The 21: A Journey into the Land of Coptic Martyrs

Written by Martin Mosebach

Narrated by Creative Orthodox

Behind a gruesome ISIS beheading video lies the untold story of the men in orange and the faith community that formed these unlikely modern-day saints and heroes.

In a carefully choreographed propaganda video released in February 2015, ISIS militants behead twenty-one orange-clad Christian men on a Libyan beach.

In the West, daily reports of new atrocities may have displaced the memory of this particularly vile event. But not in the world from which the murdered came. All but one were young Coptic Christian migrant workers from Egypt. Acclaimed literary writer Martin Mosebach traveled to the Egyptian village of El-Aour to meet their families and better understand the faith and culture that shaped such conviction.

He finds himself welcomed into simple concrete homes through which swallows dart. Portraits of Jesus and Mary hang on the walls along with roughhewn shrines to now-famous loved ones. Mosebach is amazed time and again as, surrounded by children and goats, the bereaved replay the cruel propaganda video on an iPad. There is never any talk of revenge, but only the pride of having a martyr in the family, a saint in heaven. “The 21” appear on icons crowned like kings, celebrated even as their community grieves. A skeptical Westerner, Mosebach finds himself a stranger in this world in which everything is the reflection or fulfillment of biblical events, and facing persecution with courage is part of daily life.

In twenty-one symbolic chapters, each preceded by a picture, Mosebach offers a travelogue of his encounter with a foreign culture and a church that has preserved the faith and liturgy of early Christianity – the “Church of the Martyrs.” As a religious minority in Muslim Egypt, the Copts find themselves caught in a clash of civilizations. This book, then, is also an account of the spiritual life of an Arab country stretched between extremism and pluralism, between a rich biblical past and the shopping centers of New Cairo.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Plough Publishing House
• Release date: Feb 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9781636080703

Martin Mosebach

Martin Mosebach passed his bar exams to qualify as a lawyer in 1979, and then established himself as a writer. His first novel was published in 1983. Since then, he has received many accolades, including the Heinrich von Kleist Prize, the Georg Büchner Prize, and the Goethe Award.

Reviews for The 21

[vicki_weisfeld · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

As the cover proclaims, this is “a journey into the land of Coptic martyrs.” On February 15, 2015, twenty-one young Egyptian men, ISIS captives, were marched onto a beach in Libya and beheaded. The video recording of that event went around the world. What was most striking was the dignity and faith they maintained until the end. The author sets out trying to learn about them, their home villages, and the faith that supported them. A bit philosophical for me, but I read it to pay my respects.

[lizzied_11 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have long had a mild fascination with the ancient, mysterious, Egyptian Coptic Church. Martin Mosebach has more than satisfied this curiosity in his short study of its latest martyrs, The 21.Mosebach begins the book with a description of the video of the beheadings of these 21 men by Islamic State fanatics on a beach in Libya in 2015. I thought I wouldn't be able to read further, but one chapter suffices to tell the reader what happened.The rest of the book is devoted to the present state of the Coptic people, told with a German Christian's Western sensibilities. Two points emerge. These men (ranging in age from early 40s to early 20s) were ordinary members of their village church, yet able to die calmly with the name of Jesus on their lips. The Coptic Church itself has remained what it was from its inception, not influenced by the changes in either the Roman Catholic tradition nor that of the Orthodox.Mosebach visits the families of the 21 as well as Coptic monasteries, and reports with thoughtful commentary on what he sees. I was moved by the picture of each martyr (including the Ghanian Matthew) which precedes each of the twenty one chapters.Thanks to Early Reviewers for an opportunity to read this book, which would not have come my way otherwise.

[tom471 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I rate this book 3.5 stars rounded down. It is the story of the Coptic religion/culture in Egypt and how 20 Coptic Christians were murdered by ISIS on the Libyan coast in Feb. 2015. ISIS filmed the beheading of 20 Coptic men and 1 African Christian and then posted this brutal, chilling video for the world to see. The author went to hometowns of the 20 Coptic martyrs and interviewed their family and friends to learn what motivated them to sacrifice themselves so willingly. I abhor fanaticism and the ISIS fanatics that murdered these 21 men are truly horrible people. The Coptic church has proclaimed the martyrs to be saints in the Coptic church.The author is evidently a religious man and talks about them being with Jesus. I am not a religious person. although raised as a Roman Catholic. Fervent devotion to religion makes me uncomfortable, since it can lead to fanaticism enabling people to murder in the name of God. I was aware of Muslim persecution of Christians in Syria, Iraq and Egypt and wanted to find out more about the Coptic culture.Pros: The book was very informative about the Coptic culture and religion. He describes in detail their churches and religious services. He also explains how the common people interact with priests. He interviewed the Coptic bishop in charge of the hometown of the martyrs. He also interviewed the Coptic Pope, who is not under the jurisdiction of the RC pope or the Eastern Orthodox patriarch in Greece. The author explains in clear language how the Coptic church split form those churches in the 4th century AD. If you are interested in the history of these religions, you will enjoy this book. The translation was excellent.Cons: The book was overly religious for my taste. If you are a devout Christian, you will probably like this book. It took me almost 3 weeks to read this book.Some quotes: "The faces of the prisoners clearly show that these young peasants could influence neither the American government nor any other, let alone their own. Their patience, their stoic dignity, and their prayers make them seem poor choices for casting as representatives of evil.""We Copts are the real, true Egyptians. This has been our land for many thousands of years--it was our land long before the pyramids were built.""The ancient Coptic language developed under Hellenistic rule but was essentially the language of the Pharaohs, and to this day it is used in the liturgy. In other words, the Pharaohs' language lives on in the Coptic liturgy."Thanks to Plough Publishing House for sending me this paperback through LibraryThing.

[seriousgrace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

At the very least, The 21 is a thoughtful examination of the martyrs and their humble lives before they became regarded as saints. Mosebach travels to their villages, respectfully meets with their families, and comes away with a poignant picture of stoic grief and outward pride in equal emotion. The most important element to this story is its power to move people regardless of their personal beliefs. Mosebach was compelled to tell the stories of the men in orange; martyrs compared to Jesus on the cross, exposed and seemingly calm before the facing impending execution. The aftermath was just as heart wrenching as the deaths. What those families had to go through just to bring the bodies home; how they needed to search the desert sand for the bodies first before their sons, brothers, and husbands could be buried in El-Aour as saints. Imagine: sixteen of the twenty one had been neighbors; living on the same narrow lane. Unimaginable: each home had an identical iPad so families and loved ones could watch the full, unedited version of the executions. This goes to show you how differently western culture views tragedy. The families of El-Aour proved the enemy had not won as the desired effect had not been achieved. Despite all that, The 21 was a hard book to read.

[thewanderingjew_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The 21, A Journey Into the Land of Coptic Martyrs, Martin Mosebach, authorIn Libya, 21 young men were beheaded, and the violent, terrorist event was put on a video for all the world to see. Twenty of these young men were Egyptian Copts; one was a young man from Ghana who has since been embraced by the Copts. All were innocent, possibly illiterate, but highly religious young men who uttered prayers, even as they were brutally murdered.This book breathes life back into these unknown, simple men, brings them back to life and gives them a past and a future. It memorializes their tragic end, as well, and it humanizes them and dehumanizes the vicious, radical terrorists, the radical Muslims, who murdered them for the sake of the publicity of this awful, horrific event. Instead of giving these monsters the fame and honor they craved for their shameful acts, it shamed them and gave them notoriety in the eyes of the sane world.It was sometimes difficult to decide whether the book had a religious message, a political message or a compassionate message. Although religion has been the cause of much violence in the world, and the Christians have been under attack, I prefer the compassionate message which made their deaths the criminal act of monsters who should be punished in this life and the next, to the message of religious superiority, which by definition, makes one religion more important than another. This can only cause further division and conflict.

[dmenon90 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The title of this book may indeed be slightly misleading, as others have pointed out. It is not an in-depth look at the 21 martyrs themselves per se. The book does begin with an overview of the actual hideous video that brought about the writing of the book itself: the one in which 21 young Coptic Christian men were beheaded by Islamic extremists. It’s almost unreal in its intimate detail of the grotesquery: young men being killed on a beach for remaining faithful to their…well…faith.But further along the focus shifts. Yes, the men are talked about. Glimpses emerge by talking to the bereaved families, but here’s the thing. Their faith was such a defining factor of their lives that no distinguishing characteristics remain…each man is remembered as kind, a true faithful Copt, a good son/father, a hard worker, humble. The faith lies like a gossamer blanket not only on the martyred ones, but on the entire landscape, the entire populace. Somehow, and the author expands knowledgably on this, the Coptic Christian faith has survived much in its original form through the centuries. Thus, it can be said to be unique; each martyr, therefore, is not an individual, but a Coptic Christian martyr. Much is said about the other unique aspect of the martyrdom itself. The dead men are venerated by turning their photographs into icons or icon-like images; these are displayed prominently in each home. Indeed, the ghastly video of their deaths itself is not an object of nightmare; rather it is played back without compunction because it reinforces the very journey to martyrdom. These men were killed for professing their faith until the end. What else is there? Not to say that the bereaved families have simplistic views. In fact, the author only gets to the surface level of their true emotions and is content to leave it at that. Other areas are available into which to delve with the full force of his scholarship, and this he does. The history of the Coptic church, its architecture, iconography, its rituals, the role of the priest, and so forth. All this is delivered with a detached, somewhat dry tone. And that might have been necessary given the graphic nature of the inspiration for the book. All in all, I don’t fault the author. This is a serious and worthy piece of writing; one that will certainly serve as the starting point for many who will be made curious about this fascinating faith. But as a humble reader, I am tempted to suggest that we may have been better served by the simple expedient of crafting a more suitable title.

