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Trapped!: The Story of Floyd Collins
Vernon Bogdanor once told The Guardian that he made 'a living of something that doesn't exist'. He also quipped that the British Constitution can be summed up in eight words: 'Whatever the Queen in Parliament decides is law.' That may still be the case, yet in many ways the once elusive British Constitution has now become much more grounded, much more tangible and much more based on written sources than was previously the case. It now exists in a way in which it previously did not. However, though the changes may seem revolutionary, much of the underlying structure remains unchanged; there are limits to the changes. Where does all this leave the Constitution? Here constitutional experts, political scientists and legal practitioners present up-to-date and in-depth commentaries on their respective areas of expertise. While also a Festschrift in honour of Vernon Bogdanor, this book is above all a comprehensive compendium on the present state of the British Constitution. 'The new constitutional politics has spawned a new constitutional scholarship. This stimulating collection, skilfully put together by Matt Qvortrup, works both as a welcome snapshot of where we are now and as an expert audit, from specialists in law, history and political science, of the deeper issues and of the complex dynamics of continuity and change in the ongoing refashioning of Britain's constitutional architecture.' Kevin Theakston, Professor of British Government, University of Leeds 'The highly distinguished team of scholars assembled by Matt Qvortrup has produced a deeply thought-provoking collection on the profound constitutional changes that have occurred in the UK over the last twenty years. A book worthy of reaching a very wide readership.' Roger Scully, Professor of Political Science, Cardiff University 'Vernon Bogdanor understands like few others the connections between history, politics and institutions - and that is what makes him such an authority on the British system of government.' The Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister 'I think Vernon's guiding principle at Brasenose was to treat all his students as if they might one day be Prime Minister. At the time, I thought this was a bit over the top, but then a boy studying PPE at Brasenose two years beneath me became Prime Minister.' Toby Young, The Spectator
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1979
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February 23, 2015
I wake in the middle of the night, sweaty and breathing hard despite the sub-zero temperatures outside. I hear the whistle of wind and the rattle of the old drafty window sashes in their frames. I am at home in my bed, but at the same time I am back in Sand Cave and I feel that incessant drip of speluncar water, eroding a hole straight through my forehead, brain, to the back of my skull where it forms a stalactite—or is it stalagmite. I've always been more of a practical caver, I've no use for books on the subject. Give me a kerosene lamp, an oilcloth shirt and bindle of corn cakes and bacon and you will not see me for the rest of the day.
I never feared being buried alive. It was a proverb in my father's house recited often that I or my brother would find himself up to his neck in some subterranean muck and that we'd disappear with nary a trace for our kin to find. I took no stock in that and neither did Homer. My father warned me of the unreliability of kerosene lamps, as if I did not know. No less than four times I've been plunged into the darkest dark you could imagine as a result of my kerosene failing me and each time my hands guided me out as proficiently as my eyes. There are times I close the aperture of my lamp for sport, to test my ability for blind egress. The critters I meet down here have no eyes and I find no reason I cannot match them.
Others say I am a fool for going down alone. I grant this, although in my current state another body would be of no use to me. Either I'd be the instrument of someone else's demise, trapped lower down than me, or my theoretical partner would be just one of the dozens of men failing to rescue to me.
The last time I saw my brother he told me newsmen from all over the country were up there, along with the crowd of Cave City folk who were already there throwing an impromptu festival. He was perplexed when I said that Wade had not been down to see me. Apparently there are some men who managed half the trip down to help me but claim the whole trip. Some others say that I am not trapped here at all, that it is a stunt to promote my Crystal Cave tours. It occurred to me to be indignant, as if all these landlubbers were dancing on my grave. But I do not blame them and I haven't the energy to muster up any indignation.
I admit I did not foresee my end in a twenty-six and a half pound stone. I doubt I shall see daylight again. If my brother comes back I will tell him to leave my body here. Perhaps thousands of years from now another Floyd Collins as haphazard as myself will find my bones, like I found the Indian bones in Bear Cave. I am but a stepping stone in the path of man's confounded hubris.
I never feared being buried alive. It was a proverb in my father's house recited often that I or my brother would find himself up to his neck in some subterranean muck and that we'd disappear with nary a trace for our kin to find. I took no stock in that and neither did Homer. My father warned me of the unreliability of kerosene lamps, as if I did not know. No less than four times I've been plunged into the darkest dark you could imagine as a result of my kerosene failing me and each time my hands guided me out as proficiently as my eyes. There are times I close the aperture of my lamp for sport, to test my ability for blind egress. The critters I meet down here have no eyes and I find no reason I cannot match them.
Others say I am a fool for going down alone. I grant this, although in my current state another body would be of no use to me. Either I'd be the instrument of someone else's demise, trapped lower down than me, or my theoretical partner would be just one of the dozens of men failing to rescue to me.
The last time I saw my brother he told me newsmen from all over the country were up there, along with the crowd of Cave City folk who were already there throwing an impromptu festival. He was perplexed when I said that Wade had not been down to see me. Apparently there are some men who managed half the trip down to help me but claim the whole trip. Some others say that I am not trapped here at all, that it is a stunt to promote my Crystal Cave tours. It occurred to me to be indignant, as if all these landlubbers were dancing on my grave. But I do not blame them and I haven't the energy to muster up any indignation.
I admit I did not foresee my end in a twenty-six and a half pound stone. I doubt I shall see daylight again. If my brother comes back I will tell him to leave my body here. Perhaps thousands of years from now another Floyd Collins as haphazard as myself will find my bones, like I found the Indian bones in Bear Cave. I am but a stepping stone in the path of man's confounded hubris.
July 15, 2016
Picked this book up at the library after seeing it on the shelf at Mammoth Cave's gift shop. It is both dull and exciting, factual and given to excess. The book excels at describing the horror of Collins' predicament, the blistering infighting of the rescuers, and the surrounding media carnival. The book fails by covering too much ground, preferring to range into biographic minutae of too many characters rather than focusing on the topic at hand. It likewise speculates about the character's cognition - especially psychoanalyzing Floyd's love of caving as a sexual preference. Read if you're bored, love caving, or are interested in media in the 1920s/1930s.
February 9, 2023
Trapped! The Story of Floyd Collins by Robert K. Murray & Robert W. Brucker (The University Press of Kentucky 1982) (Biography).
This is one scary book. In fact, this is probably the scariest book I ever read in my life, and it's a true story. Floyd Collins was a Kentucky mountaineer who was obsessed with caves. In 1925, Floyd became trapped in a Kentucky cave; for a few days he was one of the most famous people in the world.
In the 1920's, show caves (privately owned caves open to the public for the price of admission) were being opened all over Floyd Collins' portion of the state. There was money to be made.
The granddaddy of all Kentucky show caves was the famed Mammoth Cave which was just over the next ridge. Floyd and his daddy Lee owned less than a hundred acres of Kentucky hillside, but there was actually a cave below their land. Floyd had a strong belief that the many caves in the vicinity were all connected and all formed one huge underground system of caves. Floyd and Lee knew that if they could find a way to link their cave with the Mammoth Cave system, the value of their land and their cave would greatly increase. The lure of fame and riches kept Floyd constantly underground during his free time searching for a connection in the deepest, darkest, and muddiest nooks and crannies of the cave. Floyd was a spelunking fool.
Floyd was not scared of anything under the ground, but he was careless. He failed to follow what are now widely recognized as "safe caving practices." For instance, a caver should never enter a cave alone, and he should always tell someone where he would be and when he expected to return. Floyd never did. A caver should always wear a hard hat; Floyd wore a soft-billed cap. A caver should always carry three light sources; Floyd never carried more than one. He was fearless! He once dropped and broke his kerosene lamp, which was his only source of light, deep in the bowels of a cave when he was exploring alone. Approximately three hours later, he emerged from the pitch black of the underground.
