Lori's Song

The true story of an American woman held captive in Iran

Non-Fiction - Autobiography
244 Pages
Reviewed on 10/26/2009
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Author Biography

I am a native of Jackson, Michigan. The book virtually tells my ENTIRE biography, but here is an excerpt from my book. But my book also deals with my childhood sexual molestation, substance abuse and living with bipolar. So it's multi-faceted:)


Lori, an American married to an Iranian, had been working and living as an ordinary member of Iranian society for almost 4 years when she had heard rumors that the U.S. was going to be attacked. That was on September 9, 2001. She tried and failed to call home and give warning.

The news that all those rumors were horribly true came on September 11th 2001. That was when her husband suddenly announced that they had to go back to the States in case there were repercussions.

On September 12, 2001, Lori and her husband were at the Shiraz bus terminal intending to catch a bus to Istanbul and from there to Heathrow and home to the U.S.A. They were totally unprepared for the convoy of troop carriers that suddenly drove up and the armed men who came pouring out to take the hapless couple prisoner.

There was no explanation offered. The men took Lori's husband one direction and she another, pushing them blindfolded into the back of the troop carriers with other prisoners, mostly Iranian.

Who the armed men were was anybody's guess but they took their prisoners to POW camp in unfamiliar territory and there, Lori was held, tortured, raped, and starved with them for over a month. Her husband was not to be seen again.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

After I read Lori’s Song I had to think about it before I could write a review. Lori was abused by her biological parents. She was molested and raped by her adopted brother. Her mother was neglectful and cruel. At 15 years old she escaped her home life by marrying. The marriage was short lived. Next she joined the military and became pregnant by the recruiter. The military didn’t work well for her either.

In 1993 she met Mohammad Foroozandeh. After graduating from nursing school the couple married. In 1998 they moved to Iran. Adjusting to Iranian life was difficult. She soon learned that women had no rights.

Lori shares much about the culture and living arrangements. She tells of cockroaches, toilets, showers and shopping.

Mohammad changed while they were in Iran. That was when the beatings started. After 9/11 Mohammad told her they were going to leave Iran. They went to a bus station where they were arrested. She and others were taken to a POW camp. There were repeated beatings and rapes . I cannot describe the atrocities she lived through . Eventually she escaped . She came back to the states with nothing.
This story has a happy ending. Lori is married to a man that loves her and that’s good to her. She has a relationship with her son.

This book should serve as a wakeup call to Americans. Women have no rights in many countries. Think carefully before you commit yourself to a man from another country especially the Middle East. However it is not the only country that has honor killings.

I noticed the first part of this book needed some editing to make it flow smoothly. However, I was quickly caught up in Lori’s story. Lori’s Song is a raw emotional account. I wish Lori success. This is a must read.

Cynthia

The book was tragic and heroic at the same time. To have suffered so much since birth, become addicted to pills just to make the pain stop and having your husband the one you love treat you like dirt when loving someone should be trusting them. Lori is a thriver, she came threw all those tragic events with PTSD but she is now on the mend. This book serves as a testament to just how strong woman can deal with tragedy and yet can still look at the world and say I will make it, I will be okay... God bless Lori she still struggles each day with PTSD but now she can smile and say I am OK Cynthia

John D

The story kept me reading, the pain touched my heart. We need to hear this story so that we remember to take care of our women and stand by them in there time of need. John D

Avid Reader

This story touched my heart to the very core. It was very graphic so for those weak I would caution you on this. What was done to Lori at that POW camp in Iran was so horrific that I can't believe anyone made it out alive let alone, lived and also endured childhood sexual abuse and overcame drug addiction. You are a Icon Lori!
I applaud you and your cause and your book!

Claire

This book is such a violent one but one well told. The information in this book must get out to the American people so they know what they are up against if they visit a foreign country or worse decide to move there.

Roger Clemike

Lori is one amazing survivor. She needs to have this story shared everywhere. She needs to be on Oprah and this would bring Oprah's ratings up. Go tell this story everywhere Lori, you are an American hero, survivor and a force to be reckoned with! I love you girl!

Another Reader

Once I started reading Lori's Song I found that I could not stop until finished. Lori's Story is one that only happens to "someone else" it couldn't happen to me. But it can happen to anyone. Our parents are people that we are supposed to be able to trust,and to protect us. When that doesn't happen what are we to do. We survive any way that we can. Some of us do not survive. When we marry our "soulmate" we once again trust that we will be with someone that will help us through our darkest moments. What happens to Lori is horrible. But she has once again survived. Many people survive tragedies. But being able to come out and share what happened in order to help others is what has amazed me. Lori is a true survivor. By writing this book Lori not only reaching out for healing of her own, she is reaching out to others. Who knows how many people with addictions such as Lori are afraid to reach out for help? Who knows how many Americans are held hostage in camps in other countries? This book is an awakening. It tells the reader, you can survive. Reach out, you are not alone. Bless you Lori.

Gary Wilkes

All I can say is WOW-WOW-WOW, what a lady, what a story, and what an ENDING. I love this book and it should be in every book club in America including Rogers comment below of being on Oprah's book club. But it shouldn't just be featured, this book is what makes America!
It touches so many people and genre's that I can't even begin!
She has not only overcame many downfalls and pulled herself up out of the depths of tragedy, she rewrote the definition of
HERO!!!
APPLAUSE-APPLAUSE-APPLAUSE-APPLAUSE-APPLAUSE

Tina Foster

You have to look beyond the imperfections of the style, since she is not a professional writer. But her story should serve as a warning to all those who travel in the middle east, that Americans are hated by many in these countries. And be thankful for the freedoms we often take for granted in this country. Very dramatic story.

Jackie S

What I read was so horrible and graphic, but a must read for those who NEED TO UNDERSTAND what is going on in other countries. Be careful of who you fall in love with, and be careful of travel to foreign countries unless you know the RULES!
Lori did not know tht she had to have her husband's written permission in order to leave Iran once she arrived there. And she was an AMERICAN. READ ON WHAT YOU READ WILL AMAZE YOU and HORRIFY you all at the same time!

Rhonda M

Lori's book touched me from the epilogue where she started out telling of how her brother sexually molested her. Then she had to marry at age 15 since this was the only escape from the abuse was to emancipate and get the hell out!
Then all the marriages and domestic violence, yet she still put herself through college, and then came her knight in shining ARMOR!
The horror she endured in Iran was bad enough then to read about the six weeks she spent in that camp eating bugs, getting raped and other gore that was bestowed upon her.
But in the end she triumphed, she came home and dealt with her injuries including internal ones she suffered from a rifle barrel being put ....well use your imagination!
She finally did find true love and has lived to tell about it. This woman should be honored for her experiences and the ability to overcome everything she has.
Not to mention putting her country first when she knew something was going to happen on 9/11 she tried calling home from Iran but was told that no international calls were being placed at that time. What a crock and cover up their country and ours fed us! This you have to read to believe!

anony-ninny-nanny

Wonderful,Inspiring,Informative,Heartbreaking,Riveting,Graphic,Enthralling,Touching, did I include all the adjectives necessary. What can I say it's all this and more!

zip

must read for any non-believers out there. While the story may seem unbelievable to many. Those who know Lori personally can attest to the trauma and trials she'd survived.

Madelaine Robinson

Lori is a phenomenal woman and her book, Lori's Song is heart wrenching and very moving. It brought me to tears.It reaches people on many levels and I recommend it to anyone to read this story of Lori's survival under insurmountable odds

Johnnie Walker

This book is a great read. Once starte couldn't put it down, it's pretty gory and descriptive but that is what makes it good cause the reader can get a visual on just how terrible the events were that she went through. I normally don't like these type of books but to get me to review it means it's an out of this world book!

Donna Thomas

Lori' book was very good and held my interest .

Mark Y

I agree with everyone on here Lori's book is one of those RARE finds that needs more publicity to get her word out. We all can help her with this.
Unfortunately there are "a**holes out there that are degrading her and commenting on her book before they ever read it.
Just beware of those comments from people who don't know their A** from a hole in the ground.
Congratulations Lori and I only hope that the rest of your life will be far better than it has been in the past.

TooLongForHere

Definitely a MUST READ AND OUR GOVT. BETTER GET THEIR HEAD OUT OF THEIR ASSES AND LOOK AT THIS BOOK AS AN ASSET TO HELP THEM OUT! Lori could help them out a lot with the information she has!

Trish Jackson

Shocking is a word that comes to mind and it's really good that Lori has put the story our there so people can see what really goes on.

Cynthia B Ainsworthe

Lori's Song is a hard-hitting no nonsense look at life of a woman in Iran. It is not pretty and paints the trials in a bare light.

Micki Peluso

Lori writes a book that will touch your heart as well as break it, as she relates abuse from her childhood and then the atrocities she endured at the hands of the Iranian terrotists while living there with her Iranian husband. This is a book everyone should read, as a warning of what can happen to non-Islamic people when visiting Iran and her bizarre link to the 911 tragedy. Her story would make a great movie or documentory as well

Salvatore Buttaci

Here is a book right up there on the topical scene. A definte worthwhile read!

