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Escape from the Box: The Wonder of Human Potential
"...Human potential is nothing more than a state of mind, and that potential is controlled by two things..." —Col. Ed Hubbard The above quotation forms the heart of this fast moving, hard-hitting, inspirational self-leadership book in which Col. Hubbard shares the valuable lessons he learned during 2,420 days as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. Based on his experience as a POW, Col. Hubbard takes the most negative situation you can imagine and turns it into one of the most positive personal growth transformations you will ever read. His message is for everyone in any walk of life. This is a "must read" book in the tradition of Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl. Escape from the Box will leave you richer, having opened doors for greater understanding of your own unlimited potential. You will laugh, you will learn, and you will sing as you read this book. Moreover, you will feel good about your country, yourself, and your own ability. For you will have discovered "The Wonder of Human Potential."
160 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 1994
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 8, 2018
April 8, 2018
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of the book : “Escape from the Box” [The Wonder of Human Potential] by Colonel Edward L. Hubbard, USAF (Retired).
Edward Hubbard was an invited lunch speaker to a local group of retired FBI Agents on the Emerald Coast of Florida. He was originally scheduled to speak to a National meeting of Former Special Agents of the FBI, in Saint Augustine Florida in September 2017. He graciously spoke at our local group in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in October 2017. When he finished his talk which lasted for almost an hour, the group was totally spell bound. Afterwards, I asked if he would autograph a copy of his book which he addressed to “Micheline and Tony, GBU & GBA, Ed Hubbard”. Micheline is my wife of almost53 years and was also greatly moved by Hubbard's presentation.
I read his book in October 2017 and held off writing a review until I was able to order a copy of a book I read in college entitled “Man's Search for Meaning” by Victor Frankl. I wanted to review the experiences of both Frankl and Hubbard before writing my review.
Hubbard's experiences which were the basis for his book, “Escape from the Box” were as incredible and as heart moving as Frankl's experiences in Auschwitz. Hubbard was an US Air Force pilot in the early years of our involvement in Vietnam, and was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) in 1967 and held captive for 2,420 days or more than 6 and half years as a guest of NVA. His story is both harrowing and inspirational. In his book, Hubbard discusses the methods of survival under a ruthless and barbarian enemy. While Hubbard does not dwell in specifics of his torture and the horrors of barbarity he and others were subjected to, he talks about the human spirit and how it could spell demise or survival for the prisoners.
The book was one that I could not put down and it was one of the most compelling books I ever read of a true rendition of one man's story of survival. He speaks of attitude and the need for a positive outlook where none seems possible to conjure. The story of his and others experiences were most difficult to fathom especially where human contact and communication would spell death for the prisoners if detected or suspected. by the NVA. In their solitary cells months passed into years with out any news of contacts with his fellow captives. After a couple of years, Hubbard was exposed to a system of covert communications that were based on a tapping of letters discovered by one the senior captives. It was so effective that the prisoners were able to communicate complex messages which kept the sanity for those who worked this system. They were able to communicate novels and other book which were recalled by memory and exchanged to each other. All while the threats of death by the guards were a reality they had to deal with.
The communication tapping seems incredible and impossible but they were able to create challenges for themselves to protect their minds and bodies in a a climate of extreme deprivation. They were able to communicate first aide and other medical remediation's to insure survival.
Escape from the box was a symbolism for both their solitary cells and their and their minds. What the prisoners accomplished was a way to adjust their attitudes to one which helped and insure survival in the most brutal environment ever experienced by civilized people.
I highly recommend reading this book, which can be purchased through Amazon and consider it as much of a must read as Victor Frankl's book. I unhesitatingly give this book five stars out of five.
A review by Anthony T. Riggio of the book : “Escape from the Box” [The Wonder of Human Potential] by Colonel Edward L. Hubbard, USAF (Retired).
Edward Hubbard was an invited lunch speaker to a local group of retired FBI Agents on the Emerald Coast of Florida. He was originally scheduled to speak to a National meeting of Former Special Agents of the FBI, in Saint Augustine Florida in September 2017. He graciously spoke at our local group in Fort Walton Beach, Florida in October 2017. When he finished his talk which lasted for almost an hour, the group was totally spell bound. Afterwards, I asked if he would autograph a copy of his book which he addressed to “Micheline and Tony, GBU & GBA, Ed Hubbard”. Micheline is my wife of almost53 years and was also greatly moved by Hubbard's presentation.
I read his book in October 2017 and held off writing a review until I was able to order a copy of a book I read in college entitled “Man's Search for Meaning” by Victor Frankl. I wanted to review the experiences of both Frankl and Hubbard before writing my review.