Eventually the day came when Floyd failed to reappear. He had gone into Sand Cave two days before but had never emerged. His brothers set out to find him in the darkness below.
They eventually found Floyd caught by the ankle in a passageway in Sand Cave. A ceiling had collapsed on him in a chute where he had only a few inches of clearance between his body and the rock wall just above him. There were three "squeezes" through which a caver had to compress his body in order to climb down to the top of the chute in which Floyd was stuck, and only the smallest cavers could reach the point where Floyd lay entombed by the rockfall.
Once his brothers found him alive, they mobilized their neighbors to begin a rescue. This is the story of the race to rescue Floyd Collins.
According to the authors, Floyd Collins was the third biggest story in the time period between the World Wars. Every wire service in the world picked up the story of the trapped and possibly doomed Kentuckian, and countless people and corporations volunteered to help in any way they could to try to save Floyd.
The vigil at Sand Cave lasted for eighteen days. According to the authors, "All of the region's experienced cavers agreed that Floyd had helped make his own grave by going where it was not within the power of anyone to rescue him." (p.223). As stated by the Louisville Herald, "[T]he plain fact is that Floyd Collins, for whom others were willing to risk their lives, [thought] he could win a victory from Nature and paid the price of the foolhardy." (p. 223).
Again, this may be the scariest book I've ever read. The authors create such a vivid picture of the horror of the claustraphobically narrow corkscrew passages and the wet, muddy, and dark cave walls that I'm probably going to sleep with a nightlight. This is an outstanding tale and a truly terrifying piece of horror writing. My rating: 8/10, finished 9/17/16.
I purchased a used PB copy in good condition from McKay's for $2.00 on 7/16/16.
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February 12, 2024
a very good and interesting book. this is a true story.
October 9, 2017
An incredible story written by a duo of men who both brought their individual expertise to the table. I had just visited Mammoth Caves and since I love to learn more about things I enjoy, I got several more books to read as well. The story starts right off with Floyd venturing into the cave he's been exploring his whole life. My first red flag was that he does this ALONE. No thank you!!! The description of his descent is so detailed that I was working up a cold sweat and personally experiencing the "squeeze" of the tunnels and the unimaginably small size of the passageways. When he finally becomes trapped, the reader can only hope that he will be somehow rescued. But the story is true and Floyd goes through literal hell in Sand Cave. Great descriptions of what a caver does for someone like me who had no idea. I am so glad I read this AFTER I'd explored the caves as I may have hesitated after.
May 18, 2010
I bought this book after touring Mammoth Cave in Kentucky. Good thing I didn't read it before or I probably wouldn't have stepped foot in it. This is the fascinating story of Floyd Collins, a 38 year old man who got stuck in a small tunnel in the cave in 1925. With his arms pinned at his sides and no light he was trapped mummy-like, 150 feet under the earth for 16 days. This book was well researched and written excellently and not only tells Floyd Collins story but also the media frenzy it caused. This is one of those books that sticks with you for days. I loved it.
November 25, 2023
I never wanted to explore a cave. This book is as close to the experience as I will get. That might explain why I was terrified throughout while listening to the audiobook. This is the story of Floyd Collins, a man who, in 1925, explores a cave by himself, becomes trapped and then dies.
The description of Floyd Collins’ plight, the fear of those who tried to rescue him, and the author’s own attempt to explore Sand Cave are brilliantly done — I probably won’t be going near a cave anytime soon.
This is also an interesting popular history, devoted to showing what happened at Sand Cave back in 1925, and the media madness surrounding the event. There are some quibbles here and there (speculating on Floyd Collins’ sexuality was hugely unnecessary). But I stayed interested in the stories, for the most part, only losing interest when the author went through a litany of inaccurate depictions of the event in books and magazines following 1925.
Recommended. Just skip the part where the authors try some pop psychology on Floyd Collins. Also shed a tear for the family left behind.