Julia Green

This story broke my heart. Lori's account of what she survived in her LIFE was amazing, scary, sad, and at times humorous, but most of all it broke my heart to think that one human being could endure so much and still be such a giving, kind person. She is extraordinary! I couldn't put the book down once I started it. BEAUTIFUL STORY of hope and inspiration in a time of no humane behavior!

Rick Gellani

This book ABSOLUTELY without a doubt needs recognition and I see no better way then to award her the GOLD seal/award. This is a "can't put it down" book, that tears at your heart, scares the hell out of you, and at times humors you. It's all here, GIVE HER THIS SHINE TIME!!

reads4fun

This was the most amazing story I've ever read. It left me with chills, sadness but hope, due to this lady's continued perseverance despite her terrible childhood, adolescence and then adulthood. This story is an inspiration to ALL!!
Sally

Tina Foster

I was Lori's original literary agent. After years of sending out her manuscript, I could not find a publisher willing to take the chance. Most are afraid of law suits or other problems. She finally had to self-publish in order to get her story out there.

I hope people will read this and understand the suppression that women live under while in these countries.

I think Lori is very brave for telling her story. I had edited her original book, but she added some things in the beginning later on that weren't edited, and it has affected how people perceive her story. But this should not discourage readers from learning about her life.

Kudos to Lori for being brave enough to tell it.

J.J.

I ordered this book last week started it one night and didn't get to sleep until I finished it, which was about 6am, thank goodness it was a Friday night. What a story and WHAT A WOMAN, no other words except there is an angel above Lori and she is blessed to have survived and is helping people.

Mr.Mister

I am in awe, horror, shame, compassion, mad, sad, angry, SO MANY EMOTIONS I CAN'T LIST! This book brings out every emotion imaginable. It is written with clarity only someone who could have survived could tell. There is NO WAY SOMEONE COULD LIE ABOUT THIS in the manner the story was told. I am so sorry Lori you had to experience the world at it's utmost WORST! You seem like a caring, loving individual who only wanted whats best for the Iranian people, then they turned on you. Then our own govt. turned on you, how could you EVER TRUST AGAIN? And even though you were far from a SAINT you never should have endured what you did. Your crimes weren't against humanity they were just self destructive crimes done to your own soul and started by a brother who molested you and ruined your trust from age 10. Again, I'm sorry Lori for all your pain. But I also have GREAT ADMIRATION and hope for the human race with the way you forgive and go on with your life only to help others. I COMMEND YOU and meeting you would be better than any CELEBRITY or WORLD LEADER, because you are a REAL PERSON with nothing to hide behind. CARRY ON MY FRIEND!

Patricia J.

I LOVED THIS BOOK, what happened to Lori was so terrible I found myself reading through my fingers as I put my hand over my face. I don't recommend this for anyone under the age of 16 though. It would give kids nightmares. Lori I think you should go around the country and speak about your experience. I would go.

Briana

Lori is such a courageous lady! She is my new role model to always think about when things get too difficult in my life and I need a reason to hang on. She hung on and in so much adversity and horror that if a human can survive this then GOD MUST HAVE A PURPOSE FOR THEM!!!!

J.D. Brollman

Lori is such a GREAT WRITER, it would be a shame if she didn't win. The multitude of obstacles that she's had to overcome in her life is astounding. If she wins I will be attending that awards ceremony, and if she doesn't I will be there to ask why not???

Peter B.

WONDERFUL BOOK, in depth observation at Iran and it's culture. Makes a reader want more at the end. Excellent job Lori!

Walter K.

Lori has been through a LOT in her life and has shared it with the reader as if she were talking to a friend. Maybe some of the grammar isn't correct, but that is what makes it so REAL! All I can say is WOW! My hats off to you young lady.

Cynthia P.

Lori went to Hell and came out stronger than she ever thought she was before or during the hellish ordeal. While you read her book you forget it's a true story and you want to run and hug her. God bless her strength.

Anna Othis

Excellent read


Lori Foroozandeh a brave lady her story is one that touches hearts. How one should appreciate and be fortunate that living in a free and safe country with law and order is such a blessing to all the American nation who unite and stand as one. Thank you for sharing.

Reese Wyatt

This captured my attention from the very beginning. It was like talking with my girlfriend and written in a way that I could understand and learn about traditions as well as the horrors Lori endured. This is a MUST READ FOR ANYONE!

Louie Laterisk

What a dramatic story of some very horrific events that happened to Lori. I couldn't put it down, to hell with the prim and proper usage of commas or etal, the book was Awesome, educational, and really informs you of just how bad the Middle East is and how they treat their women. Especially IRAN.

I've never read a book like this and truly a great book that should be made into a movie.

MEE

It is an awesome book