Hubbard's experiences which were the basis for his book, “Escape from the Box” were as incredible and as heart moving as Frankl's experiences in Auschwitz. Hubbard was an US Air Force pilot in the early years of our involvement in Vietnam, and was shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) in 1967 and held captive for 2,420 days or more than 6 and half years as a guest of NVA. His story is both harrowing and inspirational. In his book, Hubbard discusses the methods of survival under a ruthless and barbarian enemy. While Hubbard does not dwell in specifics of his torture and the horrors of barbarity he and others were subjected to, he talks about the human spirit and how it could spell demise or survival for the prisoners.
The book was one that I could not put down and it was one of the most compelling books I ever read of a true rendition of one man's story of survival. He speaks of attitude and the need for a positive outlook where none seems possible to conjure. The story of his and others experiences were most difficult to fathom especially where human contact and communication would spell death for the prisoners if detected or suspected. by the NVA. In their solitary cells months passed into years with out any news of contacts with his fellow captives. After a couple of years, Hubbard was exposed to a system of covert communications that were based on a tapping of letters discovered by one the senior captives. It was so effective that the prisoners were able to communicate complex messages which kept the sanity for those who worked this system. They were able to communicate novels and other book which were recalled by memory and exchanged to each other. All while the threats of death by the guards were a reality they had to deal with.
The communication tapping seems incredible and impossible but they were able to create challenges for themselves to protect their minds and bodies in a a climate of extreme deprivation. They were able to communicate first aide and other medical remediation's to insure survival.
Escape from the box was a symbolism for both their solitary cells and their and their minds. What the prisoners accomplished was a way to adjust their attitudes to one which helped and insure survival in the most brutal environment ever experienced by civilized people.
I highly recommend reading this book, which can be purchased through Amazon and consider it as much of a must read as Victor Frankl's book. I unhesitatingly give this book five stars out of five.
February 10, 2008
This book was personally given to me by the author. No, not at a book signing. He was one of my regular customers, and he, his wife and I used to chat. I've never read a book like this before, and I don't think I have read one like it since. He was a POW during the Vietnam war. He was there during the time that Senator John McCain was there and many other good men. He doesn't get into details about the atrocities they suffered. You really need to read this book. It is purely amazing how much unrealized potential we have.
May 10, 2018
First off, I did enjoy the book. I heard Col Hubbard speak at a military dinner one night a couple of years ago and he was a terrific motivational speaker. He's been through a lot--over 2,000 days as a POW in Vietnam. Not the greatest success book, but not bad either. I confess that success books seem repetitive to me after a while. Anyway, he made some good points, including the fact that there is nothing you've done that you couldn't have done better. Make a list of things you couldn't have done better ... and put it on a sticky note, as you won't be able to fill that out. Anyway, a quick read, an impressive author, and some worthwhile anecdotes.
November 4, 2025
I appreciate what this gentleman is attempting to accomplish. I honor him for his service and his suffering . Perhaps his message came at the wrong time. There wasn’t much that I don’t already have in practice. There weren’t any “aha!” Moments.
September 1, 2019
Great motivator. I really enjoyed this book.
December 4, 2020
I know the book and am more familiar with the author than I care to be. The guys a perfect example of "talking isn't the same as doing." A scoundrel and a braggart.
September 30, 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I feel extremely motivated after reading both from a personal and professional standpoint. A great book for anyone in a leadership position to read and apply.
December 30, 2020
An ok book. The author was a POW in Vietnam so his positive attitude is great. The book is meant to motivate toward self-leadership and inspire.
January 27, 2015
Nick let me borrow this book. I enjoy a good book that talks about accomplishing your potential and not making excuses. His story of being a POW for 6.5 years is fascinating. Especially how he and a few others were able to become fluent in a few languages without cracking open a single book.
We need more people in this world with his mindset.
We need more people in this world with his mindset.
July 7, 2015
Great lessons, but difficult to overcome the author's need to brag incessantly. He went through a terrifying ordeal, and I appreciate the great strength it must have taken to survive this. Beyond this, I had a difficult time getting through this read. It appears that everyone around him is consistently wrong. Whereas he is right and all-knowing.
June 14, 2013
This book is amazing. I found the first half more correlates with humanity, while the second was intriguing because it applies his knowledge about how much a human can truly achieve, its just the matter of setting your mind, heart, and soul, into it.
April 23, 2014
Very good account of what our POWs went through after they were shot down. I appreciated Mr. Hubbard's sense of humor throughout the book. After reading this book and seeing how he learned Spanish via taps on a wall, I understand that there is nothing a person cannot accomplish.
August 17, 2007
A feel good book that focuses on the "turning lemons into lemonade" mentality. I found it a bit sweet and bombastic.
December 23, 2010
Ugh; what a waste of time. This one is from H.S. graduation so I'm moving along in "The List." Not much noteworthy outside of his commentary on the capacity of humans. Speculate about that though.
July 29, 2012
This is a true story bout a prisoner of war. It is inspirational, and very good.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews