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Slave Hunter: One Man's Global Quest to Free Victims of Human Trafficking
Excellent Book
- GenresNonfictionSocial Issues
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 11, 2009
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397 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
June 6, 2012
This memoir was just an okay read for me because I misunderstood that it was a memoir. I thought I was going to read a focused expose on child trafficking; instead, I got Aaron Cohen's life story, which was, all criticisms aside, pretty interesting. But the sections of the book that dealt with his time working with Jane's Addiction felt forced, as a way to get the book as much publicity as possible. It seemed more like a selling tactic; it was not something that helped to make this a book about Cohen's time working undercover internationally to stop child trafficking. The portions of the book that focused on Cohen's anti-trafficking work were definitely the most compelling, and I wish that the book had solely focused on that portion of his life. I feel a bit guilty for not liking this more, because what Cohen has done abroad is inspiring, and the stories he tells are fraught with emotion; I wish this memoir would have shown more of that fascinating aspect of his life, given that the book is named for his work.
June 28, 2009
The content and the stories behind this exploration are moving, and sickening, and frustrating...BC I am moved to take action. But alas, with so many "savior" novels I've read, Cohen's ego, masked as his lack of ego as a student of the scriptures, made me want to tear the pages out at times. Just tell me your story, Aaron, and spare me the hyperbole of your own role in this shameful sub-culture. Your exposure alone tells me that you're special, and uniquely contributing to solving this problem.
January 27, 2011
My church hosted an evening with Aaron Cohen last week. I was so excited to go to his presentation and was blown away by how many people were there. It turned out that Mr. Cohen was in town to train local FBI and Police Task Forces in how to free victims of child trafficking and exploitation. Local law enforcement, special interest groups, a prominent politician, concerned citizens and many from my church family attended and were encouraged to demand from our state representatives that more laws be passed in order to facilitate the abolishment of this horrific and evil trafficking of human beings that is quickly becoming more profitable than running drugs or selling guns.
Mr. Cohen gave an intriguing lecture about the history of slavery, the call for a Jubilee, and how he became the Slave Hunter. I walked away from the evening with a signed copy of his book that I could not wait to read, a new awareness for the estimated thousands of trafficked human beings in MY city, and a broken prayerful heart that our country will follow Aaron Cohen's example of setting the captive free.
This book riveted me, convicted me, and educated me. I have so many favorite passages of this book, but have decided not to share them. I really want you to discover this book for yourself. The Slave Hunter has shared his journey so honestly, eloquently and faithfully that I cannot help but fall on my knees to help cover his life and mission in prayer.
I will end by sharing one of my favorite quotes that has become such an inspiration since God placed in me a heart for missions:
“I am only one,
but still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
- Helen Keller
Mr. Cohen gave an intriguing lecture about the history of slavery, the call for a Jubilee, and how he became the Slave Hunter. I walked away from the evening with a signed copy of his book that I could not wait to read, a new awareness for the estimated thousands of trafficked human beings in MY city, and a broken prayerful heart that our country will follow Aaron Cohen's example of setting the captive free.
This book riveted me, convicted me, and educated me. I have so many favorite passages of this book, but have decided not to share them. I really want you to discover this book for yourself. The Slave Hunter has shared his journey so honestly, eloquently and faithfully that I cannot help but fall on my knees to help cover his life and mission in prayer.
I will end by sharing one of my favorite quotes that has become such an inspiration since God placed in me a heart for missions:
“I am only one,
but still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do something that I can do.”
- Helen Keller
January 11, 2010
This was eye opening to how big of an issue slavery still is today - it deals primarily with the plight of women and children being enslaved for sexual exploitation, but also highlights the tragedy of humans being bought and sold to be used for labor.
It was also sad that the author who has clearly spent more time than many Christ-followers studying scripture gives the reader no reason to believe that he is a Christ-follower. Of course, that is between him and God as I cannot see his heart, but I'm only commenting on how his own account of his life and the world view he expresses fall short of declaring Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord of his life. He is big on the idea of Jubilee, but I don't think he has been set free himself by the redeeming blood of Christ. That also serves to make the book more convicting: the author and many other humanitarians are doing what they can to help victims of human trafficking around the world. Meanwhile, I and many Christians sit idle. Are we living the Gospel? See Isaiah 58.
