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"Ninety-nine percent of us have never robbed anyone, much less numerous banks. But, like most of us, the 'gentleman bank robber' had no clue what was really missing in his life. He was convinced that, given the right circumstances, he could find it. And he blamed God for what He did to him. Cooper finally found, in the most unlikely of places, what had been missing all his life, and confronts us eloquently and powerfully with an inescapable reality: The only thing that can satisfy our deepest, most intense longings is a personal relationship with God. Cooper lays it all out in this fast-paced, easy-read page-turner you cannot put down." --Ben Kinchlow, former co-host, The 700 Club; bestselling author.
Endorsements
"In Held Hostage Ken Cooper describes the absolute horror and despair of prison life as well as any writer I have encountered. More importantly, however, Ken points his readers to the only Light that can penetrate the darkness of prison—or the darkness of the human heart. This is an amazing testimony." --Chuck Colson, founder, Prison Fellowship.
"Since I was a boy, I have been influenced by stories about one-time criminals making a radical conversion to Jesus Christ while they are imprisoned—molding my conviction of the transforming power of the Good News Gospel. In this book Ken Cooper vividly displays that power and sustainable truth. He is living out what 2 Corinthians 5:17 clearly states: 'If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!'" --Luis Palau, evangelist.
"Ken's life story is an inspiration. It also helped me understand what life is like in a maximum-security prison (near where I live in Florida). Truly, as a Portuguese proverb states, 'God writes straight with crooked lines.' Held Hostage reveals the compassion of Jesus in a marvelous way." --Francis MacNutt, Ph.D., co-founder and director, Christian Healing Ministries; bestselling author, Healing.
Reviews
"Convicted serial bank robber Cooper steals the show in the road to redemption genre for 2009 with this gripping narrative about his slide from petty theft to hostage-taking bank heists. Shot down mid-robbery, captured and sentenced in 1982 to 99 years, the author takes readers into the prison...In prison, Cooper reflects on the double life that led to his incarceration; he worked for a Christian college, but also robbed banks to medicate the loss of his wife. Finding freedom, even in lock down, and forgiveness for his crimes, including his disregard for God and his stepson, becomes a quest that will have readers hanging on till the end of this surprisingly well-narrated book. The power of God's love and of prayer for enemies leads to the transformation of an entire cell block ... to a place of peace and love of neighbor. This new voice will be a runaway favorite for fans of the redemption narrative." --Publishers Weekly.
"Ken Cooper can tell a story. He weaves in and out like a well-honed loom. He does an amazing job of drawing the reader into his thought process. You become immersed in his woes and his highs. You hold your breath with him as is cellblock is chosen for him by Mrs. Joseph. You mourn with him the loss of his family and his seperation from loved ones. You cheer him when he realizes how Jesus cleanses the most vile and pulls those from the deepest mire.... This is a smooth read. It is not for the fainthearted, but is worthy of some late nights. I recommend it." --Gina Burgess, Bloggernews.net.
"Ninety-nine percent of us have never robbed anyone, much less numerous banks. But, like most of us, the 'gentleman bank robber' had no clue what was really missing in his life. He was convinced that, given the right circumstances, he could find it. And he blamed God for what He did to him. Cooper finally found, in the most unlikely of places, what had been missing all his life, and confronts us eloquently and powerfully with an inescapable reality: The only thing that can satisfy our deepest, most intense longings is a personal relationship with God. Cooper lays it all out in this fast-paced, easy-read page-turner you cannot put down." --Ben Kinchlow, former co-host, The 700 Club; bestselling author.
Review by Pat...for Amazon
I'm going to begin this on a more personal note than I normally do. I received this biography as an advance reader's copy, and I knew it was from a Christian publisher. Now, I grew up in a Christian household, I went to church every Sunday and from 8th grade to graduation I attended a tiny, private Christian school. I am tolerant, but sick to death of Christian testimony. Needless to say I was not thrilled about this book and I am now embarrassed to admit that. The plot (if that is the right word) is fairly straight forward. Ken throws the reader in the deep end by starting with the bank robbery where it all went wrong, and then goes back to the beginning. The reader is taken at whirlwind pace through Ken's childhood, his first brushes with "joy juice", continued heartbreak that fed into his need for something more, the horrors of our prison system, and finally his discovery of God and his surrender to His will. Ken Cooper's writing is no doubt engaging, the biography took me a day and a half to read, and though I was completely engaged, it wasn't until I came upon the story of Mr. Magoo that I found myself weeping on the couch where I read, that I realized this was so much more than an ex-convict's moment on a soap box. In those short 36 hours Ken had become a piece of myself. He won my heart through his honesty, and unapologetic love of Christ and I finished the book feeling like I was capable of anything with God behind me. Just as Ken felt a peace settling over his life, I felt a peace reading his words. I'm unsure of how fair it is to rate a biography as you are not judging someone's story, but who they are and the life they have had, but Ken Cooper deserves five stars for all the above, despite the events that brought him to that fifth star. On the off chance that you ever see this Ken, I wish you all the best and at least for me, you will be "remembered for what you have written, not for what you have done."
Held Hostage’s Impact on a reader named Rachel …
I have just finished reading your book and I am in tears! Your experiences with God have changed my faith and relationship with God FOREVER! I have been a Christian for a long time but have never understood God and I probably still do not know him like I should but because of your book my relationship with Jesus is forever changed! God bless you for that incredible book! My boyfriend is in jail, ironically in Hillsborough County as we live in Tampa, for one two many DUI's. He was arrested and sentenced to jail for a year. It has been the best thing that has ever happened! For both of us! I have been using this time to grow with God and so has he! I also sent him a copy of your book and I pray that it touches his life the way it has me! I have begun sending books as often as I can to the jail for him to use as well as the other guys! It’s a tiny book ministry that we are doing but it has blessed me and made me feel more complete than I ever have ever in my life! I have never been in trouble with the law except for a speeding ticket but through books like yours and Brian’s I have developed such a heart for the men behind bars. They are not animals or monsters! They are suffering! From addictions and their own heartaches! I do not even know why I am writing and it may come across unclearly to you for I am crying from joy as I write you! You have touched my life in a way I can never forget! God Bless you both!
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The Book, "Held Hostage"
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