Cast Away: True Stories of Survival from Europe's Refugee Crisis

Journalist McDonald-Gibson goes beyond mere statistics to write an incredibly compelling, in-depth look at five European refugees as they escape civil war and carnage as a result of political uncertainty. From being forced out of Syria to landing on the unwelcoming shores of Italy and Greece having lived through a tortuous journey, these first-person accounts collected from countless interviews offer a fresh perspective and fervent call to action on a subject that has increasing global interest and impact. As the author points out, no one should be turning a blind eye. There is a lot of detail, including maps and sources for further reading, yet sometimes the information is overwhelming and difficult to follow. Without some background knowledge or seeking out the sources provided, portions of the text could prove challenging, despite Gibson's effort to make this work accessible to all. In the same vein, the topic of how to aid refugees is a controversial one; this moving story may only interest those already on the side of the issue Gibson is promoting.