The Longest Rescue: The Life and Legacy of Vietnam POW William A. Robinson

by Glenn Robins (contributor), Bud Day (Foreword)

While serving as a crew chief aboard a U.S. Air Force Rescue helicopter, Airman First Class William A. Robinson was shot down and captured in Ha Tinh Province, North Vietnam, on September 20, 1965. After a brief stint at the Hanoi Hilton, Robinson endured 2,703 days in multiple North Vietnamese prison camps, including the notorious Briarpatch and various compounds at Cu Loc, known by the inmates as the Zoo. No enlisted man in American military history has been held as a prisoner of war longer than Robinson. For seven and a half years, he faced daily privations and endured the full range of North Vietnam's torture program.In The Longest The Life and Legacy of Vietnam POW William A. Robinson, Glenn Robins tells Robinson's story using an array of sources, including declassified U.S. military documents, translated Vietnamese documents, and interviews from the National Prisoner of War Museum. Unlike many other POW accounts, this comprehensive biography explores Robinson's life before and after his capture, particularly his estranged relationship with his father, enabling a better understanding of the difficult transition POWs face upon returning home and the toll exacted on their families. Robins's powerful narrative not only demonstrates how Robinson and his fellow prisoners embodied the dedication and sacrifice of America's enlisted men but also explores their place in history and memory.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Biography

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approximately the first half of the book covers Bill Robinson's life before the war and his time in the POW camps throughout Vietnam. The second half of the book follows his life after his release, his visit back to Vietnam, and the economy and politics of Vietnam after the war until present times. The book also covers the Andersonville prisoner of war museum and efforts made to honor prisoners of War throughout the history of American Warfare, his family, and the Vietnam memorial wall, the NAHS, and other POW'S

Sad story. The author portrayed Bill Robinson as a very humble and compassionate person always looking out for others and always with the desire to help others both during his time as a POW and his time after his release. His mother died when he was still young and his father was a dirty deadbeat loser who cared little about anything including bill and his sisters. Bill's genuine determination to please others led to him being exploited by his father, stepmother, and even his second wife.

I expected more information on the treatment and torture endured by U.S. prisoners in Vietnamese camps, but this book offers relatively few details on the matter.

A film created for Japanese audiences about Bill Robinson and Vietnam which provides exaggerated and mythical tales about the capture of American soldiers. It also exaggerates certain facts about the war while attempting to conceal the torture and nefarious treatment of U.S. POW'S while claiming that prisoners were treated humanely and respectfully.

https://www.nps.gov/ande/planyourvisi...

[Greg Schloesser · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of William Robinson's life, with emphasis on his extended period as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam war. Surprisingly, the book doesn't go into great detail about his day-to-day life as a prisoner, nor does it dive very deeply into the torture he and his fellow prisoners experienced. These ordeals are certainly mentioned and alluded to, but they are not revealed in great detail. A lot of the book is devoted on his life before and after his incarceration, which is necessary, but not as riveting.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel bad giving this only 3 stars as the story of Bill is harrowing and also uplifting. But the writing style is very dry and made it harder for me to get into it.
There are some difficult parts of course, talking about the injuries and torture that the pows endured.
There was definitely a lot of history that was interesting to learn and that I was unaware.
I would still recommended this though as it is important to understand the pow experience and the sacrifices they and their families made for the US.

[Jared Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An incredible story written quite dryly.

I loved the story and the sharing of the experience but I couldn’t quite enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

I skimmed the last half, got the story and the details but no longer immersed myself in all the machinations or each setting.

Robinson was obviously of strong mind to get through his 7 year trial. I don’t think I could have done it so well, if at all.

The book gave me perspective and made me feel more blessed for the life I have.

[Christy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well-told story of Bill Robinson, the longest-held enlisted man as a POW in Vietnam. It is an excellent story of Robinson's life from birth until a few years ago. The man is an American hero who survived 7.5 years of Hell. He is a larger-than-life fellow who now lives in East Tennessee. A really good story that all Americans should read. Thanks to Glen Robins for preserving this story.

[Jon Surrette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book on POW during Vietnam War

[Renae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the book painted a very visual setting where you can almost imagine being there with him through that long ordeal he suffered through. Mr Robinson is brave and amazing person and has been blessed to be alive and in sound mind. I would read this one again and again!

[David Cates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being friends with Bill I have looked forward to a book telling his story. This book does a great job of doing that. I am still awed, amazed and grateful for all Bill has done and endured.

[Roberta]

Excellent book.