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Slave Stealers: True Accounts of Slave Rescues-then and Now
Told in alternating chapters from perspectives spanning more than a century apart of two people who fought one of the most shockingly persistent evils of the slave trafficking and sexual exploitation of slaves— told from the of both 19th century perspective of Harriet Jacobs and modern-day story of Timothy Ballard.
Harriet Jacobs was an African-American, born into slavery in North Carolina in 1813. She thwarted the sexual advances of her master for years until she escaped and hid in the attic crawlspace of her grandmother's house for seven years before escaping north to freedom. She published an autobiography of her life, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, which was one of the first open discussions about sexual abuse endured by salve women. She was an active abolitionist, associated with Frederick Douglass and during the Civil War used her celebrity to raise money for black refugees. After the war she worked to improve the conditions of newly-freed slaves.
As a former CIA agent who has seen the horrors and carnage of war, Timothy Ballard founded a modern-day “underground railroad” which has rescued hundreds of children from being fully enslaved, abused, or trafficked in third-world countries. The story includes the rescue and his eventual adoption of two young siblings—Mia and Marky who were born in Haiti.
Section 2 features the lives of five abolitionists, a mix of heroes from past to present, who call us to action and teach us life lessons based on their own Harriet Tubman—The “Conductor”; Abraham Lincoln—the “Great Emancipator”; Little Mia—the sister who saved her little brother; Guesno Mardy—the Haitian father who lost his son to slave traders; and Harriet Jacobs—a teacher for us all.
Harriet Jacobs was an African-American, born into slavery in North Carolina in 1813. She thwarted the sexual advances of her master for years until she escaped and hid in the attic crawlspace of her grandmother's house for seven years before escaping north to freedom. She published an autobiography of her life, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, which was one of the first open discussions about sexual abuse endured by salve women. She was an active abolitionist, associated with Frederick Douglass and during the Civil War used her celebrity to raise money for black refugees. After the war she worked to improve the conditions of newly-freed slaves.
As a former CIA agent who has seen the horrors and carnage of war, Timothy Ballard founded a modern-day “underground railroad” which has rescued hundreds of children from being fully enslaved, abused, or trafficked in third-world countries. The story includes the rescue and his eventual adoption of two young siblings—Mia and Marky who were born in Haiti.
Section 2 features the lives of five abolitionists, a mix of heroes from past to present, who call us to action and teach us life lessons based on their own Harriet Tubman—The “Conductor”; Abraham Lincoln—the “Great Emancipator”; Little Mia—the sister who saved her little brother; Guesno Mardy—the Haitian father who lost his son to slave traders; and Harriet Jacobs—a teacher for us all.
254 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2018
113 people are currently reading
3527 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Ballard
19 books256 followersTIMOTHY BALLARD graduated cum laude from Brigham Young University in Spanish and political science, then went on to receive an MA (summa cum laude) in international politics from the Monterey Institute of International Studies. Tim has worked for the Central Intelligence Agency as well as an agent for the Department of Homeland Security. He is also the author of The American Covenant: One Nation under God. He lives in Southern California with his wife and six children.
http://deseretbook.com/Timothy_Ballar...
http://deseretbook.com/Timothy_Ballar...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 429 reviews
September 6, 2018
While I don't often read nonfiction this book has a story to tell that all need to read. Sure I've heard of slavery back in the 1800's but this book is so much more than that. Author Timothy Ballard is a phenomenal man. He founded nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad to save children from sex slavery all over the world. He is a former Special Agent for the Department of Homeland Security who has seen the horrors and carnage of war. Told in riveting alternating chapters from the 1800's slavery to modern-day eyewitness account of Timothy Ballard. This was a hard book to read, details were not glossed over and you got the straight up truth of how things happened,the abuse,terror and trafficking that goes on in third world countries. It is common in Haiti and police turn a blind eye to it. This compassionate man relied on strength,empathy and courage to do his job. We have come a long way in our fight against sexual trafficking but have such a long way to go. Heart wrenching read ! Are we as society really making progress when things like this are still flourishing? I recommend if you are a history buff that you read this and educate yourself.
