Lost in Shangri-la discussion

What an incredible historical account of history.

I agree. This was an amazing true story. It would make a terrific movie, too.

I'm always amazed about how many true stories there are out there that make for great books. Stories that were never taught in school -- that really happened. As opposed to novels.

An incredible read, I just finished it last night and now I'm wondering how many other stories are almost lost in time. It's a good thing Mitchell Zuckoff found the article and decided to pursue the story!

If you liked that one, you would probably enjoy the book I just finished called "Skeletons on the Zahara", by Dean King. You could go to my page on Goodreads, and find it there...or just look it up. I loved it! and I think (aside from the photos, which it lacks b/c the setting is early 1800's) it might be even better!

R wrote: "If you liked that one, you would probably enjoy the book I just finished called "Skeletons on the Zahara", by Dean King. You could go to my page on Goodreads, and find it there...or just look it u..."
Thanks R, I've heard of this book, I've added it to my "reading now" list.

All I can add is that I was enthralled by the recounting of their feeble attempts at survival. Wait a bit before you judge me on my first stement. I was a B52 Crewmember during the Vietnam War with113 combat missions and as such had gone thru the US Air Force survival and interrogation school.

That is another reason this book enthralled me. I have it on our bookshelf urging my wife to read it.

George wrote: "All I can add is that I was enthralled by the recounting of their feeble attempts at survival. Wait a bit before you judge me on my first stement. I was a B52 Crewmember during the Vietnam War with..."

George ~~ interesting perspective in your comment. I thought they managed pretty well after their crash, but your sense is they could have done a lot more than they did? In any event, I thought this was an outstanding read.

I liked the book.
My Grandfather is MIA-South Vietnam, and so this book really interested me for that reason.

Plus I just like non-fiction usually ..

I am mainly AMAZED that their escape plan, actually worked. I mean ... wow. That was some ingenuity right there.
Ghetto rigging to the extreme!

Greg wrote: "George wrote: "All I can add is that I was enthralled by the recounting of their feeble attempts at survival. Wait a bit before you judge me on my first stement. I was a B52 Crewmember during the V..."

I didn't mean to imply that I didn't enjoy the book or appreciate the struggle they went thru. Another thing is how that rescue plane managed to land and take off is a mystery to me. Wow!

George wrote: "I didn't mean to imply that I didn't enjoy the book or appreciate the struggle they went thru. Another thing is how that rescue plane managed to land and take off is a mystery to me. Wow!
..."

Yes, I agree. The fact that they got a plane in there and out was absolutely amazing. What I was asking about in my earlier post was your perspective based on your experience. As a former B52 crewmember, is your sense that they could have done more to help themselves survive? I think their aircraft was pretty much demolished.

Greg wrote: "George wrote: "I didn't mean to imply that I didn't enjoy the book or appreciate the struggle they went thru. Another thing is how that rescue plane managed to land and take off is a mystery to me...."

For me, I have the benefit of being a graduate of the Air Force Survival School. As such I know a little bit about staying alive ref. food and water, plus shelter. An aircraft can be a very cold place if you are in that type of environment, like in the mountains even on an island. A thin aluminum skin without ant insulation doesn't offer much. We were taught, told and offered worms, caterpillars to roast. Roasted caterpillars weren't bad. But it takes so many of them.l We were taught various ways of trapping and snaring small animals.

George wrote: "For me, I have the benefit of being a graduate of the Air Force Survival School. As such I know a little bit about staying alive..."

Fascinating. Have you by chance read The Airmen and the Headhunters?


by Judith M. Heimann

Greg wrote: "George wrote: "For me, I have the benefit of being a graduate of the Air Force Survival School. As such I know a little bit about staying alive..."

Fascinating. Have you by chance read The Airmen..."

Not yet, but it is in my Kindle to be read!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is an amazing book on survival. My parents survived the war in the Philippines and my book "BAHALA NA(Come What May)" is their true story of survival. It's considered a Historical Fiction because I changed their names although it is really a memoir. I might reclass it to memoir on future revision.

Sometimes the truth is more interesting than fiction. I'm actually amazed at some of the fiction books they make into movies.

All the vampire related fluff is a good example of totally worthless content that seems to be making money for the movie makers. http://www.lookoutbailbonds.com