Five Years to Freedom

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book Amazing Story
Review: "5 years to Freedom" is the story of the great perseverance and courage shown by Army Lt. James Rowe during his captivity in the Mekong Delta area of South Vietnam from 1963-1968. Its' style is highly disciplined, which no doubt is a positive reflection on the author. Rowe writes with a sharp eye for detail, another positive reflection on him and his West Point/Green Beret background. He writes in plain English (the way the Army likes it), with the result that no military glossary is needed to fully appreciate the action. He also accomplishes the feat of putting a human face on his captors and guards, though not always a complimentary one. The reader is in virtual in captivity with Rowe while he prepares his meals, scrounges what he can (typical Army!), begs for what he can't, suffers multiple and graphic physical ailments and even raises some pets. Rowe was obviously a political/ propaganda toy to be manipulated by the Viet Cong. Exactly why this was so goes unexplained. Also unexplained is why the U.S. made NO ATTEMPT to rescue Rowe. The author, as a career military man, is not the one to pursue an answer. One major shortcoming of "FYF" is the total inadequacy of the one scrawny map in the paperback edition. Since most Vietnam Vets served North of Saigon, the Delta Region, especially the notorious U Minh Forest, is a geographic mystery to most of us. A good map would have clarified matters, but this shortfall is a common enough theme in military stories. In this reviewer's bottom line opinion, readers will derive a sharper understanding of the POW situation from 1) Frank Anton's "Why Didn't You Get Me Out"? and 2) George J. Veith's " Code Name Bright Light". Both raise the issue of inadequate U.S. response and interest in our POWs, a governmental attitude persisting to this day. Mr. Anton both depicts his pain and suffering in captivity and raises the big picture of the POWs. (As of 1 January, 2002- 1,948 Americans remain unaccounted for). On stand-alone merits, "Five Years to Freedom" still rates 5 full stars. It's just that there are superior 5 star efforts available on this emotional issue.

Rating:
Summary: 5 Stars But....
Review: "5 years to Freedom" is the story of the great perseverance and courage shown by Army Lt. James Rowe during his captivity in the Mekong Delta area of South Vietnam from 1963-1968. Its' style is highly disciplined, which no doubt is a positive reflection on the author. Rowe writes with a sharp eye for detail, another positive reflection on him and his West Point/Green Beret background. He writes in plain English (the way the Army likes it), with the result that no military glossary is needed to fully appreciate the action. He also accomplishes the feat of putting a human face on his captors and guards, though not always a complimentary one. The reader is in virtual in captivity with Rowe while he prepares his meals, scrounges what he can (typical Army!), begs for what he can't, suffers multiple and graphic physical ailments and even raises some pets. Rowe was obviously a political/ propaganda toy to be manipulated by the Viet Cong. Exactly why this was so goes unexplained. Also unexplained is why the U.S. made NO ATTEMPT to rescue Rowe. The author, as a career military man, is not the one to pursue an answer. One major shortcoming of "FYF" is the total inadequacy of the one scrawny map in the paperback edition. Since most Vietnam Vets served North of Saigon, the Delta Region, especially the notorious U Minh Forest, is a geographic mystery to most of us. A good map would have clarified matters, but this shortfall is a common enough theme in military stories. In this reviewer's bottom line opinion, readers will derive a sharper understanding of the POW situation from 1) Frank Anton's "Why Didn't You Get Me Out"? and 2) George J. Veith's " Code Name Bright Light". Both raise the issue of inadequate U.S. response and interest in our POWs, a governmental attitude persisting to this day. Mr. Anton both depicts his pain and suffering in captivity and raises the big picture of the POWs. (As of 1 January, 2002- 1,948 Americans remain unaccounted for). On stand-alone merits, "Five Years to Freedom" still rates 5 full stars. It's just that there are superior 5 star efforts available on this emotional issue.

