Six Minutes to Freedom

How a Band of Heroes Defied a Dictator and Helped Free a Nation

By: Kurt Muse, John Gilstrap

Narrated by: Paul Heitsch

Length: 10 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's summary

Dear President Bush,

My name is Kimberly Anne Muse. I am writing this letter not for me but for my father, Kurt Frederick Muse. As you should know by now, he is a political prisoner in Panama...

Born in the United States and raised in Panama, Kurt Muse grew up with a deep love for his adopted country. But the crushing regime of General Manuel Noriega in the late 1980s threatened his, and a nation's, freedom. A nightmare of murder and unexplained disappearances compelled Kurt and a few trusted friends to begin a clandestine radio campaign, urging the people of Panama to rise up for their basic human rights.

Six Minutes to Freedom is the remarkable tale of Kurt Muse's arrest and harrowing months of imprisonment; his eyewitness accounts of torture; and the plight of his family as they fled for their lives. It is also the heart-pounding account of the only American civilian ever rescued by the elite Delta Force. Timelier than ever, this is a thrilling and highly personal narrative about one man's courage and dedication to his beliefs.

©2006 Kurt Muse and Associates LLC & John Gilstrap, Inc. (P)2019 Tantor

Only the Brave advance history

Kurt had lived his entire life in Panama. He attended local Panamanian schools as was a patriot in the best sense - he chose to be.
Teaming with fellow Patriotic Rotarians he bravely chose to act for the benefit of the Panamanian people while most others just talked and complained. Bravery is not a concept - it is an act, one that often requires putting oneself at personal risk. Kurt did both. His conscience and courage required him to do so.
His acts and those of his fellow patriots set in motion the events that led to to the overthrow of the dictator Noriega and eventual re-establishing democracy in Panama.

The dramatic writing

Thorough description of Kurt Muse and his family during his arrest and incarceration. Seems overly dramatized.

Overlooked part of history

When describing Operation Just Cause, this rescue is often only addressed in the tactical sense. This story gives much of the backstory leading up to the raid. Highly recommended!

excellent book!

as an American who grew up in the canal zone and lived through these times I can attest that this book is very accurate in all of its detail. I highly recommend this book to every American and Panamanian patriot!

Lesser known story of Just Cause

Unlike so many, albeit true, self-aggrandizing stories of American heroes, this man chose to honor the unsung heroes in his story. The story is amazing and told in such away as to bring me into the room with him at the most difficult and jubilant moments of his experiences. Through the humble telling of this story, he has made me both appalled by and proud of our country. As an Army; brat, wife, mother and mother-in-law, I am so grateful for the service of our brave men and women that serve and for brave men like Kurt Muse that also stand in opposition to the forces of evil that constantly threaten democracy, both domestically and globally. Great listen and well read.

Amazing Story of Heroism and Love

Don’t start this book…. If you do you will be addicted and gripping your seat until the very end. From Kimberly’s breath taking courage, Erik’s innocence, Anne’s pure strength, to the outstanding heroism shown by Kurt, you will find yourself wrapped in this beautiful family’s story from the beginning.

A criminal playing victim

While I support the United States and am a patriot, this is a story of a man who chose to disrupt the government of a country on his own since he didn’t agree with it; while Panama had a horrible dictatorship, it was the countrymen’s responsibility, not an outsiders to do something about it. He was caught and then needed the US to get him out of the prison and trouble he got himself into thus risking the lives of America Soldiers…