A Mighty Heart: The Brave Life and Death of My Husband Danny Pearl

Although I knew the outcome of this riveting story before reading the book, it held my interest from page one. The names and places in Pakistan were a bit confusing, but the themes of love, hope, and courage shone through every event, the happy and the sad. Mariane Pearl thinks of her husband Danny as having a mighty heart, but I think most readers of this book will argue that she too has a mighty heart, a brave one. Interwoven within the horrors of the kidnapping and the interminable waiting that goes on, there is a love story. You sense the love the Pearls have for each other, the dreams for their unborn child, and the excitement of the life they have together. You sense the feeling of terror that Mariane feels when Danny doesn't answer his phone; nor does he call her. Still, life must go on, and she co-hosts a dinner party, one that she knows he would never miss if he were available. She suspects the worst, and by morning authorities have been contacted. There follow several tortuous weeks of waiting and hoping, of promises to bring "your Danny home" to the horrible tape that shows Danny's death. Educational, A Mighty Heart is also a story of contrasts, good and evil. Although Danny Pearl was killed in a merciless manner, his loyal friends, loving wife, family in the states, and Adam (born at the end) demonstrate that there's still love in the world...and hope.

A sad story of how a journalist met his untimely death by Pakistani Islamic terrorists associated with al Quada. Pearl did not want to cover the story of the Afghan War, but he was interested in the conflict in Pakistan. He was trying to get leads to the Richard Reid shoe bombing contacts in Karachi when he was lured to his kidnapping and death by terrorists. This story is by his wife and companion Marianne Pearl and is dedicated to their unborn son Adam. Marianne was a devoted wife and loved her husband a great deal. She details the aftermath of the kidnapping and how she attempted to deal with it. One of the things I was amazed at is when Pearl was killed, many Muslims in authority attempted to link Pearl to The CIA, Mossad, etc and in turn blame the killing on a Western conspiracy. Rather than admit that fanatics from their religion killed this innocent man, they blame the West or even the victim himself. This is a moving read. Danny should be proud of his wife Marianne for holding up his ideals even after this tragedy.

This is such an inspiring story. The story is so interesting. a must read!

This book was a little slow to start, but about halfway through I couldn't put it down. I was hooked. The author lets us know many details of her life with her husband, truly a great man -- what a loss to the world is his death. She exhibits great courage, persistence, hope, and appreciation for those who assisted her through this ordeal. I was crying at several points in this book, even at the end, where she includes many of the letters of support she received from people all over the world. The other bus passengers must have wondered what was going on with me as I sat there reading with tears streaming down my face!

This book is the most intimate portrayal of the forces of terrorism that has been published. Ms. Pearl's place as a common woman caught unwanted and suddenly alone in the crosshairs of today's most terrible forces makes her comparable to a modern version of Rosa Parks. Ms. Pearl's book is courageous, and her writing is gripping. Moreover, her loving portrait of her husband, Daniel Pearl, is touching and romantic. Far from a tragedy, Ms. Pearl's indomitable spirit transforms the horrendous murder of Daniel Pearl into a sharply focused call for justice and truth. This book is a must read. It will not only teach you about what terrorism is really about. This book has the power to change your life.