Pub Date 04 Sep 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Pub Date 04 Sep 2018
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 24, 2019
I admit I bought this book to hate-read it and I was ready to hate it, but it's not what I expected it to be. The stories are interesting and illuminating though it's mostly about the historic slave escapes and those who helped American slaves work their way toward freedom. Ballard is clearly an earnest and well-intentioned person who believes himself to be doing God's work. And I think probably he is at most times. So why the hate? Because who compares themselves to Lincoln and Harriet Tubman? And it's not just that--he sat with Trump and said that the border wall would be good for slave trafficking without any data whatsoever. His organization, which I've been following for years and which I've always had mixed feelings about, uses extra-legal and cowboy means to go in and steal these sex slaves. Is this industry deplorable and does it need to be ended immediately? Are you kidding? Absolutely it does. Is this the right way to do it? I don't think so. Though he doesn't talk at all about his methods in this book (which I thought was very weird), Ballard and his team often go in and buy these children from the traffickers. That seems like a bad idea as it might create an incentive for the traffickers to buy more children. Children are sold into sex slavery for many reasons, one of them is economic desperation (sometimes following disasters like the Haiti earthquake)--we need to deal with the conditions that create this sort of exploitation instead of just focusing on the slaves. Those who helped slaves escape before the Civil war were heroes, but the slaves were freed after the war and the emancipation proclamation. If child slavery is modern day slavery like Ballard claims, this is a job for vigorous government action and not a few non-profit cowboys.
July 26, 2019
It’s riveting from beginning to end.. and Im sure people who drove by me wondered why I was crying as I listened to this. It’s full of history and sadly the history is echoing today with child sex slavery rampant on this earth. But there is more good than evil and OUR is doing everything possible to eradicate that evil.
June 29, 2020
Very interesting. Timothy Ballard was working with the FBI hunting down child sex slavers, and eventually left the government to start his own agency that works worldwide helping the officials and agencies in other countries to break into child sex rings. His work is commendable, as is everyone who is associated with this effort, from the authorities who organize the stings to the social workers who rehabilitate the children saved from this horror. It eases my heart and mind to know that people like Ballard are out there fighting the good fight.
So why only three stars? A good chunk of the earlier chapters were summarizing the autobiographical account of Harriet Jacobs, an American slave who used the Underground Railroad to escape South Carolina and was instrumental in helping to free others. Her autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, is a comprehensive account of her life in bondage, from her earliest memories to her desperate flight for freedom to when she finally gained her freedom. Since I had read that just a couple of months ago, the summary chapters were retreading things I already knew and didn't provide any extra insights except for a few notes here and there. As such, I ended up skipping over these chapters.
The other reason is that Ballard got a little preachy in the later chapters. I'm glad he has faith and that it inspires him and helps him, but for personal current reasons, I wasn't in the mood for these passages right now.
10000 stars for his extraordinary work and service.
So why only three stars? A good chunk of the earlier chapters were summarizing the autobiographical account of Harriet Jacobs, an American slave who used the Underground Railroad to escape South Carolina and was instrumental in helping to free others. Her autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl, is a comprehensive account of her life in bondage, from her earliest memories to her desperate flight for freedom to when she finally gained her freedom. Since I had read that just a couple of months ago, the summary chapters were retreading things I already knew and didn't provide any extra insights except for a few notes here and there. As such, I ended up skipping over these chapters.
The other reason is that Ballard got a little preachy in the later chapters. I'm glad he has faith and that it inspires him and helps him, but for personal current reasons, I wasn't in the mood for these passages right now.
10000 stars for his extraordinary work and service.
January 5, 2024
”Slavery today is a big business. To illustrate just how big it is, imagine this: with the money made in human trafficking every year, you could buy every Starbucks franchise in the world, every NBA team in the nation, and every Target store across the globe.”
This was a heavy book to read. It’s very difficult to look at the lives we lead, and then to read something like this, knowing these terrible atrocities occur right under our noses. This is happening. Now. Slavery is perhaps more prevalent today than it was during the 19th century. And most of us don’t even know it’s going on.
Tim Ballard does an excellent job of uniting the story of Harriet Jacobs and other “Slave Stealers” of the 19th century with the perils of slavery in the modern day. More than that it was difficult and yet so compelling to read Tim’s first-hand account of rescuing children—CHILDREN—from slavery in Haiti. But it’s not just happening in Haiti, it’s happening everywhere.
The work Tim is doing to uncover this terrible business and tear it down from the inside out thanks to O.U.R. is incredible. I have no doubt in my mind he was sent to this earth to do a great work and this is only the beginning.
Everyone needs to read this. Everyone. We can ALL be Slave Stealers. We just need to open our eyes, and love those we come in contact with and serve them.
”Let’s put down the weapons we hold against each other, call a truce, and gather around this societal plague, which represents one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises on the planet. Let us all—of every color and creed—join hands and attack this wicked darkness together. Let’s serve together. Let’s serve one another.”
This was a heavy book to read. It’s very difficult to look at the lives we lead, and then to read something like this, knowing these terrible atrocities occur right under our noses. This is happening. Now. Slavery is perhaps more prevalent today than it was during the 19th century. And most of us don’t even know it’s going on.
Tim Ballard does an excellent job of uniting the story of Harriet Jacobs and other “Slave Stealers” of the 19th century with the perils of slavery in the modern day. More than that it was difficult and yet so compelling to read Tim’s first-hand account of rescuing children—CHILDREN—from slavery in Haiti. But it’s not just happening in Haiti, it’s happening everywhere.
The work Tim is doing to uncover this terrible business and tear it down from the inside out thanks to O.U.R. is incredible. I have no doubt in my mind he was sent to this earth to do a great work and this is only the beginning.
Everyone needs to read this. Everyone. We can ALL be Slave Stealers. We just need to open our eyes, and love those we come in contact with and serve them.
”Let’s put down the weapons we hold against each other, call a truce, and gather around this societal plague, which represents one of the fastest-growing criminal enterprises on the planet. Let us all—of every color and creed—join hands and attack this wicked darkness together. Let’s serve together. Let’s serve one another.”
Read
November 21, 2023Edited 5/4/22 to remove my rating and I also edited the review. Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad have come under scrutiny since I read the book and some of their tactics criticized and discredited.
________________
This is one of the slavery books I've been reading recently, from slave narratives to modern-day human trafficking. Timothy Ballard (founder of Operation Underground Rescue) talks about how he's gained wisdom and inspiration from the story of Harriet Jacob, raised in slavery in the U.S. in the 1800s and who eventually secured her family's freedom. Alongside that we follow two OUR operations in Haiti that are detailed in their feature films.
It's important to not bury our heads in the sand on the topic of modern slavery/human trafficking because that won't make it go away.
There's a powerful Matthew West song called "Do Something" that has this lyric:
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, yeah, I created you.”
There is evil in the world, but we have the power to make a change. We really can each make a difference!
________________
This is one of the slavery books I've been reading recently, from slave narratives to modern-day human trafficking. Timothy Ballard (founder of Operation Underground Rescue) talks about how he's gained wisdom and inspiration from the story of Harriet Jacob, raised in slavery in the U.S. in the 1800s and who eventually secured her family's freedom. Alongside that we follow two OUR operations in Haiti that are detailed in their feature films.
It's important to not bury our heads in the sand on the topic of modern slavery/human trafficking because that won't make it go away.
There's a powerful Matthew West song called "Do Something" that has this lyric:
Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of
People living in poverty
Children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So, I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, “God, why don’t You do something?”
He said, “I did, yeah, I created you.”
There is evil in the world, but we have the power to make a change. We really can each make a difference!
