Press releases

Author recounts Taliban ordeal
for House of Hope benefit

PRESS RELEASE DATE: FEB. 13, 2011

Read more about the Authors Series

In the next installment of the Authors Series to Benefit House of Hope, American journalist Jere Van Dyk will discuss his book "Captive," which recounts his 45-day ordeal as a prisoner of the Taliban and provides insights into the war in Afghanistan.

Van Dyk will appear 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in the Wolf High-Technology Center at Indian River State College's Chastain Campus, 2400 SE Salerno Road, Stuart.

As a reporter in the early 1980s, Van Dyk lived with the mujahideen in Afghanistan as they fought against the Soviet Army. In 2008, he returned to Afghanistan to report on the U.S.-led war. He was exploring the war zone along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border when he was captured by a band of Taliban fighters. His book, "Captive: My Time as a Prisoner of the Taliban," provides a harrowing account of his experience and a vivid look at Afghanistan's grim realities.

During his Authors Series appearance, Van Dyke will address the audience, participate in a Q&A and then be available for autographing books, which will be on sale by Barnes & Noble at the venue. All ticket sale proceeds and a portion of the book sale proceeds benefit House of Hope.

Tickets are $30 and can be ordered online at www.hohmartin.org, by calling (772) 286-4673, or by stopping by House of Hope, 2484 SE Bonita St., Stuart.

The final installment in the agency's Authors Series will be 7 p.m. March 10, featuring Dominique Browning and her book, "Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas & Found Happiness." Browning was editor-in-chief of House & Garden magazine for 13 years, and the job defined her days and her identity. When the magazine folded in 2007, she was shaken to the core. In this funny, gracious memoir, Browning recounts how she found enlightenment.

Stephen Schramm of HBK Sorce Financial is the lead sponsor of Browning's appearance.

Previous installments of the Authors Series to Benefit House of Hope were Alexandra Lebenthal, a Wall Street expert who wrote a novel titled, "The Recessionistas," and 1950s heart-throb Tab Hunter, who discussed his film career and his book, "Tab Hunter Confidential: The making of a Movie Star."

House of Hope provides food, clothing, household necessities, financial assistance and life-changing case management services for Martin County residents in need. All four locations operate a resale store, a food pantry and connect people to the agency's assistance programs.

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For insights and info about Jere Van Dyk, visit these links:

http://bigthink.com/jerevandyk

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128244068

http://www.carnegiecouncil.org/people/data/jere_van_dyk.html