I'm as guilty as anyone of doing nothing but sitting in my comfortable surroundings in America, blessed with so much, and so quick to forget that "to whom much is given, much is expected."
I'm overwhelmed and don't know how to respond. I'm praying that God will show me how I can throw at least one starfish back into the ocean rather than just continuing to be overwhelmed and not really doing anything.
It was also sad that the author who has clearly spent more time than many Christ-followers studying scripture gives the reader no reason to believe that he is a Christ-follower. Of course, that is between him and God as I cannot see his heart, but I'm only commenting on how his own account of his life and the world view he expresses fall short of declaring Jesus Christ as the Savior and Lord of his life. He is big on the idea of Jubilee, but I don't think he has been set free himself by the redeeming blood of Christ. That also serves to make the book more convicting: the author and many other humanitarians are doing what they can to help victims of human trafficking around the world. Meanwhile, I and many Christians sit idle. Are we living the Gospel? See Isaiah 58.
I'm as guilty as anyone of doing nothing but sitting in my comfortable surroundings in America, blessed with so much, and so quick to forget that "to whom much is given, much is expected."
I'm overwhelmed and don't know how to respond. I'm praying that God will show me how I can throw at least one starfish back into the ocean rather than just continuing to be overwhelmed and not really doing anything.
January 20, 2014
One thing is crystal clear when you've read this book. Aaron Cohen is a strange and troubled man. However, that should not take away from either his commitment to his causes or the primordial importance of fighting Trafficking in Persons (TIP).
This book is more a character study of Cohen himself than an exposé on TIP. As we follow him through sex, drugs, and rock and roll, we do get a very personal version of trafficking as he experienced it, and if this is all you ever learn about trafficking, you will come away convinced that it's an evil we need to tackle. However, as Cohen says himself, his methods are unorthodox, and focus totally on the "one starfish at a time" theory of making the world a better place.
His work is important, and I admire him for saving even one person, but I prefer the work of those who take a more holistic alproach, and seek to cut out the roots, rather than cut at the results, of TIP.
It's a good read, probably carried along mostly by the writing skills of Christine Buckley, a writer whom I've had a chance to meet in Paris, and who inspires me with her style and energy. Cohen's part seems more depressed, and name-dropping, and strangely focused on esoteric Jewish teachings that are, for me, a distraction from reality.
I wish Cohen the best of luck with his efforts to free slaves, and hope that his life has come together since publishing the book. Read it, but don't rely on it as a sole source of information on TIP.
This book is more a character study of Cohen himself than an exposé on TIP. As we follow him through sex, drugs, and rock and roll, we do get a very personal version of trafficking as he experienced it, and if this is all you ever learn about trafficking, you will come away convinced that it's an evil we need to tackle. However, as Cohen says himself, his methods are unorthodox, and focus totally on the "one starfish at a time" theory of making the world a better place.
His work is important, and I admire him for saving even one person, but I prefer the work of those who take a more holistic alproach, and seek to cut out the roots, rather than cut at the results, of TIP.
It's a good read, probably carried along mostly by the writing skills of Christine Buckley, a writer whom I've had a chance to meet in Paris, and who inspires me with her style and energy. Cohen's part seems more depressed, and name-dropping, and strangely focused on esoteric Jewish teachings that are, for me, a distraction from reality.
I wish Cohen the best of luck with his efforts to free slaves, and hope that his life has come together since publishing the book. Read it, but don't rely on it as a sole source of information on TIP.
September 1, 2009
"Slave Hunter" is a smart look at the ugly truth of the human flesh trade, told from the front lines of brothels and war zones around the world by human rights activist and author, Aaron Cohen. In this raw memoir, he shares a very personal account of his struggle to understand himself and the darkest parts of humanity. Yet there is more to this book than the action-packed stories of covert operations and rescue missions, and the heart-breaking accounts of these modern day slaves, for Aaron shares a very personal account of his own human suffering, a kind of enslavement that led him from the darkest recesses of his mind along a winding path to his own liberation, where he gained strength and wisdom that he leverages everyday to help others. And he gives some practical ideas for how we can be part of the solution. I loved the way that Aaron and co-author, Christine Buckley, wove together the threads of life, passion, purpose, conviction, intellectual and spiritual understanding to create a rich tapestry of cause and effect. As I turned each page, I could see that every experience of Aaron's life, even the seemingly unrelated choices and paths that he took (as an artist, musician, photographer, promoter, activist, drug addict, surfer and biblical scholar, to name a few), prepared him for the work he does today as a "Slave Hunter."
November 15, 2013
People, including myself, have no idea how prevalent Human Trafficking is. And, the victims are primarily Women and children. And, for sex and brutality. As I write this review, Canada just had a Sex ring busted and 365 CHILDREN were rescued who had been used for hardcore pornography and sold to grown men for sex. Many of those men living in America. This is really happening and it's prevalent world-wide. We have to quit blinding ourselves and DEMAND our government/ laws and whatever other tools we need really take this seriously and make it a priority.
People say they are glad slavery is over? This is slavery to the most horrible extent. People, children less then 2 years old are being sold. It breaks your heart.
People say they are glad slavery is over? This is slavery to the most horrible extent. People, children less then 2 years old are being sold. It breaks your heart.
August 20, 2012
I was hoping this book would give good insight into human trafficking and ethical, well thought out ways of combating the problem- how disappointed I was. I'm concerned about the way Cohen goes about 'freeing' victims and hope others do not see him as an inspiration. His writing is often pretentious and cumbersome.
Kinda interesting, but totally devolves into self-absorbed drivel about halfway into the book. I *definitely* did not like the ending of "well, I did good in the world but now I have a girlfriend to go home to." Kinda like the guy pretending to be blind - he just opened his eyes and then he's not.
February 17, 2010
Kinda interesting, but totally devolves into self-absorbed drivel about halfway into the book. I *definitely* did not like the ending of "well, I did good in the world but now I have a girlfriend to go home to." Kinda like the guy pretending to be blind - he just opened his eyes up again and then wasn't.
April 7, 2010
Very good book with detailed accounts of not only what his life was like that led into Aaron Cohen's abolitionist fight, but detailed about his encounters with "night frights" and more. I thought it was really wonderful to get a new perspective insight like that, even though I've read a dozen anti-slavery books on human trafficking. One of the best human trafficking books I've read!
January 12, 2011
A more accurately descriptive title would include "Slave Hunter: [...] & a few chapters about my rock n roll past." I was much more interested to read about the trafficking than about the rock n roll. While his work is essential in liberating the enslaved, it also shows that ending the problem is a long ways off - if it were ever possible at all.
Quick read.
Quick read.
June 29, 2012
I was hoping this book would give good insight into human trafficking and ethical, well thought out ways of combating the problem- how disappointed I was. I'm concerned about the way Cohen goes about 'freeing' victims and hope others do not see him as an inspiration. His writing is often pretentious and cumbersome.
September 11, 2009
An autobographical approach responding to the evergrowing problem of human trafficking. Absolutely facsinating what one human can do to help those in need. Additionally, it allows insight into how bad this problem is in our world today....Jubilee begin!
August 18, 2010
met the author in person n heard him speak at a UN NGO event so decided to read this...sorry, the book sux...E for effort maybe? but his narcissistic focus on himself rather than the victims, makes the book lame-O
May 15, 2011
I knew that sex trafficking and human slavery existed but I never knew to what extent, and just how rampant it is around the world!! My heart aches for these girls and women and I hope that someday we can have a world where this has been eradicated.
August 2, 2011
Not about helping trafficked women.....this rich kid just goes around the world sleeping with them while supposedly rescuing them. Most of the book is about how cool he is and how he was bffs with janes addiction band. Loser
Currently reading
July 29, 2009I am not a non fiction kind of person- but i am very much enjoying this story- though it covers very tough topics.
March 21, 2011
Amazing i loved this book!
January 26, 2012
Great book as far as creating awareness and telling stories about such a travesty as human trafficking. I could have done without his politics
June 25, 2012
Powerful look into the world of human trafficking and one man's quest to bring it to an end.
