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Siege

The powerful and uncompromising story of what happened inside the Lindt Cafe and why the police response went so tragically wrong
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( 279 ratings, 26 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Siege by Deborah Snow delves into the 2014 Lindt Café hostage crisis in Sydney, offering an insightful exploration of the event's tense unfolding. The book examines the psychological and political landscape surrounding the situation, providing an in-depth look at both the hostages' experiences and the broader implications for national security and governance. This gripping narrative captures the complexity and chaos of the siege and its aftermath.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you're captivated by detailed, behind-the-scenes accounts of pivotal events in recent history. Delving into the complexities of crisis management and the human stories involved, it offers a thorough exploration of a significant moment in contemporary politics, providing both factual insight and emotional depth.

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Hurtling towards its inevitable and tragic conclusion, Deborah Snow draws us into a vortex of police missteps, extraordinary bravery and profound grief to reveal what happened during that awful day.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

“I'm sure you will be as shocked and bewildered by what you've learnt, as I was.”

Afterword, Louisa Hope, Lindt Cafe hostage

On 15 December 2014, just ten days before Christmas, the unthinkable happened—a terrorist attack on Australian soil. For seventeen hours, Islamic State-inspired gunman Man Haron Monis held his captives in a terrifying drama that paralysed Sydney and kept a nation glued to its television screens. Two hostages were killed, and three were seriously wounded. The others would have their lives changed forever.

Despite the police leadership declaring it was well prepared for a terrorist attack, many shortcomings on the night revealed a response that fell seriously short of that promise. Deborah Snow lays bare what happened behind the scenes in the cafe as the hostages tried to keep themselves alive while waiting for a police response that didn't come. She also takes us into the police command posts as communications, equipment, and decision-making structures broke down.

Hurtling towards its inevitable and tragic conclusion, Siege draws us into a vortex of police missteps, extraordinary bravery, and profound grief to reveal what happened during that awful day. Shocking, compelling and revealing, Siege will take its place as the classic account of these events.

“Deborah Snow has written a tense and compelling narrative that both captures the human drama of the siege and interrogates the organisational failures that led to its tragic conclusion.” - Sydney Morning Herald

“Compelling...” - The Weekend Australian

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Siege by Deborah Snow is praised for its thorough and insightful exploration of a high-stakes hostage situation at Sydney's Lindt Café. Reviewers commend Snow's meticulous research and her ability to weave together the narratives of those involved, offering a compelling and humanising account of both the victims and the law enforcement response. The book is lauded for its balanced perspective and detailed analysis, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the event's impact on Australian society.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760876258

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 September 2019

Country: Australia

Imprint: Allen & Unwin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 302g

Pages: 328

About the Author

Deborah Snow is an award-winning senior reporter for Fairfax Media. A journalist of four decades' standing she has previously worked in the Canberra Press Gallery, been as a reporter on Four Corners and the ABC's London and Moscow correspondent. Siege is her first book.

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