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Escape from Laos
An American pilot shot down over Laos in 1966 tells of his inhumane treatment and torture at the hands of the Communist Pathet Lao and his daring escape from a prison camp five months after capture.
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 29, 2008
Seeing the movie Rescue Dawn, starring Christian Bale & Steve Zahn (in a non-comedic role!)spurred me to read Deiter Dengler's own words about his experience.
The movie does a fairly good job portraying Dieter's own story, except for some discrepencies in Dieter's relationships with other POWs (probably for dramatic effect) and editing some of the details in Escape from Laos (to keep the pace moving). You could watch the movie to get the jist of Dieter's experience but if you want more detail, read the book.
Dieter spares no details from the physiological effects nor of the things he eats to keep his strength. [Thomas, you'd love the food bit. I say UGH!]
The movie also focuses on Dieter's positivity, affability. However, in reading Dieter's viewpoint, there were plenty of times he felt no hope of surviving and was negative. A much more believable human response to the situation.
I would've liked to know more about Dieter's life after his rescue. How long it took his body to physically recover. What counseling did he go through to deal with the ordeal. How long did he have nightmares. How did he move forward with his life (besides becoming a pilot for TWA).
Overall, a frank look at a tiny portion of the horrors of war and the human spirit to prevail for the quest of freedom.
The movie does a fairly good job portraying Dieter's own story, except for some discrepencies in Dieter's relationships with other POWs (probably for dramatic effect) and editing some of the details in Escape from Laos (to keep the pace moving). You could watch the movie to get the jist of Dieter's experience but if you want more detail, read the book.
Dieter spares no details from the physiological effects nor of the things he eats to keep his strength. [Thomas, you'd love the food bit. I say UGH!]
The movie also focuses on Dieter's positivity, affability. However, in reading Dieter's viewpoint, there were plenty of times he felt no hope of surviving and was negative. A much more believable human response to the situation.
I would've liked to know more about Dieter's life after his rescue. How long it took his body to physically recover. What counseling did he go through to deal with the ordeal. How long did he have nightmares. How did he move forward with his life (besides becoming a pilot for TWA).
Overall, a frank look at a tiny portion of the horrors of war and the human spirit to prevail for the quest of freedom.
June 8, 2017
I admit that parts of this book were difficult to read. The things that prisoners of war have to endure are beyond my comprehension. It is enlightening to know that in the world, there are those that still try and show a bit kindness to captives, though perhaps not the majority. The description of their trek through the jungle had me squirming in my chair. The survival instinct is real. I couldn't put the book down until the end. My heart broke with Dieter's, I cried, was overjoyed at "luck" that happened in many parts. I am interested in seeing the movie that tells this story.
April 4, 2021
This is a book that should be read by anyone who has ever or will ever go through hard times (this means you).
It is a short, action packed volume with the driving message that no matter how great the obstacles, how steep the odds or how far gone your situation might seem, keep fighting and you will be ok.
It is a short, action packed volume with the driving message that no matter how great the obstacles, how steep the odds or how far gone your situation might seem, keep fighting and you will be ok.
June 19, 2010
While I tend to avoid real-life-themed works in fiction, I do enjoy reading history books, biographies and memoirs. Lately, I've been on a history-biography-memoir kick.
Escape From Laos is Dieter Dengler's account of the time he spent as a POW in Laos, including his escape. This was an easy, interesting read. I read it in part because I just finished John McCain's Faith of My Fathers, which covers his five years as a POW in Vietnam; and also because I saw the movie Rescue Dawn about a year ago. Rescue Dawn is the movie based on Dieter Dengler's story.
Pick this one up if you enjoy this genre of books. It might be a little difficult to find. Luckily the Contra Costa Library system has a copy, but I think that might be because Dengler was a Bay Area resident.
Escape From Laos is Dieter Dengler's account of the time he spent as a POW in Laos, including his escape. This was an easy, interesting read. I read it in part because I just finished John McCain's Faith of My Fathers, which covers his five years as a POW in Vietnam; and also because I saw the movie Rescue Dawn about a year ago. Rescue Dawn is the movie based on Dieter Dengler's story.
Pick this one up if you enjoy this genre of books. It might be a little difficult to find. Luckily the Contra Costa Library system has a copy, but I think that might be because Dengler was a Bay Area resident.
October 13, 2023
A very raw account of what life was like as a POW in Laos, down to every grisly detail. Overall a pretty easy book to get through, although the conclusion is a bit hasty. Lots of build up during the escape just for there to be a couple pages of wrap up, hardly addressing life after Dengler’s escape, leaving you wanting just a bit more.
December 26, 2017
More accounts of his capture and escape than "Hero Found" but a bit shorter. Hero Found goes into more of his childhood and death. Both must reads though
May 11, 2018
This was a really interesting book. Some of it took a minute to follow, but otherwise it was a good read.
August 15, 2023
Very interesting won't lie.
November 25, 2023
Riveting!
January 1, 2026
a true story of survival
3.75 stars
3.75 stars
September 30, 2008
The documentary about Dieter Dengler is really good, too. It is called,"Little Dieter Needs To Fly".
There is a Hollywood version of Dieter's POW and escape experience. It is called,"Rescue Dawn". They took some liberties with this movie. It seemed like they wanted to make it a mainstream action/drama. Christian Bale is pretty easy to watch so,
I liked it.
Dieter Dengler was such an amazing and interesting character. He really seemed like one of a kind. After reading his book, researching him on the internet and seeing two movies about him and his experience, I felt like I knew him.
May his soul rest in peace.
There is a Hollywood version of Dieter's POW and escape experience. It is called,"Rescue Dawn". They took some liberties with this movie. It seemed like they wanted to make it a mainstream action/drama. Christian Bale is pretty easy to watch so,
I liked it.
Dieter Dengler was such an amazing and interesting character. He really seemed like one of a kind. After reading his book, researching him on the internet and seeing two movies about him and his experience, I felt like I knew him.
May his soul rest in peace.
August 5, 2007
My dad has been raving about this book for years, and I finally borrowed it off him after seeing Werner Herzog's excellent "Rescue Dawn" film which was based on this book. It's an easy read and a compelling story. It's also a totally apolitical look at the Vietnam war, and is more about one man's struggle to overcome adversity, rather than about the politics that got him there. Worth tracking down ...
March 20, 2008
This US pilot, Dieter Dengler, gives his account of being shot down in Laos during the Vietnam War and his five month ordeal of marching through the jungle, being mistreated by his captors, living in a prison camp, escaping, and then trying to get rescued. I wanted to read it after seeing the movie that depicts his story - 'Rescue Dawn'. It's an easy yet eye-opening and inspiring read.
April 5, 2008
Easy read but definitely engrossing. After watching "Rescue Dawn" and realizing Werner Herzog's distortion of the truth (in the name of his supposed "ecstatic truth") I go this book and didn't regret it. When you read what this guy went through, you'll never complain about your own life ! His determination and optimism are also inspiring.
September 25, 2009
No self aggrandisement in this book. This guy used his brains and wasn't going to let anything or anybody get in his way to escape. He barely made it but the whole book was a page turner. It was made into a movie called "Rescue Dawn" which is currently playing on cable. The book is more harrowing than the movie and the movie was bad enough.
September 12, 2008
This book gave really good insight into what a prison camp in the Far East would be like. The story is uplifting and has that type of "the human spirit is indestructable" thing going on. And it actually happened.
January 2, 2008
Amazing story of survival. Couldn't put it down till I finished.
July 20, 2012
In motion picture "Rescue Dawn". Great movie.
September 8, 2013
dieters story is astounding
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews