Six Days in August

The Story of Stockholm Syndrome

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Pub Date 04 Aug 2020 | Archive Date 31 Jul 2020

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Description

The definitive account of the bizarre hostage drama that gave rise to the term “Stockholm Syndrome.”

On the morning of August 23, 1973, a man wearing a wig, makeup, and a pair of sunglasses walked into the main branch of Sveriges Kreditbank, a prominent bank in central Stockholm. He ripped out a submachine gun, fired it into the ceiling, and shouted, “The party starts!” This was the beginning of a six-day hostage crisis—and media circus—that would mesmerize the country, drawing into its grip everyone from Sweden’s most notorious outlaw to the prime minister. By the end, the police and press alike would have a new way to understand the complicated emotional relationship between captor and captive. 

Based on a wealth of previously unavailable sources, including rare film footage, and unprecedented access to the main participants, Six Days in August is a groundbreaking work of nonfiction—a rich human drama of loyalty and betrayal, obedience and defiance, fear and attraction.


About the Author: David King is the New York Times best-selling author of The Trial of Adolf Hitler, Death in the City of Light, and Vienna 1814. He taught European history at the University of Kentucky, and lives in Lexington, Kentucky.

The definitive account of the bizarre hostage drama that gave rise to the term “Stockholm Syndrome.”

On the morning of August 23, 1973, a man wearing a wig, makeup, and a pair of sunglasses walked...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9780393635089
PRICE $26.95 (USD)
PAGES 288

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Average rating from 12 members


Featured Reviews

I first heard of Stockholm Syndrome with Patty Hearst and her kidnapping. I have since heard it, recently, being applied to women who stay in domestic violence relationships. I never knew how or why the term came about though. When I saw this book I knew I wanted to read it. I was afraid, though, that it might be boring. I’m happy to say I wasn’t bored at all. David King wrote an extensive and intelligible story. I read some every day, taking time to think over what I was reading. He took us inside the bank with Janne, Clark and the hostages and also outside it with the police, politicians and reporters. Mr King also followed up on the hostages, Janne and Clark, which was fascinating. It was interesting to read how the hostages, especially Kristin, acted and felt after being released. I must say I was surprised that Clark was brought in to aid the police. I can’t imagine that happening now. It was a very riveting part of the story for me. I imagine that coming in after the hostages had been taken, with police permission, the hostages must of seen him as a rescuer from the start. I think, perhaps, this is why it was easy to form an attachment to him. It may be why, when he showed them he was with Janne, they changed their view of the bank robber. Maybe it opened the door to them seeing Janne as someone who just wanted the best outcome for them. It was certainly a distorted view as Janne took them hostage and threatened them repeatedly with death. This is only a glimpse into all I am thinking over after reading Six Days in August. I would love to see this book in a book club as there is much to discuss in it. From reading this book I have learned a lot about Stockholm Syndrome and I have been given a lot to think about. I would recommend it to readers who are interested in true crime and psychology. I was given an advanced reader electronic copy of the book, through NetGalley, for review consideration. I voluntarily reviewed this book. My review is based on my experience with reading the book and how I felt afterwards.

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