April 21, 2019
I had never heard of this author, but was intrigued by the title. It flips between two stories: That of Harriet Jacobs, who was a slave in the south, ran away, and hid out for YEARS in a very tight space. She ended up sneaking away up north, and having relationships with her kids. The other story is in modern day, and is the story of Timothy Ballard. He quit his job with the CIA to start Operation Underground Railroad (OUR,) and has rescued hundreds of children from sex slavery. Two different stories of true heroes.
February 15, 2019
One of the best nonfiction books that I have ever read. What a difficult, but important message to share. The story of Harriet Jacobs is inspiring as well as the stories of the modern day rescues. I had no idea that slavery existed on such an enormous level today. My eyes were opened while reading this book.
June 1, 2019
I'm pretty sensitive to graphic scenes especially about children and sex trafficking, but this book was so tastefully written and inspiring! I didn't find it to be graphic at all. I also appreciated the author opening our eyes to other historic people that saved many during the underground railroad. I am glad I read it!
March 5, 2019
Tim Ballard takes us on a historical journey on those who have been slave stealers. He highlights Harriet Tubman, who was a great example of someone who helped those to freedom. I liked this book because i didn’t know much about her story. She is one strong woman! This book also discussed how important it is that we be modern day slave Steelers and to end human trafficking. It was heart wrenching to hear the stories of those who are affected. I’m glad it brings to light the severity of this problem, as it needs to be addressed. Great book!
October 11, 2018
I dare you to read this book without being inspired to go and do something—anything—to serve someone. Take a risk, step out of your comfort zone and have faith that you have God-given abilities to relieve suffering among His children.
November 13, 2018
Wow what an impactful book that will not be soon forgotten! Be careful if you run into me anytime soon I will trying to talk you into reading this ;) stay tuned for full review on @brookesbetterbooks
June 14, 2021
If you really want to help in the cause of sex trafficking, and it's a worthy cause, then find an organization that does actual good. Tim Ballard is dangerous and self serving, causing more harm than good with what he does.
September 24, 2018
Warning:
This is a difficult book to read, but that's a given since the topic is slavery and its associated evils. It's appalling that of all the lives lost to eradicate slavery over 100 years ago that slavery and the trafficking of human lives (especially children) is prevalent in modern civilization. *Some estimates indicate the number of child slaves worldwide at 5 million, others bump that number as high as 20 million* The only way to eliminate it from our societies is for regular, everyday people to stand up and do something. One of those things is opening your eyes and becoming aware of the problem.
Reading this book is a start. Chapter 11 of this book also list things you can do to make a difference as well as several organizations working towards a solution. Some organizations focus on changing laws in the US and internationally; others on rescue efforts of children being trafficked; others on the care and ongoing support of rescued victims of slave trade.
The book addresses the problem and the resolution by looking to the past efforts of abolitionists and slaves during the early years of US history. Chapters alternate from these lessons in history to operations happening now to save and reclaim the lives of innocent children being abducted and trafficked for sex. It is a difficult book to read, but an important one. My 5 star rating is because of the immediacy and important nature of this book. Even if you choose not to read it, I would encourage you to learn more and choose to do something to act.
Here are a handful of quotes from the book. (I listened to the audio book, so I tried to be as accurate as possible.)
Harriet Jacobs (former slave and helper in the Under Ground Railworad) addresses the brutal facts being downplayed, diverted and hidden. "If free people couldn’t be brave enough to face the darkness that attacked millions of innocent people around them because it just hurt too much to know, then those poor innocent victims would never have hope."
*Some estimates suggest that there are over 5 million children slaves in the world today.
"We glance but never really see it." We don't see, because it isn't personal. Make it personal.
About Harriet Beacher Stow, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin
"She knew that taking no stance was indeed taking a stance... Her sister wrote her a letter. 'Write something that will make this whole nation know what an accursed thing slavery is.' Upon receiving and reading the letter, Harriet stood from her chair, crumpled the letter in her fisted hand and declared, 'I will write something. I will if I live.' She told the truth about what was happening and shined a light on the dark works of man."
