Customer Reviews

Trapped!: The Story of Floyd Collins

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4 star:		(3)
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As a former resident of Lexington Kentucky, I quickly became fascinated with caves soon after moving there. After visiting Mammoth Cave and several smaller caves in the area, I heard the story of Floyd Collins. Being naturally curious I had to read the book. I read it in one sitting! The reader is wedged in that narrow space, the suspense is unberable. But it was not until a year later when I actually visited the site that the full scope of the tragedy hit home. The site is at least a ten minute treck through the woods. It's very lonely. At the end of the path is an outcropping of rock, not at all what I expected, tremendously overgrown with only a small written testimonial to his life and tragic death. At the bottom of a steep slope is an opening.Apparently the state or local government was in such fear of anyone trying this fatal mistake again, the opening is covered with thick metal bars. My fascination faded, a hard shiver went down my back and I truly felt a sadness for this unfortunate explorer. This book is a MUST READ, the reader will not be disappointed.

When asked about his earliest childhood memory, my late father would tell of his dad carrying him to his uncle's house to listen to radio news reports of the attempted rescue of Floyd Collins from a cave in nearby Kentucky. This book brings to life those events that captured the nation's attention in Jan.-Feb. 1925. Trapped is a well-written, well-documented account of the tragedy that occured in the central Kentucky hills and before watchful eyes of the nation. Its a gripping account that manages to capture the facts of the event, including great details of America's first modern media circus, while still attending to the many colorful characters who played a role in Collin's life, the rescue attempt, and the aftermath.

I found this book on the shelf at my aunt's house and asked her what it was about. It turns out that Floyd Collins was a cousin of my grandmother's. It was for that reason that I read the book, but I enjoyed it for it's content and structure. The first portion of the book builds the historical background and sets the scene for the expedition by the authors into the cave that Floyd Collins was trapped in. This was the first expedition into the actual chamber in which Floyd Collins died, and what they found shocked me. This is a very interesting book which outlines the media's involvement in the event and documents the involvement of several individuals in the rescue effort, including Skeets Miller and Johnnie Gerald. There is good photography and an impressive list of people from which first-hand accounts were recorded by the authors. This is a very informative book and a must-have for anyone interested in Mammoth Caves or Floyd Collins, and it is well worth your time.

I became fascinated with Floyd Collins (the caver whose entrapment in a Kentucky cave precipitated America's first true media circus) after hearing the soundtrack to the off-Broadway musical which opened in NY in 1996. "Trapped" fills in all the blanks and answers most all of the questions a listener to the CD may develop. The tone of the writing is authoritative, but certainly not overly technical. It is an exciting, page-turning read, and remarkably suspenseful considering we all know how it turns out. I look forward to reading other works by Brucker/Murray. Perhaps "Floyd Collins", the musical will inspire new interest in the book, and an updated new edition will be considered. Thanks.

I borrowed this from a friend after seeing a production of the musical, "Floyd Collins" a few years ago, and I recently re-read it. I was warned that the book was "dry" but I didn't find it dull at all. The authors have a wonderful (?) way of making me feel claustrophobic - the way that they describe the tunnels and caves which Collins explored makes me never want to set foot in a cave. Ever.

The book is very well-written, and an excellent account of one of the biggest media events in the early twentieth century.

After my first trip through one of the sections of Mammoth Cave, I was addicted to this world. My husband turned me on to this man, Floyd Collins, who I have never heard of. We both bought a book from the park store and I couldn't pull myself away from this one. As we drove for hours on our vacation, I would read multiple parts to my husband while he was driving. I couldn't fight the tears as I read so many parts of this book to him. I don't normally get consumed by movies or books, but this book and the story of Floyd Collins has left such an impact on me. It is inevitable the you will find yourself feeling trapped along with Floyd and find a warm level of love and respect for him as his days and conversations are described. I can't even begin to describe feeling as though I was right there beside Homer, Skeets and Johnnie with their dedication to saving this man. I wish there was a movie about this - not a documentary, but a movie. The drama, suspense, characters and events of this story are so realistic and R.K. Murray did a great job on this book.

Definitely a winner.

Trapped! the story of Floyd Collins, is a very well written account of one of the first mass media coverages of an American Tragedy. The book itself flows very well and engrosses the reader in the details of the often heroic effort to save Collins who was trapped in a cave near Mammouth Cave in Kentucky. Murray and Brucker do an excellent job in discussing the noted personalities associated with the media frenzy that closely followed the efforts to save Collins. Also dealt with is the exploitation of the entire event by a number of self serving individuals. A great book for those interested in Kentucky History and a noteworthy work for those who prefer casual reading.

The best book I've ever read, period. Within the context of a rescue attempt of a Kentucky caver, the authors paint a revealing picture of America in the 1920's. From the glory seeking Louisville fireman to a journalist who won the nobel prize, this story is not to be missed. Just read the 1st five pages, up to the 1st line break, & you'll be hooked. I've never handed this book to anyone who wasn't totally enthralled w/ it.

IT was bought for a friend (12 years old); However;I HAVE GONE TO THE CAVES, more than once. This book appears to be a great history of the cave discovery.
If you ever visit KY make sure to visit this cave system.
This review is from Saint Michael's Books

As somebody who suffers from claustrophobia, the story of Floyd Collins's predicament is the ultimate nightmare, but yet a fascinating read!! If you're like me, you'll turn away just to shudder and catch your breath occasionally when you picture yourself in Collins's rut. Murray and Brucker's research is probably the most in-depth on the subject and they paint the appalling 1925 Kentucky scene well. Your hopes and expectations will yo-yo through this rollercoaster ride that chronicles the final days of Floyd Collins and the story of his rescuers. Anybody with an interest in caving should read this book. Similarly, anybody with an interest in Kentucky history will probably enjoy this book too. Very difficult to put down!