(all image credits go to the New York Times)

David Rohde, a reporter for the New York Times, was kidnapped by the Taliban in November 2008, while attempting to interview a Taliban commander named Abu Tayyeb.  He was taken hostage along side his Afghan driver, and his Afghan journalist colleague.

What follows is a mesmerizing five part series, featured in this month's New York Times, outlining his months in captivity and what he learned about the inner-workings of the Taliban, the culture of anti-Americanism in the region, and the ideologies of the kidnappers.

Be sure also to check out the Interactive Feature: Rohde reads the articles, against a backdrop of various images and videos collected by the NYT over the years.

Part 1:  "7 Months, 10 Days in Captivity" .
In this article, Rohde describes how the planned interview with Abu Tayyeb goes amiss.

Part 2:  Inside the Islamic Emirate.
In this section, Rohde describes how he was shifted to Miram Shah, the Pakistani stronghold of the Taliban. He knew, once they entered Pakistan, they had no hopes of surviving.

Part 3: ‘You Have Atomic Bombs, but We Have Suicide Bombers.’
Rohde describes getting to understand the "mix of righteousness and delusion" in his captors, defending his Afghan colleagues from accusations of treason and betrayal, and discovering deception on the part of his kidnapper.

Part 4: "A Drone Strike and Dwindling Hope"
Americans strike the Taliban compound where Rohde is being held, and he fears he will be punished for the actions of his government.

Part 5: "A Rope and a Prayer"
The great escape...