In some ways this is an odd book, after all, just
what are the chances of getting kidnapped? Well, the answer of course depends
on where you live and what you do for a living. There are many people
throughout the world who probably are at heightened risk – aid workers in
conflict zones for example – and this book, written by a Norwegian lawyer and
researcher might just save their life. Olav Ofstad certainly knows his stuff,
having spent years in conflict zones working with embassies and international
organisations and worked in the field of conflict resolution. To be sure some
of the information at the beginning of the book about avoiding undue risks in
the first place reads like basic common sense, but it isn’t long before he
serves up intriguing, and quite possibly lifesaving, psychological analysis.
Surviving Kidnappers takes the reader through the
process of being kidnapped, confinement, to (hopefully) release or rescue.
Throughout the author analyses the psychological skills and stratagems one
might use to survive. This is no gung-ho, wannabe special forces survival
manual, rather a serious study gleaned through interviews with victims of
kidnapping combined with the insights gleaned from the psychological literature.
Topics include building empathy and understanding, utilising cognitive
dissonance and cultivating a feeling of reciprocity on behalf of one’s
kidnapper.
It would be a shame if this book was only read by
those at risk of kidnapping, for as with many such titles the insights gleaned
can feed into all walks of life. An appreciation of social psychology and how
to influence others can be beneficial to anyone who’s job leads them to
interact with others. I personally read a wide range of non-fiction and Surviving
Kidnapping has certainly given me a greater appreciation of the psychological
underpinnings of severe trauma, as well as a great understanding of
psychological resilience.
5 out of 5 stars
No comments:
Post a Comment