Saturday, September 11, 2010

HERO FOUND: REVIEW AND GIVEAWAY

GIVEAWAY ENDED
HERO FOUND
The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War
BY BRUCE HENDERSON


ABOUT THE BOOK:

In February 1966, Dieter Dengler was shot down over “neutral” Laos in territory controlled by Pathet Lao guerrillas and North Vietnamese regulars. After his capture, the German-born Dengler proved to be no ordinary prisoner. Already a legend in the navy for his unique escape skills, which he had demonstrated during survival training in the California desert, he found himself caught in a desperate situation, imprisoned by the enemy and by the jungle itself. Dengler's heroic impulse was to free not only himself but also other POWs—American, Thai, and Chinese—some of whom had been held for years. In a surreal scene of brotherhood and celebration, Dengler, nearly six months after being shot down, returned to his ship in the Gulf of Tonkin—emaciated and ravaged with tropical maladies, but alive and free.
Bruce Henderson served with Dengler aboard USS Ranger. In this gripping book, he tells the complete story for the first time, drawing on personal interviews with the intrepid pilot, his squadron mates, and his friends and family, as well as military archival materials—some never before made public—and letters and journals. Henderson's riveting account demonstrates why Dengler's story of unending optimism, innate courage, loyalty, and survival against overwhelming odds remains for his fellow flyers and shipmates the best and brightest memory of their generation's war.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Bruce Henderson is the author or coauthor of more than twenty nonfiction books, including the #1 New York Times bestseller And the Sea Will Tell (with Vincent Bugliosi?) and Down to the Sea: An Epic Story of Naval Disaster and Heroism in World War II. Henderson served as a U.S. Navy Seventh Fleet weatherman from 1965 to 1967. He lives in Menlo Park, California.
MY REVIEW:
Bruce Henderson’s HERO FOUND-THE GREATEST POW ESCAPE OF THE VIETNAM WAR is the heroic story of Dieter Dengler, an American aviator who was shot down over Laos in 1966 during the Vietnam War. Author Bruce Henderson served on the USS Ranger with Dengler and gives the book a first hand account of at least that part of the story. When Dengler escaped and returned to their ship and just prior to it returning to the states, it had been 6 months after Dengler was lost and thought to be dead. His welcome from all those aboard the Ranger was surreal.
Henderson tells a moving, as well as disturbing, depiction of how Dengler escaped from his captors. Already an icon in the Navy for an earlier escape when he was captured, and for his talent at dodging the enemy (having been perfected during his training) Dengler was the leader who came up with the plan, and lead everyone to escape from the POW camp,

Henderson did a great deal of research that included interviews to craft a truly mesmerizing account that doesn’t shy away from man's brutality to his fellow man, but also makes sure readers see how Deigler's courageousness did not allow him to be crushed by such evil. Dieter Dengler, was born in Germany but moved later to the United States and became a US citizen. During his childhood in Germany, he often had to hide or be one step ahead of the Nazis since his family held anti-Nazi sentiments. There he became proficient in the skills needed to survive while in Germany’s Black Forest. This obviously served him well later on in his life.

When Dengler was caught and imprisoned in Vietnam, he was put in with a couple of Americans but also prisoners from other countries. Within days of his imprisonment, he had already shared with his fellow inmates how he was going to escape and got many others to support his plan. The amazing story of enduring the capture that included torture and beatings, supplemented with what one can only presume was some kind of sustenance but hardly what we would call food, is well documented and described. In turn, the difficult escape, in which Dengler took the others with him, was not an easy journey and the hardships they all endured are depicted very well by Henderson.

In the end, "Hero Found" is a tribute to a man some refer to as the most famous P.O.W. to ever escape in our country’s history by overcoming great hardship as well as becoming the standard for an American hero. His pure spirit and will to survive should be an inspiration to us all, especially on this day of all days, September 11.
GIVEAWAY




THANKS TO MARK AND GOOD PEOPLE
AT HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING,
I HAVE 3 COPIES OF THIS INSPIRING
BOOK TO GIVE AWAY. HERE IS WHAT
YOU NEED TO DO TO WIN A COPY!