Frederick Douglass. "It is not light that is needed but fire;
It is not the gentle shower but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; The conscience of the nation must be roused. The propriety of the nation must be startled. The hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed, and it’s crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced. The American people and the government may refuse to recognize it for a time, But the ____ or simple logic of events will force it upon them in the end, that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery."
This is a difficult book to read, but that's a given since the topic is slavery and its associated evils. It's appalling that of all the lives lost to eradicate slavery over 100 years ago that slavery and the trafficking of human lives (especially children) is prevalent in modern civilization. *Some estimates indicate the number of child slaves worldwide at 5 million, others bump that number as high as 20 million* The only way to eliminate it from our societies is for regular, everyday people to stand up and do something. One of those things is opening your eyes and becoming aware of the problem.
Reading this book is a start. Chapter 11 of this book also list things you can do to make a difference as well as several organizations working towards a solution. Some organizations focus on changing laws in the US and internationally; others on rescue efforts of children being trafficked; others on the care and ongoing support of rescued victims of slave trade.
The book addresses the problem and the resolution by looking to the past efforts of abolitionists and slaves during the early years of US history. Chapters alternate from these lessons in history to operations happening now to save and reclaim the lives of innocent children being abducted and trafficked for sex. It is a difficult book to read, but an important one. My 5 star rating is because of the immediacy and important nature of this book. Even if you choose not to read it, I would encourage you to learn more and choose to do something to act.
Here are a handful of quotes from the book. (I listened to the audio book, so I tried to be as accurate as possible.)
Harriet Jacobs (former slave and helper in the Under Ground Railworad) addresses the brutal facts being downplayed, diverted and hidden. "If free people couldn’t be brave enough to face the darkness that attacked millions of innocent people around them because it just hurt too much to know, then those poor innocent victims would never have hope."
*Some estimates suggest that there are over 5 million children slaves in the world today.
"We glance but never really see it." We don't see, because it isn't personal. Make it personal.
About Harriet Beacher Stow, author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin
"She knew that taking no stance was indeed taking a stance... Her sister wrote her a letter. 'Write something that will make this whole nation know what an accursed thing slavery is.' Upon receiving and reading the letter, Harriet stood from her chair, crumpled the letter in her fisted hand and declared, 'I will write something. I will if I live.' She told the truth about what was happening and shined a light on the dark works of man."
Frederick Douglass. "It is not light that is needed but fire;
It is not the gentle shower but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake. The feeling of the nation must be quickened; The conscience of the nation must be roused. The propriety of the nation must be startled. The hypocrisy of the nation must be exposed, and it’s crimes against God and man must be proclaimed and denounced. The American people and the government may refuse to recognize it for a time, But the ____ or simple logic of events will force it upon them in the end, that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery."
October 25, 2018
I received a copy of this book from the publisher to review.
Wow, what a powerful book.
I had previously heard a little bit about Timothy Ballard and his Operation Underground Railroad organization to stop child sex trafficking, but it wasn't until I came across a video interview about the book shortly before it's release that I became completely drawn in. I have heard quite a bit about child trafficking before, and even wrote a paper about it in college, but I didn't know many details about Ballard and his specific mission until now. It is such a pervasive and disturbing problem that really needs to be talked about more.
I really enjoyed the format of sharing accounts of slavery from the past and the present and drawing parallels between the two while also recognizing the significant differences. I love how Ballard finds so much inspiration from examples in the past. He especially admires the civil war era slave Harriet Jacobs and she was someone I had previously never heard of. I was completely engrossed in her story of courage, patience, strength, and cleverness.
In this book you read about some truly evil people and situations, but you also see how the greatest good rises up to meet it. I was so moved at the great acts of compassion and kindness I read about as other people risked everything to help others. I was also touched by the countless miracles that occurred and can only be explained as divine intervention.
While this book understandably can be very heavy because of the awful things happening, I thought the author had a great balance of not shying away from the gravity of the situations but also not going into gruesome details. I never came away from reading it feeling sullied or scarred, but instead felt empowered and inspired to make a difference
I also appreciated the ideas for action that the author includes. Sometimes I read really powerful stories like these and feel lost on how to make a difference, but his book inspires action in tangible ways.
I also have to send a shout out to Timothy Ballard's wife because she sounds like such a strong, wise, grounded person. I can relate to her life on a MUCH smaller scale and it cannot be easy. Their marriage and family truly sounded like such a strong partnership.
Wow, what a powerful book.
I had previously heard a little bit about Timothy Ballard and his Operation Underground Railroad organization to stop child sex trafficking, but it wasn't until I came across a video interview about the book shortly before it's release that I became completely drawn in. I have heard quite a bit about child trafficking before, and even wrote a paper about it in college, but I didn't know many details about Ballard and his specific mission until now. It is such a pervasive and disturbing problem that really needs to be talked about more.
I really enjoyed the format of sharing accounts of slavery from the past and the present and drawing parallels between the two while also recognizing the significant differences. I love how Ballard finds so much inspiration from examples in the past. He especially admires the civil war era slave Harriet Jacobs and she was someone I had previously never heard of. I was completely engrossed in her story of courage, patience, strength, and cleverness.
In this book you read about some truly evil people and situations, but you also see how the greatest good rises up to meet it. I was so moved at the great acts of compassion and kindness I read about as other people risked everything to help others. I was also touched by the countless miracles that occurred and can only be explained as divine intervention.
While this book understandably can be very heavy because of the awful things happening, I thought the author had a great balance of not shying away from the gravity of the situations but also not going into gruesome details. I never came away from reading it feeling sullied or scarred, but instead felt empowered and inspired to make a difference
I also appreciated the ideas for action that the author includes. Sometimes I read really powerful stories like these and feel lost on how to make a difference, but his book inspires action in tangible ways.
I also have to send a shout out to Timothy Ballard's wife because she sounds like such a strong, wise, grounded person. I can relate to her life on a MUCH smaller scale and it cannot be easy. Their marriage and family truly sounded like such a strong partnership.
October 8, 2018
Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for making an advance readers copy available for an honest review.
High marks for the content. Low marks for the delivery mode.
I started reading this book as an e-book and found the format very frustrating and difficult to follow. Sentences would break mid-way for a portion of someone's letter and then resume with the main body of the text, again mid-sentence. Then, again mid-sentence, it would jump to a bit from a newspaper article. While the content was fascinating, it was so jolting that I may have given up.
I was saved by the published hard copy arriving on my desk. I noted that the inclusions here were set off in boxes and added greatly. Going back to the ebook, there were markings which indicated a break, but they were unclear and the breaks poorly placed. For this reason, I strongly advise going with the bound, physical copy of this title rather than the electronic version.
As for the content, the book itself - I have new heroes. While the stories of historic story of Harriet Jacobs and the current efforts of contemporary warriors fighting enslavement, particularly of children in sexual slavery, may seems only distantly related, the parallels are strong and both accounts will stay with me for life. This is a book that will make you look around and wonder about what you see around you. This is a book that will have you looking for ways to make a difference. There is so much that we take for granted and shouldn't. This book will make you aware.
I definitely recommend this book, in hard copy.
High marks for the content. Low marks for the delivery mode.
I started reading this book as an e-book and found the format very frustrating and difficult to follow. Sentences would break mid-way for a portion of someone's letter and then resume with the main body of the text, again mid-sentence. Then, again mid-sentence, it would jump to a bit from a newspaper article. While the content was fascinating, it was so jolting that I may have given up.
I was saved by the published hard copy arriving on my desk. I noted that the inclusions here were set off in boxes and added greatly. Going back to the ebook, there were markings which indicated a break, but they were unclear and the breaks poorly placed. For this reason, I strongly advise going with the bound, physical copy of this title rather than the electronic version.
