Solitude: Memories, People, Places

by Terry Waite

‘This is a thoughtful and sensitive book from a man who endured the fear and loneliness of captivity. Now, years later, Terry Waite explores solitude in its many forms.’,Stella Rimington DBE, former Director General of MI5‘No one is better qualified to write about solitude than Terry Waite, who spent nearly five years of his life in solitary confinement. His exploration of solitude – he calls it a saunter – takes him from his personal ordeal to the Australian outback, to the home of a former British double agent in Moscow, and beyond. His book will be of great value to those who have suffered from too much company or too little, or are interested in the phenomenon of being alone, which is not at all the same as being lonely. Terry Waite’s saunter through solitude is wide ranging, original, well written and (best of all) companionable.’Martin Bell OBE, UNICEF ambassador and former war reporter‘This is a wonderfully perceptive and engaging book. Terry Waite takes the reader deep into other worlds, both geographical and psychological, from which they will emerge enlightened and spiritually enriched.’Ranulph Fiennes OBE, explorer, writer and poetSome people long to find it, others long to escape it. But, whether we welcome or dread it, solitude is something we all experience in different forms at different points in our lives.After enduring nearly five years of solitary confinement, in cruel and terrifying conditions, Terry Waite discovered that he was drawn to find out more about the power of solitude in the lives of other people. The result is this haunting book, in which he recalls his encounters with people who have experienced some very different ways of being among them the peaceful solitude of remote and beautiful places; the unsought and often unnoticed solitude of lonely people living in the midst of busy cities; the deceptive solitude of those living in the twilight world of espionage; the enforced solitude of the convict and the prisoner of war; and, finally, the inescapable solitude of those who are drawing near to death.Through all these encounters, and through the memories and reflections they trigger in the author’s mind, we see how solitude shapes the human soul – and how it can be a force for good in our own lives, if we can only learn to use it well.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction, Travel

233 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2017

About the author

Terence Hardy "Terry" Waite CBE is an English humanitarian and author. Waite was the Assistant for Anglican Communion Affairs for the then Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Runcie, in the 1980s. As an envoy for the Church of England, he travelled to Lebanon to try to secure the release of four hostages, including the journalist John McCarthy. He was himself kidnapped and held captive from 1987 to 1991. [Wikipedia]

Reviews

[Tamara Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected collection of stories, felt dominated by the outback and spies.

[Mary Kaye Moses · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly appreciated reading this book at this time of forced confinement.

My concept of solitude was very limited. Mr. Waite s work awakened in me a wider scope of what solitude is all about and how it is present in our life , often being tagged as depression , loneliness or maybe selfishness. I now can think of it as an opportunity for self growth. His sharing of how he and those he interviewed worked with it is very helpful. A book worth reading.

[Mrs.Mary Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solitude

Brilliant book,really enjoyed reading about a lot of the places in the outback which we've been to.Feel really sorry for the true aboriginal people. Why does the white man think he's so superior and have to inflict "civilisation" on an indigenous peiple? Would recommend this book,most thought provoking.

[Grahaeme Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Terry Waite when I organised for him to come to my school to give a talk about his experiences as a hostage, and his spiritual perspectives on life following this experience. The hall was filled with students, staff and parents, and you could hear a pin drop as he told his incredible story. Afterwards, he sat and signed copies of his books - so naturally I decided to get one. It has taken years for me to get around to reading it.

This is not the book that deals with his experiences of being held hostage for four years, most of it in solitary confinement. However, that experience does inform this book which is about the experiences of other people who have lived lives of solitude. Some of these people have chosen to live in isolated places and circumstances (such as those who live in the Australian outback) and those who have had solitary experiences enforced upon them (such as the daughter of Stalin). It is a fascinating concept (especially if, like me, you are an introvert who is forced to live in an extrovert society) that Mr Waite brings his knowledge and experience into play warmth and insight.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book. Terry investigates various people's experiences of solitude, including what must be the most honest and understated interview with a man who worked for British intelligence and passed information to Russia during the years he was employed in that role.

One can't help feeling though that maybe this 'saunter' through the world speaking to people who have experienced solitude in one form or another inevitably, and, perhaps, inadvertently helps the author climb a few more stages in the personal processing of the Everest of emotions and puzzlement of a personal, enforced journey into solitude when he was kidnapped and held hostage for five years nearly 30 years ago.

As he enters 'the final quarter of life' it is also an exploration of the final solitude of the moment of passing from this life. A book that can't be read without being personally challenged to reflect in some way too...

[Stefan Grieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snapshots of people living in solitude, (literall or theoretical) around the world, giving you true insights into this way of being, for good or for bad.
The writer I percieved to be an incredible person, as well as what I learnt about him from this book and some research (for those not in the know, he worked as a hostage negotaiter and was kidnapped, tortured and forced into soltiary confimant for many years. So from the start you know he has had hands-on experience of this books main topic of interest) and he interviews a lot of interesting people, in an enlightened yet genial way.
But not only that, there is a real sense of a adventure and even philosophical, spiritual and emotional weight to this book, and suprisingly halfway though there are interviews with real life spies!

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the concept of this book. Admired the authors kindness, experiences and empathy which shone through. However it didn’t hang together as a book for me, some sections way too long and others too brief. The narrative deviated considerably from solitude to the details of being a spy. Would have valued more reflection from the author vs telling the story of those being interviewed. Nonetheless would recommend as it is thought provoking.

[Nina Tweddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an odd little book, but well worth reading. Terry Waite interviews a number of people who live or who have lived a solitary life. He reflects on how this resonates with his own experiences of being held in solitary confinement.

[Jenny Bodnarchuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, great descriptions of places in Australia and Africa. Takes you into areas of solitude and makes you feel the nature. Uplifting to read.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit disappointing but surprising and interesting as well

[Carlos Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is not about solitude. This book, like many others, tells stories about people. Wrong title. Disappointing

[Mary Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very different book from what I expected, but still very interesting.