Review of Quest: Finding Freddie
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Gabrielle Stepp
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Review of Quest: Finding Freddie
[Following is a volunteer review of "Quest: Finding Freddie" by Thomas Richard Spradlin.]
Quest: Finding Freddie by Thomas Richard Spradlin is a nail biting, harrowing story. Spradlin shares the true life events of his pursuit to locate and maybe rescue the recently missing man referred to in this book as Freddie Nachman. Freddie, who happens to be Jewish, is the Chief Executive Officer of Nachman International Trading Company and a Swedish National.
In the early morning hours of Saturday August 14, 1976, Freddie disappeared from the upscale Federal Palace Hotel while on a business trip to Lagos, Nigeria. The month preceding Freddie’s disappearance saw the 1976 Entebbe Raid. The hostage mission brought to a head ongoing political tensions between Palestine, Israel, Uganda and Kenya, finally ending in the death of 245 Kenyans living in Uganda.
With a strained political climate between Jewish people and people across Africa—including Nigerians—Spradlin, an attorney and general partner in a Washington D.C. law firm, had recently been in Lagos on other business on a single entry visa. Retained by Nachman International Trading Company, Spradlin was to return to Lagos and locate Freddie.
Spradlin springs into action and quickly heads out for Nigeria to locate Freddie. Luckily, Spradlin had managed to make some important connections on his previous trip to Lagos which allowed him to assemble a diverse team of people that not only assist him, but they possibly become lifelong friends.
I learned so much while reading this book. For example, I learned about how the Nigerian government functioned in 1976, and the tense political atmosphere, where cash is king. And that General Gowon, Head of State, was deposed nine years to the day that he became Head of State by way of a coup d’éta while away from Nigeria at a Summit of the Organization of African Unity in Uganda. General Gowon sought and was given political asylum in London, England.
Additionally, I learned public executions were taking place at this time in Nigeria. Those found guilty of participating in the short-lived coup with Lieutenant Colonel B. Dimka were to be publicly executed. All of this only underscored that Spradlin knew he was heading back into a dangerous situation, deepening the tension as I read.
I was impressed by Spradlin’s kindness and patience, but I was more impressed with the growth and change he experienced through the course of these events. The change is expressed subtly throughout the book in the way he interacts with others. The best part for me was not only seeing how Spradlin changed, but how he changed to people around him. He impacted and perhaps saved several lives while searching for Freddie.
This historical non-fiction is incredibly educational, detailed and action-packed. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre. I was completely entertained reading Quest: Finding Freddie, and rated this book 5 out of 5 stars. There are only a few editing errors, but they didn’t detract from my reading experience. This is an impressive body of work as it stands and I wouldn’t change a thing.
******
Quest: Finding Freddie
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Quest: Finding Freddie by Thomas Richard Spradlin is a nail biting, harrowing story. Spradlin shares the true life events of his pursuit to locate and maybe rescue the recently missing man referred to in this book as Freddie Nachman. Freddie, who happens to be Jewish, is the Chief Executive Officer of Nachman International Trading Company and a Swedish National.
In the early morning hours of Saturday August 14, 1976, Freddie disappeared from the upscale Federal Palace Hotel while on a business trip to Lagos, Nigeria. The month preceding Freddie’s disappearance saw the 1976 Entebbe Raid. The hostage mission brought to a head ongoing political tensions between Palestine, Israel, Uganda and Kenya, finally ending in the death of 245 Kenyans living in Uganda.
With a strained political climate between Jewish people and people across Africa—including Nigerians—Spradlin, an attorney and general partner in a Washington D.C. law firm, had recently been in Lagos on other business on a single entry visa. Retained by Nachman International Trading Company, Spradlin was to return to Lagos and locate Freddie.
Spradlin springs into action and quickly heads out for Nigeria to locate Freddie. Luckily, Spradlin had managed to make some important connections on his previous trip to Lagos which allowed him to assemble a diverse team of people that not only assist him, but they possibly become lifelong friends.
I learned so much while reading this book. For example, I learned about how the Nigerian government functioned in 1976, and the tense political atmosphere, where cash is king. And that General Gowon, Head of State, was deposed nine years to the day that he became Head of State by way of a coup d’éta while away from Nigeria at a Summit of the Organization of African Unity in Uganda. General Gowon sought and was given political asylum in London, England.
Additionally, I learned public executions were taking place at this time in Nigeria. Those found guilty of participating in the short-lived coup with Lieutenant Colonel B. Dimka were to be publicly executed. All of this only underscored that Spradlin knew he was heading back into a dangerous situation, deepening the tension as I read.
I was impressed by Spradlin’s kindness and patience, but I was more impressed with the growth and change he experienced through the course of these events. The change is expressed subtly throughout the book in the way he interacts with others. The best part for me was not only seeing how Spradlin changed, but how he changed to people around him. He impacted and perhaps saved several lives while searching for Freddie.
This historical non-fiction is incredibly educational, detailed and action-packed. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre. I was completely entertained reading Quest: Finding Freddie, and rated this book 5 out of 5 stars. There are only a few editing errors, but they didn’t detract from my reading experience. This is an impressive body of work as it stands and I wouldn’t change a thing.
******
Quest: Finding Freddie
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Gabrielle
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