As for the content, the book itself - I have new heroes. While the stories of historic story of Harriet Jacobs and the current efforts of contemporary warriors fighting enslavement, particularly of children in sexual slavery, may seems only distantly related, the parallels are strong and both accounts will stay with me for life. This is a book that will make you look around and wonder about what you see around you. This is a book that will have you looking for ways to make a difference. There is so much that we take for granted and shouldn't. This book will make you aware.
I definitely recommend this book, in hard copy.
October 4, 2018
I've been a fan of Tim Ballard's work from the moment I learned what he was up to. Have you heard of Operation Underground Railroad? (O.U.R.) He is the founder of this non-profit organization that works with local governments on a worldwide scale to rescue children and young women from sex trafficking. Becoming informed about this horrifying problem can, and should be, life-changing. Of course it's uncomfortable to think about, to talk about -- I don't feel I can in good conscience, knowing of such things, stay comfortable and do nothing.
This book delivered exactly what I was looking for, more information about the stories of the original underground railroad that inspired Tim's work. I had already watched several (not all) of O.U.R.'s documentaries so much of the book was a repetition of those things. If you've seen them all I would guess it's almost unnecessary to read this. The book did a fine job of tying it all together, and I wasn't expecting much more than that. Top it off with a closing rallying-call to get doing what you can to bring more light to this world.
Because I really believe in and support this cause I'll give Slave Stealers two big thumbs up - and also strongly suggest that others learn more about it. :)
This book delivered exactly what I was looking for, more information about the stories of the original underground railroad that inspired Tim's work. I had already watched several (not all) of O.U.R.'s documentaries so much of the book was a repetition of those things. If you've seen them all I would guess it's almost unnecessary to read this. The book did a fine job of tying it all together, and I wasn't expecting much more than that. Top it off with a closing rallying-call to get doing what you can to bring more light to this world.
Because I really believe in and support this cause I'll give Slave Stealers two big thumbs up - and also strongly suggest that others learn more about it. :)
September 4, 2018
This is a hopeful, inspiring book by the founder of Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a non-profit that rescues and rehabilitates victims of sex trafficking and brings perpetrators of such crimes to justice. While Ballard discusses some of O.U.R.'s missions, he mostly focuses on the original Underground Railroad and what he's learned from history's leaders and heroes and how those lessons inform his work today. Ballard does not get overly graphic in his descriptions, but his subject is disturbing on every level. Still, his optimism, faith, and positivity shine through, making this a rousing, inspiring book that will open both your mind and your heart to the victims of the horrifying plague of human trafficking.
May 4, 2019
Everyone should read Slave Stealers! This was an eye opening book for me. Yes, I have heard about sex trafficking of children but sad to say, I did not know how bad this evil practice has become across the globe. Tim Ballard is the founder of O.U.R., Operation Underground Railroad, whose mission is to rescue children from sex trafficking. In his book he tells the stories of slave rescues back in the 1800's up until today. One of the stories he focuses on is the life of Harriet Jacobs and her determination to flee slavery. Her story inspired me! He also shares some amazing rescues that he has been a part of. Sex Trafficking of children is a HUGE problem and one we can all join the fight against.
May 3, 2019
This amazing book is filled with inspiring accounts, both from the civil war and modern eras, of slavery and rescues from slavery.
I would encourage anybody to read this as there is much to be gained by learning about these harrowing true stories.
Slavery is not a thing of the past, it is just as alive and disgusting as it was back in the 1800s - much worse actually when speaking in terms of numbers.
I just finished this for my second time. It is a fast read, but has heart breaking true stories in it. Don't turn away because you think it would be too hard to read the stories. We must know of terrible things in order to combat them!
I would encourage anybody to read this as there is much to be gained by learning about these harrowing true stories.
Slavery is not a thing of the past, it is just as alive and disgusting as it was back in the 1800s - much worse actually when speaking in terms of numbers.
I just finished this for my second time. It is a fast read, but has heart breaking true stories in it. Don't turn away because you think it would be too hard to read the stories. We must know of terrible things in order to combat them!
October 9, 2018
I've been excited to read this book since I heard it was coming out. What a wonderful life mission of Tim Ballard to eradicate modern day slavery. I enjoyed learning about Harriet Jacobs and look forward to reading her book "Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl". I really appreciate the message of seeking light instead of darkness through service and love to others. Light is the only way to eliminate darkness, love is the only way to extinguish hate.
March 5, 2019
This book is amazing. I have so much respect for Timothy Ballard. He is amazing! This book gives tells the stories of past and future Underground Railroad operations, and how the victims used service and charity to move on past the crimes that were committed against them. I also love how abolishing something like slavery or human trafficking could be something that could unite a very broken country.
September 1, 2018
A comparison of slavery from before the civil war and in the present day. Compelling and eye opening. I couldn't put it down. A must read for anyone concerned about child slavery and sex trafficking. A must read for anyone not interested to learn the horrors of what is going on in the world today. I received this book from Goodreads for free.
January 19, 2019
It’s hard to face the evil that exists in this world. We will be talking about this topic at my next book group meeting. I really liked how this book addressed current child slavery and compared it to early American slavery. There are heroes in all ages who have fought this evil. It really makes me want to get involved somehow. We need to save these children!
January 4, 2019
This book is so hard to read but an important book for everyone to read. I couldn't agree more with the author on his perspective that loving and serving others is the only thing that will fix all the wrongs in the world.
February 22, 2019
This is such a hard but necessary conversation that the world needs to have. I thought the material was handled well. I love the two stories that alternated between lessons of history and present day. I'm definitely in support of this group and the efforts of others like them.
February 4, 2019
Love how he wove stories of old and today. Such heartbreaking stories that give hope and a drive to help end current day slavery!
February 16, 2019
Amazing message of love and service for such a deplorable subject. The subject matter needs to be more prominent in our minds so we can focus our energy in curing this horrendous evil.
February 27, 2020
Such a great eye opening book to the devastating problem this world and especially this nation suffers from—-human trafficking. Young children sold into slavery and abused in the vilest ways is something that should NEVER happen, but does. I love how Tim Ballard reflects on the past and the evilness of slavery and how it inspired him to bake his organization Operation Underground Railroad. Reading about the experiences of Harriet Jacobs and all that she endured as a slave and her courageous and selfless acts to save herself, her children, her people by breaking the chains of slavery is truly inspiring. Abraham Lincoln....and his definite role in abolishing slavery as he listened to and followed God’s will. All that Tim Ballard and his organization do to free children from sex trafficking is beyond powerful. God was on our side long ago and He is performing miracles today through anyone who is willing to fight against such evil.
August 12, 2020
Timely read! Ballard suggests the way to heal our nation is to work together to serve in the common cause of abolishing modern slavery. I enjoyed reading the parallels between modern slavery abolition efforts and past abolitionist heroes.
It was devastating to learn that six million children worldwide are stuck in slavery and that the United States is the largest consumer of child sex trafficking. My heart broke reading these stories. Thank you O.U.R. and other organizations like them for their work to help in this “invisible” crime network that is quietly threatening so many.
This book is a call to action. I have now watched Operation Touissaint on Prime and done the Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) 1-hour online training to recognize signs of sex trafficking in others. I am learning about some of the local organizations that need support and I am also learning about how to protect my children online.
Let’s wake up and protect children everywhere! Satan is going after children on so many levels. Truly it’s all-hands-on-deck time.
It was devastating to learn that six million children worldwide are stuck in slavery and that the United States is the largest consumer of child sex trafficking. My heart broke reading these stories. Thank you O.U.R. and other organizations like them for their work to help in this “invisible” crime network that is quietly threatening so many.
This book is a call to action. I have now watched Operation Touissaint on Prime and done the Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) 1-hour online training to recognize signs of sex trafficking in others. I am learning about some of the local organizations that need support and I am also learning about how to protect my children online.
Let’s wake up and protect children everywhere! Satan is going after children on so many levels. Truly it’s all-hands-on-deck time.
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