The description of Floyd Collins’ plight, the fear of those who tried to rescue him, and the author’s own attempt to explore Sand Cave are brilliantly done — I probably won’t be going near a cave anytime soon.
This is also an interesting popular history, devoted to showing what happened at Sand Cave back in 1925, and the media madness surrounding the event. There are some quibbles here and there (speculating on Floyd Collins’ sexuality was hugely unnecessary). But I stayed interested in the stories, for the most part, only losing interest when the author went through a litany of inaccurate depictions of the event in books and magazines following 1925.
Recommended. Just skip the part where the authors try some pop psychology on Floyd Collins. Also shed a tear for the family left behind.
Read
February 13, 2023truly one of The Books i've ever read for sure. this book made me fall into a deep dark depression and this entire situation since i first heard about it furthered my fear of caves so thank you because i can't even rate this🙏 skeets was a real one i guess. you can also tell the authors did a lot of painstaking research and the writing is really gripping! i did absolutely hate and skipped the part where they started theorizing about his uhhh preferences. other than that there are a lot of great quotes that made me just pause for a second
"The average citizen is seldom affected by the raw statistics of a disaster—a hundred persons lost in a flood or a hundred thousand starving in a famine. But when a single dying man such as Floyd Collins lies at his doorstep, he can be profoundly moved."
"His habit of praying to the Lord while simultaneously seeking the Almighty Dollar jarred many observers and encouraged them to believe the worst about him."
"On Friday, February 13, a number of the crews cut out paper hearts to exchange with each other the next morning." cries
"As the Louisville Herald phrased it on the day after Floyd’s body was found, “Ring down the curtain! Bring on the next article. That is the way of the world.”"
"I brought him a light so he
could see himself die
I warmed myself
at the furnace of his hunger
in the name of mercy and the fourth estate
I stuck my thumb in his agony
and pulled out a Pulitzer"
"The average citizen is seldom affected by the raw statistics of a disaster—a hundred persons lost in a flood or a hundred thousand starving in a famine. But when a single dying man such as Floyd Collins lies at his doorstep, he can be profoundly moved."
"His habit of praying to the Lord while simultaneously seeking the Almighty Dollar jarred many observers and encouraged them to believe the worst about him."
"On Friday, February 13, a number of the crews cut out paper hearts to exchange with each other the next morning." cries
"As the Louisville Herald phrased it on the day after Floyd’s body was found, “Ring down the curtain! Bring on the next article. That is the way of the world.”"
"I brought him a light so he
could see himself die
I warmed myself
at the furnace of his hunger
in the name of mercy and the fourth estate
I stuck my thumb in his agony
and pulled out a Pulitzer"
September 3, 2019
In 1925, amateur caver Floyd Collins became trapped in a Kentucky cave. He was lying face-up in a narrow shaft when a dislodged rock pinned his foot and left him unable to move, with his arms trapped beside him. Trapped! describes the tragedy, the rescue attempts, and Floyd Collins' legacy.
Trapped is well-written and the part dealing with Floyd's entrapment and the rescue is absorbing and tragic. It's well worth a read. Unfortunately, like many nonfiction books dealing with specific events, it's also padded with mini biographies of pretty much everyone that ever went near the cave, as well as tenuously-related detail about the history of caving in the area. I ended up skimming a lot of the second half.
Trapped is well-written and the part dealing with Floyd's entrapment and the rescue is absorbing and tragic. It's well worth a read. Unfortunately, like many nonfiction books dealing with specific events, it's also padded with mini biographies of pretty much everyone that ever went near the cave, as well as tenuously-related detail about the history of caving in the area. I ended up skimming a lot of the second half.
September 9, 2023
I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought it would. I found the whole ordeal fascinating and tragic. I will be looking into some of the media the authors mentioned depicting the tragedy.
September 18, 2023
This was a fun way to learn about such a prominent chapter in American history, yet I found the writing style given to excess and the authors prone to hyperbole or inadvertent falsification.
