Book

Missing

📖 Overview

Missing examines the real-life story of Charles Horman, an American journalist who disappeared in Chile during the 1973 military coup that overthrew Salvador Allende. The book follows Charles's father Ed and wife Joyce as they search for answers about his fate in the chaotic aftermath of the coup. Thomas Hauser documents the family's investigation through extensive research and interviews, revealing layers of obfuscation from both Chilean and U.S. officials. The narrative tracks their encounters with embassy staff, military personnel, witnesses, and fellow journalists while constructing a timeline of Charles's last known movements. The book confronts questions about U.S. involvement in Chile and the responsibilities governments have to protect citizens abroad. Through its examination of one family's quest for truth, Missing illuminates the human cost of international power politics and state violence.

👀 Reviews

Readers found Missing to be a detailed investigation into the disappearance of Charles Horman during Chile's 1973 military coup. Reviews highlight Hauser's thorough research and clear presentation of complex political events. Readers appreciated: - The methodical documentation of the search for Horman - Clear explanation of US government involvement - First-hand accounts from family members - Balanced reporting that lets readers draw conclusions Common criticisms: - Some found the prose dry and technical - Several readers wanted more background on Chile's political situation - A few noted dated references in earlier editions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (276 reviews) Amazon: 4.3/5 (47 reviews) Reader quotes: "Reads like a detective story but with meticulous attention to documented facts" - Goodreads reviewer "Important historical record but sometimes gets bogged down in details" - Amazon reviewer

📚 Similar books

The Disappearance of Josef Mengele by Olivier Guez This account follows the post-war manhunt for the Nazi doctor through South America, blending historical facts with narrative techniques to document his time as a fugitive.

Death Flight by John Harris The book chronicles Argentina's military practice of dropping political dissidents into the ocean from aircraft during the Dirty War.

Overturned by James Neff The investigation reconstructs how Sam Sheppard's wrongful murder conviction exposed flaws in the American justice system and inspired "The Fugitive."

The Real Odessa by Uki Goñi The investigation reveals the networks that helped Nazi war criminals escape to Argentina with support from the Catholic Church and Juan Perón's government.

All That Remains by Patricia Cornwell The examination follows the investigation of multiple disappearances in Virginia through forensic evidence and police procedural details.

🤔 Interesting facts

🔍 "Missing" is based on the true story of Charles Horman, an American journalist who disappeared in Chile during the 1973 coup that overthrew Salvador Allende. ⚖️ The book sparked international attention and led to a U.S. Senate hearing on human rights violations in Chile under Augusto Pinochet's regime. 🎬 Costa-Gavras adapted the book into an Academy Award-winning film in 1982, starring Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek. 📝 Thomas Hauser conducted over 100 interviews and reviewed thousands of documents to piece together the story, including classified State Department records. 🌎 The case became a symbol of U.S. complicity in Latin American political repression, as evidence suggested American officials knew about Horman's detention but failed to intervene.