Rating:
Summary: Duty, Honor, Country
Review: 1LT Rowe endured hardships that are incomprehensible to the average American. His book describes his battle to maintain a grip on sanity and life itself in the nightmare world of a prisoner. The book describes the constant pressure by his captors to get him to confess to "war crimes" and his struggle to maintain honor. From his initial capture, his bouts with dysentery, his escape attempts, and seeing the country that he loves seemingly turn on him, the book and the images it conveys of despair, misery, and hope are haunting and unforgettable.

Rating:
Summary: Overcoming the odds
Review: A great book. I could not put it down. This man went through hell in order not to compromize him self, his faith and the oath he swore to his country. A true American Hero!

Rating:
Summary: Five Years To Freedom
Review: Absolutely one of the most inspirational books ever put to print. COL James N. Rowe's struggle to survive as a POW in Vietnam is a must read for anyone. He is not just a hero, he is a source of truth and knoweledge. Even in death, his courage, determination and spirit live on. For he has given me the ultimate gift which has made me become much closer to God.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing Book Amazing Story
Review: As I read this book I put myself in the time frame of the story. Col. Rowes captivity begans the first semester of my senior year in high school and concludes when I am about to start the final semester of my senior year in college. During that period of time, 62 months, Col. Rowe at that time still a Lieutenant is a captive of the North Vietnamese and is harshly treated but lives to tell his story. In many instances I found myself trying to understand how this man could endure so much and I found myself experiencing great dissapointment after great dissapointment as his quest for freedom becomes overly prolonged.
The book is humbly written and makes for excellent reading especially for the "Jane Fonda's" of the world who would question the resolve and sacrifices made by Veterans of the Viet Nam era.

Rating:
Summary: Must reading for all
Review: Col. Nick Rowe's resovle to resist Marxist-Leninist indoctrination from the brutish revolutionaries that held him captive wavered many times. Yet, he never gave in. Taken captive in 1963 by VC guerillas, Rowe was held for five years in the dark emerald confines of the U Minh forest. The chief ploy that helped Rowe survive, his cover story that he was an engineer and knew nothing of military value, was blown away when leftist college students in the States betrayed US POWs by collecting information on them and informing Hanoi about their military backgrounds. (It is sobering to note that the types of individuals that delivered up their own countrymen into the hands of evil now occupy chairs in elite universities, where Marxism is the order of the day). Angered by this deception, the VC planned to hand Rowe over to the Enemy and Civilian Proselyting Section at Zone, where the decision of his living or dying could be made. The order was tantamount to a death sentence if Rowe didn't write and sign a confession. Thanks to good fortune and incredible force of will, Rowe managed to escape in his fifth year of captivity. Tragically, this American hero was gunned down in the Philippines in 1989 by communist insurgents there, betrayed this time by his own government, which knew of the danger Rowe was in but did nothing to get him out of harm's way. Five Years to Freedom is a long and detailed description of Rowe's environment, his captives, and his psychological and physical condition throughout five torturous years of captivity. Written only three years after his release, Rowe's story conjures image after image of hot, humid jungle, relentless monsoon, disease, brutality, filth, and deprivation. The triumph of Rowe's spirit is its saving grace. You won't regret buying it.

Rating:
Summary: Phenomenal!
Review: Col. Rowe is the epitome of an American soldier. His honor and faith will forever be remembered as the standard. Upon turning the final page of this book, I hope one finds himself as I did - in total silent elation.

Rating:
Summary: Should be part of history classes in the US
Review: Excellent book about one man's fight against some of the most evil people in the world: Communists. Nick Rowe is a true American patriot who did not let his nation or the US Army down. US citizens should be taught about how evil Vietnamese communists really are, and make sure they are taught that the horrific treatment Rowe received is common is the communist world. None are more evil than the communists, and America needs to be reminded of this constantly. China and Vietnam still practice the same evil that put Nick Rowe through this ordeal. We must never forget. Nick Rowe's book shows the true face of communists like no other work.

Rating:
Summary: A knock-out high action tale !
Review: Five Years To Freedom is a book to really make one re-evaluate one's life. What is important in life? Maybe no one has the answer but Nick Rowe's book will really make you think. It's impossible not to be affected by this reaffirmation of faith, hope, and courage.