[jennannej_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A fascinating look at some of the Christian victims of ISIS. While the book began as a look at the Coptic Martyrs from one specific video, it quickly morphed to a look at the Coptic church in Egypt as a whole. It was a very sympathetic outsider's look at the attitudes and history of this branch of the Church. The author even went to far as to claim that the Coptic Church IS the early Church unchanged.

[dgrachel · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Disclaimer: I received a finished copy of this book from the publisher through LibraryThing’s Early Reviewer program in exchange for my honest review. The thoughts here are entirely my own. I’m astonished by the high praise I’ve seen for this book as I feel I must have read a completely different text from the others. This was a poorly researched account that read more like pro-Christian/anti-Muslim propaganda worthy of Fox News, than a biography of the 21 men slaughtered in February, 2015 by ISIS militants. Basic follow up questions were not asked by Mosebach when he interviewed family members and church leaders. The best example of this is about midway through the book where he mentions a supposed witness to the men’s captivity who was so moved by their Christian faith and piety that he not only converted to Christianity, but he also contacted the families to praise the martyrs before going into hiding. None of the families ever mentioned this witness. Mosebach says “I didn’t feel like playing the part of a detective who might have pointed out that none of the martyrs’ relatives in Upper Egypt had mentioned any such phone conversations” (Pg. 128) and further says “prodding them to delve any further into factual details was, as soon as I met them, something I felt to be fundamentally off-limits.” (Pg. 129). How can an “acclaimed journalist” consider a quest for facts “off-limits”. Additionally, for a book that was supposed to be about 21 martyrs, the reader learns remarkably little about them, but a great deal about the minutiae of the Coptic Church. I was extremely disappointed in this book. It’s more propaganda than history, and for a book marketed as non-fiction, that’s shameful.

[morningrob · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It is a bit difficult to describe this book. Therefore, I shall start by sating what it is not. It is not a biography or the martyrs, nor even a hagiography. It is not a explanation of the beliefs of the Coptic Church. It is not a study of the religious situation of Egypt. However, it is all of these thing. I am usually reluctant to put motives towards a writer's work but I shall this time. It seems as if the author heard about the situation of the martyrs and wanted to investigate it more fully, however, he came into contact with a religious tradition that he did not know much about and then decided to focus on that story more so than the life of the martyrs. Is this what happened? I do not know but that was my impression after reading the book. I would recommend it, however, the author is best when describing thr faith of the Copts, when he starts to discussion Western Christianity, especially the groups of which he is not a part, the writing is not as good.

[gpaisley_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Review of The 21: A Journey into the land of Coptic Martyrs by Martin MosebachMillions of people were repulsed by the sadistic and senseless murder of 21 Egyptian Christians by Islamic terrorists in February of 2015. These young men were captured while they worked in Libya—seeking work so they could send money back to their families in a village in Egypt. These men accepted their deaths as martyrs, not crying or attempting to escape as they are murdered. What makes men do this? What makes men quietly die a martyr’s death with no fear or hate in their voices? Experienced author, screenwriter, playwright and poet Martin Mosebach visits Egypt to try to understand more about these men and to tell their story to the world. Through 21 chapters, each beginning with a photo of one of the martyrs, Mosebach gives an overview of the Egyptian Orthodox church, its heritage, history, and liturgy, as well as brief biographies of most of the men. He reverently tells the story of their village and contemporary Egypt and how these men have become role models and heroes. Not only did I learn more about the Egyptian Coptic church, but I also gained a renewed appreciation of the still-perilous state many Christians around the world find themselves in today. I was able to reflect on my own faith and tradition in a new light looking through the lens of people that are persecuted and yet willing to die for what they believe.This book certainly isn’t for everyone, but for those who are interested in understanding why people might be willing to die for what they believe, or for those interested in having their cultural horizons expanded, I heartily recommend The 21.

