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Summary: Trapped ! The Story of Floyd Collins
Review: As a former resident of Lexington Kentucky, I quickly became fascinated with caves soon after moving there. After visiting Mammoth Cave and several smaller caves in the area, I heard the story of Floyd Collins. Being naturally curious I had to read the book. I read it in one sitting! The reader is wedged in that narrow space, the suspense is unberable. But it was not until a year later when I actually visited the site that the full scope of the tragedy hit home. The site is at least a ten minute treck through the woods. It's very lonely. At the end of the path is an outcropping of rock, not at all what I expected, tremendously overgrown with only a small written testimonial to his life and tragic death. At the bottom of a steep slope is an opening.Apparently the state or local government was in such fear of anyone trying this fatal mistake again, the opening is covered with thick metal bars. My fascination faded, a hard shiver went down my back and I truly felt a sadness for this unfortunate explorer. This book is a MUST READ, the reader will not be disappointed.
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Summary: Exciting, factual telling of the 1st U.S. media circus.
Review: I became fascinated with Floyd Collins (the caver whose entrapment in a Kentucky cave precipitated America's first true media circus) after hearing the soundtrack to the off-Broadway musical which opened in NY in 1996. "Trapped" fills in all the blanks and answers most all of the questions a listener to the CD may develop. The tone of the writing is authoritative, but certainly not overly technical. It is an exciting, page-turning read, and remarkably suspenseful considering we all know how it turns out. I look forward to reading other works by Brucker/Murray. Perhaps "Floyd Collins", the musical will inspire new interest in the book, and an updated new edition will be considered. Thanks.
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Summary: Made me panic-y just reading it
Review: I borrowed this from a friend after seeing a production of the musical, "Floyd Collins" a few years ago, and I recently re-read it. I was warned that the book was "dry" but I didn't find it dull at all. The authors have a wonderful (?) way of making me feel claustrophobic - the way that they describe the tunnels and caves which Collins explored makes me never want to set foot in a cave. Ever. The book is very well-written, and an excellent account of one of the biggest media events in the early twentieth century.
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Summary: Very informative with surprising new facts about the tragedy
Review: I found this book on the shelf at my aunt's house and asked her what it was about. It turns out that Floyd Collins was a cousin of my grandmother's. It was for that reason that I read the book, but I enjoyed it for it's content and structure. The first portion of the book builds the historical background and sets the scene for the expedition by the authors into the cave that Floyd Collins was trapped in. This was the first expedition into the actual chamber in which Floyd Collins died, and what they found shocked me. This is a very interesting book which outlines the media's involvement in the event and documents the involvement of several individuals in the rescue effort, including Skeets Miller and Johnnie Gerald. There is good photography and an impressive list of people from which first-hand accounts were recorded by the authors. This is a very informative book and a must-have for anyone interested in Mammoth Caves or Floyd Collins, and it is well worth your time.
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Summary: A wonderful, well written account.
Review: O.K.- this genre of book is not my usual reading. However- Since seeing the play (musical) and buying the O.B.C. C.D, I had to know more. This fast paced book is highly readable, and contains wonderful but chilling insights into the farce that passed as a rescue attempt as well as many sidelights into the people and events of this tragedy. What had me literally on chair's edge was the author's move by move of his personal trip into the very cave that was to be Collins' first grave. A real nail biter! Buy this book, buy the C.D., and please see the show- you too will be hooked! Good stuff!!
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Summary: Trapped: The Story of Floyd Collins
Review: The best book I've ever read, period. Within the context of a rescue attempt of a Kentucky caver, the authors paint a revealing picture of America in the 1920's. From the glory seeking Louisville fireman to a journalist who won the nobel prize, this story is not to be missed. Just read the 1st five pages, up to the 1st line break, & you'll be hooked. I've never handed this book to anyone who wasn't totally enthralled w/ it.
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Summary: Trapped: The Story of Floyd Collins
Review: The best book I've ever read, period. Within the context of a rescue attempt of a Kentucky caver, the authors paint a revealing picture of America in the 1920's. From the glory seeking Louisville fireman to a journalist who won the nobel prize, this story is not to be missed. Just read the 1st five pages, up to the 1st line break, & you'll be hooked. I've never handed this book to anyone who wasn't totally enthralled w/ it.
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Summary: Intricate Historical Re-Telling
Review: This is the WHOLE story of Floyd Collins told in IMMENSE detail. I bought it as research for when I was in a musical about this story. It is well written and the authors know what they are talking about. This is for people who really want to know EVERYTHING that happened.
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Summary: Cave Country Tragedy
Review: Trapped! the story of Floyd Collins, is a very well written account of one of the first mass media coverages of an American Tragedy. The book itself flows very well and engrosses the reader in the details of the often heroic effort to save Collins who was trapped in a cave near Mammouth Cave in Kentucky. Murray and Brucker do an excellent job in discussing the noted personalities associated with the media frenzy that closely followed the efforts to save Collins. Also dealt with is the exploitation of the entire event by a number of self serving individuals. A great book for those interested in Kentucky History and a noteworthy work for those who prefer casual reading.
Rating:
Summary: Cave Country Tragedy
Review: Trapped! the story of Floyd Collins, is a very well written account of one of the first mass media coverages of an American Tragedy. The book itself flows very well and engrosses the reader in the details of the often heroic effort to save Collins who was trapped in a cave near Mammouth Cave in Kentucky. Murray and Brucker do an excellent job in discussing the noted personalities associated with the media frenzy that closely followed the efforts to save Collins. Also dealt with is the exploitation of the entire event by a number of self serving individuals. A great book for those interested in Kentucky History and a noteworthy work for those who prefer casual reading.
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