The Tightening Dark: An American Hostage in Yemen

by Sam Farran, Benjamin Buchholz

The riveting memoir of a Lebanese-Muslim-American and thirty-year US Marine veteran, who was seized in Yemen and spent six months in captivity--and an inspiring reminder that the best parts of the American dream are the dreamers

As air strikes carpeted Yemen's capital, Sam Farran, a Muslim American who had immigrated from Lebanon at an early age and spent thirty years serving his adopted country in the US Marine Corps, was one of the few Americans in the war-ravaged country. They were there to conduct security assessments for a variety of international firms. Days after their arrival, they were brutally seized, separated and taken hostage by Houthi rebels. Sam would spend almost half a year suffering a horrific ordeal that would test his endurance, his loyalty and his very soul.

Every day his Muslim captors asked him as a fellow Muslim to betray America--and to turn against what he had been for three decades: a proud Marine--in exchange for his freedom. Would he give in to the Houthis in exchange for freedom and a return to his Middle Eastern, tribal roots? In the end and despite the daily threats to his life, Sam found the strength to resist, and came out of his experience no longer a man of two countries, but rather an American.

The Tightening Dark is an intimate, riveting and inspiring memoir of heroic strength, courage, survival and commitment to country. And a reminder that the best parts of the American dream are the dreamers--those who pledge to being American whether born on American soil or not.

Genres: Terrorism

320 pages, Hardcover

First published July 27, 2021

Reviews

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Lebanon family moves to Dearborn MI in the 1970s, Sam Farran, grows up, learns English and becomes an American. He becomes a soldier but experiences prejudice due to his ethnicity and religion when the Lebanon Conflict occurred around 1982. He works in many other jobs but goes back to the military after 9/11. He is sent to Yemen where he is kidnapped with other Westerners. This is his account.

[Caroline David · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly expected more of the hostage situation but when, at 50% of the way through the book I still hadn't gotten there yet, I felt like I had been misled. That being said, I think Sam's story is one that needs to be told so I was grateful that he had the courage to share so many personal details of what his life has been like. I learned so much.

[Thackery Binx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and heartfelt. Sam is a true american hero.