165 Days: Prisoner of the Taliban

- Blurb -

This is a true, first-person account of Taliban captivity in Waziristan. Above all, it provides a stark reminder of the privilege of freedom. British documentary filmmaker Asad Qureshi works in the world' s most dangerous places. When he set off to film secret interviews with Taliban commanders, the award-winning filmmaker found himself on the wrong end of the camera lens, with a gun at his temple and a price of 10 million US dollars on his head. Asad would spend 165 days in captivity before his family was able to pay his ransom and secure his release. The negotiations and eventual release were coordinated by Al Qaeda intermediaries. Throughout his time as a hostage, Qureshi was tortured and humiliated, as were his fellow prisoners, several of whom would not return. This is a true, first-person account of Taliban captivity in Waziristan, the dangerous border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Above all, it provides a stark reminder of the privilege of freedom. AUTHOR: A protege of famed British film director John Schlesinger, Asad Qureshi started work in the film industry in 1978 and has worked variously as assistant director, director, and producer. He was kidnapped in March 2010 in Waziristan, the dangerous border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Asad was released in September 2010 through family negotiations after 165 days of captivity. He heads up the independent production company Avant-garde Films. SELLING POINTS: . A gripping first-person account of long-term captivity at the hands of terrorists in Waziristan, the dangerous border region between Pakistan and Afghanistan . While Asad was held hostage, his family struggled mightily to free him. This book highlights not only the will to survive, but also the love of family . There are several popular accounts of Taliban hostages who were rescued by American Special Forces; Asad was handed over to and escorted home by operatives of Al Qaeda 22 photographs