TERRIFY NO MORE

Haugen, president of the Christian humanitarian organization International Justice Mission, peoples this account of IJM's efforts to rescue young girls from forced prostitution in Svay Pak, Cambodia, with larger-than-life heroes and villains. Written with the aid of communications consultant Hunter, the story, played for all its terrible drama, tells of girls sold into sex slavery by their families or tricked into it by the promise of legitimate work. IJM members, posing as customers, infiltrated the brothels, interviewed the girls and later staged successful rescue operations. Haugen credits the success of his work to God ("I believe we all yearn for the joy that arrives... when we find our own active place in the struggle against evil and discover the transforming power of life the Divine has granted to mere mortals") and shrugs off doubters ("Some Christians are uncomfortable with the idea that God has been in a dark, repulsive brothel.... Our investigators are not only comfortable with the idea—it's a truth they count on"). Haugen describes other IJM victories, including a raid on a South Asia brick kiln that relies on slave labor, but the focus is on the sex trade and the palpable zeal with which IJM fights it. (Jan.)

Forecast: Haugen has appeared on Oprah, Dateline and other shows in connection with this mission. His media savvy and his sensational topic should ensure plenty of exposure for his first book .