Five Years to Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW
by James N. Rowe
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Book Summary Information
Author: James N. RoweEdition: Mass Market Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1984-05-12
ISBN: 0345314603
Number of pages: 465
Publisher: Presidio Press
Book Reviews of Five Years to Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW
Book Review: 5 Stars But....
Summary: 5 Stars
"5 years to Freedom" is the story of the great perseverance and courage shown by Army Lt. James Rowe during his captivity in the Mekong Delta area of South Vietnam from 1963-1968. Its' style is highly disciplined, which no doubt is a positive reflection on the author. Rowe writes with a sharp eye for detail, another positive reflection on him and his West Point/Green Beret background. He writes in plain English (the way the Army likes it), with the result that no military glossary is needed to fully appreciate the action. He also accomplishes the feat of putting a human face on his captors and guards, though not always a complimentary one. The reader is in virtual in captivity with Rowe while he prepares his meals, scrounges what he can (typical Army!), begs for what he can't, suffers multiple and graphic physical ailments and even raises some pets. Rowe was obviously a political/ propaganda toy to be manipulated by the Viet Cong. Exactly why this was so goes unexplained. Also unexplained is why the U.S. made NO ATTEMPT to rescue Rowe. The author, as a career military man, is not the one to pursue an answer. One major shortcoming of "FYF" is the total inadequacy of the one scrawny map in the paperback edition. Since most Vietnam Vets served North of Saigon, the Delta Region, especially the notorious U Minh Forest, is a geographic mystery to most of us. A good map would have clarified matters, but this shortfall is a common enough theme in military stories. In this reviewer's bottom line opinion, readers will derive a sharper understanding of the POW situation from 1) Frank Anton's "Why Didn't You Get Me Out"? and 2) George J. Veith's " Code Name Bright Light". Both raise the issue of inadequate U.S. response and interest in our POWs, a governmental attitude persisting to this day. Mr. Anton both depicts his pain and suffering in captivity and raises the big picture of the POWs. (As of 1 January, 2002- 1,948 Americans remain unaccounted for). On stand-alone merits, "Five Years to Freedom" still rates 5 full stars. It's just that there are superior 5 star efforts available on this emotional issue.
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