--U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY
--NO P. O. BOXES
---INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
IN CASE YOU WIN!
--ALL COMMENTS MUST BE SEPARATE TO
COUNT AS MORE THAN ONE!

HOW TO ENTER:

+1 ENTRY:
COMMENT ON SOMETHING YOU FOUND INTERESTING ABOUT "HERO FOUND" AND AUTHOR BRUCE HENDERSON THAT MAKES YOU WANT TO READ THIS BOOK BY VISITING THE AUTHOR'S WEBSITE HERE

+1 MORE ENTRY:
BLOG OR TWEET ABOUT THIS GIVEAWAY AND LEAVE A LINK I CAN FOLLOW IN THE ENTRY

+1 MORE ENTRY: WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW OF AN INTERVIEW OF BRUCE HENDERSON ON JON STEWART'S DAILY SHOW AND COMMENT ON WHAT YOU THOUGHT ABOUT IT



+1 MORE ENTRY: COMMENT ON HOW YOU FOLLOW MY BLOG. IF YOU FOLLOW MORE THAN ONE WAY, YOU MAY COMMENT MORE THAN ONCE AND EARN EXTRA ENTRIES.

GIVEAWAY ENDS
6 PM, EST,
SEPTEMBER 25!


The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Bruce Henderson
www.thedailyshow.com

79 comments:

traveler said...

This author has quite a wonderful career as a newspaper reporter and has written 20 non-fiction books. this book sounds compelling. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I was impressed with the interview and learned a great deal about the war hero and his escape which took strength and planning. He had to wait 5 months. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

traveler said...

I am an e-mail subscriber. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

The hero book is a wonderful testament to his bravery and abilities. The author was a Private Investigator. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

petite said...

The hero's mother trained him in survival skills from very young. He was the first hero from an unpopular war. rojosho(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

He showed his bravery and courage by escaping the POW camp. He was German and earned his citizenship the hard way. I would really like to read this book.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am an e-mail follower of this blog.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I follow this blog with GFC.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

I am a FB fan and follow that way too.


CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Anonymous said...

+5 Swag

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Reading said...

I find it interesting that the author served with Mr. Dengler and chose to write his story so many years later.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I watched the video and I learned that Mr. Dengler learned his survival skills from his mother.

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Reading said...

I follow on GFC

lizzi0915 at aol dot com

Steve Capell said...

I have read a number of non-fiction war novels, but not any from this author. As traveler stated he has 20 non-fiction books that he has written. If I win I may find another author that I will be following. Thanks for the opportunity.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Jolee said...

I enjoy POW stories, although "enjoy" may be an odd choice of words. Perhaps "admire" is better. ;-) From Henderson's website, learned that he writes primarily true stories/biographies. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Email subscriber. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Follow on gfc. joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

Jolee said...

Learned that Dengler's Mom taught him a lot (from the video) ! joleehamlin [at] comcast [dot] net

A Musing Mother said...

Thanks to an amazing mother, the author overcame much.

I always respect a survivor.

A Musing Mother said...

I am a follower.

clenna said...

Dengler's desire to escape and take with him the rest of the captives is amazing. I had not heard of this pilot before. I can't wait to read it but I'll have to do 'rock, paper, scissors' with my husband to see who reads it first.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I subscribe via email

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I follow via Google

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I follow via Networked Blogs

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I follow via RSS feed via Google.

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I follow via FB

clenna at aol dot com

clenna said...

I watched the video and now I want to read the book even more. I was amazed that Dengler's mother taught him survival skills.

clenna at aol dot com

Anonymous said...

I am a follower. I would love to read this book and learn about what he went through. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

The author started out as a newspaper reporter.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

The author called Dieter the first real hero of the Vietnam war. I would like to read the story of how he escaped from POW camp.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Renee said...

I found it interesting that he's the longest-held American to escape captivity during the Vietnam War.

reneesuz82(at)msn.com

Renee said...

Drats.. this may be a duplicate. I got an error message.

I follow on google friends connect

reneesuz82(at)msn.com

ossmcalc said...

