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. Nicole May (1 year ago)

    I’d like to read I’d Know You Anywhere

  2. Nicole May (1 year ago)

    I subscribe by email.

  3. Nicole May (1 year ago)

    I’m friends with Muse Reviews on Facebook.

  4. Nancye Davis (1 year ago)

    I would like to read: “I’d Know You Anywhere A Novel” By Laura Lippman

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  5. Nancye Davis (1 year ago)

    I was already a feed subscriber

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  6. Nancye Davis (1 year ago)

    Already an email subscriber

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  7. Nancye Davis (1 year ago)

    Facebook Friend

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

  8. katklaw777 (1 year ago)

    Luv to read Fatally Flaky
    by Diane Mott Davidson…I like her culinary mysteries, thanks.

  9. katklaw777 (1 year ago)

    I subscribe via email.

  10. dianad (1 year ago)

    My husband is a retired military officer. I know he’d love to read this. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway

  11. dianad (1 year ago)

    I am an email subscriber. Thanks for the chance.

  12. Lindsie (1 year ago)

    I would like to read Shadow Tag by Louise Erdrich.

    elkmeese at yahoo dot com

  13. Lindsie (1 year ago)

    I am a subscriber via email.

    elkmeese at yahoo dot com

  14. Lindsie (1 year ago)

    I’m a friend on facebook

    elkmeese at yahoo dot com

  15. Jo (1 year ago)

    I would also love to read I’d know you anywhere
    strezo@sbcglobal.net

  16. Jo (1 year ago)

    email subscriber
    strezo@sbcglobal.net

  17. Kristie (1 year ago)

    I would love to read the Pizza cookbook!

  18. Kristie (1 year ago)

    I subscribe to your feed.

  19. sam (1 year ago)

    medium raw, by anthony bourdain.
    thanks!
    kangabunnie@gmail.com

  20. sam (1 year ago)

    subscribe via email
    thanks!
    kangabunnie@gmail.com

  21. sam (1 year ago)

    like you on FB
    sam feu
    thanks!
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  22. nan lara (1 year ago)

    i’d like to read anthony bourdain medium raw
    nannypanpan at sbcglobal.net

  23. nan lara (1 year ago)

    e-mail subscriber

  24. Linda (1 year ago)

    I would love to read In Putting Away Childish Things, Marcus Borg.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

  25. Linda (1 year ago)

    I’m also subscribed by email.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

  26. Linda (1 year ago)

    I requested to become a friend on FB.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

  27. Linda (1 year ago)

    I attempted to Twitter @MuseReviews. Not sure it worked. Not sure I know how.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

  28. Linda (1 year ago)

    We have an Ikea up here in the cities!
    I would love to read/win this book, as my hubby was in Nam. Though he wasn’t in battle, I’ve been reading books on Nam to see how our men served there.

    desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

  29. Cindi (1 year ago)

    I would love to read this book and so would my father-in-law, who is a veteran
    of the Vietnam war.
    Thanks, Cindi

  30. Cindi (1 year ago)

    I am an email subscriber to your blog!
    Thanks very much…Cindi

  31. Cindi (1 year ago)

    WE are friends on Facebook!
    Again, many thanks…Cindi

  32. Cindi (1 year ago)

    “Tweet!”
    http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/21637348298.
    Merci, Cindi

  33. Kimberly (1 year ago)

    I’d love to read Give Me Liberty.

  34. Kimberly (1 year ago)

    I subscribe via email.

  35. Kimberly (1 year ago)

    Facebook friend of yours..

  36. debp (1 year ago)

    I would like to read medium raw by anthony bourdain.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  37. debp (1 year ago)

    I am a email subscriber.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

  38. clenna in NH (1 year ago)

    I’d love to read Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man By Steve Harvey

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  39. clenna in NH (1 year ago)

    I already subscribe via email

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  40. clenna in NH (1 year ago)

    I like/friend on FB
    username: clenna lyons emery

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  41. abi (1 year ago)

    Another book is Fancy Nancy

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  42. abi (1 year ago)

    Subscriber
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  43. Diane Baum (1 year ago)

    I’d like to read Fatally Flakey

  44. Richard Bannister (1 year ago)

    Absolute Zero by Chuck Logan

  45. Wendy M (1 year ago)

    I would love to read The Pioneer Woman Cooks.
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  46. Wendy M (1 year ago)

    I follow your feed in Google Reader.
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  47. angie (1 year ago)

    The Alchemist sounds good.

  48. Rachel Higgs (1 year ago)

    I would like The Birth of Christianity

  49. renee (1 year ago)

    Id’ like to read Neon Angel
    By Cherie Currie, Tony O’Neill

  50. renee (1 year ago)

    email subscriber

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