Hero Found: Book Review + Giveaway

By megret | August 18, 2010 at 1:41 pm | 83 comments | Books & Reading

Gain an inside glimpse into life aboard a US Navy aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War, as well as into the lives of the men who occupy it, by getting your hands on a copy of Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War by Bruce Henderson.

This true story is about much more than just Navy life and about the training and triumphs that surround it. It’s about Dieter Dengler, a German-born man who grows up and becomes a US citizen. Being on the run during much of his childhood from the Nazis (his family had anti-Nazi sentiments), he became familiar with the skills needed to survive among Germany’s Black Forest.

Those skills would greatly come into play after Dieter finds his SCAD shot down over “neutral Laos” in February 1966. He is captured by Pathet Lao guerrillas and endures many tumultuous months in their POW camps.

While waiting for relief, he befriends some of the other POWs within the camps, of all nationalities, many of whom had been there for years. Within a few days’ time, Dieter adamantly begins planning his escape, enlisting other camp prisoners alongside him in his efforts.

And escape he did. Walk with Dieter during his harrowing 23-day journey on bleeding feet through the dangerous jungles of Southeast Asia. Look over his shoulder as he writes letters home to both his mother and his fiancee, Marina. Endure his hardships with him, as you read the horrifically acute details of his beatings, torture, and sub-human experiences scraping for food and eating less-than-ideal meals.

(For an inside glimpse into Hero Found, click here.)

Hero Found gave me awe and respect for Dengler, amazement at his advanced planning skills and survivor’s mindset. It gave me an insight into the inner workings of aircraft carriers in the waters during the Vietnam War, the exact atmosphere and period in time in which my own Dad served. It gave me even further respect and pride in the armed forces of our nation, as well as gratitude for servicemen and women, both then and now.

You can order Hero Found directly from HarperCollins for $27.99, or look for it at your favorite bookstore or these online retailers.

Win it! Courtesy of HarperCollins, one of you will win a copy of Bruce Henderson’s Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War.

Here’s how to enter:

1. MANDATORY: Tell me, in a comment below, another book from HarperCollins you’d love to read.

2) For a second entry, subscribe to Muse Reviews’ feed OR subscribe via email — tell me in a separate comment if you’re a new subscriber or already a subscriber.

3) For a third entry, become friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook, then tell me you did so in a separate comment below.

4) For a fourth entry, twitter about this contest using @MuseReviews within your tweet, then tell me in a separate comment that you twittered! (Only one tweet per person per contest, please.)

I’ll close the contest next Wednesday, August 25th, 2010 at 11pm EST. Sorry; US mailing addresses only. Good luck!

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

Congrats to the winner, #12, Lindsie!

FTC info — Disclaimer: I received this book for free per my review, but I did not receive any other monetary or product compensation. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

83 Comments

  1. Janet F (1 year ago)

    I would like to read The Rule of Nine
    By Steve Martini.

    janetaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  2. Janet F (1 year ago)

    Subscribed with Google Reader.

    janetaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  3. Janet F (1 year ago)

    Facebook Friend – Janet Fri

    janetaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  4. Janet F (1 year ago)

    Tweet:
    http://twitter.com/Janetfaye/status/21973376576

    janetaye (at) gmail (dot) com

  5. Nicole C. (1 year ago)

    I would love to read I’d Know You Anywhere
    By Laura Lippman.

  6. shel77 (1 year ago)

    I would like to read The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver.

  7. Daniel M (1 year ago)

    close contact sounds like fun

  8. rebecca (1 year ago)

    I would like Hangman by Faye Kellerman.

  9. Jolee (1 year ago)

    Would love to try the Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her.

  10. Jolee (1 year ago)

    follow on gfc.

  11. Call Me Pretty (1 year ago)

    I am actually waiting (and not patiently waiting) to read “The Einstein Enigma” By José Rodrigues dos Santos

  12. L (1 year ago)

    I’d like to read Mariel’s Kitchen

  13. susan smoaks (1 year ago)

    i would love to read Kisses from Hell By Kristin Cast, Richelle Mead, Kelley Armstrong, Alyson Noel, Francesca Lia Block
    Enlarge Image
    Kisses from Hell
    By Kristin Cast, Richelle Mead, Kelley Armstrong, Alyson Noel, Francesca Lia Block

  14. susan smoaks (1 year ago)

    email subscriber

  15. susan smoaks (1 year ago)

    fb fan tony l smoaks

  16. Julie L (1 year ago)

    I would like to read:Hangman
    By Faye Kellerman

    I saw a documentary on Dieter several years ago-he is a true hero

  17. Julie L (1 year ago)

    email subsriber

  18. Julie L (1 year ago)

    like u on fb-Julie S Laws

  19. Gloria M. (1 year ago)

    An Impartial Witness
    By Charles Todd

  20. Gloria M. (1 year ago)

    subscribe to feed via google reader

  21. Gloria M. (1 year ago)

    fb friend – g. mckellar

  22. kerri renner (1 year ago)

    I would like to read displaced persons

  23. kerri renner (1 year ago)

    current email subscriber

  24. loni (1 year ago)

    I would also like to read Sh*t My Dad Says

  25. scott pacini (1 year ago)

    sounds interesting

  26. Kathy Swenson (1 year ago)

    When the book is published, I would be very anxious to read “Medium Raw” by Anthony Bourdain.

  27. Michelle H. (1 year ago)

    I want to read “Fatally Flaky”
    by Diane Mott Davidson.

  28. Michelle H. (1 year ago)

    Email subscriber.

  29. Lesley (1 year ago)

    I’d like to read Hangman by Faye Kellerman

  30. Lesley (1 year ago)

    I subscribe via email

  31. Liza (1 year ago)

    Stephen R. Lawhead’s “Grail” sounds interesting.

    Thanks for the chance to win!

    –Liza

    ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com

  32. Gianna (1 year ago)

    Mariel’s Kitchen
    By Mariel Hemingway

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