When asked who was the most unforgettable character you've encountered through your writing, the author answered that if he had to choose one person, it would be Dieter Dengler. The author was his shipmate, and they became friends after the navy. He was bigger-than-life and unforgettable, and his true hero.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I tweeted about this giveaway http://twitter.com/ossmcalc/status/24326187407

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I enjoyed listening to the video. Bruce said that Dengler would tell his story to anyone who asked, and it was a story that need to be told. I lived during that time and still thank the men who wear the Vietnam service hats for their service. It is good to hear something wonderful that did happen during the Viet Nam War. As was said, Dengler was a man who sucked the marrow out of life. Bruce Henderson wrote this book from his heart.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I subscribe via email.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow you on Twitter.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow via Google Reader.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow via Networked Blogs.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

I follow Bookin' with Bingo II on Facebook.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

+5 I'm Your Facebook Fan.

Thank you,

Christine
womackcm@sbcglobal.net

ossmcalc said...

+5 SWAG

bison61 said...

Hernderson is the author of more than 20 books-wow! Dengler lead everyone to escape from the POW camp,and he was born in Germany-sounds like an exciting book

tiramisu392 (at) yahoo.com

rbooth43 said...

I enjoy reading Bruce Henderson's books, and HERO FOUND
The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War has to be a great read. I also would like to honor our troops, honor our veterans. A handshake and a "thank you for serving" makes a world of difference to military veterans, and to disabled veterans in the Marines, Navy, Army, and Air Force.
Watch this Video:
Gene Simmons Military Tribute
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MtdIO23MKM

rbooth43(at)yahoo(dot)com

rubynreba said...

He started out as a newspaper reporter. This sounds like such an interesting story.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

The video was very good. My husband served in Viet Nam and I love to read stories about Viet Nam.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I subscribe by email.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

I follow on google friend.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

rubynreba said...

Facebook friend.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

hendy said...

I find this story intersting because it's a non-fiction account of the ultimate survival. How anyone can survive being a POW is facinating. I can't believe Mr.Henderson has written over 20 non-fiction books-I need to get to reading
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

I enjoyed the video, if Jon Stewart likes it I like it. It's intersting that Dieter's mother taught him survival and Dieter passed on survival skills to his son who now teaches "self-reliance" training.
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

I follow via GFc as hendy
hmhenderson At yahoo DOT com

hendy said...

I am an email subscriber
hmhenderson AT yahoo DOT com

Allison said...

I found it interesting to see all of the other books he has written.

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

I saw this interview when it was aired. I find a lot of great books to read from the Daily Show and Colbert Report.

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

Email subscriber

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

GFC Follower

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Allison said...

Reader subscriber

allisonsbj3(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Henderson said...

I found out that the high point of his career was when his book And The Sea Will Tell went #1 on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I tweeted this giveaway.
http://twitter.com/BookOwner/status/25064189309

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I found The Daily Show interview very interesting and was sad to hear Dengler was no longer living.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I follow on GFC.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I follow via Networked Blogs.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I like you on Facebook as myself.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I follow you on Twitter as BookOwner.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I am an email subscriber.

seriousreader at live dot com

Linda Henderson said...

I subscribe to RSS feed.

seriousreader at live dot com

Pamela Keener said...

I find it interesting that he worked for the National Enquirer & really wants that removed from his byline. He subsequently wrote an expose of the place. Good for him!
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I love how he said on the Jon Stewart interview that most of his books came from his head while this book came from his heart. I also like how he would have liked Dengler to be by his side on the book tour.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via e-mail.
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

Pamela Keener said...

I follow your blog via FB/Pam Keener
Love & Hugs,
Pam
pk4290(at)comcast(dot)net

LAMusing said...

The Author wrote 20 non-fiction books. Glad he took on this story - a hero in a very unpopular war

adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I follow you on GFC!
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I follow you on Facebook
(as AdrianeCoros)
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

I follow you on Networked Blogs
(as AdrianeCoros)
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

LAMusing said...

Watched the video - I found it touching the author says Dengler is his personal hero
adrianecoros(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

I watched the video and was intrigued by the role Dengler's mother played in his survival
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

Norma said...

Went to the author's site - he wrote the NY Times bestseller "And the Sea Will Tell"
bingomamanorma(at)gmail(dot)com

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