Doubleday has formally announced Oct. 28 as the publication date for "Bringing Elizabeth Home: A Journey of Faith and Hope," about Elizabeth Smart's kidnapping and rescue, told from the viewpoint of her parents.
The 240-page hardback, by Ed and Lois Smart, with Laura Morton, will be listed at a retail price of $22.95.
The announcement came Friday afternoon from Stephen Rubin, president and publisher of Doubleday Broadway, which signed with Ed and Lois Smart to publish their autobiographical story.
This is the first time the Smarts have told the complete story of their ordeal after then 14-year-old Elizabeth was kidnapped from her bedroom, which led to a public, emotional period that was finally resolved when she was safely returned nine months later.
"The strength and hope that Ed and Lois Smart displayed during their family's terrible experience was a great inspiration to the entire country," said Trace Murphy, executive editor of Doubleday Religious Publishing. "In their book, they will share the story of what they went through and how they found the faith they needed to sustain them through the darkest moments."
Murphy said Doubleday has acquired world publishing rights, including audio-book rights, through the Smarts' attorney, Kelly Crabb, of Morrison and Foerster.
"Both Lois and I were reluctant to write a book about Elizabeth's abduction and safe return," said Ed Smart in the Doubleday press release, "but we became concerned when we heard of several unauthorized book projects. We feel that the story, from our point of view, is a message of faith, hope and inspiration, and an expression of personal gratitude to the many people who volunteered their time, wrote us messages of encouragement and who prayed on our and our daughter's behalf. We believe that Trace Murphy and the others at Doubleday share our vision and we feel that Doubleday is the right home for our project."
Doubleday is an imprint of the Doubleday Broadway Publishing Group, a division of Random House Inc.
Soon after Elizabeth's return, Avon published a paperback book titled "Held Captive: The Kidnapping and Rescue of Elizabeth Smart," written by two New York journalists, Maggie Haberman and Jeane MacIntosh. The authors spent several weeks in Salt Lake City gathering information for the book, which was then published as a high-speed project. Yet there is nothing particularly sensational about that book. The authors interviewed many of the principals in the Smart case, along with several experts on cult practices and missing-children recovery agencies.
Other books on the Smart case will undoubtedly appear in the future. One that has already been announced, but which does not yet have a publisher, will be written by David and Tom Smart, Elizabeth's uncles, in collaboration with Deseret Morning News columnist Lee Benson. Tom Smart, a Deseret Morning News photographer, is currently on a leave of absence from the newspaper. They plan to publish their book after conclusion of the trial of accused kidnappers Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee.
E-mail: dennis@desnews.com