Bontinck continually defend him and states he doesn't deserve to be imprisoned, yet he also states that he doesn't know his son anymore and doesn't seem to know the depth of Jay's alliance. Bontinck comes off as an overprotective father who doesn't hold his son accountable for the crimes he has committed and brushes it off as, "he was confused, he's just a kid, he didn't know what he was doing." All things you can say about your five-year-old who steals a candy bar from the grocery store, not your 18-year-old son who willingly joins a terrorist group. I don't think Jay ever came out and sincerely apologized or admitted his wrongdoings, which I find frustrating.
Lastly, at times it was hard for me to choke down the arrogance sprinkled throughout the narrative. I don't want to criticize Bontinck personally, so I won't say much about that, except that it was a little distracting. His boasting about love affairs, checking out Syrian women, and his newfound fame didn't add significance to the story.
Other than those few issues, this book was an overall good read. It's a fascinating account of a true story and you can't help but admire Bontinck's bravery and resilience. It also sheds light on the tactics ISIS uses to recruit and brainwash teens, and we get a small glimpse of the struggles and brutality that Syrian civilians face every day. I like that it spreads awareness and information about this tragic epidemic that more and more families are facing today.
This book looked so promising; full of action, suspense, and in the end, victory. However, Bontinck did a poor job telling it and unfortunately did not do this amazing story justice.
For one, the rescue scene was extremely anticlimactic. It was told in a matter of two pages and lacked emotion, anticipation, drama, and detail. Readers are kept in the dark on the difficulty of the task and are lead to believe the rescue was almost easy. In fact, Bontinck wasn't actually there when Jay escaped, so there were a lot of unknowns and holes in the most critical part of the story. I finished the scene thinking, "That's it??" I was only halfway through the book and found it hard to continue after that.
We also never get a strong gauge of the level of Jay's commitment to radical Islam after he was rescued, which is disturbing. The book never delves into his afterthoughts of the matter, except that he is still a practicing Muslim, and we are left wondering if he is still radicalized and dangerous. Bontinck continually defend him and states he doesn't deserve to be imprisoned, yet he also states that he doesn't know his son anymore and doesn't seem to know the depth of Jay's alliance. Bontinck comes off as an overprotective father who doesn't hold his son accountable for the crimes he has committed and brushes it off as, "he was confused, he's just a kid, he didn't know what he was doing." All things you can say about your five-year-old who steals a candy bar from the grocery store, not your 18-year-old son who willingly joins a terrorist group. I don't think Jay ever came out and sincerely apologized or admitted his wrongdoings, which I find frustrating.
Lastly, at times it was hard for me to choke down the arrogance sprinkled throughout the narrative. I don't want to criticize Bontinck personally, so I won't say much about that, except that it was a little distracting. His boasting about love affairs, checking out Syrian women, and his newfound fame didn't add significance to the story.
Other than those few issues, this book was an overall good read. It's a fascinating account of a true story and you can't help but admire Bontinck's bravery and resilience. It also sheds light on the tactics ISIS uses to recruit and brainwash teens, and we get a small glimpse of the struggles and brutality that Syrian civilians face every day. I like that it spreads awareness and information about this tragic epidemic that more and more families are facing today.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2019
One of the first things I thought when I saw this book was how does a child from a good family end up being a part of the youth that have been radicalized by Islam. According to the book, it all starts with a simple invitation to visit their mosque and from there the new person is carefully drawn in—little bit by little bit. That is what happened to the author’s young son, Jay. His father, Dimitri, began to notice changes in his son—he wouldn’t shake hands with females; his style of clothing was different; he didn’t treat his family the same; he would only eat certain foods and his grades were going downhill, so he met with the Muslim leader who took Jay under his wing. In order to mislead the parents, this sect had a separate building that was only used for family members who wanted to know what was going on. The ideas they presented there weren’t as radical; they hid the extreme information in members homes. It’s a sneaky approach meant to keep parents clueless.
Like so many young people, it seems like Jay was searching for meaning in his life that goes beyond the trips to various locations and things his father was so happy that he could purchase for his family. Dimitri talks about religion throughout—but he does not appear to really be serious about any. He tells some of the Muslims he is an atheist, others that he is a Christian. When the circumstances would be more favorable if he considered becoming a Muslim—he’d tell them that he will think about it. Some of the Muslims are astonished that his son comes from a Christian family and would switch religions, and yet, I don’t honestly see a commitment to Christianity in his household. For so many of us meaning only comes with our faith. When Jay struggled with the breakup of his three-year relationship with his girlfriend he went searching for something in life with more meaning then what money could buy. What he found was the Muslim faith.
I originally found it hard to believe that very many young adults fall into the radicalized groups when they come from Christian homes and have a solid upbringing and understanding of our Lord, Jesus. And yet, Dimitri tells us throughout the book that many of these young people come from Christian families. Again, there is no way to tell how committed the parents and children are to Christianity.
I picked up this book to learn more from someone who had a firsthand account to share. The author definitely does provide that. I appreciate that the author made good use of what he learned by going to schools and talking to the kids about what these radicalized groups are really like; hopefully his experiences and his son’s will keep some of these young children from falling into this trap. The majority of the ones who joined were very young adults: eighteen and up. He also tries to help other families get their kids back.
There are some curse words, (at times ones particularly offensive to Christians) and a mention of how the author likes sleeping with strange women along with a brief mention of sex with a female he met even though it really had no purpose for this book. I’ve come to the conclusion that just about every author feels they are obligated to throw some sex in there, and quite honestly, it often leaves me with a reaction of why?
Overall, the book is a good account of how ISIS recruits these young adults/children, and a fair warning for parents to have some honest conversations with your kids about things like this.
Like so many young people, it seems like Jay was searching for meaning in his life that goes beyond the trips to various locations and things his father was so happy that he could purchase for his family. Dimitri talks about religion throughout—but he does not appear to really be serious about any. He tells some of the Muslims he is an atheist, others that he is a Christian. When the circumstances would be more favorable if he considered becoming a Muslim—he’d tell them that he will think about it. Some of the Muslims are astonished that his son comes from a Christian family and would switch religions, and yet, I don’t honestly see a commitment to Christianity in his household. For so many of us meaning only comes with our faith. When Jay struggled with the breakup of his three-year relationship with his girlfriend he went searching for something in life with more meaning then what money could buy. What he found was the Muslim faith.
I originally found it hard to believe that very many young adults fall into the radicalized groups when they come from Christian homes and have a solid upbringing and understanding of our Lord, Jesus. And yet, Dimitri tells us throughout the book that many of these young people come from Christian families. Again, there is no way to tell how committed the parents and children are to Christianity.
I picked up this book to learn more from someone who had a firsthand account to share. The author definitely does provide that. I appreciate that the author made good use of what he learned by going to schools and talking to the kids about what these radicalized groups are really like; hopefully his experiences and his son’s will keep some of these young children from falling into this trap. The majority of the ones who joined were very young adults: eighteen and up. He also tries to help other families get their kids back.
There are some curse words, (at times ones particularly offensive to Christians) and a mention of how the author likes sleeping with strange women along with a brief mention of sex with a female he met even though it really had no purpose for this book. I’ve come to the conclusion that just about every author feels they are obligated to throw some sex in there, and quite honestly, it often leaves me with a reaction of why?
Overall, the book is a good account of how ISIS recruits these young adults/children, and a fair warning for parents to have some honest conversations with your kids about things like this.
September 23, 2017
An eye-opening book from someone who was actually there, who at first was ignorant of and uninterested in ISIS penetration into his own country of Belgium, until his teenage son was drawn away by ISIS in Belgium to become a terrorist in the Middle East.
This man knew nothing about how to rescue his son from a terrorist organization but his determination led to a rare outcome, the escape of his son from ISIS.
If you are tired of listening to western propaganda about what is really going on in Syria, you will learn a lot by reading this book. He tells it as it is... no making of American and European supported terrorists into friendly leaders who are good for their people...
He shows the truth behind how ISIS terrorist organizations are infiltrating every nation with the purpose of drawing away teenagers into ISIS and how little nations are doing to protect themselves and their youth against ISIS.
He shows the Syrian people as hospitable, friendly people who are tired of civil war and dictatorship and simply want to be free.
He separates ISIS from Islam, believing that people have the right to their own religious beliefs but not the right to operate outside the laws of the countries which have allowed immigrants from these regions.
He is anti-terrorist but not anti-Islam.
So this book comes the closest to truth in any book which I have read about what is going on in ISIS and the Middle East.
It is an eye-opener.
This man knew nothing about how to rescue his son from a terrorist organization but his determination led to a rare outcome, the escape of his son from ISIS.
If you are tired of listening to western propaganda about what is really going on in Syria, you will learn a lot by reading this book. He tells it as it is... no making of American and European supported terrorists into friendly leaders who are good for their people...
He shows the truth behind how ISIS terrorist organizations are infiltrating every nation with the purpose of drawing away teenagers into ISIS and how little nations are doing to protect themselves and their youth against ISIS.
He shows the Syrian people as hospitable, friendly people who are tired of civil war and dictatorship and simply want to be free.
He separates ISIS from Islam, believing that people have the right to their own religious beliefs but not the right to operate outside the laws of the countries which have allowed immigrants from these regions.
He is anti-terrorist but not anti-Islam.
So this book comes the closest to truth in any book which I have read about what is going on in ISIS and the Middle East.
It is an eye-opener.
September 28, 2017
I am personally attempting to understand what exactly it is that happens to young people who are targeted, groomed and converted, then radicalized, children lost to ISIS right out from under the parents and families who love them. This is a tense, heart-wrenching, yet hopeful accounts of one man's efforts to bring them home. Much more complicated and difficult is what happens when occasionally they can be brought home.
January 9, 2022
This book is interesting and tells the story about a Belgian father who loses his son to radical Islam and ultimately ISIS. The father than begins traveling to Syria attempting to return his son to Belgium.
The father then receives calls from other parents throughout Europe, the UK, and one American family who lose their sons or daughters to ISIS and how they beg him to help get them back from Syria or Iraq. He is successful with some though fails with others.
The author also details the fate that fighters who turned to ISIS and went to fight in Syria or Iraq when they return to their home countries and in addition to prison it is hatred by Westerners for their treason and terrorism. While the author describes he was able to get his son to turn fully away from ISIS it was a struggle that included continued deception on the part of his son. Bontinck also details the lack of resources and compassion to help rehabilitate & reintegration of an ISIS fighter along with the stigma and belief that they are just playing along and will eventually engage in a terrorist attack once fully reintegrated and this is a valid concern as detailed by the terrorist attacks in the UK, France, and Belgium during this time period and also detailed by the author.
This is a fascinating book that I recommend and is need of much editing though.
The father then receives calls from other parents throughout Europe, the UK, and one American family who lose their sons or daughters to ISIS and how they beg him to help get them back from Syria or Iraq. He is successful with some though fails with others.
The author also details the fate that fighters who turned to ISIS and went to fight in Syria or Iraq when they return to their home countries and in addition to prison it is hatred by Westerners for their treason and terrorism. While the author describes he was able to get his son to turn fully away from ISIS it was a struggle that included continued deception on the part of his son. Bontinck also details the lack of resources and compassion to help rehabilitate & reintegration of an ISIS fighter along with the stigma and belief that they are just playing along and will eventually engage in a terrorist attack once fully reintegrated and this is a valid concern as detailed by the terrorist attacks in the UK, France, and Belgium during this time period and also detailed by the author.
This is a fascinating book that I recommend and is need of much editing though.
February 17, 2019
2.5*
This was a good book, giving a firsthand account of traveling to Turkey and Syria to recover foreign fighters on behalf of their parents. While it was an easy read, the writing style is rather simplistic and more like an inner dialogue. I just felt like I wanted to hear more about some characters before they dropped off instead of the more blunt chapter endings akin to "another life gone".
I truly admired Bontinck's daring passion and vision for curbing localized radicalization and the lengths he went to in the middle of a war zone. It's a psychological game. While he described the current struggles in that region well, I was often referring to a map which would've been a bonus of an insert.
Overall a worthwhile read, and I learned a bit more than I'd gleamed from the news. It didn't give a wholly balanced view of Islam, imo, but I can only imagine the pain, rage, and discouragement he went through during his son's involvement with Sharia4Belgium. Unfortunately the book didn't delve into the father's own spiritual changes amidst his son's challenges. And I couldn't really tell how their relationship was afterwards nor how the healing process went.
This was a good book, giving a firsthand account of traveling to Turkey and Syria to recover foreign fighters on behalf of their parents. While it was an easy read, the writing style is rather simplistic and more like an inner dialogue. I just felt like I wanted to hear more about some characters before they dropped off instead of the more blunt chapter endings akin to "another life gone".
I truly admired Bontinck's daring passion and vision for curbing localized radicalization and the lengths he went to in the middle of a war zone. It's a psychological game. While he described the current struggles in that region well, I was often referring to a map which would've been a bonus of an insert.
