Home - Charles Burrall

"You do it our way. Here, there is no God." On September 11, 1984, I was taken hostage by the Soviet Union and held captive in Siberia. Few have the courage to follow their dream. Mine led from a small town in upstate New York to a dingy cell in Siberia. Leaving my hometown with a yearning for adventure, my travels brought me to Alaska where I obtained work on a merchant ship skippered by one of the youngest ship captains in the United States. Two years later, on a freight-hauling mission to the Arctic, our ship was seized by the Soviet Union and taken hostage to Siberia. Held at gunpoint and threatened with 30 years in prison, this is the story of how five young American sailors took a stand for their faith against high-ranking officers in the Soviet military.

Charles Burrall

Charles Burrall was raised in upstate New York and graduated from St. Lawrence University in 1976 with a B.A. in English. He lived eight years in Alaska where he worked as a commercial fishing deckhand and ship’s steward in the U.S. Merchant Marine. He is a retired high school English teacher who taught for twenty-five years at Seneca Valley High School in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Before entering his teaching career, he worked at a variety of jobs, including restaurants, construction crews, canneries, and fishing boats. He traveled widely in the United States, Mexico, Europe, and the Middle East before coming to Maryland, where he currently volunteers in the jail ministry of his church, preaching and conducting church services for the inmates at the Frederick County Detention Center.

Mr. Burrall is married and has six children.

Author Photo: Keirra Shaffer

Praise for Captured by the Russians

"A true story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Charlie's account puts you face-to-face with his captors and the other members of the crew of the Freida-K. They say there are no atheists in the trenches and after reading Charlie's true account you will understand why. Don't miss this one and don't resist the tugging at your heart you will feel!"

-Tony Curiale

"This book captures your heart and mind during the first two pages! Mr. Burrall weaves the truth of the Bible and his own testimony through the amazing circumstances to create a real page-turner. I recommend this book for all ages."

-Deborah M. Patrick

"Mr. Burrall captured my attention in the first paragraph. As the true story unfolded, I couldn't wait to see what happens to the crew of the Frieda-K ! A must-read for teen boys and older who enjoy maritime details and adventure. I read it to my four children age 5 - 12, and they all enjoyed it."

-Kay Braden

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