December 27, 2008
I knew the outline of the Floyd Collins story before I read the book, since I'm something of a Mammoth cave fanatic. However, hearing the simple facts surrounding Floyd's death (ie Floyd was trapped in a cave for 2 weeks as he slowly died and all rescue attempts failed) doesn't come close to exacting the type of horror that it should. HORROR.
The book is well-written and not sensationalized at all (nor is it graphic about Floyd's suffering). It does an excellent job of laying out the storyline as it happened (to the best of their knowledge and best-guessing) and stayed pretty unbiased about the whole thing. There's no blame to go around, really (other than saying that Floyd employed unsafe caving techniques--duh), and it's nice that I didn't have to finish the book thinking, "That dang blankety-blank killed Floyd!"
A must-read, in my opinion. The horror of what Floyd went through is unimaginable. Add to that the confusion of the rescue efforts. The near-impossibility of what was asked of the rescuers. The conditions inside the cave. Opportunities lost. The zoo-like atmosphere at the rescue site. Scandals and rumors and conmen looking for an easy dollar. Plus, this event gripped the nation for almost 2 weeks in 1925 and the whole ordeal was turned into a newspaper and radio frenzy of mis-information. Crazy! I spent a lot of time shaking my head and saying things like, "wow." When my husband would ask what was "wow", I would look at him sadly, unable to explain. Just, wow.
If you read it, you MUST read the epilouge. It details them going back into Sand Cave (closed off since 1925) and what they found. I consider that chapter one of the best in the book (though if you don't like caving, you might not like it--a lot of descriptions of, well, a cave).
Poor Floyd. I imagine white angels DID rescue him. Not before he went through Hell, though. HORROR.
The book is well-written and not sensationalized at all (nor is it graphic about Floyd's suffering). It does an excellent job of laying out the storyline as it happened (to the best of their knowledge and best-guessing) and stayed pretty unbiased about the whole thing. There's no blame to go around, really (other than saying that Floyd employed unsafe caving techniques--duh), and it's nice that I didn't have to finish the book thinking, "That dang blankety-blank killed Floyd!"
A must-read, in my opinion. The horror of what Floyd went through is unimaginable. Add to that the confusion of the rescue efforts. The near-impossibility of what was asked of the rescuers. The conditions inside the cave. Opportunities lost. The zoo-like atmosphere at the rescue site. Scandals and rumors and conmen looking for an easy dollar. Plus, this event gripped the nation for almost 2 weeks in 1925 and the whole ordeal was turned into a newspaper and radio frenzy of mis-information. Crazy! I spent a lot of time shaking my head and saying things like, "wow." When my husband would ask what was "wow", I would look at him sadly, unable to explain. Just, wow.
If you read it, you MUST read the epilouge. It details them going back into Sand Cave (closed off since 1925) and what they found. I consider that chapter one of the best in the book (though if you don't like caving, you might not like it--a lot of descriptions of, well, a cave).
Poor Floyd. I imagine white angels DID rescue him. Not before he went through Hell, though. HORROR.
November 14, 2008
This book describes the plight of a Kentucky caver who was trapped in a cave and ultimately died as all rescue attempts failed.
However the real story here is not so much about Floyd Collins, but about the media hysteria that surrounded the incident and how rumor and outright lies permeated the accounts of the day.
I'd call this a must read for any journalism student. Otherwise, an interesting story if you are interested in caves.
However the real story here is not so much about Floyd Collins, but about the media hysteria that surrounded the incident and how rumor and outright lies permeated the accounts of the day.
I'd call this a must read for any journalism student. Otherwise, an interesting story if you are interested in caves.
May 5, 2025
picked this up in order to learn more information for a short story i’m writing (i’m also a fiend for the musical) and woah. such a big part of kentuckian history that’s so overlooked and so muddled. i’ll never ever go cave diving ever, i’m scared. but, floyd collins surely is the greatest cave explorer ever known
September 14, 2019
Story of Floyd Collins trapped in Sand Cave in 1925. Also about the Mammoth Cave, Kentucky area. Interesting true story and very readable. Did not enjoy the conjectured parts about his personal preferences and why the authors think he was not married, but really enjoyed the read otherwise.