September 10, 2013
Genre: memoir - style: simplistic
Material: grabs your heart, and your mind, and won't let go.
Material: grabs your heart, and your mind, and won't let go.
July 28, 2014
This man's memoir of his life, rescue missions and the struggles and victory's in both.
May 18, 2009
Not sure I am an unbiased reviewer, :) so I'll include our first review, from Kirkus: "Adventures of a peripatetic human-rights activist committed to exposing the horrors of modern-day slavery and freeing its victims.
Cohen—whose past includes an addiction to street drugs and a business/creative partnership with Jane’s Addiction leader Perry Farrell—transformed himself into a dedicated activist in the early 1990s after his mother was diagnosed with cancer. He began studying Hebrew and working on Jubilee, a peace-through-music movement seeking to lower the debt of third-world countries and to free coerced workers. Journalist Buckley profiled Cohen in an award-winning 2007 article that appeared in LA Weekly. Here she aids him in recounting his escapades in Cambodia, Sudan, Ecuador, Myanmar, Israel and Iraq, among other countries. Cohen’s job, which he refers to as “night frighting,” was to pose as a sex-hungry tourist. He would visit a brothel, select a young girl from a lineup, go with her to her room, gain her confidence, tape an interview and take photos to document the visit. Using the information he gained, agencies made arrests, rescued the girls and placed them in protective custody. Cohen took great personal risks, sometimes getting caught in the crossfire of rival gangs, sometimes being forced to hide and flee the country. The graphic details of his nighttime activities contrast sharply with the quiet hotel scenes, where Cohen said prayers for his father and meditated on passages from the Book of Job. During part of his time abroad, the author was also responsible for the care of his terminally ill father back in California, a task that caused him deep distress and the details of which are disturbing. While Cohen tosses in some statistics and reports on the actions being taken by others, this is not an overview of sex trafficking or any other form of forced labor; it is a personal story of one man’s campaign to rescue its victims. An epilogue urges readers to get involved and provides links to various human-rights groups."
Cohen—whose past includes an addiction to street drugs and a business/creative partnership with Jane’s Addiction leader Perry Farrell—transformed himself into a dedicated activist in the early 1990s after his mother was diagnosed with cancer. He began studying Hebrew and working on Jubilee, a peace-through-music movement seeking to lower the debt of third-world countries and to free coerced workers. Journalist Buckley profiled Cohen in an award-winning 2007 article that appeared in LA Weekly. Here she aids him in recounting his escapades in Cambodia, Sudan, Ecuador, Myanmar, Israel and Iraq, among other countries. Cohen’s job, which he refers to as “night frighting,” was to pose as a sex-hungry tourist. He would visit a brothel, select a young girl from a lineup, go with her to her room, gain her confidence, tape an interview and take photos to document the visit. Using the information he gained, agencies made arrests, rescued the girls and placed them in protective custody. Cohen took great personal risks, sometimes getting caught in the crossfire of rival gangs, sometimes being forced to hide and flee the country. The graphic details of his nighttime activities contrast sharply with the quiet hotel scenes, where Cohen said prayers for his father and meditated on passages from the Book of Job. During part of his time abroad, the author was also responsible for the care of his terminally ill father back in California, a task that caused him deep distress and the details of which are disturbing. While Cohen tosses in some statistics and reports on the actions being taken by others, this is not an overview of sex trafficking or any other form of forced labor; it is a personal story of one man’s campaign to rescue its victims. An epilogue urges readers to get involved and provides links to various human-rights groups."
March 16, 2016
This book and its author are BULLLLLL SHIT.
To all of you who read it and think its great, file it under the fiction section, because everything written in it are all ego-driven narcissistic lies by a SOCIOPATH. I am one of MANY, many people who knew/know Aaron and who he really is. I am one of the many well-intentioned people who got roped up in one of his "missions abroad" wanting to actually help these victims. But all it was was a web of lies spun for him to travel (on donations), have sex, party/do drugs, and parade around with his white-man's hero complex in 3rd world countries. He ain't no hero. And this book is a bunch of bullshit.
