Captured: An American Prisoner of War in North Vietnam

by Alvin Townley

Alvin Townley, a critically acclaimed author of adult nonfiction, delivers a searing YA debut about American POWs during the Vietnam War. Naval aviator Jeremiah Denton was shot down and captured in North Vietnam in 1965. As a POW, Jerry Denton led a group of fellow American prisoners in withstanding gruesome conditions behind enemy lines. They developed a system of secret codes and covert communications to keep up their spirits. Later, he would endure torture and long periods of solitary confinement. Always, Jerry told his fellow POWs that they would one day return home together. Although Jerry spent seven and a half years as a POW, he did finally return home in 1973 after the longest and harshest deployment in US history.Denton's story is an extraordinary narrative of human resilience and endurance. Townley grapples with themes of perseverance, leadership, and duty while also deftly portraying the deeply complicated realities of the Vietnam War in this gripping narrative project for YA readers.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, War, Biography, Military Fiction, Middle Grade, Teen

256 pages, Hardcover

Published March 26, 2019

Reviews

[Valerie McEnroe · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I truly appreciate the utter strength of will American POWs had in the North Vietnam prison, I didn't feel like this book rose to the emotional level it needed to be. Even though it described repeated scenes of torture, it remained largely factual, and therefore elicited no emotional response from me. I wanted to be gripped by this story, and I wasn't. I expected to feel emotionally exhausted like I do after reading a Holocaust memoir, and I wasn't. I can't see kids reading this, but I could be wrong.

[Kelly Hager]

I feel like "inspiring" gets thrown around far too often, but this actually is an inspiring story. There are a lot of heroes here, but it centers around Jeremiah "Jerry" Denton, who was a POW for seven and a half years. He was instrumental in helping his fellow soldiers keep hoping, and he managed to keep everyone's morale as high as possible. (Which, given the conditions, is probably an actual miracle.)

This synopsis says it's for YA readers but I think it's also appropriate for middlegrade. There's torture in here, but usually it's phrased very vaguely (along the lines of ""They took him away" followed by When they were done...") although there are a few more graphic descriptions. Even so, it never feels gratuitous and it is clearly meant to show that these are the things that temporarily broke Jerry and made him go along with what his captors wanted. 

The general rule was that they wouldn't tell the captors anything but that if they couldn't withstand the torture anymore, they were to share things that were either false or inconsequential. Jerry had either the highest or next highest rank in every prisoner camp he was part of, so he told the men how to proceed. He followed that rule but he also told every man that the primary objective was to go home "with honor" and they all had to decide what that meant for them.

This is an incredible and heroic story, and I'm glad Scholastic sent it to me.

Recommended.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible story of the human will to survive. Jerry Denton spent 8 years in a POW camp in Vietnam and this is his story and how he helped the men in camp with him make it back home. I purchased this book because I saw a video online of him talking to the press saying he was being well taken care of in prison and getting adequate medical care, but while he was saying that to reporters in Vietnam he was blinking in Morris Code, TORTURE. I immediately looked this man up and bought this book off amazon. It’s a scholastic book so it’s written for kids but I really enjoyed it even though the reading level is for school age kids.

[Zanef · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was great and i really sympathised with the pows and learned so much that i didn't know about their struggles and how badly they were treated. one thing that really stuck with me was the sheer amount of time jerry stayed in prison in a foreign country with no way to contact home.

[Xander Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book because it was right up my alley since it was a war story book. It was specifically about P.O.W.s and their treatment in the Vietnam war. I found it interesting but also quite sad at times. Jeremiah Denton was the main character. It was important to him to not give the camp commanders any information. They were very upset about this. They would beat him and other prisoners, they would also starve them for not giving them the information they wanted. People back in the U.S. were worried about how the P.O.W.s were being treated. The Vietnamese government had an idea on how they would make the people in the U.S. less worried by using Jeremiah in a television interview. He was forced to lie that they were being treated alright. This way he could get a message out while being interviewed by blinking in Morse code "TORTURE" which the interviewer didn't notice. I would recommend this book to others that want to know what life was like for Vietnam War P.O.W.s.

The book was a sad book, it was difficult to read because of how badly they were treated. The abuse they went through to get information made it hard to read. I don't think that I could've sustained the abuse that they were faced with. They frequently moved them to different camps to break them. It was hard on Jeremiah because he would keep count of the prisoners from each camp. He was moved from camp to camp a lot. This upset him because he couldn't keep in touch to encourage everyone and and couldn't make sure that they were alright. Jeremiah was a P.O.W. for 8 years.

The theme was about how the P.O.W.s lived. One of the interesting lessons was about how one inmate named Schumacker came up with a way to communicate. He invented a 5 by 5 matrix tap code to form words and messages. All the P.O.W. used this form of communicating. It was important to keep each others spirits up. Supporting each other was so important to them. Another lesson was to stay confident in the government and believe that their situation would come to an end some day. Not all the P.O.W.s survived. Some went crazy. On the other hand, the ones that survived never lost hope and came out of the situation mostly alright.

[Zach]

yeah

[Marley Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

such an amazing and moving story. very well written!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll admit that while I found this book an incredible account of the American prisoners-of-war in Vietnam, specifically Jeremiah Denton, it was also difficult to read. The way the prisoners were treated for most of the war sickened me, making it difficult to keep reading. I did finish the book and it's a powerful account of determination, endurance, and maintaining hope in the face of horrible conditions. I would not however recommend this to readers younger than high school. Even some young adults might have a hard time with some of the content in this book. If you have a reader though who wants a realistic look at the nastiness of war, the book shows that clearly and convincingly.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to admit, it took an extraordinarily long time for me to get up the courage to read this book. I knew, going in, it was going to be a tough read. It's hard for me to read the horrible things people to do one another, and as a teacher, it's not something I enjoy delving into, but this is a chapter in American history, in North Vietnam's history, that should not be forgotten.

This is a non-fiction biography of navy aviator Jeremiah Denton, who was shot down and captured during the Vietnam War and spent seven and a half years as a prisoner of war of the North Vietnamese.

It is at times gut-wrenching to read what Denton and his fellow prisoners went through at the hands of their North Vietnamese captors, including torture, isolation, starvation and more. At one point, ordered to give a false statement on camera, Denton blinks, in Morse Code, the word -- TORTURE -- for all of horrified America to watch.

The inhumane treatment of the POWs was justified at the time by the fact that America never officially declared war, and thus North Vietnam was not subject to the safeguards afforded POWs in the Geneva Convention.

What gets Denton through is his strong Catholic faith, adhering to the US military command structure, insisting he and his men adhere to The Code of Conduct, and a lot of quick thinking and amazing resiliency.

Denton shows that even the most callous North Vietnamese were, in many ways, adversely affected by what they were ordered to do to prisoners.

There is an hour-long PBS documentary of Denton's experiences as a POW in Vietnam, Jeremiah, which includes interviews with his friends and family.

In addition, the publisher, Scholastic, offers an excellent free educational guide with three activities, including using the prisoners' tap code, described on page 31, to write messages, as well as 18 comprehension questions.

Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students? Fiction and non-fiction for ELA and/or History or Social Studies?

Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/

[MichiganBoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being shot down, a naval aviator must survive seven years of physical and mental torture within Vietnamese prison camps while struggling to keep his comrades sane and safe. Alvin Townley's
gripping true story, Captured, tells about an American prisoner of war in North Vietnam. The use of foreshadowing captivates the reader, compelling them onward. Captured starts out with Jeremiah "Jerry" Denton, a naval aviator, in solitary confinement within North Vietnam fighting to stay sane, then backtracks in time to inform the reader how he arrived at his situation. Jerry will live on in your head forever, a leader who helps his men no matter the consequences. While in the camps Jerry would make morse code and write the alphabet on scraps of tissue paper for his comrades to find to lift their spirits; yet, if any of them were found communicating, he would be tortured. Townley dives deep into detail making the book incredibly realistic. The reader can feel and envision the torture he goes through, giving them the urge to try and help him. People who love books about war or history and true tales of heroism will devour Captured if they are mature enough to handle the content.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 45 of 2021. I've had this nonfiction book on display at the Library. Ever time I walked by it, I wanted to check it out. I finally decided to give this 2019 book a read before Summer Reading

Several years ago I read John McCain's first book, Faith of My Fathers, about his time as a POW in N. Vietnam.That book has stayed with me even years later. Jeremiah Denton's almost 7 years as a POW in North Vietnam was an absolutely heartbreaking story and a test of how much a human can go through. I had no idea that he was from Alabama and was an Alabama Senator in the 80s (before I was born).

This book is very graphic on the torture, so I would recommend it for Middle School and up. I ordered an extra copy for my library, because I plan to book talk it a good bit.

[Nathan Money · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Don't know why I thought there was going to be a surprise ending at the end. it ended just like i thought it was end but when i get nearing the end I was just thinking there was going to be a surprise ending for some reason. I'm guessing i was thinking that because of reading other kinds of books lately like that. I liked the book a good bit and i recommend people read it. Its easy to keep along with and there isn't much of anything crazy that could throw you off

[Sidi]

Overall i give this book 5 stars out of 5 stars. The reason I did is because as a person who doesn't like reading at all and would prefer to watch a movie instead, this book rarely had dry/dull parts. The book was very sad though, no human should have to go through the process Jerry and his friends did.

[Shauna Yusko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Pair with Unbroken, study of John McCain, Vietnam War, survival stories.

[Payton Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise Summary
July 18th, 1965 started off as any other day for Naval aviator, Jeremiah Denton onboard to United States aircraft carrier “Independence.” However while flying a bomb run during the Vietnam war, he was shot down and captured behind enemy lines. Throughout the almost 8 years (1965-1973) he was held in captivity Jerry Denton led the hundreds of other prisoners of war (POWs) to push through the periods with little to none food or water and the days upon days of torture they would later endure. While in the prison he also created a system of codes and taps to communicate with the other prisoner to keep their minds sharp and to keep their spirits high. Thanks to his outstanding leadership skills he assured that the POWs would all return home with their honor which they eventually did in 1973.

Critique
First off I would like to start by saying that the detail and story line of the book is 100% outstanding. The author could make the reader feel like they were the characters inside the book with the descriptions of what the characters felt and what they thought, however every detail in a violent scene made you very grateful that you weren’t, which left you wondering what you would have done if you were the one in that situation. On one side I wish that Jerry Denton had had more of a factor of getting out of the Vietnamese prison but on the other side I liked that the book stayed realistic. A realistic aspect is his new thankfulness to his family and his god. In a letter to his wife he writes “When I return my life will be better lived for Him [his god] and for you” Later in the end of the book, the happy homecoming ending made reading the whole book worth it with the flood of joyful emotions that make you grateful for the friends and family surrounding you.
Recommendation
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone but especially to people that are good at putting themselves in other people’s shoes. Many times throughout this book I thought to myself “what would I do if I were in their situation.” Another book that is relatively similar to this is Resistance by Jennifer A Nielsen in which the one main character leads a group of people one action at a time to change the outcome of a war.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: Reviewed from an ARC

Former Prisoners of War John McCain (POW 1967-1973) and James Stockdale (POW 1965-1973) became household names after the Vietnam War, writing autobiographies and entering politics. Of the several hundred other POWs held by the North Vietnamese, less well known was Jeremiah Denton, who later became a one-term Senator from Alabama. Denton was a naval aviator shot down and captured by the North Vietnamese in May 1965, held as a prisoner of war for 7 ½ years until his release in February 1973, and had one gripping story of life in the Hanoi Hilton.

Drawing from many sources, including numerous interviews and Denton’s own autobiography When Hell Was in Session, historian Townley offers a rare glimpse for teens into exactly what Denton and others experienced at the hands of the North Vietnamese. The book opens with a prologue, with Denton in prison, whiling away a typical day in a way to keep his sanity while imprisoned. (Denton’s story begins in Chapter 1 with the flight that led to his capture.) While the time flipping technique can be effective, it led to some repetition of action later in the book and can cause confusion in Denton’s timeline, as he mentally switches time periods several times within a few pages.

A couple of flaws were also found in the first few chapters of the book: the awkward phrase used on p. xiv: “he’d lost (??) his aircraft” rather than something like “he lost control of his aircraft after it was hit”. (This “lost his aircraft” phrase is again used on p.8, rather than “his aircraft was hit by anti-gun fire” or something similar. Additionally, on that same page, he mentions he must be “true to his Code”; Townley explains what he is referring to later in the book, but he could have mentioned this is the Military Code of Conduct and not the Code of Uniform Military Justice (UCMJ) or the tap code. On p. 2, Townley mistakenly describes how aircraft are shot from a carrier and retrieved; it reads as if after a plane is shot off the bow using the catapult. another is retrieved at the stern. In actuality, all the planes needing to be launched are shot off using the catapult in a group, then they are retrieved in a group.

This reader feels Townley overstates Denton’s individual importance on p.4, and often when describing his leadership during the ordeal of captivity (when others also experienced the same graphic horrors described in the text). Yes, he was in charge and calling the shots when he was the senior officer; however, when Stockdale or Robinson Risner were there, they were senior to him. Its strengths outweigh the flaws. This book is rich in vocabulary (ex. “assailed”, “cacophony”). It goes into graphic description of several methods of torture used by the Vietnamese on these men. Readers may feel as if they are in the room either viewing the torture or feeling it themselves. Townley does a great job of explaining the tap code, giving several examples of messages (with translation), Use of graphics such as b&w photos (though the photo on pp. 208-9 is labeled incorrectly; it should read “From left”), and materials like camp maps and other primary source documents add a depth of richness.

The book includes a bibliography, source notes, and lists an index to come. Students may need to be advised that course language (ex. piss, bastards, damn, shit, son of a bitch, shot the bird, hell) can be found sprinkled in the text, however it is not used gratuitously, rather in context.

Well documented, well-researched, this is an intriguing look at a true American Patriot who endured the most horrible experience during wartime.

Recommended for grades 8-12.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember reading stories of the POWs in Vietnam and the bracelets commemorating them, visual reminders not to forget them as the Vietnam War ground on. I also can recall the television coverage when some of them finally returned home. But this book, emotionally intense and incredibly detailed, brings those stories to life vividly. There were times that I had to put it down in order to take a break from the intensity and then other moments when I pondered what it would take to survive being a POW, kept away from all that was familiar with little to no contact with the outside world or your family. In this must-read book, author Alvin Townley describes the experiences of Jeremiah Denton, a Naval aviator whose plane was shot down in 1965. Denton spent the next seven, almost eight, years in various POW camps where he was tortured, isolated, and existed on slim rations. As one of the senior officers--sometimes THE senior officer--in the camps, Jerry led his fellow prisoners in refusing to betray their country and in various protests. The men kept their spirits up by tapping out messages to one another, determined to return home with honor and as much of their dignity as possible intact. They must have often wondered if they'd ever be released and what was taking so long. But oh, how wonderful it was when they left their confinement and returned to the United States in 1973. I finished the book, filled with admiration for Denton and the other POWs as well as respect for their wives and the other women who refused to let the government forget them, and wondering how hard it must have been to transition to normal life. There were passages that brought a lump to my throat as those POWs sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" in camp and as the men shouted in joy on the plane that took them home. I can only imagine how that must have felt. The book contains photographs and an index as well as references. Looking at those scrawny men who came back to a world that was very different from the one they had left when they were captured must have been challenging. This is a fine book for readers looking to understand another aspect of the War in Vietnam.

[Amelia]

Capture, a nonfiction novel written by Alvin Townley which I would recommend to any of those who enjoy reading non fiction,teamwork plot,history and survival stories. Captrue is a book on true events of prisoners of war in the Vietnam war. Jeremiah Denton, a real Navy leader war hero who is our main character is captured and is now trying to survive a prisoner of war camp where he faces tough decisions,painful challenges and much torment. Jerry, who is determined to not give up on his nation and his family rebels and leads other captured war heros to rebel against the Hoa Lo' prison where he and his man face the reality of torture and hostility. Denton experienced depression, anger and so much more while he was stuck in vietnam as a prisoner for years. But even though he went through so much pain he told himself that the most hurtful thing to do to himself was give up on his nation as a Navy leader and break the code on conduct. He and his man stayed resilient and showed the true courage of being brave against Vietnam's system. For years Jerry and his man were beaten and went through mental abuse in many prisons but yet at times when they felt like they couldn't survive for much longer they find their strenght and never backed down on what they had lived to be. They inspired so many people who were struggling in life and helped them become stronger and braver.Denton and the whole prison would never surrender to the prison but only accepted a few orders given to them. Now I don't want to spoil any more but This book were one of my many favorite non-fiction/historical books I've read, It contained the true events of a prisoner of war during the Veitnam war and shares the experiences,survival,hope and courage it takes to survive in a place you've never been at. This book had so many surprises and plot twist which made the book even more intriguing to read! To those who have read this, I really do recommend this book if you truly are interested in these type of topics and genres. (this review is meant for a school project)

[Jack Kampe · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Then he lay down for his 288th night in hoa lò Prison. He fell asleep confident in himself and his plan.”


Captured takes place during the conflict between North and South Vietnam, with the U.S supporting the south. A pilot named Jerry Denton had his jet shot down and was found by northern Vietnamese soldiers. He was taken as a prisoner along with hundreds of others. He and all other prisoners battled through the toughest living conditions imaginable. The book describes how he survived the ordeal.

The author Alvin Townley takes you into the position of Jerry, and describes how difficult being a prisoner of war really is. Townely mostly writes about the life of a prisoner of war. Townely was also a part of the Emmy award winning team that made a documentary called Jeremiah. Who just so happens to be the main character in this book.

The living conditions that the prisoners of war had to face were awful due to the severe heat and mosquitoes. Jerry and the others had endured years of inhumane treatment, whether it’s a lack of food or being tied up in ropes. Jerry however faced all the torture plus, years of solitary confinement which meant that communicating was impossible.

The P.O.W had to communicate through tap codes or sneezes and coughs. These codes were the only contact they had with other people. That is what kept them sane, if it was saying happy birthday or talking about “quizzes” with the prison leader.

I loved this book because the description of the living conditions was gut wrenching how gruesome it was. I also liked how you could not relate to the characters but you could feel for their story. My only complaint is how slow the book went at some points and how quick it went at others. At points two years was shorter than 20 minutes

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novelization of Jerry Denton's 7 years as a POW in North Vietnam during the Vietnam war was incredibly compelling, thoughtful, and while it didn't hold back from describing the treatment and even torture that Denton and the other prisoners endured; it wasn't gory for the sake of seeing more blood on the page.

It brought a real-feeling narrative to those caught behind enemy lines during an unpopular war (which was never actually declared) and allows room for interesting discussion of this historical time period regarding treatment of prisoners of war versus war criminals; the efficacy of torture, the strength of the human psyche and a person's faith, and the boundless desire of a person to survive. There's a deep list of bibliographical resources and notes (though these are not marked in the text, allowing it to read as a story).

Anything you didn’t like about it? It was a bit long in parts but overall it read quickly and was powerful enough to overcome the few slower/repetitive portions.

To whom would you recommend this book? (Read-alikes if you can think of them) This read to me like "Night" by elie wiesel: often blunt and yet somehow still poignant. Recommend to readers who enjoy darker moments in history novelized into a strong narrative. Also good for fans of survival fiction.

FTC Disclosure: The Publisher provided me with a copy of this book to provide an honest review.
No goody bags, sponsorship, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[Kate Waggoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

@KidLitExchange #partner

Thank you to the @KidLitExchange network and publisher for the advance copy of Captured: An American Prisoner of War in North Vietnam by Alvin Townley.

This is an incredible account of American POW Jeremiah Denton's time in captivity during the Vietnam War. Jeremiah "Jerry" Denton was a naval aviator shot down and captured in North Vietnam in 1965. Denton became a leader in the prison camps. The prisoners developed communication systems (often using secret codes) as well as codes of conduct. The men endured torture and terribly long periods of solitary confinement. Through all of this, Denton assured his men that they would return to America. It is because of his leadership and encouragement that they eventually did.

This was an incredibly moving story. The Vietnam War is not something that is tends to be taught in depth in the US school system, rather it gets glazed over. The story of Denton and the other American POWs is eye-opening. I learned so much from their extraordinary resilience and endurance. This book delves into the topic of human survival, perseverance, leadership, duty, honor, and loyalty. It was heartbreaking, inspiring, and harrowing. Townley addresses the deeply complicated realities of the Vietnam War and life for both the POWs and the Vietnamese soldiers who held them captive. I really enjoyed this book and how much I learned from it. I will be adding this book to my classroom library.

[Carol Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is about a real American hero in an unpopular war. After reading this, I feel wrong calling the Vietnam Conflict unpopular, though. Jerry Denton was shot down over Vietnam, injuring his leg trying to save the plane, and was taken captive by the North Vietnamese. He was held more than 7 years; longer than any American. He was held in solitary confinement about five of those years. It took mental strength and his fellow comrades in prison to maintain sanity as they were also tortured and starved. Hanoi Hannah broadcast her messages of North Vietnamese victory and American defeat and debasement throughout the Hanoi Hotel, the name of their prison. Of course, the propaganda show was usually not accurate, but news of dissension in America over the war, and a commentary by Walter Cronkite, the most respected journalist in America, calling for ending the conflict, made it very difficult for Denton and his men to remain hopeful and maintain belief in their honor above all. Through it all, they maintained communication with each other through a system of tapping, and followed a chain of command, with Denton often at the top of it. He would issue orders like, do not give information until you have been tortured at least a week and then lie. This is a powerful story of endurance and patriotism.

[J Mccarragher · Rating 4 out of 5]

@kidlitexchange #partner “Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the
review copy of this book - all opinions are my own.”

Captured, the story of Jeremiah Denton, a POW from the Vietnam War, is a compelling account of a true war hero. Townley does a terrific job of chronicling the eight years Denton and his cadre of men suffer at the hands of the Vietnamese, even though some elements become repetitive and a little confusing as to the timeline (flashback not quite effective). While Denton’s leadership is definitely highlighted, countless heroes sacrifice years of their lives for America. The respect the men exhibit, the code tapping/communication, the reliance on their Catholic faith, and the survival coping methods all speak to not being broken by the physical and mental torture these prisoners experience. An amazing story of loyalty to America, to freedom, and to love of family and faith! Townley also paints a very human side to the relationships that Denton has with his captors. By the end, we see the respect they have for each other as one of his adversaries, Mickey Mouse, tells Denton, “You’re a good man!” Definitely a great read for a YA audience but appropriate for the middle grades as well.

[Tooley · Rating 4 out of 5]

-Thanks to the @kidlitexchange network for the review copy of this book— all opinions are my own-
____

Captured by Alvin Townley is a biographical account of Jeremiah Denton’s POW experience during and after the Vietnam War.

This non fiction focuses on the trauma, experiences, and more during the time of the conflict. The book begins from when Jerry was taken prisoner, to when he blinked Morse code “Torture” during an interview, to the connections and secret codes he helped the other POW’s form. This YA book is well researched and documented and parts of it deal with the controversy of Americans not actually declaring it a war and how this effected the POW’s rights.

I would recommend this for middle school and up! It is a slower read, but students who are interested in the conflict in Vietnam will find this as a good addition to the pile. I’d recommend pairing it with books from other perspectives, as well, because although there is some mention of the Vietnamese perspective, it is not prominent and the American soldiers’ perspective and ideology heavily influence the way the people of Vietnam are looked at.
🌟🌟🌟🌟out of 5. #kidlitexchange #kidlit

[Dominic Canonico · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captured
The author of the book Captured is Alvin Townley. This book’s genre is social studies. The main character in this book is Jeremiah Denton. One big event is Jeremiah being shot down in his plane. Jeremiah being shot down leeds to him being captured by the north Vietnameze. He is captured and brought to the hanoi hilton which is one of the most infamous prisons in vietnam. Whilst he is captured he is tortured for information. A huge event that happens in this book is Jeremiah has an interview. During his interview he spells out the letter torture in morse code with his blinks. He shocked the reporters and knew the vietnameze could not understand. Jeremiah was a leader and helped lead the fellow POW’s to safety. This book shows how Jeremiah always persevered through the pain. Jeremiah finally returned home in 1973. I enjoyed reading the book “Captured” because i always liked books like these and the topic of social studies. Readers that enjoy the topic Social studies like me would enjoy this book. Also people that enjoy reading about heroes would enjoy this book.

[Guts. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was about a war back in mid-1950s between the South Vietnamese and Americans vs. North Americans over Communism. It first talks about a pilot who has been shot down by the North Vietnamese named Jeremiah Denton. He then was held prisoner by the North Vietnamese.

Opinion on this book:
This book is really good in my opinion not gonna lie. It really shows how hard life was and how terrifying it was in the war between the three. It had to be a nightmare. I also like the book because of it's plot. It's so realistic because of the small and big details the book has about the war. It talks about how the North Vietnamese hid in trees with Ak-47s' and camped underground ready to attack and ambushed their enemies. It had to be scary for everyone because of how dangerous and clever the Vietnamese were but sadly the North Vietnamese won the war and brought back Communism. As it turns out, Communism was absolutely horrible for the government and economy because look at how Vietnamese is doing now. In all, this book is super good at explaining what life was like in that war.

[Isaac J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captured is a true story of survival and endurance and follows American Naval Officer Jeremiah Denton's story, who was shot down over Communist North Vietnam. He was also held in a prison camp and abused daily, the North Vietnamese did not follow the Geneva convention because the U.S. never formally declared war on North Vietnam.
Kept in solitary confinement for years, the only way Denton could communicate with others was through a complicated tapping system. The tapping their only way of communicating way of communicating. The Vietnamese kept all care packages and letters away from him and his fellow inmates and enforced daily torture and interrogation sessions on the men, forcing them to write a confession statement saying that American was evil and they had wronged the North Vietnamese people.
In the end, Jeremiah Denton and the few others with him were forced to remain in the prisons and camps of North Vietnam for over a year. Jeremiah and the brave men of the American Naval forces that were captured are showcases of Americas finest, demonstrating extreme perseverance and honor by not sacrificing their beliefs in America in exchange for better treatment. I highly recommend this book.

[Asher Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Captured, by Alvin Townley, thoroughly displays the torture that the American Prisoners of War (POWs) went through. It describes the hardships that Jeremiah (Jerry) Denton goes through such as abuse, starvation, isolation, and cruelty. Captured has a satisfying ending and it was very interesting. Jerry was shot down by North Vietnamese troops during the Vietnam War. He was then sent to the Hỏa Lò prison in Hanoi, North Vietnam, where he was put into a small cell. Jerry refuses to answer any questions aside from his name, rank, service number, and date of birth. Communication for the POWs was key. The inmates used a tap code that was very essential to their lives in prison. The book has many obscure moments like the POWs uncertainty if, and when they would be able to come home, and how they would survive. Denton moves back and forth to and from many prisons over his 8-year span in North Vietnam. It was a fantastic war book to read and I highly recommend reading it.

[Great Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremiah (Jerry) Denton, a naval aviator, was shot down in enemy territory during the Vietnam War. He was taken to a prison camp by the Vietnamese and quickly learned that these enemies did not follow the Geneva Convention, or a global set of agreed up rules for treating prisoners of war. Jerry was not fed or housed properly, he had no connection to the outside world, and he was frequently tortured. However, this prisoner would not be contained, he was constantly working on ideas to thwart the Vietnamese and find a way home. Even though he was not supposed to talk to the other prisoners, together, they all devised ingenious ways to communicate and work together. This book is perfect for any history buff and delves deep into what the black POW flags symbolize and whom they represent.

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[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vietnam War was a painful time in U.S. history in many ways. It was a war which seemed to drag on with no end in sight and no clear path to win it. This story of the POW's held by North Vietnam and their inhumane treatment of those prisoners is another reminder of that very painful time. This title is a YA version of the author's acclaimed book, Defiant, about those POW's. A difficult, painful yet rousing read, the highlight is how the POW's banded together to find ways to boost each other's spirits and courage through the long years of captivity under disgusting and horrifying circumstances.
One can't help but admire each and every one of them who were finally released and made it home to their families and friends. Jerry Denton is the primary focus of this telling however many other names were mentioned also. This is probably best for high school age readers.