Customer Reviews

The Passing of the Night: My Seven Years As a Prisoner of the North Vietnamese

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This book is an enigma. Risner's style is not polished. He doesn't overwhelm with vocabulary or imagery. Rather, his friendly, relaxed, matter-of-fact manner invites you into Hanoi Hilton, into his cell, where you join him for 7 1/2 years of isolation, misery, agony, and pain. With simple, frank text, the author introduces the reader to the life of the POW with startling clarity. You will not soon forget the images found in this writing. It is clear why the Chief of Staff of the Air Force has included this book on the recommended reading list for USAF professionals. General Risner is a true American hero. His example of courage, intelligence, devotion, and honesty should be followed by us all. To read this book is to glimpse, if only for a few hours, the horror of Vietnamese prison life. General Risner reminds us about having faith in God, confidence in ourselves, and pride in our country.

My high school English teacher read parts of this book to us in class. I graduated 20 years ago. I've only found one copy and gave it to my brother. This book has greatly influenced my brother and I. I am sure it played a part in both of us choosing to become members of the Air Force. And it filled in details about a war that I can only vaguely remember but has shaped my life. I agree that it should be rereleased. Thank you General for your story and thank you Ms Roach (of Dale High School, Dale, OK.) for introducing us to this story! Read this if you get a chance. I've thought of it often in the past 20+ years!

To describe courage and bravery, strength and resilience, pride and professionalism, it only takes two words....Robinson Risner. In an ordeal that began in 1965 and lasted for a monumental seven and a half years, he was incarcerated in the Hanoi Hilton and Zoo prison compounds in North Vietnam after he was shot down.

Subjected to unspeakable tortures and barbaric conditions, Robinson Risner literally descended into a pit of hell from which he was eventually delivered out of by his relentless perseverance and his faith in God.

After reading The Passing of the Night, it reinforced my pride in America, our military, and the extraordinary stature of our convictions and beliefs in the most desperate of times.

Robison Risner's book is heartfelt, down to earth, and very moving in its portrayal and leaves a resounding message for everyone. No matter how difficult things may be in life, never lose faith in yourself and always know God will never give you more than you can handle.

This book comes highly recommended to anyone and everyone.

I had the privilege and honor of meeting and getting to know General Risner shortly after he was appointed as commander of

the 832nd Air Division at Cannon AFB, New Mexico, in 1973.

He was a humble and gracious gentleman of great dignity. I was

blessed to get to know him personally and to jointly procure a copy of the movie: In The Presence of Mine Enemies, for showing at the base chapel. On the day of my release from active duty I purchased his book and, it being a Saturday, visited him in his office, entering with his permission through his private entrance and he graciously signed the book for me with a personal message for future success. The book is a must read for anyone who considers themself an American, as all Americans should become aware of the sacrifices of people like General Risner in keeping us free. Sadly, I loaned the book to a friend

and never had it returned. But I will never forget General Risner's story, not the man himself. Knowing him was truly one of the best blessing I have experienced in my 54 years of life.

You must read this book!

This book was originally written in 1973 and details the violations of the Geneva Convention by the North Vietnamese. Colonel Risner details how he first resisted the North Vietnamese and later signed statements after extreme torture. The North Vietnamese were very cruel to their captured POWs. It is a wonder why we didn't have protesters telling the world of the inhumane practices of the North Vietnamese government.

This is a nice read on how these American patriots resisted the efforts of the North Vietnamese to break their spirit. As Colonel Risner would say, you found God in prison and faith in the American system. It is amazing this man spent 7 and a half years with little food, lots of torture, and still maintained his faith in the American system. This is an inspirational read.

This is probably one of the most important books I've ever read. General Risner employs no verbal tricks in his account of his life as a POW in the Vietnam War; he simply states fact for fact. The visual images of torture are so gripping that despite the 114 pages of this book, it took me days before I turned the last page. And, when I had finally finished, my thoughts and actions were truly changed; I saw whole new levels to the war of ideas, of partisan politics. One passage that struck me in this book, and that I read over and over again, was how one of the factors of surivival for Risner was his belief that the American people were behind him. Ultimately, this book has given me courage that I didn't know I had inside me. This is a painful, extraordinary book.

Of the numerous Vietnam-era tales this one ranks right up there with the late Col. Nick Rowe's Five Years To Freedom for heart-stopping suspense. I believe this book should be re-released as the "audience" for this type of book is probably greater now than during the 1970s.

This book is so moving I don't feel I can do it justice in a short review. I have never been so affected by one person's story, it makes me catch my breath just thinking about it. I too have had the pleasure of meeting Gen Risner. He is a very kind and easy-going person. His account of his 7 ½ years as a POW in Hanoi Hilton is very inspirational. He tells his story so vividly that it made me cry several times. I agree it not only should be re-released, but mandatory reading for all high school/college students. I am a member of the Air Force and I tell everyone I know they need to get this book! It will change your outlook on life!

If you have time to read only one book about Vietnam, this should be it. Forget the Hollywood accounts of the "Vietnam Experience," and get the inside story from a true American Hero.

While attending Baylor University General Risner spoke to our ROTC detachment. I was fortunate to meet this fine man and great patriot. He also was kind enough to autograph my copy of his book. It is a book I have read more times than I can count. His story is presented in a matter-of-fact manner, without boasting or bragging. While I did not make the Air Force a career, his book has been a positive influence on how I try to conduct myself with integrity, purpose, and honor. This is a must read for anyone considering a serving time in the military. Actually, everyone should be required to read this book to learn and appreciate what it means to be an American.