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Fast-paced, riveting and never dull story set in 1945 New Guinea as an American plane goes down and a dangerous rescue effort is launched to get the survivors off the island. Covering a multitude of interesting individuals, Lost in Shangri-la is a wonderful addition to the WWII canon of works w/ a slightly different tale. There's no combat, but has plenty of suspense and action as the troops deal with the crash, attempt at survival, form relationships with the native tribes and then try to get off the island. Good stuff.
This is a fascinating book about an amazing rescue in the closing months of World War II. Hollandia in Dutch New Guinea was home to a large number of U.S. Army personnel and WACs. In 1945, Army pilots discovered what they would come to call Hidden Valley or "Shangri-La" and it was rumored that there were tribes of natives living there who were very primative and might be either giants or headhunters. As a morale booster, a sightseeing flight was planned and on May 13, 1945, that plane crashed into the valley killed all but 3 passengers. Surviving the crash were Lt. John McCollom, whose twin brother was killed in the crash, Sgt. Kenneth Decker, and WAC Corporal Margaret Hastings. In order to survive, they had to leave the crash site and try to find help. Injured, short of food, and disoriented, Lt. McCollom took charge and ultimately they came into contact with natives of the valley who gave them aid. The Army finally located the three, sent help, and devised an ingenious plan to rescue all of the Army personnel out of the valley. This book grabs the reader from the opening pages and doesn't let go until the rescue is complete. The author not only pays tribute to the grit and determination of the three survivors, but also tells the story of the paratroopers who were dropped into the valley, the medics who treated the three survivors before they could be rescued, the support personnel who led the daring rescue, and the natives of the valley whose lives would be changed forever because they had been "discovered". The most powerful part of the book was the update on what happened to the major characters after the war was over and they came back to the United States to resume their lives. Recommended for anyone who is interested in World War II and the amazing strength of the human spirit.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
The tale behind this survival story of military personnel in the jungles of Dutch New Guinea during WWII is a very interesting one, and it is well related and researched.
In May, 1945, a planeload of people went for what was essentially a joy ride to see a primitive civilization in the heart of Dutch New Guinea from the air. The plane went down in a terrible crash in a place where the likelihood of rescue was extremely remote. This book tells the story of the survivors and their interaction with the natives.
The story is a good one and interesting, but unfortunately, there just are books that do every element better and with more intensity. Reading this in close proximity to Unbroken is just not a good idea. Hillebrand is a better storyteller than Zuckoff, and Zamperini is a much more interesting character than those in Lost in Shangri-La. There are also more fascinating tales of plane crashes in remote areas i.e. the book that relates the tale of the crash of a soccer team in the Andes (the title escapes me; can someone fill that in?).
So, all in all, Lost in Shangri-La is a good book and an engrossing quick read, but it just wouldn't be the first one I'd reach for a gripping survival tale. If there were half stars, I'd give it the extra half for 3.5 . . .but there aren't, so I won't.
In May, 1945, a planeload of people went for what was essentially a joy ride to see a primitive civilization in the heart of Dutch New Guinea from the air. The plane went down in a terrible crash in a place where the likelihood of rescue was extremely remote. This book tells the story of the survivors and their interaction with the natives.
The story is a good one and interesting, but unfortunately, there just are books that do every element better and with more intensity. Reading this in close proximity to Unbroken is just not a good idea. Hillebrand is a better storyteller than Zuckoff, and Zamperini is a much more interesting character than those in Lost in Shangri-La. There are also more fascinating tales of plane crashes in remote areas i.e. the book that relates the tale of the crash of a soccer team in the Andes (the title escapes me; can someone fill that in?).
So, all in all, Lost in Shangri-La is a good book and an engrossing quick read, but it just wouldn't be the first one I'd reach for a gripping survival tale. If there were half stars, I'd give it the extra half for 3.5 . . .but there aren't, so I won't.
Not sure exactly what I was expecting from the book..the writing was good but I guess I didn’t love how the author chose to tell this story.
One of the better "nonfiction that reads like fiction books" I've read.
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Real-life story of WWII soldiers (men and woman) stuck in a random valley in Papua New Guinea with people who may never have seen white men before. Writing was bad but the story itself was awesome.