Overall a worthwhile read, and I learned a bit more than I'd gleamed from the news. It didn't give a wholly balanced view of Islam, imo, but I can only imagine the pain, rage, and discouragement he went through during his son's involvement with Sharia4Belgium. Unfortunately the book didn't delve into the father's own spiritual changes amidst his son's challenges. And I couldn't really tell how their relationship was afterwards nor how the healing process went.
May 27, 2024
The achievements of Dimitri Bontinck are outstanding and an inspiration to families caught in a similar situation. What he must have gone through physically and mentally is beyond comprehension. From the moment he set foot in Syria he must have been a long way outside of his comfort zone. And then his capture, torture, many unknowns with his son, not knowing what to do and not knowing who he can trust. The threat of death or injury constantly present, not just to himself, but also of course, his son and to some degree, his family back home.
But something went very wrong with the book, he failed to get this reader personally involved. Most parents have not experienced this situation, but it has certainly occupied their minds, more than once. An emotional story like this should have had the reader sitting on the edge of the chair, close to tears and unable to put the book down. The story was at arm’s length, there was too little detail but then went on to loosely cover the stories of other kids in similar situations.
We can only admire Bontinck, but the book would have been better if it was about the situation, not him.
But something went very wrong with the book, he failed to get this reader personally involved. Most parents have not experienced this situation, but it has certainly occupied their minds, more than once. An emotional story like this should have had the reader sitting on the edge of the chair, close to tears and unable to put the book down. The story was at arm’s length, there was too little detail but then went on to loosely cover the stories of other kids in similar situations.
We can only admire Bontinck, but the book would have been better if it was about the situation, not him.
May 8, 2018
Gripping story of one mans story of going into Syria and saving his son from isis.
This discusses the background of how is son and many other teenagers are recruited by radicals. It goes through his search which is terrifying at times and eventually he reunites and is able to get his son across with multiple missteps and obstacles along the way. Of course jays return has its own tribulations as he is not accepted back in his home country. Dimitri then becomes a last resort for multiple families looking for loved ones in Syria . Most attempts don’t go well but there were a few successes.
It’s a great story of a brave man risking everything to save his son. It also is a good app read for anyone who wonders what leads people to join.
This discusses the background of how is son and many other teenagers are recruited by radicals. It goes through his search which is terrifying at times and eventually he reunites and is able to get his son across with multiple missteps and obstacles along the way. Of course jays return has its own tribulations as he is not accepted back in his home country. Dimitri then becomes a last resort for multiple families looking for loved ones in Syria . Most attempts don’t go well but there were a few successes.
It’s a great story of a brave man risking everything to save his son. It also is a good app read for anyone who wonders what leads people to join.
January 21, 2024
I'm confused, How come the writer saw the fuel tanks leaving Syria and the syrian people being starved and humiliated, all by ISIS and still defending the "west" and saying they don't have anything to do with Syria...
Why didn't he question why ISIS focuses on non-Arabs young people to join them. Is it because they don't understand the Quran and won't approve of their doings if they are arabs?
We, the middle east, did not invent ISIS. They don't even speak arabic!
Mister writer, ISIS or Iraq war or anything like that is for one goal only.... Figure it out yourselves.
I'm happy your son is well and I hope you see what happens in Gaza by the israelis with American and British support. You'll know the truth
Why didn't he question why ISIS focuses on non-Arabs young people to join them. Is it because they don't understand the Quran and won't approve of their doings if they are arabs?
We, the middle east, did not invent ISIS. They don't even speak arabic!
Mister writer, ISIS or Iraq war or anything like that is for one goal only.... Figure it out yourselves.
I'm happy your son is well and I hope you see what happens in Gaza by the israelis with American and British support. You'll know the truth
July 15, 2018
Rescued From ISIS is a gripping novel about how the terrorist organization recruits young men and women from all around the world to partake in their inhuman conquest. The author lost his son to the terrorist group in the early days of the Syrian civil war. When his life falls apart following his son’s brainwashing, the author sets off to the Middle East in an effort to find his lost son. The novel discusses ISIS in the words of an everyman, making understanding the group’s rise, and the political issues plaguing the region, far easier to understand than how it is discussed on cable news.
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May 26, 2023I will start by saying that if true, this is QUITE a story. Though I have no specific reason to doubt the author's claims, it does seem pretty fantastical that he could have done what he did unassisted. He even mentions in the book that people sometimes find that shocking.