[khiemstra631 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received this book as part of the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program and read it during Holy Week, which was a wonderful coincidence. The book takes its title from 21 men who were beheaded on a Libyan beach. Twenty of those men were Coptic Christians from Egypt. The author, a German professor, went to their hometown in Egypt to interview their survivors. He also visted numerous Coptic churches and monesteries trying to learn what made the 21 special. Background information on the Coptic Church comprises the majority of the book and makes for fascinating reading. I suspect the majority of Americans have next to no or very little knowledge at most of the Coptic Church. This book will remedy that fault as well as demonstrate why 21 young men would willingly lie down their lives for their faith. Highly recommended.

[empress8411 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book chronicles Mosebach quest to understand the life and beliefs of the 21 men shown beheaded in an ISIS propaganda video. In doing so, Mosebach explores the place of the Coptic Church in Egyptian and Christian history, and the place of these men in the modern events of the Coptic Christians.Sadly, while Mosebach sincerity was evident, the book itself was a little disappointing. As he journeyed, he discovered there was almost no information about these men. Poor and inconsequential until that video, there was almost no record of their life, save for a few passport photos and the tales of Family who now venerated them as Martyrs in the Coptic Church.Mosebach narrative makes it seem that these men were extraordinary humans, destined from birth to be martyrs. I cannot tell whether Mosebach is simply honoring the beliefs of the Coptic Church or if he actually believes this. The things spoken of these men cannot possibly be all true, and yet to say that, is to belittle the beliefs of an entire religious group – one known for its strength of faith under hundreds of years of persecution.A point in Mosebach’s favor is the excellent discourse on the history of the Coptic Church in Egypt. Those portions of the book were intriguing and well-done.Overall, the book did not reach the depths I was hoping – but whether this was Mosebach fault or simply the lack of information regarding these men, I cannot tell.Note: I received this book free via LibraryThing's Early Review Program, in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.

[seongeona · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A gentle, dreamlike, reverent, even poetic handling of a gruesome, despicable event that is used as an introduction to Coptic Christianity. Since I don't read German, I read the English translation by Alta L. Price (obtained through LibraryThing Early Reviewers) and therefore don't know whether the dreamy, poetic treatment comes via author Mosebach or the translator. The introduction tells us why we are reading about these particular 21 as opposed to any of the other, many, Coptic martyrs throughout history and does not shy away from asking many questions and stating painful facts. This is a style of writing and point-of-view that was wonderfully refreshing to me as an American too often being told NOT to think or, at least, not to think so critically of our negative role in distant events. Each of the 21 martyrs is pictured in their living, robust, prime of life and the book serves as their shrine wherein we learn their backgrounds, as we do all martyrs who became saints. Through their backgrounds we learn about the time, the place, the conditions, struggles, and history of the people who, as Coptic Christians, have lived with persecution for over 1000 years, as well as those who persecute them. This read will stay with me for awhile and I can see why it became an international bestseller. Should appeal to those interested in Christian history, history of Egypt, and/or anyone wanting to better understand faith under the most extreme conditions. I received my free copy from the publisher through LibraryThing Early Reviewers in exchange for my honest review.

[nirrad_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I loved the book, I learned a lot about the Coptic Christians and the 21 Martyrs. Also there was a lot of history about the Coptic's and Egypt. A very good read.

[garykbookworm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I actually never heard of the Coptic Christians before the massacre and martyrdom of the 21. This was a great story, not only of their brutal murders but also a concise history of the Coptic Church. Born and raised a Catholic I can understand much of their beliefs and sacraments. I would hope and pray that if put to the test, I would not renounce my belief in what my church teaches us about Jesus Christ. The strength and fortitude that these members face each and every day is a miracle in itself. Read this book and you will truly be inspired.

