American Mother: A Life Reclaimed

With National Book Award–winning author Colum McCann, Diane Foley courageously returns to the story of her son, American journalist James Foley, who went abroad and never came home.

In late 2021, Diane Foley sat at a table across from Alexanda Kotey, a member of the ISIS group known as “the Beatles,” who pled guilty to the kidnapping, torture, and murder of her son James Foley seven years before. She asked the legendary writer Colum McCann to be there.

“One of the best books I've read in many, many years, if not my life.” -Anderson Cooper

“A work of great faith and redemption. Here is a woman making the whole world accessible to us all.” -Jamie Lee Curtis

“A spectacular tale of violence and forgiveness.” -Salman Rushdie

“Foley's urge to understand the psychology of one of her son's captors made her a perfect match for McCann.” -The New York Times

“A book that will shake your soul out.” -Sting

“A call to decency in a war-torn world.” -Deborah Jackson Taffa