He has destroyed the careers, hearts and lives of many people (even his "friends") who got roped up in his fantasy world. But as soon as they found out the truth, he'd be out to destroy them like a black widow, and cause so much heartache and chaos in their lives by destroying their careers, speaking lies about them in the press, ect... they'd want nothing to do with it anymore... even blowing the much needed whistle. And believe me, there are MANY people who want to expose him for who he really is.
There is a reason, Aaron's "memoir" wasn't turned into a blockbuster movie like he so badly wanted... because the people with the power to do that found out who he really was. Your ability to back stab, lie, and manipulate even reached your coveted Hollywood, Aaron... congrats.
I know Aaron will read this, because he is obsessed with himself, googling his own name all day long.... lol... so enjoy knowing that your farce is up, you megalomaniac. And have fun guessing which of the many people you screwed finally wrote this.
Your house of cards will fall.
To all of you who read it and think its great, file it under the fiction section, because everything written in it are all ego-driven narcissistic lies by a SOCIOPATH. I am one of MANY, many people who knew/know Aaron and who he really is. I am one of the many well-intentioned people who got roped up in one of his "missions abroad" wanting to actually help these victims. But all it was was a web of lies spun for him to travel (on donations), have sex, party/do drugs, and parade around with his white-man's hero complex in 3rd world countries. He ain't no hero. And this book is a bunch of bullshit.
He has destroyed the careers, hearts and lives of many people (even his "friends") who got roped up in his fantasy world. But as soon as they found out the truth, he'd be out to destroy them like a black widow, and cause so much heartache and chaos in their lives by destroying their careers, speaking lies about them in the press, ect... they'd want nothing to do with it anymore... even blowing the much needed whistle. And believe me, there are MANY people who want to expose him for who he really is.
There is a reason, Aaron's "memoir" wasn't turned into a blockbuster movie like he so badly wanted... because the people with the power to do that found out who he really was. Your ability to back stab, lie, and manipulate even reached your coveted Hollywood, Aaron... congrats.
I know Aaron will read this, because he is obsessed with himself, googling his own name all day long.... lol... so enjoy knowing that your farce is up, you megalomaniac. And have fun guessing which of the many people you screwed finally wrote this.
Your house of cards will fall.
August 10, 2017
Aaron Cohen is truly a disciple of God! My experience with him has been truly remarkable and his book only furthered my appreciation of him. The book is great insight in to what he does, why he is motivated to do what he does, and the struggles involved with human trafficking world wide. Aaron makes the movie Taken look minor. He is a superhero for many girls and families around the world. If you are interested in finding ways to better understand trafficking and how to fight it, I would highly recommend you read his book. Aaron is AMAZING!
December 29, 2015
I was very tempted to pigeon-hole Cohen: recovering addict transferring his craving to danger. However, his strategy works. His ethics are sound. He is willing to go where governments and law enforcement won't. He introduces the reader to national and international organizations fighting human trafficking, organizations with which he coordinates his efforts. After reading Slave Hunter you will no longer be able think of human trafficking as happening to nameless, faceless millions.
September 22, 2016
Aaron Cohen's story is interesting because the work he does is interesting--and terrifying, disheartening, empowering, etc. The organization and pacing of the book leaves something to be desired, and for me, the inclusion of the Jubilee/Jane's Addiction stuff was not very compelling, but this is Aaron's story. There are lots of better books on human trafficking/modern slavery, but this isn't a bad one.
January 10, 2010
Fascinating true chronicles of one ordinary man driven by the power of his own heart to attempt extraordinary acts of humanity and bravery. Now a human rights activist, he works hard to purchase freedom for as many slaves as he can...which is often depressing because there are too many all over the world, who are well guarded by their owners.
October 22, 2010
Aaron does an amazing job in putting his experiences into a very well painted picture through text. A great account of atrocities that are committed world wide and the struggles that women, men and children face world wide.
December 16, 2017
看過幾本解放兒童的書, 這本也是. 但這本像是作者在不同國家作相同的事情紀錄. 但也可以讓我們瞭解很多地方仍有販賣兒童或奴隸的情況, 仍像是在我們平常生活中未能理解的世界.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews