Beyond Survival (Hardcover)

~ Gerald Coffee (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Retired U.S. Navy captain Coffee was a prisoner of war in North Vietnam from 1966 to 1973, most of the time in Hanoi and in a cell by himself. How he endured and what he learned from the experience are the subjects of this inspiring book. By calling on his inner resources, such as his faith in God, his conviction that the United States was right to be in Vietnam, his love for his wife and children, and his respect for his fellow prisoners, he was able to overcome loneliness and the pain of occasional torture. Each chapter is headed by a paragraph of invincible principles that Coffee discovered for himself during his ordeal: "The only real security we have is the certainty that we're equipped to handle whatever happens to us"; "Humor is integral to our peace of mind and ability to go beyond survival." First serial to Reader's Digest; Troll Book Club alternate.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Coffee found some eternal principles within himself and others during the barbaric and brutal experience of being a Vietnam POW. "Invincible Principles," such as faith in himself, faith in God, self-forgiveness, humor, and love of fellow POWs, enabled Coffee to survive seven years of extreme mistreatment and abuse. His gripping, compelling narrative of imprisonment certainly testifies convincingly that with a few simple certitudes one can survive dire circumstances. Coffee's ordeal makes most of life's ordinary setbacks seem eminently survivable. A well-written book; for general readers interested in the POW experience or inspirational and self-help advice.
- Mark K. Jones, Cincinnati
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: G. P. Putnam's Sons; 1ST edition (January 16, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399134166
• ISBN-13: 978-0399134166
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #774,411 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational, April 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond Survival (Paperback)

I had an opportunity to hear Dr. Coffee speak in California this past summer. To say he left the room speechless was an understatement. Inspiration,patriotism and an acknowledgment of our God were messages he left with us.

The book goes into great detail about the spirit of man and the strength that lies within each of us. His years spent in North Vietnam as a POW and the indomitable spirit required to survive unheard of torture is an incredible tale. Dr. Coffee states that he is an ordinary man much like everyone else - he merely endured extraordinary circumstances. I think not!

This book should be required reading in our high schools. To hear Dr. Coffee speak or to read his book will make one proud to be an American. I strongly urge you all to read this uplifting and incredible saga of an incredible human being.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Wartime Story for Anytime, October 23, 2002

By	Becky Runyan (Concord, CA) - See all my reviews

This book reads like a novel. Not only is it about Captain Coffe as a POW but as a son, husband, father and a friend. His courage, faith and humor leave one feeling that they too can have all of these principles, no matter who you are or where you've come from. That there's nothing that life throws at us that we can't overcome and prevail. You walk away feeling as if you know Capt. Coffee and would be honored if he was your friend. An experience not to miss - highly recommended for any age group.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Example of How Powerful The "Will To Survive" Can Be., June 23, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Beyond Survival (Paperback)

Gerald Coffee really goes "Beyond Survival" with his seven years of POW experience in a North Vietnamese Prison, (the infamous "Hanoi Hilton") during the Viet-Nam War. Just when I thought things could not get any worse for Coffee, they did. Broken and beaten he continues to survive one day to the next by maintaining his faith in God and a belief that the US Government would someday come to his assistance. Father, Husband, Soldier, and Hero, his story struck deep in my heart. He is an inspiration to all of us to "make each day count".