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Five Years to Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW |  | Author: James N. Rowe
Publisher: Presidio Press
Category: Book
List Price: $7.99
Buy Used: $0.50
as of 7/30/2010 23:23 MDT details
You Save: $7.49 (94%)
New (16) Used (45) Collectible (1) from $0.50
Seller: gr8lakesbooks1
Rating:  55 reviews
Sales Rank: 27595
Media: Mass Market Paperback
Pages: 480
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 6.7 x 4.1 x 1
ISBN: 0345314603
Dewey Decimal Number: 959.70437
EAN: 9780345314604
ASIN: 0345314603
Publication Date: May 12, 1984
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
When Green Beret Lieutenant James N. Rowe was captured in 1963 in Vietnam, his life became more than a matter of staying alive.
In a Vietcong POW camp, Rowe endured beri-beri, dysentery, and tropical fungus diseases. He suffered grueling psychological and physical torment. He experienced the loneliness and frustration of watching his friends die. And he struggled every day to maintain faith in himself as a soldier and in his country as it appeared to be turning against him.
His survival is testimony to the disciplined human spirit.
His story is gripping.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 55
Humbling September 20, 2009
The Stig (ACT, Australia)
I am truly humbled to have read this account. If only a fraction of it is true (and I believe it all is) it is one hell of a story. Each segment of the story could have been a full story on its own. I can only imagine what it would be like to live on the knife edge every minute of every day not knowing whether at any time your captors change of whim would mean your execution. This is an amazing account not the least of which is the detail, which I have to say is believable as he had a very good reason for recalling his story - what else was he going to do to keep going. The demeaning cruel behaviour of his captors and his resilience in the face of it is truly inspiring. At his final successful escape (and I'm not giving anything away here as it says so on the books back cover) I cried tears of joy. I went with him on his transition from one world to another and how surreal that would have been. How ill equipped the western mind is to adjusting to such incomprehensible situations as this - how does a 'system' appropriately reintegrate someone who has been so totally alienated from all they knew or believed.
His despair while captive must have been crippling but you're left to interpret that type of thing as this is not a 'poor me' story of woe. The devastation at the death of his friends and then extended isolation are similarly treated but you have no doubt about those. The only real downer is you probably underestimate them as to have not lived them how could any one truly understand or even begin to comprehend.
If you are a true student of this conflict - and every one who is interested in current day events should be - you must read this. It's one of those books that lingers with you long after you have physically completed it.
Review June 9, 2009
Marc L. Lamothe (US Army Reserve)
Excellent book. James N Rowe's account as a prisoner of war in Vietnam is unparalleled. Rowe's writing style is exuberant and the book has an exceptional amount of detail. The story is moving, and a great inspiration to soldier and citizen alike.
The book itself came in excellent condition. "Gently used" came in the mail on time with not even a wrinkle in the cover. Not really sure where the "used" part even came into play.
This book is the subject standard. Everything else is compared to it. March 29, 2009
Tweeter00801
Great book. This is the one book that every other book on the subject is compared. You won't stop reading until it's all over. You're in the misery, you're in the cell, you have dysentary and are suffering with him the entire time. Until......it's all over!
Superb February 28, 2009
N. Adams
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I read this book in 1982, staying up until 1:00am to finish it. I actually let out a cheer when he was rescued. Outstanding book.
Five Years to Freedom September 7, 2008
D. Crampton
I read this book years ago and was amazed and horrified by its content. Amazed because of the indomitable spirit of a man like Col. Rowe. Horrified because of the torture he endured at the hands of the enemy. Years later, as I became more interested in politics, I couldn't remember the author and thought it was a story of John McCain...both stories are so similar. Of course, with a little research, I learned the error of my ways and know they are two different people. However, now that Sen. McCain is running for President, because of the harrowing account of this book, I will vote for McCain because that kind of proven character encourages me to be a better American and, as said in Saving Private Ryan, I wish to "earn this."Five Years to Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW
Showing reviews 1-5 of 55
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