This novel is based on a true story, and was eventually made into a movie.
On September 11, 1999, eight oil workers-seven Canadians and one American-in Ecuador on a routine mission to repair a stretch of corroded pipe for United Pipeline Systems were taken hostage by fifteen armed guerrillas. The book is coauthored by Shawn Ohler and Vicki Hall.

I have a personal connection with novel, my uncle is Inspector Black. Back in 1999, he was one of two Canadian Hostage negotiators, to this day, I remember him calling my mom every few weeks, unable to tell here where he was, only that he was a long way from home and he had no idea when he would return to Canadian soil.

I really loved the book, it was a fast read, and the brutality those Canadian men and other hostages went through is heartbreaking. The movie wasn't a good as the book, but it was an 'ok' made for TV movie.

My family still laugh to this day, Peter Outerbridge looks nothing like him, my uncle is 6'4, stocky frame and all muscle. After the movie was aired, Peter called my uncle and asked how he did (on the movie), my uncle told him he did a fantastic job and he was a great actor ... but he never watched the movie, he says it brings back too many memories, he would rather forget. The group of men and RCMP members, my uncle included still get together with their families every summer in Calgary for a BBQ and celebrate life <3