2002, 1st edition. 284 pp. b/w photos. Hardcover with dust jacket. Fine.
A year before America woke to the madness of Islamic terrorism, four young American rock climbers inclduing Beth Roddn and Tommy Caldwell were pulled directly into its line of fire on a rock climbing expedition 80 miles from Afghanistan. Oblivious to the volatile mix of ethnic strife, drug smuggling, and militant Islam brewing there, the four had been seeking extreme adventure in the 'Yosemite Valley' of Central Asia.
Greg Child gives a riveting chronicle of their capture by militants of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (linked to al Qaeda), who dragged them through six harrowing days of gun battles before the four made their dramatic escape.