Regardless, this is a book that is a great example of a good dad and a father's unconditional love. I removed one star because the author seems to desire for his son to not have consequences for his actions. Considering his son's actions, that's a huge issue for me.
Regardless, this is a book that is a great example of a good dad and a father's unconditional love. I removed one star because the author seems to desire for his son to not have consequences for his actions. Considering his son's actions, that's a huge issue for me.
October 24, 2018
Rescued from ISIS is about a boy who is trying to find himself in what he believes in and switches from religion to religion until he goes over one day and finds himself in Syria. Comes to a conclusion the boy found himself in a big predicament and gets captured by some syrian people. Overall it is a big adventure for the father and a roller coaster for the family as a whole. It is a definitely a must read and something to put a seat belt on for.
January 1, 2018
Incredible, heartbreaking story of the lengths a father will go to try to save his son from the affects of being brainwashed into joining ISIS. A truly frightening story as it could happen to anyone. Highly recommended.
January 20, 2018
A certainly controversial man and his actions to rescue his son and eventually help others doing the same. This is a pretty gripping story about a young man gets radicalized, pursues his dreams but recognizes too late the fallacy of his actions.
July 8, 2018
Interesting memior of a man who rescued his son from ISIS and then went on to rescue other youth. Some thoughts on why conversion to radical Islam is so prevalent and widespread all over the world in this day and age.
March 24, 2019
Dimitri Bontinck succeeds in narrating a very interesting and gripping story, while giving very good insight into ISIS and their cruelty.
Language is very easy to understand and I couldn't put the book down.
Language is very easy to understand and I couldn't put the book down.
May 19, 2018
Wasn't sure what to expect from this read, but as a parent, it struck chords that aren't otherwise impacted by stories of ISIS.
January 10, 2019
3.5 stars
January 23, 2020
Although I didn't agree with all of the author's opinions about personal freedoms, this was a fascinating book.
November 9, 2020
Read it in 3 sit-downs. Great reminder during our 1st world woes. Stay educated. Stay smart.
February 15, 2021
Iubirea de părinte poate întrece orice limite. O poveste terifianta, din păcate, încă de actualitate.
Iubire, curaj, cruzime fără margini sunt cuvintele cheie
Iubire, curaj, cruzime fără margini sunt cuvintele cheie
September 6, 2022
Very interesting story and loved the realness in his journey.
August 8, 2017
I cannot imagine how awful it would be to have one's child radicalized into a killer. When this happened to Dimitri Bontinck's son Jay, as the ultimate demonstration of parental love, Dimitri went to Syria to get Jay out. It was a dangerous and reckless thing to do, and some of his actions made it temporarily worse for his son, but he did succeed. Dimitri went back a few times more in an attempt to save others, and sometimes he was successful.
Bontinck's experiences provide insight into how a seemingly well-adjusted young person could be radicalized and how a parent might not know until it's too late. Dimitri never would have been able to rescue his son had he not been assisted by a large network of compassionate moderate Muslims who were also victims of ISIS. Dimitri has harsh words for his own Belgian government and the intolerance within his own society and the west. He has some good suggestions about how to set up deradicalization programs and also how radicalization of youth could be nipped in the bud.
The writing is less than polished but this guy is essentially a soldier and he writes like one. This is a harrowing story of a father's love. An unsettling account, but a good book for those who can stomach it.
Bontinck's experiences provide insight into how a seemingly well-adjusted young person could be radicalized and how a parent might not know until it's too late. Dimitri never would have been able to rescue his son had he not been assisted by a large network of compassionate moderate Muslims who were also victims of ISIS. Dimitri has harsh words for his own Belgian government and the intolerance within his own society and the west. He has some good suggestions about how to set up deradicalization programs and also how radicalization of youth could be nipped in the bud.
The writing is less than polished but this guy is essentially a soldier and he writes like one. This is a harrowing story of a father's love. An unsettling account, but a good book for those who can stomach it.
July 12, 2021
Rescued from ISIS is an equally thrilling and alarming true story that resembles Taken and Not Without My Daughter. My mind is blown by what this father has gone through to reach his son. The idea of chasing down a group like ISIS with all of its evil is beyond my comprehension. Respect is all I have for the author and what he has been through. In my role as a mother of a son, I would endure hell to protect my son against all dangers.
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