An Innocent Bystander

Starred review from June 24, 2019
Salamon (Wendy and the Lost Boys) set out to write about the daughters of Leon Klinghoffer, the American tourist murdered during the 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro cruise ship. But her research led to her to produce a much broader book detailing not only the terrorist incident that shook America but also the lives of those involved, including the terrorists. The Klinghoffers and their New Jersey friends were among the 73 tourists who stayed aboard the ship that October day while the rest took a land tour of Cairo. As the luxury liner moved on to Port Said, it was boarded by Palestinian gunmen. Over the course of several days, the world watched in horror as terrorists and governments negotiated the hostages’ release. It wasn’t until after the authorities left the ship that they realized Jewish American Klinghoffer had been shot and thrown overboard. The author follows the grieving family, the families of the terrorists, the trials, and the Palestine and Israel failed efforts at peace. The alleged mastermind of the hijacking, Abu al-Abbas, was never tried for the crime, dying of a heart attack in American custody in 2004. This moving story stands as the most in-depth look at the hijacking to date. Salamon reinforces her place as one of today’s foremost chroniclers of American politics and culture. Agent: Kathy Robbins, Robbins Office.