November 14, 2024
Close to one hundred years ago a cave explorer, by the name of Floyd Collin’s, was trapped in a cave that is now part of the Monmouth National Park.
What followed was nothing short of a an epic tale of bravery, endurance, and determination encapsulated in the pride and prejudice between a proud Kentucky rural community, outsiders, and the watching world.
Anyone who has visited the caves of Kentucky will know the names and sensationalized stories of those involved. Anyone who has not, will be captivated by Floyd, his family, and the people who worked to free him. You will be shocked, have your heart torn apart, and come away with more than you bargained for in the end.
The concepts of capitalizing on tragedy, the media circus, the reality of curiosities being a draw are not new. We all want to know. We all are guilty. We are human. But in these pages you will learn much about where you fit in the chain.
A visit to this National Park will also have you bringing home more than memories and souvenirs, you will be changed. Mammoth NP has done an excellent job of introducing the history of the caves as hard as it may be. We did almost all of the tours there and I. The surrounding show caves. None sugar-coated the history of the area, its peoples, and tragedies.
I bought a ton of books there to learn more, something I rarely do because of cost, but there is so much more to be learned.
What followed was nothing short of a an epic tale of bravery, endurance, and determination encapsulated in the pride and prejudice between a proud Kentucky rural community, outsiders, and the watching world.
Anyone who has visited the caves of Kentucky will know the names and sensationalized stories of those involved. Anyone who has not, will be captivated by Floyd, his family, and the people who worked to free him. You will be shocked, have your heart torn apart, and come away with more than you bargained for in the end.
The concepts of capitalizing on tragedy, the media circus, the reality of curiosities being a draw are not new. We all want to know. We all are guilty. We are human. But in these pages you will learn much about where you fit in the chain.
A visit to this National Park will also have you bringing home more than memories and souvenirs, you will be changed. Mammoth NP has done an excellent job of introducing the history of the caves as hard as it may be. We did almost all of the tours there and I. The surrounding show caves. None sugar-coated the history of the area, its peoples, and tragedies.
I bought a ton of books there to learn more, something I rarely do because of cost, but there is so much more to be learned.
July 4, 2017
Could there be anything worse than being trapped in a tiny space, in a cave, with damp earth pressing on you from all sides? In 1925 that is exactly what happened to Kentuckian Floyd Collins when he was doing some cave exploring. Collins had already discovered one cave, Crystal Cave, which was not too far from where Mammoth Cave is. He loved caving and he was anxious to find something new. So when he discovered an opening under a large limestone cliff he decided to explore. He wiggled and squirmed his way down narrow passageways and then it happened. A large rock fell and trapped his left foot. Loose earth sifted around him. Twenty-four hours went by before he was missed up on top. This book is the story of his attempted rescue. Even though I knew the outcome, I couldn’t help hoping that the rescuers could help Floyd. I can’t think of a worse way to die.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat through the story of the rescue. There is a lot of history in this book too, of the cave wars and Kentucky and the nation in general. This event stirred the imagination of the whole country. The history part became a little tedious, but I think it was necessary to put everything into perspective.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat through the story of the rescue. There is a lot of history in this book too, of the cave wars and Kentucky and the nation in general. This event stirred the imagination of the whole country. The history part became a little tedious, but I think it was necessary to put everything into perspective.
February 25, 2025
Genuinely captivating, and arguably pretty frightening stuff. I actually learned about Floyd Collins thanks to hbomberguy's plagiarism video and couldn't get his story out of my mind. Read the Mentalfloss article about the story, and then picked this book up.
I've seen some folks complain about the focus on life outside of Sand Cave, but it's kind of important to provide as much detail as possible for the sake of accuracy. That said, the book is fairly dry. Like I found some segments more of an endeavor than others. However, it does include maps and diagrams of the surrounding area and Sand Cave proper, as well as a set of photos detailing the interior of the cave, Floyd, and the rescue team. I kept going back to the diagrams and photos in particular, just trying to put myself in the cave and take in the experience.
