The Birthday Party: A Memoir of Survival by Stanley N. Alpert

() The plot of this memoir is unique: the author is kidnapped and held for over 24 hours, including on his birthday. He is robbed and "psychologically tortured," but then let go. The book details this account as well as the later prosecution of the criminals involved.

The abduction seemed completely spur of the moment, a random act committed in the process of their "usual" patterned muggings. They took Alpert, an environmental advocacy attorney, and kept him hostage while they continued to use his bank cards to withdraw mass amounts of money from his accounts. They were armed, but weren't your usual cruel, violent kidnappers. They offered Alpert food, and even a 'blow job' from one of the prostitutes that were present.

Their culture was completely alien to Alpert. He had never been exposed to individuals who smoked weed everyday, turned 'tricks' for money, and committed sex acts in the presence of others with no second thought. Crime to these people was common place, almost necessary. But their humanity was undeniable; they cared about him. They even offered Alpert $20 to catch a cab when they let him go.

It's interesting, sure, but the second half of the book can drag on with details, especially about the case and trial. This didn't seem really necessary and puts a damper on the book.