[mtbearded1_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Not sure what I expected when I requested this book through the Early Reviewers program, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't this. That said, The 21 uses the 21 young men killed by ISIS on a Libyan beach in 2015 as the framework for studying the history, beliefs, liturgy and present situation of the Coptic Church, one of the oldest branches of Christianity, and one that is unknown to most Westerners, I'd guess. Mosebach travels from Cairo to small towns in Upper Egypt, visiting the family members of the men martyred by ISIS, and in the process visits new Coptic churches, old Coptic monasteries, a rather surreal shopping center on the outskirts of Cairo, and meets with people of all types as he tries to understand how these twenty-one young men, all but one Egyptian Copts, faced their death so willingly. If, like me, you are interested in the study of religion and all things exotic, then I highly recommend Mosebach's book, especially in the English translation by Alta Price who makes the work easily readable for non-German speakers.

[deaconbernie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a challenging book to review. First, the story of the 21 is told in a matter of fact way that belies the notorious nature of the event. One has to accept the notion that the horrific event of slicing the throats of 21 men is not an outrage. It is, instead, a welcome event that elevates these partially illiterate men from what most would consider a boring existence to sainthood. While many consider sainthood as one who has lived a life of heroic virtue or death in defense of the faith, these men (and all others of their faith) look upon sainthood as something to be desired but not with suicidal tendencies. No attempt is made to judge the actions of the 21 executioners and no outrage is expressed at the loss of the 21 to their families, wives, children, brothers, sisters, or anybody else.At the same time, the author weaves in the theology of the Coptic Church which seems to thrive on persecution. It is the historical aspect that makes this book so enlightening. At once, the Coptic church is seen as very much small-town orientated but also as a unified whole. The history must sadden one who professes to be Christian/Catholic because it is clear it was shut out of mainstream Christianity not so much over dogma but out of petty power-seeking by Rome and Constantinople. If the author is correct, nothing has changed in the Coptic world since the Council of Chalcedon -- it is what it is.Finally, the author indulges in an analysis of the current state of the Coptic Church as viewed by one whose theology is more modern by 1,400 years. This analysis is similar to what a modern day democrat (not the party but the political science person) might have to say about a resurgence of the Inca Empire. It isn't that we now know more than we did hundreds of years ago, it is that our thought patterns have changed. In this regard, it is not clear modern day life is better off than the Copts who haven't changed in centuries.

[scenik1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am so glad I received this book to review for Library Thing Early Reviewers! I was very interested in the event itself, the beheading of 21 Coptic Christians who would not renounce their faith in the face of captivity and torture by Islamist extremists. In the last year or so, I haven’t come across very much about the event. But this book was a real surprise. Mosebach writes of the event itself; but more, oh so much more, than that, he explores the culture and lives of these young men and what it was that gave them the steadfastness and courage to enter into their martyrdom with such grace and peace.Martin Mosebach is an award-winning journalist and novelist whose writing rewards the reader with insights and knowledge. He takes us into the history of the Coptic church, into the present-day experiences of members of that church, what their village life was life, family life, and especially their church life. The most rewarding aspect of reading this book is the enlightened awareness Mosebach brings to our understanding of the Coptic liturgy; and not only that, but to our understanding of the power of liturgical worship itself. Seldom have I encountered such passionate, perceptive understanding of this seldom written of and little understood aspect of the worshipful life. He makes the connection between the participation of these men in the hours-long, sung liturgies that were the centerpoint of their existence and their calm, powerful presence on the beach in Libya. Not everyone will be able to connect with this book, but I believe it is an important book, well told. Martin Mosebach writes with such respect and humility that he actually teaches the reader an attitude that we can all learn from. The structure of the book designates a symbolic chapter for each of the 21 martyrs while shining a light on 21 facets of their lives and foundation. I felt privileged to be invited into their world and know that my understanding of this event and the culture of these men has deepened my compassion and respect for them and for the persecuted around the world.

[rhbouchard_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Fascinating book. Part history (of the Coptic Church), part meditation (on justice, martyrdom). The 21 chapters were supposed to correspond to each of the 21 victims, but the last few chapters, tho' dedicated to a victim doesn't mention them at all. However, I found it about sterile - no outrage at the brutal crimes committed - it has a rather matter-of-fact approach to the murders.

[janerawoof · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Very readable and informative book on the 21 men brutally beheaded by ISIS in Libya on February 15th, 2015. The author met with their families in Upper Egypt and got some sense of their personalities and of their piety. There was a long section on the propaganda video put out and each family has a copy. To the families this documents the martyrdom of each young man. The Coptic Church has declared these simple migrant workers saints and miracles have been attributed to their intercession. A long section gave us the history of the Copts and analysis of their liturgy, which is one of the closest to early Christianity. One can have nothing but admiration for these men and their devotion to their faith in the face of such horrendous trials as they endured.Highly recommended.