Customer Reviews

Open Doors: Vietnam POWs Thirty Years Later

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a review of the hardcover edition of "Open Doors," a combination of magnificant present-day photographs accompanied by snapshots of 30 former POWs held in North Vietnam. The profilees totaled less than 5% of the American military POWs captured in Southeast Asia. (There were civilian POWs as well.)

Everyone has heard of John McCain and Admiral James Stockdale. Most of the others retired as captain/colonel or admiral/general, once bomber/fighter pilots shot down and captured.

There is Doug Hegdahl, a young sailor who fell overboard in the Gulf of Tonkin, who remembered the names of all captives and relayed them upon his early release. Tony Marshall was a young African-American Air Force F-4 pilot held for nine months. He retired and became an airline pilot and teacher.

Following the vignettes, there are military biographical information on the men and their decorations. In my opinion, the best part is the summary at the end offering statistics of the entire group. One question remains. Do these POWs believe that there are Americans still missing in action in Vietnam/Laos/Cambodia?

"Open Doors" would make a perfect gift for aspiring military aviators, Vietnam veterans and their loved ones.

The five stars are for the quality of research and the journalistic integrity of the authors. As one of the subjects of the book it would be misleading for me to assign stars for the overall merit of the work (although I did like it). I have no problem with giving five stars for the photography - a class act. Many reporters, journalists, would-be authors and just the downright curious attmept to tell our story. Most end up telling their story, the story they think they heard or the story the way they wish it were. These authors succeeded in telling our story by investing a prodigious effort in face to face sessions, research and validation through third party sources. The result is a lesson in journalistic integrity. What you sees is what you get and that is us. Enjoy!

Perhaps the most striking part of this book to me is the simple number, the number of days that these men spent in captivity in Vietnam: 2,381; 2,432; 2,676; 3,113. To me this made a stronger impact than saying 5 years or whatever. Three thousand days. These people sat there with nothing to do, scared, being mistreated, tortured, no idea if they would ever return home.

But return home 661 did. And the overwhelming percentage brought home with them a dedication to life. Most seem to have stayed in the service (some of them had been promoted twice while in captivity), most after the service went on to successful careers in a wide variety of fields. Coming to mind is the title of David Halberstam's book, 'The Best and the Brightest.' It would be difficult to find a better group of men than these.

This is the story of what happened afterward to thirty of these men.

This is a captivating little book that reveals how 30 Prisoners Of War (POWs) from Viet Nam have coped with life after their horrible privation and suffering while imprisoned in North Viet Nam. A number of well known POWs, like Senator John McCain and Medal of Honor winner Bud Day, are included. Authors Howren and Kiland have skillfully probed the inner man within each of these heroes, revealing to the reader the unique traits these men possessed that helped them survive their ordeals. These traits more often than not have stayed within their personas and have helped to mold them in their post-POW lives. Very professional black and white photographs show these men, often with family members, in contemporary settings and the photos reveal their essential humanity better than the written word ever could. While their POW experiences were horrific, these men come across thirty years later as not only quite normal, they seem to possess very unique insights into the persons they have become. Each POW's story is presented in two parts; the first is their thirty years later story, followed by a separate section with photos from before or just after their captivity ended and more comprehensive career histories. This arrangement gives a "before and after" which clearly shows the contrasts in their lives over time. The last portion of the book includes some excellent analysis of the demographics of POWs and insightful discussion of some myths and facts that help put them in proper context. This is a unique and professionally done book, easy to read and sure to hold the interest of anyone who wondered what became of the POWs of Viet Nam.

This is a Great book that every patriotic American should read. I served in Viet Nam and our group is a much greater group of veterans than we will ever get credit for. The ultra left media and Hollywood has blasphemed us unjustly for years. Thanks to Mel Gibson for making "We Were Soldiers" also.

I just can't get enough of this book. It's simply amazing to ponder that these men have been imprisoned and tortured, some for as long as eight years. Then you see their recent pictures and they're almost all smiling. Some in their offices, many outdoors, some with their wives, some with grandkids and dogs. But smiling genuine smiles.

It's a tribute to the human spirit that these men not only endured their captivity but actually thrived in life after the war. Some went on to become renowned government officials, others in Academia, and others in the private sector, but all were able to find balance and joy beyond the horrors of their experience.

The book accomplishes more that one could reasonably expect and the authors did a great job. In one black and white photo and a couple of pages of text, the reader gets a real feel for the POW and what makes him tick. I'm glad that the book's focus is on the positive achievements these men have accomplished since the war, and only addresses their incarceration in how it strengthened their core values or how that experience helped them later in life.

This book can be seen as a catharsis for what ails us today as a society: It puts what is important in life into perspective, and makes the reader truly thankful for and appreciative of his or her blessings. It should be required reading for high school students.

I can't add much to the other reviews. This book is not just inspirational and informative, it is a beautiful volume. It would make a wonderful gift for anyone interested in American history or in the legacy of Vietnam.

While I was initially hesitant to invest the time to browse through this book when I saw it at the store, I am very happy I did! This book appealed to me (a non-military type person) on several levels.

Inspirational and uplifting: It contains a beautiful series of true stories and photographs exposing shining triumphs of the human spirit after life handed these men the cruel fate of years of deprivation, isolation, and torture. What comes out of their abuse? - No bitterness... No sugar coating... Just the joy of being alive, free and able to live, love, succeed, and make mistakes. As one of the POWs says (and the reason for the title of the book) "There is no such thing as a bad day when the door has a doorknob on the inside". This alone makes it a fixture on my breakfast table.

Learning the facts: The book has fascinating stats on the Vietnam era POWs which contradict what I held to be commonly accepted "truths". While I would not want to have to live through what these brave POWs did, I wouldn't mind their perspective and attitude!!

I was pleasantly surprised and moved by this little gem!!

The book was quick to read and the type was easy to read. There were numerous photographs and reasonably good writing. The POW issue is one everyone should be aware of, especially since there were so many men left behind and so many returned POWs who are living witnesses to that fact. Most of these men who survived and returned home have gone on to live active and productive lives.