Captured!

by Carolyn Paine Miller

Captured! pulses with all the drama of a novel, yet is the true story of real people caught in the crossfire of war and revolution. From the frightening explosion of bombs around their home in Vietnam to the triumphant welcome on their return to the United States, Carolyn Miller tells of her family's capture and eight months of internment as prisoners of the Liberation Armed Forces--the Vietcong.“I am enormously impressed, both by Carolyn’s genius for writing and by the amazing spirit, not just of fortitutde but of deeply Christian hope than comes through it. It is an arrestingly told story as well as an arresting one.” - Prof C.F.D. Moule, Cambridge University“I just finished rereading Captured! I read it before I joined Wycliffe in 1978 and appreciate it so much more now. I’m glad it is to be republished.” - Jane Pappenhagen, Wycliffe International “The book is marvellous and I will treasure it.” - Paul L. Seitz, Bishop of Kontum, Vietnam“I am impressed by the unvarnished straightforwardness of the account. It is easy to identify with. It rings so true.” - Barbara Wibberly, OMF, Thailand“Every night before going to bed I read the book. I sometimes get so involved in reading it and forget to sleep. I had felt the Vietnamese War had taken place in another planet but now I feel very close to it.” - Eiko Ujitani, Japan“It was read over FM radio here in San Diego by John Arthur and kept me spellbound. I had to go out and get a copy. I sure did enjoy it.” - Carole Moore, California“I feel as if she were in my living room telling me the story.” - Dr. Josephine Rickard, Houghton College“It’s beautiful! Believe me, it made me miss Vietnam so much! I read it twice and lent it to a lot of friends.”- Thuong Van Lam, Ph.D., Asia-Pacific Teaching Fellow“Captured! was one of the five finalists for the best book of the year in the biography category at the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.” - Leslie R. Keylock, Editor, Christian Herald Books

Genres: Nonfiction

312 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1977

Reviews

[Yibbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You have been separated from most of your children. You, your husband, and your five-year-old are facing possible death. Or will you be imprisoned for the rest of your life? Will your life’s work simply vanish at the whim of an official? Can any faith hold up to that?
I knew nothing about life in Vietnam after the war. I had no idea that there were any missionaries still there after America pulled out. This book is the story of a family torn apart by war, but it is also the story of faith strengthened and daily grace. It was really very encouraging.
There are a couple annoying things about it that I would recommending changing in any future printing. Occasionally it leaves you hanging. It references back stories to certain people or the very recent history of the town they are in, but never fills in the whole story. I found that very frustrating. I can’t tell if the author was simply assuming everyone was familiar with current events or was trying to not spoil another author’s book. The beginning is especially fragmented as it jumps back and forth in time and between places. Those needed to be more clearly defined.
I still liked it. It was almost impossible to put down. All those references to ‘recent history’ made me go find a book about them. So, I’m ordering No Time for Tombstones by James C. Hefley.
I definitely recommend it.

[Emily Severin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Carolyn Miller's biography on her, and the rest of the Banmethout 14's capture by the vietcong towards the end of the Vietnam war. It is such a beautiful book that needs to be on more people's reading lists. It was incredibly well written, which is to be expected since Carolyn Miller was a linguist, and it provided more insight into an area of history that not many people know about. I definitely will be reading this again in the future as it is very insightful, and overall an amazing biography.

The ending is especially amazing, with the beautiful hymn, to God be the glory, great things he hath done.

Definitely check it out❤️

[Judith DeStefano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captured! allows you to view life as an American prisoner as the Vietnam War comes to a close. Mr. and Mrs. Miller, American translators, were involved in translating the Bible, when life got upturned. Carolyn, her husband, and daughter, along with several others, are taken from camp to camp. They live on meager fare and under privative circumstances for seven months. Carolyne doesn't know when she will be freed, what the fate of her other 3 children is, or for a while, if she'll even live to see freedom. Despite the hardships of the group, there is a certain camaraderie the reader will enjoy. The group has their private jokes. Forced to spend so much time in each other's company, they sing, make do, and help one another. The book is not overly fast paced, but neither does it often get too bogged down in detail. You may almost be sorry to see the group's prison life break up when . . .

[Kristan V. Wager · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring story about faith under trial.

I enjoyed reading this true story about the Miller family and the others. It was very refreshing to read about very real faith that was tested and held true. The epilogue was a nice bonus. We chose this for our book club due to connections to Houghton and Lyncourt Church, but would recommend it to anyone looking to see how faith stands up and God works.

[Otis Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intetesting

Interesting story about a couple's imprisonment by the North Vietnamese. Although the treatment was not quite as harsh as I expected, it was certainty difficult with meager rations and wooden planks for bedding, all made more difficult due to having their small child in tow. An inspiring story of faith.

[Betsy Lynn Spencer · Rating 5 out of 5]

God's Faithfulness

An easy read with a powerful testimony of God's faithfulness in keeping his children who undergo extremely difficult circumstances, faithful to Him. Mrs. Miller quoted many Bible passages as she meditated upon God's truth during the time of their captivity, revealing a strong faith in the God who promises He will never leave us or forsake us.

[Mariana Nesbitt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Exciting read. A story of human endurance and the mercy of God.

A heroic account of modern missions. Never think missionaries are sissies. Try to find political or colonial motives in this missionary activity

[TERESA LAPP · Rating 5 out of 5]

Courage

Honest story of severe trials and how real faith in God brings trust, strength, change and hope to 'impossible' times.

[Jonathan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Interesting

This is a good look at how God helps those who serve Him and also the oppression of communism to the people...

[Judy Foyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an experience!!

What God has done. Such dedicated people bring glory to Christ! So g!ad their mission was accomplished! Such a life changing story!!

[Lisa Perine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Good book. Would recommend to not only one considering missions work but any Christian who likes reading about the perseverance of God's people.

[Jodi Uplinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read and kept my attention. They had a great testimony about serving God

[Dave]

All the more captivating because I worked with the same language group in Thailand. I was moved to tears more than once.

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author, her husband John, and 5 1/2 year old daughter LuAnne, spent 8 months in captivity with the North Vietnamese. They had been translating the Bible into the Bru language and were captured along with three other missionaires/linguists and people and became known at the "Banmethouit 14". They were transferred to several jungle camps with nutritional and medical deficiencies. They lost their manuscript of the Bible. Their three older children were away at school when they were captured and were sent to the US after their parents capture. One time a man challenged them that they did not like the Vietnamese because in camps the captured 14 people were very protective of their things and did not share willingly with others. The author struggled with sickness, the rice gruel and grease soup diet, missing her children, and accepting that setting in a camp doing nothing was God's will. Very interesting.

[Mr · Rating 1 out of 5]

wanted to give it 0 stars but then it seems like i didnt rate it at all