In November 1985, Romanian defector Paul Firica jumped ship at Houston Harbor in a dangerous quest for freedom and his family’s well being. Escaping a communist country whose dictator ordered the bulldozing of churches and killing of Christians was worth the risk. Like a well-known Bible story retold, two men soon crossed Paul’s path who were unwilling or unable to help grant him sanctuary. But when Eddie Roush was presented with Firica’s need, the Texas attorney knew he could not look the other way.

Based on the documentary of the same name, The Samaritan, as told by New York Times best-selling author Oliver North, chronicles the sacrificial steps Eddie made to secure Paul’s freedom—a bystander’s journey from Romania all the way to The White House that some now believe was the small shifted stone that would start the Romanian revolution landslide. Whatever the case, here is the remarkable true story of what it really means to help someone, and the lengths one will go to in the pursuit of liberty.

Proceeds from The Samaritan will support Paul’s family. Firica died in 1988.