If you're interested in the history of caving, definitely a solid pick.
I've seen some folks complain about the focus on life outside of Sand Cave, but it's kind of important to provide as much detail as possible for the sake of accuracy. That said, the book is fairly dry. Like I found some segments more of an endeavor than others. However, it does include maps and diagrams of the surrounding area and Sand Cave proper, as well as a set of photos detailing the interior of the cave, Floyd, and the rescue team. I kept going back to the diagrams and photos in particular, just trying to put myself in the cave and take in the experience.
If you're interested in the history of caving, definitely a solid pick.
February 27, 2020
Not for the claustrophobic! It can be tough getting through some of the descriptions of tight squeezes between rocks and decisions whether to go head- or foot-first down chutes in the greatest cave rescue you've never heard of (at least I hadn't). The 1925 story of Floyd Collins getting himself jammed under a rock while exploring an underground cave maze dominated the national news at the time and was churned out into sensationalist stories and a carnival atmosphere that clogged the Kentucky area with tourists and wannabe heroes. I was loaned the book after watching Kirk Douglas' "Ace in the Hole," a loose adaption of the true story transferred to New Mexico (more of a focus on the sketchy journalism). The authors did well to fish through the outrageous reporting and sift out the truth as best as possible.
July 11, 2022
Finally finished it!! :)
Debating between three and four stars, but my heart is leaning to the fourth. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book. There were times the writing seemed to drag on, or the information at hand wasn't exactly relevant to the plot. However, after finishing the book, this information is necessary in understanding the scale of the Floyd Collins tragedy and the historical context influential in this event and the aftermath. Brucker and Murray combed through interviews, research, misinformation, and rumors to find out the true narrative of the Sand Cave tragedy. They did a good job compiling all of this factual information, while keeping the story engaging and moving forward.
Also, they actually went INTO Sand Cave again in 1979! It was the first time anyone had been into the cave since they barred off the passage way in 1925! Pretty cool :)
Debating between three and four stars, but my heart is leaning to the fourth. Ultimately, I really enjoyed this book. There were times the writing seemed to drag on, or the information at hand wasn't exactly relevant to the plot. However, after finishing the book, this information is necessary in understanding the scale of the Floyd Collins tragedy and the historical context influential in this event and the aftermath. Brucker and Murray combed through interviews, research, misinformation, and rumors to find out the true narrative of the Sand Cave tragedy. They did a good job compiling all of this factual information, while keeping the story engaging and moving forward.
Also, they actually went INTO Sand Cave again in 1979! It was the first time anyone had been into the cave since they barred off the passage way in 1925! Pretty cool :)
December 17, 2023
When Floyd Collins became trapped in a cave in southern Kentucky in early 1925, the sensationalism and hysteria of the rescue attempt generated America's first true media spectacle, making Collins's story one of the seminal events of the century.
The crowds that gathered outside Sand Cave turned the rescue site into a carnival. Collins's situation was front-page news throughout the country, hourly bulletins interrupted radio programs, and Congress recessed to hear the latest word.
Trapped! is both a tense adventure and a brilliant historical recreation of the past. This new edition includes a new epilogue revealing information about the Floyd Collins story that has come to light since the book was first published.
The crowds that gathered outside Sand Cave turned the rescue site into a carnival. Collins's situation was front-page news throughout the country, hourly bulletins interrupted radio programs, and Congress recessed to hear the latest word.
Trapped! is both a tense adventure and a brilliant historical recreation of the past. This new edition includes a new epilogue revealing information about the Floyd Collins story that has come to light since the book was first published.
December 2, 2022
I read Roger Brucker's "The Longest Cave" many years ago and really enjoyed it so when I saw Trapped! on Audible I really wanted to listen to it.
