For six months, she prepared. She memorized the streets of Tehran. She learned to say “I am lost” and “Take me to the Turkish embassy” in halting Farsi. She stitched money—small denominations—into the lining of her coat and into Mahtob’s doll. She told Mahtob a secret game: “We are going on an adventure, sweetheart. But you cannot tell anyone, not even Grandma. If you tell, the adventure will disappear.”
The international community rallied around Betty and Mahtob, and with the help of the American government, they were finally able to return to the United States in 1980. The ordeal had taken a toll on both Betty and Mahtob, but they were finally safe. not without my daughter book
Betty and Mahtob stumbled into the village as the first call to prayer echoed over the mountains. A old Kurdish woman found them huddled against a wall, half-frozen. She didn’t speak English or Farsi, but she understood. She pulled them into her home, wrapped them in wool blankets, and fed them hot tea and bread. For six months, she prepared
She woke Mahtob with a kiss. “Time for the adventure,” she whispered. If you tell, the adventure will disappear
is a non-fiction biographical account written by and ghostwriter William Hoffer , first published in 1987 . The book chronicles Betty's survival and daring escape from Iran with her young daughter, Mahtob, after being held captive by her husband. Core Narrative
