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  • The Dawn Prayer (or How to Survive in a Secret Syrian Terrorist Prison)

  • By: Matthew Schrier
  • Narrated by: Michael David Axtell
  • Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (131 ratings)
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The Dawn Prayer (or How to Survive in a Secret Syrian Terrorist Prison)

By: Matthew Schrier
Narrated by: Michael David Axtell
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Summary

A photographer captured in Syria and imprisoned for seven months recounts his story and how he became the first American ever to escape al-Qaeda.

"What is your name?" asked General Mohammad.

"Matthew," I said. I had stopped saying Matt a while ago because it means "dead" in Arabic.

On New Year's Eve in 2012, Matthew Schrier was headed home from Syria, where he'd been photographing the intense combat of the country's civil war. Just 45 minutes from the safety of the Turkish border, he was taken prisoner by the al-Nusra Front, an organization the world would come to know as the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda.

Over the next seven months he would endure torture and near starvation in six brutal terrorist prisons. He would face a daily struggle just to survive. And, eventually, he would escape. In this gripping, raw, and surprisingly funny memoir, Schrier details the horrifying and frequently surreal experience of being a slight, wisecracking Jewish guy held captive by the world's most violent Islamic extremists. Managing to keep his heritage a secret, Schrier used humor to develop relationships with his captors - and to keep himself sane during the long months of captivity.

The Dawn Prayer (or How to Survive in a Secret Syrian Terrorist Prison) is a tale of patriotism and unimaginable bleakness shot through with light, of despair and friendship, sacrifice and betrayal, in a setting of bombed-out buildings and shifting alliances. It's the story of the first Westerner to escape al-Qaeda - not a battle-hardened soldier, but an ordinary New Yorker who figured out how to set his escape plan in motion from a scene in Jurassic Park. From the prisoners' fiercely competitive hacky-sack games and volleyball tournaments (played using a ball made of shredded orange peels and a shoelace) to his own truly nail-biting breakout, Matthew Schrier's story is unforgettable - and one you won't want to miss.

©2018 Matthew Schrier (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Dawn Prayer (or How to Survive in a Secret Syrian Terrorist Prison)

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Obnoxious, rude, arrogant bully who thinks he’s better than other people

I absolutely ended up despising the author with his over inflated ego, narcissistic personality and shear lack of self awareness that infact he actually thinks people will agree with his perspective and take on the situation and people involved. He carries on like everybody he met during this traumatic experience liked him and what a funny stand up solid guy he is.. I’d beg to differ this is the reality. If I found myself locked up with this guy I’d be praying he escaped so I didn’t have to tolerate his BS. I’ve never listened to anything so irritating as this man’s complete and utter self obsessed claims that he’s some kind of hero. Better people have been through worse situations and came out of it more humble and with dignity. This guy just expects some kind of recognition by being an absolute A’hole

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    1 out of 5 stars
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I gave this 5 stars, until I watched Theos docu

I appreciate that Matt went through a bad time but after just watching Theos documentary, I have changed review from 5 stars to one star. There's no need for lies and betrayal.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

eleven out of ten!

I really loved this book. The narrater really brought the story to life. This book is very highly recommended. Very insightful story....

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Interesting story.

Whilst I found this book interesting, sadly I have to say that I find the author obnoxious.
The narration was excellent.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Well worth a listen….

Really enjoyed this book having an interest in the Middle East and included with subscription. Interesting and always wanting to keep listening

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gritty survival

Well told,. well written, never dull, great narration. Recommended reading for a prison book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Intensly captivating!

Such a captivating listen and hard to put down. The humanity in some parts of the book is overwhelming from the unlikeliest of people to an American prisoner in Syria. Absolutely fantastic from beginning to end.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Awesome story

As a far as audio books go. This one had me constantly wanting to hear more. Also made me appreciate other people’s beliefs. There are a lot of evil people in the world but also a lot of good people. A very interesting book.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Incredible

One of the best books I have listed to. A truest amazing story, very well narrated

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Courage in the face of uncertainty.

A great read, I really enjoyed it 10/10, a page turned that I found impossible to put down.

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