Actually, from Roger Brucker's other books I knew quite a lot about Floyd Collins's story and wondered if I had actually read Trapped! before. Even so I still wanted to listen to the audiobook.
Floyd Collins got trapped and died in a Kentucky cave in 1925 and at the time the story of his attempted rescue was the biggest news story in America.
This book is not only about the story of Floyd Collins but also about how subsequent retellings and contemporary reports twisted the story.
A really interesting story even you are not into caving.
Actually, from Roger Brucker's other books I knew quite a lot about Floyd Collins's story and wondered if I had actually read Trapped! before. Even so I still wanted to listen to the audiobook.
Floyd Collins got trapped and died in a Kentucky cave in 1925 and at the time the story of his attempted rescue was the biggest news story in America.
This book is not only about the story of Floyd Collins but also about how subsequent retellings and contemporary reports twisted the story.
A really interesting story even you are not into caving.
August 17, 2023
This book was an engaging and well researched foray into a terrifying and tragic topic. The Floyd Collins / Sand Cave debacle is terrifying to hear about in any context, especially if you already have an aversion of or distrust of being underground. The author brings the full, horrific impact of Floyd’s entrapment to the fore without veering into sensationalism or poor taste, a difficult task. Despite knowing the outcome of this event, while reading I found myself becoming tense, almost expecting Floyd to be rescued.
Overall this is a very complete account of all the circumstances surrounding this horrifying cave in.
Overall this is a very complete account of all the circumstances surrounding this horrifying cave in.
January 18, 2025
An interesting story about a trapped caver, Floyd Collins, near Mammoth Cave, now Mammoth Cabe National Park near Louisville, Kentucky in 1925.
While the book is interesting and written in four veins, 1) the entrapment and ultimate death of Floyd Collins 2) a history of the are 3) a history of the era and 4) the aftermath since Floyd’s death since 1925 at nearly 12-hours in audiobook format was quite too long and could have easily been halved and still told the same story.
I have a hard time recommending this book as a result.
While the book is interesting and written in four veins, 1) the entrapment and ultimate death of Floyd Collins 2) a history of the are 3) a history of the era and 4) the aftermath since Floyd’s death since 1925 at nearly 12-hours in audiobook format was quite too long and could have easily been halved and still told the same story.
I have a hard time recommending this book as a result.
December 16, 2016
Our visit to Mammoth Cave led to our discovery of the tragic demise of caver Floyd Collins, one of the first on-going news stories to go international. It takes a veteran caver and a historian to write this well-crafted story. Although I was well aware of the outcome, Murray and Brucker do a fine job of telling the tale, depicting the people involved and the conflicts among the various forces seeking to rescue Collins, and keeping the reader's interest.
November 19, 2022
Super interesting and well written. I had never heard of Floyd Collins prior so it was interesting to hear about how the media covered and impeded rescue efforts and how important organization is in such efforts. Underground adventures are def not top of my list, what happened to Floyd has to be the worst, most torturous way to go. Definitely a riveting listen, I see how the country became obsessed.
February 14, 2023
I really enjoyed learning about the events surrounding Floyd Collins’s entrapment. In between great historical storytelling, I also enjoyed hearing about the unlikely friendship forged between the two researchers while putting the book together. To tell a story of tragedy so well with professional accuracy and touches of warm personal connection is a rare accomplishment. Fascinating and well done!
February 3, 2019
Written by an historian and a caver, this is an exciting read about a seriously sad ending to Floyd Collins back in 1925. For a claustrophobic feeling/fear, read the epilogue in which the authors descend into that cave and find a passage around the cave in and, therefore, with 20/20 hindsight, the way Collins could have been saved.
January 13, 2021
Just like the spectators at Sand Cave, I was waiting on tenterhooks to see if Floyd would be rescued alive. Incredible story and we'll written. Included excellent background information to give you a true sense of the cave wars era and Floyd's predicament.
April 27, 2018
Very interesting about the Mamoth cave system. The end was a little drawn out. I almost didn't finish the last bit.
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