
Blood Ransom
Stories from the Front Line in the War against Somali Piracy
John Boyle(Author)
Adlard Coles Nautical (Publisher)
Published on 7. May 2015
Book
Paperback/Softback
304 pages
978-1-4729-2004-1 (ISBN)
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Description
For the first time in history, the navies of every superpower on the planet have united against a common enemy - a couple of thousand rag tag underfed men and boys. Crammed together in tiny open boats, they range up to a thousand miles from their home shores. Armed with ancient AK47s and rocket propelled grenades, they scour the western Indian Ocean. No-one knows how many simply die at sea. But occasionally these modern-day pirates hit the jackpot, seizing vessels and crews that will be ransomed for millions of dollars. This is a war that's estimated to cost the world economy $18 billion every year, and has so far seemed impossible to win.
John Boyle is a lawyer turned filmmaker. Whilst filming for National Geographic on the war against the Somali pirates, he found himself meeting victims on every side, and being drawn into the incredibly complex situation. The phenomenon of modern-day piracy has horrified the world; the Somalis being demonised and released hostages gaining near celebrity status. But few people have any understanding of the overall picture, and in this book John takes us with him on his investigation, giving us a unique insight into the ongoing war.
John builds up the story using his experiences on the ground and interviews with key figures, including prosecution and defence lawyers, a prison governor, pirates serving life sentences, freed hostages, and a skipper of a Maersk containership identical to that captured in the Captain Philips film. Each chapter strips back the well-known issues to the gritty realities underneath them: Somalia's recent history; why young men and boys are choosing to risk their lives and freedom at sea; the reality of being a modern-day pirate; the tactics and technologies being used by the international navies and shipping vessels; capture and trial; and what happens next.
John Boyle is a lawyer turned filmmaker. Whilst filming for National Geographic on the war against the Somali pirates, he found himself meeting victims on every side, and being drawn into the incredibly complex situation. The phenomenon of modern-day piracy has horrified the world; the Somalis being demonised and released hostages gaining near celebrity status. But few people have any understanding of the overall picture, and in this book John takes us with him on his investigation, giving us a unique insight into the ongoing war.
John builds up the story using his experiences on the ground and interviews with key figures, including prosecution and defence lawyers, a prison governor, pirates serving life sentences, freed hostages, and a skipper of a Maersk containership identical to that captured in the Captain Philips film. Each chapter strips back the well-known issues to the gritty realities underneath them: Somalia's recent history; why young men and boys are choosing to risk their lives and freedom at sea; the reality of being a modern-day pirate; the tactics and technologies being used by the international navies and shipping vessels; capture and trial; and what happens next.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Illustrations
Colour photo section
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
Weight
501 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4729-2004-1 (9781472920041)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions

Book
05/2015
Adlard Coles Nautical
€41.03
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
John Boyle studied PPE at Oxford, then went on to set up his own legal firm, selling it after 15 years to focus on documentary film production. Over the following 25 years he has filmed and produced around 30 documentaries, which have sold worldwide. National Geographic are his exclusive television sales agents. He writes all his own documentary scripts, and narrates and writes for other producers. Current projects include an underwater series in Mexico as well as documentaries in Indonesia and Cuba.
Content
1 A Failed State
2 Pirates in Paradise
3 The Legendary Land of Punt
4 One of the Oldest Professions
5 How to Be a Pirate
6 First Encounter
7 A President on the Front Line
8 Fighting the War on Piracy
9 A Reluctant Hostage
10 Complaints about the Food
11 An Unwise Target
12 Naval Force Headquarters
13 Talking with the Pirates
14 Outwitting the Pirates
15 Best Practice
16 The Container-ship Captain
17 The Policeman Who Didn't Become a Pirate
18 The Law of the Sea
19 From the Old Bailey to the Beach
2 Pirates in Paradise
3 The Legendary Land of Punt
4 One of the Oldest Professions
5 How to Be a Pirate
6 First Encounter
7 A President on the Front Line
8 Fighting the War on Piracy
9 A Reluctant Hostage
10 Complaints about the Food
11 An Unwise Target
12 Naval Force Headquarters
13 Talking with the Pirates
14 Outwitting the Pirates
15 Best Practice
16 The Container-ship Captain
17 The Policeman Who Didn't Become a Pirate
18 The Law of the Sea
19 From the Old Bailey to the Beach