What do you think?
Rate this book
When Hell Was in Session
On July 18, 1965, Admiral Jeremiah Denton of the U.S. Navy was shot down during a combat mission over North Vietnam. A prisoner of war for seven and a half years, Denton provided the first direct evidence of torture by the North Vietnamese. This special 25th anniversary edition of Denton's experience is sure to inspire a whole new generation of readers.
248 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
55 people are currently reading
1723 people want to read
About the author
Jeremiah A. Denton Jr.
2 books10 followersJeremiah Andrew Denton Jr. was a retired United States Navy Rear Admiral, Naval Aviator and a former U.S. senator, of the Republican party, for the state of Alabama. He spent almost eight years as a prisoner of war in Vietnam and later wrote a book about his experiences.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
October 5, 2010
If you've ever wondered what a Prisoner of War endured during Vietnam - read..read..read.
When I was about 11 years old, I wrote a letter to Jeremiah Denton and he wrote me back - I still have that letter today.
When I was about 11 years old, I wrote a letter to Jeremiah Denton and he wrote me back - I still have that letter today.
July 9, 2015
I think the very best thing I can say about this book is that it forced me to challenge myself, which I guess is somewhat rare when you get to self-select what you read. I saw this listed during a Kindle sale, it looked significantly less-shitty than the other discount titles, it appeared well-reviewed, and it was about a topic about which I know very little and thus would like to learn more. Beyond that I had no idea what I was getting into, but was determined to enter with an open mind.
It was not long, maybe even just a page or two, before I started to wonder how fairly I would be able to evaluate the book. Denton, the author/narrator, just rubbed me the wrong way. He came off as very arrogant. I wondered, "Should my like or dislike of this book be influenced by my like or dislike of the author?" Beyond that, should my knowledge of what happens to him (several years of excruciating, terrifying torture)influence how I feel about him? I cautiously decided that I shouldn't let the personality of the main character color my interpretation of the book and the events it contains.
In this vein, I was able to read the majority of the memoir with great interest. Denton is not a gifted writer, but his straightforward style was adequate enough, and I learned a lot about POW treatment in Vietnam. Nothing really surprised me (it is a war memoir, and war is shitty and messed up), but it was still definitely a worthwhile read.
The aspect that struck me as the most interesting, and for which I am thankful to Denton, is the humane depiction of most of his captors. As in any society, different people are different. Some guards were just plain sadistic. Some clearly did not want to be there but tried to just go along causing as little stir as possible. But the spectrum across the middle was fascinating. Many of the captors seemed extremely conflicted on their situations. Many seemed to oscillate in their attitudes based on various external factors. Perhaps the most obvious of these instances was when a large gorilla of a man was brought in to mercilessly beat and kick Denton, and when Denton spat in the man's face, he stopped and began crying. Moments like these are what made this book reiterate just how many shades of gray can exist even in such a seemingly black-and-white issue such as torture.
It is ironic, then, that Denton is the one to present the reader with these nuanced issues, while also himself being such a blind patriot, and such an arbiter of how, exactly, everyone should be behaving in any given situation. He sits in judgment of other servicemen who do not follow the Code of Conduct as religiously as he does. In his famous TV interview (which I found and watched after completing the book) he states that he has no clue what his country is doing at the moment but he fully supports it because it is America and America is always right.
In his matter-of-fact presentation, Denton leaves many questions unanswered for those of us who don't understand his motivations at the time. Beyond the fact that the military had instilled in him a preset sense of order, it was difficult for me to understand why go through so much pain, and demand that other people go through the same amount of pain, just to avoid giving useless information like biographies. He also glosses over more personal details that would have been more informative to a reader (like listing off his torture routine like a grocery list instead of telling us what this torture was doing to him psychologically or emotionally), and delegates some of the most fascinating nuances of POW camp life, like intricate communications systems and surprise Christmas presents from the guards, to a tier of storytelling below boring stuff like "Who is the highest ranking officer at any time?"
Towards the end of the book, things go horribly wrong. There may have been something wrong with my Kindle version, but in the last chapter things suddenly stop making sense completely. The prisoners know they're going to be let go... and then suddenly they're on an airplane, and Denton's big concern is how he, the big important officer, is going to make a God Bless America speech when he lands. The part where they actually get out of prison was missing, at least from my copy, which is a shame because it's what we as readers have been waiting to hear about through the entire book, right? Isn't that the climax of any great POW story? Denton also makes angry references to two traitors who are on his airplane, and makes a big deal of which door they will use to leave (or something like that), but I seemed to have missed whichever part in the book explains why he hates these two guys so much.
Denton returns to the US in the early 70's and finds a very different world than the one he left behind. He is flabbergasted and disgusted by all the dirty hippies at Woodstock. As a modern, generally Liberal reader who was not born for years to come, reading this homecoming reaction from Denton's perspective was enlightening. It highlighted the stark contrast between the various schools of thoughts at the time that have so directly shaped the American dichotomy today. I wouldn't necessarily agree (at all) with the specific things that Denton found so repugnant upon his return, but I can understand and appreciate what he was coming into. The bulk of this book was written in 1975, only a couple years after his return, and it makes sense to have a couple pages summarizing Denton's thoughts about his return.
But then things go off the deep end, and the book is unsalvageable. If you are considering this book, realize that it realistically is two books: the memoir written in 1975, and the second epilogue, written somewhere in the past few years. The second epilogue is absolute garbage, and it made it extremely difficult for me as a reader to still have any respect for the man and author from the rest of the book. It's basically pages and pages and pages (he seriously goes on forever) of Marine Todd, Fox New internet commenter conservative bullshit. The only redeeming quality was that, after I had the thought "Geez, this is straight out of a Marine Todd meme story," I could at least laugh a little because I heard everything else in the Marine Todd voice. Except this is not a redeeming quality at all, because I do not WANT to laugh at the POW war hero. I do not WANT to cheapen the rest of the book and this man's experiences by brushing him off as a loony. This man morse-code-blinked intel across the globe and devised elaborate secret communication systems, and I want to have respect for that. But he makes it oh-so-difficult to respect him when he goes off on a diatribe about how abortions are a threat to national security, and how he single-handedly halted cartoonishly evil communism in all Central America with a patriotic Marine Todd speech.
Like I said, this one was challenging. But worth it, I think.
It was not long, maybe even just a page or two, before I started to wonder how fairly I would be able to evaluate the book. Denton, the author/narrator, just rubbed me the wrong way. He came off as very arrogant. I wondered, "Should my like or dislike of this book be influenced by my like or dislike of the author?" Beyond that, should my knowledge of what happens to him (several years of excruciating, terrifying torture)influence how I feel about him? I cautiously decided that I shouldn't let the personality of the main character color my interpretation of the book and the events it contains.
In this vein, I was able to read the majority of the memoir with great interest. Denton is not a gifted writer, but his straightforward style was adequate enough, and I learned a lot about POW treatment in Vietnam. Nothing really surprised me (it is a war memoir, and war is shitty and messed up), but it was still definitely a worthwhile read.
The aspect that struck me as the most interesting, and for which I am thankful to Denton, is the humane depiction of most of his captors. As in any society, different people are different. Some guards were just plain sadistic. Some clearly did not want to be there but tried to just go along causing as little stir as possible. But the spectrum across the middle was fascinating. Many of the captors seemed extremely conflicted on their situations. Many seemed to oscillate in their attitudes based on various external factors. Perhaps the most obvious of these instances was when a large gorilla of a man was brought in to mercilessly beat and kick Denton, and when Denton spat in the man's face, he stopped and began crying. Moments like these are what made this book reiterate just how many shades of gray can exist even in such a seemingly black-and-white issue such as torture.
It is ironic, then, that Denton is the one to present the reader with these nuanced issues, while also himself being such a blind patriot, and such an arbiter of how, exactly, everyone should be behaving in any given situation. He sits in judgment of other servicemen who do not follow the Code of Conduct as religiously as he does. In his famous TV interview (which I found and watched after completing the book) he states that he has no clue what his country is doing at the moment but he fully supports it because it is America and America is always right.
In his matter-of-fact presentation, Denton leaves many questions unanswered for those of us who don't understand his motivations at the time. Beyond the fact that the military had instilled in him a preset sense of order, it was difficult for me to understand why go through so much pain, and demand that other people go through the same amount of pain, just to avoid giving useless information like biographies. He also glosses over more personal details that would have been more informative to a reader (like listing off his torture routine like a grocery list instead of telling us what this torture was doing to him psychologically or emotionally), and delegates some of the most fascinating nuances of POW camp life, like intricate communications systems and surprise Christmas presents from the guards, to a tier of storytelling below boring stuff like "Who is the highest ranking officer at any time?"
Towards the end of the book, things go horribly wrong. There may have been something wrong with my Kindle version, but in the last chapter things suddenly stop making sense completely. The prisoners know they're going to be let go... and then suddenly they're on an airplane, and Denton's big concern is how he, the big important officer, is going to make a God Bless America speech when he lands. The part where they actually get out of prison was missing, at least from my copy, which is a shame because it's what we as readers have been waiting to hear about through the entire book, right? Isn't that the climax of any great POW story? Denton also makes angry references to two traitors who are on his airplane, and makes a big deal of which door they will use to leave (or something like that), but I seemed to have missed whichever part in the book explains why he hates these two guys so much.
Denton returns to the US in the early 70's and finds a very different world than the one he left behind. He is flabbergasted and disgusted by all the dirty hippies at Woodstock. As a modern, generally Liberal reader who was not born for years to come, reading this homecoming reaction from Denton's perspective was enlightening. It highlighted the stark contrast between the various schools of thoughts at the time that have so directly shaped the American dichotomy today. I wouldn't necessarily agree (at all) with the specific things that Denton found so repugnant upon his return, but I can understand and appreciate what he was coming into. The bulk of this book was written in 1975, only a couple years after his return, and it makes sense to have a couple pages summarizing Denton's thoughts about his return.
But then things go off the deep end, and the book is unsalvageable. If you are considering this book, realize that it realistically is two books: the memoir written in 1975, and the second epilogue, written somewhere in the past few years. The second epilogue is absolute garbage, and it made it extremely difficult for me as a reader to still have any respect for the man and author from the rest of the book. It's basically pages and pages and pages (he seriously goes on forever) of Marine Todd, Fox New internet commenter conservative bullshit. The only redeeming quality was that, after I had the thought "Geez, this is straight out of a Marine Todd meme story," I could at least laugh a little because I heard everything else in the Marine Todd voice. Except this is not a redeeming quality at all, because I do not WANT to laugh at the POW war hero. I do not WANT to cheapen the rest of the book and this man's experiences by brushing him off as a loony. This man morse-code-blinked intel across the globe and devised elaborate secret communication systems, and I want to have respect for that. But he makes it oh-so-difficult to respect him when he goes off on a diatribe about how abortions are a threat to national security, and how he single-handedly halted cartoonishly evil communism in all Central America with a patriotic Marine Todd speech.
Like I said, this one was challenging. But worth it, I think.
January 21, 2015
I was pretty much mesmerized by the first 3/4 of this book when Denton was a prisoner of war. His descriptions of what the POWs went through was horrifying and difficult to read. I would have given this 4 stars except for the epilogue to the epilogue, which I wish I had not read. I wanted to learn more about the plight of Vietnam War POWs, not a grandstand of conservative Republican beliefs. Which even then, liberal though I am, I tried to read with an open mind and see from his perspective, but he peppers his diatribe with such words as "elite members of the media" or "brainwashing" (the latter in regards to the liberal media and elite brainwashing the masses), referring to some action by the liberals as "stupidity," I found myself being so turned off by his own narrow-minded belief in HIS belief system and ONLY his belief system, that I totally soured on him. I had to struggle to remember the REST of the book to give it even three stars.
I believe there is a place in our country for both democrats and republicans, that we bring to the table different values that could--and should--complement each other, and yes, perhaps even check each other. But his language and attitude in the epilogue is exactly why we aren't getting along--we refuse to listen, to compromise, to work things out. Did this great divide that stalemates our government even today begin in Vietnam? Interesting thought.
I hate that I have devoted more words to the epilogue, but it really took away from 3/4 of the book for me. Being the last thing I read, it's the last thing on my mind. I certainly would have been happier had he left this book at his homecoming and some about his repatriation, and then left the rest for another book.
I believe there is a place in our country for both democrats and republicans, that we bring to the table different values that could--and should--complement each other, and yes, perhaps even check each other. But his language and attitude in the epilogue is exactly why we aren't getting along--we refuse to listen, to compromise, to work things out. Did this great divide that stalemates our government even today begin in Vietnam? Interesting thought.
I hate that I have devoted more words to the epilogue, but it really took away from 3/4 of the book for me. Being the last thing I read, it's the last thing on my mind. I certainly would have been happier had he left this book at his homecoming and some about his repatriation, and then left the rest for another book.
October 17, 2013
Read this book for 2 reasons: 1- for the narrative of Adm Denton's time as a POW that I promise will change you in some shape or form and 2- for his updated epilogue at the end. His epilogue should be read by those who fear the path our country is going down because it not only puts into words what you're likely feeling, but it also will give you a new found energy to make a change that you fear may go unnoticed or won't have any effect at all. I challenge those who are happy with the current state of our nation to read this entire book as well. Tell me your views aren't changed, even ever so slightly, after you finish it.
December 13, 2012
Wow. So I read this book a second time. It kinda fits in with my Vietnam War (or American War, depending on who's labeling) theme for the last month or two. The first time I read this, I was struck by Denton's indomitable spirit and the cruelty of human beings to each other. I also loved the way Denton triumphed over all the efforts of his captors to manipulate him and managed to blink a in Morse Code to the world that he was being tortured. That was a very Br'er Rabbit moment.
Reading it a second time... So many things struck me. As compared to Jim Stockdale's account (and he shows up in this narrative quite a bit toward the end) this one is much more vivid and honest, really. Denton devotes the majority of his discussions of fellow inmates to the heroism and unity of the group (especially the Alcatraz Gang), but he also exposes the people who collaborated or caved in to NVN demands. After reading this, Jim Stockdale's book made much more sense! No wonder he devoted so much of his return to bringing charges against the former prisoners who made deals and violated The Code. No wonder he was so offended by having those charges dismissed and having all POWs lumped in the same category. (Previously, I thought he was over zealous and inconsiderate of people who had less ability to withstand torture. After reading WHWIS, however, I think I get it. Given that some soldiers died to uphold the code, it was horrible to realize that others submitted quickly and received far better treatment or release and in a sense contributed to the harsh conditions of others by not holding the line.)
Denton was also much more sensitive to and open about the NVN soldiers. He gave examples of small kindnesses that some jailers showed him and takes note of the risk they took to extend that humanity to the prisoners. (A poignant example is "Deton's Cross," a small woven cross that prison workers crafted and smuggled to him.) He also recounts conversations with NVN Communists and their discomfort with their own party lines. At one point he says that many of the NVNs would change systems with him if they could. In one exchange, he reveals his own dawning awareness when Cat tells him that the NVN will settle for security at any cost after the terrible conditions under French colonial rule when Vietnamese could be punished with impunity in a racially biased system.
A fascinating detail that JD includes is when the NVN attempt to frame John Cherry, an African American POW, into looking like a collaborator. The NVN intended to exploit American racism to undermine moral in the group. In another moment of triumph, this effort failed. Another example of interracial cooperation involved admitting a VN prisoner to their group based on John McCain's recommendation. And, of course, the Thai prisoners who helped them.
Denton is also honest about the short comings of the US. He admits that the US has racial issues of its own. He opens the book a dedication to "those who strive to make this one nation under God, who are willing to sacrifice to protect her...and who patiently tolerate her imperfections." The dilemma of being willing to endure torture and death for an imperfect country is a theme that reappears from time to time in this memoir and makes the choice of the prisoners that much more incredible.
In this memoir, the families at home got much more support from local communities than it seemed Sybil Stockdale got on the West Coast. Local businessman, newspeople and community members supported Denton's wife far more than it seemed the community in Coronado did. Jane was aware of torture far earlier than Sybil, it seemed.
Jeremiah's communication with home was much more difficult than Stockdale's, too. He refused to write home in an effort to maintain unity.
I found it frustrating in this book (as in Stockdale's) how Denton comments that they "could have ended the war right then [1966]" based on his view from the prison camp. The fear and anxiety of the camp staff doesn't necessarily reflect the whole war effort. One thing that continued to hobble the US's effort throughout this war was how the VN would fight on with minimal supplies and a less than regulation army because of their conviction that their country was worth fighting for. In addition, the support from China and Russia added another layer of resilience that I think inmates of the camp may not have known about.
Which brings me to Denton's politics... He finishes the book with his views on how the US is deteriorating and how we are no longer a people united under God. In his opinion, this moral failing is costing us and could lead to our downfall if not checked. That part of the book was not nearly as gripping as the rest.
Both of these memoirs, WHWIS and James Stockdale's In Love and War, evoke triumph of the human spirit in horrendous conditions. They are both troubled by the aftermath, though, and American culture in particular outside the crucible of a war camp where "there are no politics in prison camps" to a culture in turmoil when people have lost faith in government, important people have been assassinated, women and minorities are clamoring for rights and the execution of the entire war effort is in question. Denton's understandable admiration for Nixon, who got him out of prison camp, must be tempered by the other questionable choices the former president made in an effort to maintain and augment his presidential authority. Denton makes it clear that prison camp was absolutely horrific. But the moral clarity of those times almost offers a glimmer of hope, though even that was clouded by conflicts among the imprisoned, themselves.
I read that some people managed to finish this book in one day. I found that I could only read a certain amount before the horror (I know I keep using that word, but I can't think of anything else that comes close) of JD's experiences overwhelmed me. Even though this book is far shorter than Love and War, it really managed to convey the long drag of time and the desperate conditions the prisoners endured. This is a power packed little memoir that leaves the reader in a lasting quandary. He promises in the final chapter to write another book about the decades following the war. I wonder if he ever got around to it. Guess I'll have to put that one on my "to read" list, too. Though I doubt anyone can succinctly wrap up the history and conflicts of post-VN War US. Not even a hero of the Vietnam War.
Reading it a second time... So many things struck me. As compared to Jim Stockdale's account (and he shows up in this narrative quite a bit toward the end) this one is much more vivid and honest, really. Denton devotes the majority of his discussions of fellow inmates to the heroism and unity of the group (especially the Alcatraz Gang), but he also exposes the people who collaborated or caved in to NVN demands. After reading this, Jim Stockdale's book made much more sense! No wonder he devoted so much of his return to bringing charges against the former prisoners who made deals and violated The Code. No wonder he was so offended by having those charges dismissed and having all POWs lumped in the same category. (Previously, I thought he was over zealous and inconsiderate of people who had less ability to withstand torture. After reading WHWIS, however, I think I get it. Given that some soldiers died to uphold the code, it was horrible to realize that others submitted quickly and received far better treatment or release and in a sense contributed to the harsh conditions of others by not holding the line.)
Denton was also much more sensitive to and open about the NVN soldiers. He gave examples of small kindnesses that some jailers showed him and takes note of the risk they took to extend that humanity to the prisoners. (A poignant example is "Deton's Cross," a small woven cross that prison workers crafted and smuggled to him.) He also recounts conversations with NVN Communists and their discomfort with their own party lines. At one point he says that many of the NVNs would change systems with him if they could. In one exchange, he reveals his own dawning awareness when Cat tells him that the NVN will settle for security at any cost after the terrible conditions under French colonial rule when Vietnamese could be punished with impunity in a racially biased system.
A fascinating detail that JD includes is when the NVN attempt to frame John Cherry, an African American POW, into looking like a collaborator. The NVN intended to exploit American racism to undermine moral in the group. In another moment of triumph, this effort failed. Another example of interracial cooperation involved admitting a VN prisoner to their group based on John McCain's recommendation. And, of course, the Thai prisoners who helped them.
Denton is also honest about the short comings of the US. He admits that the US has racial issues of its own. He opens the book a dedication to "those who strive to make this one nation under God, who are willing to sacrifice to protect her...and who patiently tolerate her imperfections." The dilemma of being willing to endure torture and death for an imperfect country is a theme that reappears from time to time in this memoir and makes the choice of the prisoners that much more incredible.
In this memoir, the families at home got much more support from local communities than it seemed Sybil Stockdale got on the West Coast. Local businessman, newspeople and community members supported Denton's wife far more than it seemed the community in Coronado did. Jane was aware of torture far earlier than Sybil, it seemed.
Jeremiah's communication with home was much more difficult than Stockdale's, too. He refused to write home in an effort to maintain unity.
I found it frustrating in this book (as in Stockdale's) how Denton comments that they "could have ended the war right then [1966]" based on his view from the prison camp. The fear and anxiety of the camp staff doesn't necessarily reflect the whole war effort. One thing that continued to hobble the US's effort throughout this war was how the VN would fight on with minimal supplies and a less than regulation army because of their conviction that their country was worth fighting for. In addition, the support from China and Russia added another layer of resilience that I think inmates of the camp may not have known about.
Which brings me to Denton's politics... He finishes the book with his views on how the US is deteriorating and how we are no longer a people united under God. In his opinion, this moral failing is costing us and could lead to our downfall if not checked. That part of the book was not nearly as gripping as the rest.
Both of these memoirs, WHWIS and James Stockdale's In Love and War, evoke triumph of the human spirit in horrendous conditions. They are both troubled by the aftermath, though, and American culture in particular outside the crucible of a war camp where "there are no politics in prison camps" to a culture in turmoil when people have lost faith in government, important people have been assassinated, women and minorities are clamoring for rights and the execution of the entire war effort is in question. Denton's understandable admiration for Nixon, who got him out of prison camp, must be tempered by the other questionable choices the former president made in an effort to maintain and augment his presidential authority. Denton makes it clear that prison camp was absolutely horrific. But the moral clarity of those times almost offers a glimmer of hope, though even that was clouded by conflicts among the imprisoned, themselves.
I read that some people managed to finish this book in one day. I found that I could only read a certain amount before the horror (I know I keep using that word, but I can't think of anything else that comes close) of JD's experiences overwhelmed me. Even though this book is far shorter than Love and War, it really managed to convey the long drag of time and the desperate conditions the prisoners endured. This is a power packed little memoir that leaves the reader in a lasting quandary. He promises in the final chapter to write another book about the decades following the war. I wonder if he ever got around to it. Guess I'll have to put that one on my "to read" list, too. Though I doubt anyone can succinctly wrap up the history and conflicts of post-VN War US. Not even a hero of the Vietnam War.
March 26, 2015
It started out as a great book about the amazing/horrific things a human can endure (similar to Unbreakable)... but unfortunately the end just took a sharp right turn into ultra-conservative reagan-republican preaching about how the United States is being undermined by the evil liberal media and the lack of "traditional" families. The ending just kind of ruined it all for me unfortunately.
February 24, 2015
Great read until the epilogue
The writer tells a harrowing story until the venting on political views. While his story inspired a nation and a movement his last few chapters were stuff to read
The writer tells a harrowing story until the venting on political views. While his story inspired a nation and a movement his last few chapters were stuff to read
January 18, 2015
I knew a little of his story, but this certainly makes me admire him all the more. I hadn't realized he was a A6-A Intruder pilot which was interesting to me considering my years working on avionics for a later version of this aircraft.
That despite almost constant torture over multiple years along with many years in solitary his Catholic faith was enlivened. It is hard to imagine enduring this. Much less with multiple injuries to bring your faith more alive and taking the part of a leader to help others. That he served with so many men who endured the same thing is also awe inspiring. An interesting aspect of this book was all the means of communication that prisoners used since they were not allowed to communicate to others at all. Their comradeship and the level they went to help each other knowing that they would suffer seriously if caught. Despite his ordeal he does not dehumanize his captors at all.
The majority of the book regards his years as a prisoner in Vietnam, but the epilog goes over some of his years a a Senator for Alabama where again his leadership was in show creating lasting political effects. That I was pretty much in total agreement with his political opinions of course led to enjoyment regarding this.
That despite almost constant torture over multiple years along with many years in solitary his Catholic faith was enlivened. It is hard to imagine enduring this. Much less with multiple injuries to bring your faith more alive and taking the part of a leader to help others. That he served with so many men who endured the same thing is also awe inspiring. An interesting aspect of this book was all the means of communication that prisoners used since they were not allowed to communicate to others at all. Their comradeship and the level they went to help each other knowing that they would suffer seriously if caught. Despite his ordeal he does not dehumanize his captors at all.
The majority of the book regards his years as a prisoner in Vietnam, but the epilog goes over some of his years a a Senator for Alabama where again his leadership was in show creating lasting political effects. That I was pretty much in total agreement with his political opinions of course led to enjoyment regarding this.
December 15, 2008
This is such a great book! Very gripping!
Jeremiah Denton tells the story of his imprisonment for seven-and-a-half years in Vietnam, during the Vietnam War.
It's fascinating reading about Mr. Denton's experiences, fellow prisoners, fears, triumphs, etc.
Jeremiah Denton was extremely brave, and I think he's a Christian. He is certainly one of my heroes. Ages 15-16+
Jeremiah Denton tells the story of his imprisonment for seven-and-a-half years in Vietnam, during the Vietnam War.
It's fascinating reading about Mr. Denton's experiences, fellow prisoners, fears, triumphs, etc.
Jeremiah Denton was extremely brave, and I think he's a Christian. He is certainly one of my heroes. Ages 15-16+
January 17, 2023
When I read history, I wonder how I would endure through desperate circumstances. Not many of us are asked to expose the depth of our courage, strength, resolve, and integrity. It’s encouraging to read about men whose character’s stood strong when fully tested.
October 20, 2023
Whenever I'm in pain now, I remember Jerimiah and become stronger.
August 2, 2010
My dad told me that the college class of 1964 was the last of the pre-hippie revolution generation. Reading this book about the travails of servicemen shot down and held prisoner in North Vietnam convinced me of the truthfulness of this assertion.
It is a short and uncomplicated book that you can get through in a day. The accounts of the torture and the awfulness of their imprisonment are hard to forget, but the aspect of the book that made the biggest impression on me was simply the sense that the author really was of an entirely different time than I was. I consider myself a patriotic person, and a spiritually-oriented one, too. But I realized that the patriotism of the men in this books is one that I can only compare to a strong testimony of a religious conviction. They were believers in America the way some are believers in Christ (they were also believers in Christ, too). I found myself at point disagreeing wtih the author when he would describe the men's insistance that they follow the Code of Conduct to the point that they would accept life-threatening torture before they would provide even biographical info about themselves. I couldn't help but think that providing such info could not hurt the war effort (who cares if they know that your parents are divorced or where you grew up?) but that resisting could get you killed. I believe there are things worth dying for, but that bio info was not one of them. I came to learn that seeking such info is simply part of a larger scheme of breaking the will of the prisoners and that there were important negative consequences. But still, it was one more evidence of an entirely different point of view from my generation (or perhaps simply my lack of personal involvement in military).
This book is a good read for anyone interested in history, in the viewpoints of the pre-Vietnam war generation and the old patriotism I think few in my generation could relate to, and an interesting background to current debates about enhanced interrogation techn in Guantanamo and the war on terror. I think that this book would make for a really great discussion for a book club.
It is a short and uncomplicated book that you can get through in a day. The accounts of the torture and the awfulness of their imprisonment are hard to forget, but the aspect of the book that made the biggest impression on me was simply the sense that the author really was of an entirely different time than I was. I consider myself a patriotic person, and a spiritually-oriented one, too. But I realized that the patriotism of the men in this books is one that I can only compare to a strong testimony of a religious conviction. They were believers in America the way some are believers in Christ (they were also believers in Christ, too). I found myself at point disagreeing wtih the author when he would describe the men's insistance that they follow the Code of Conduct to the point that they would accept life-threatening torture before they would provide even biographical info about themselves. I couldn't help but think that providing such info could not hurt the war effort (who cares if they know that your parents are divorced or where you grew up?) but that resisting could get you killed. I believe there are things worth dying for, but that bio info was not one of them. I came to learn that seeking such info is simply part of a larger scheme of breaking the will of the prisoners and that there were important negative consequences. But still, it was one more evidence of an entirely different point of view from my generation (or perhaps simply my lack of personal involvement in military).
This book is a good read for anyone interested in history, in the viewpoints of the pre-Vietnam war generation and the old patriotism I think few in my generation could relate to, and an interesting background to current debates about enhanced interrogation techn in Guantanamo and the war on terror. I think that this book would make for a really great discussion for a book club.
Read
November 7, 2019When Hell was in Session is a gruesome story about a U.S. Navy Prisoner of War in Vietnam. Admiral Jeremiah Denton was shot down when he was ordered to fly over North Vietnam for a combat mission on July 18, 1965. Things turned south very quickly. Denton would untimely spend the next seven years of his life trying to survive absolutely brutal conditions, moving from cell to cell. Denton managed to suffer through the worst of circumsatnces which included solitary confinement, starbation, beatings, and torture. While his fellow POWs were also being tortured, Denton was the first direct evidence of torture in amongst American Soldiers being held in North Vietnam. Denton was able to alert the homeland through blinking in morse code in a televised interview in 1966. Unfortunately, he would still have a long time to spend in Vietnam up until his liberation in 1973. Denton credits much of his survival to his strong belief in God and his Faith. After his release, he continued to defy the odds and make an impact on the nation that he loved so much. Denton served as an Admiral and also had a seat in the senate.
This book is not for the light of stomach, as there is much war brutality. I thought the book was well written and kept the reader engaged the entire time. However, the most impactful part of the book was the fact that American Soldiers had to endure what Denton had to not too long ago. The book is extremely eye opening. Furthermore, it shows that no matter a person’s history, they can still have a lasting impact a great number of people. I would give this book four and a half stars out of five simply because of the combination of good writing and excellent storytelling.
This book is not for the light of stomach, as there is much war brutality. I thought the book was well written and kept the reader engaged the entire time. However, the most impactful part of the book was the fact that American Soldiers had to endure what Denton had to not too long ago. The book is extremely eye opening. Furthermore, it shows that no matter a person’s history, they can still have a lasting impact a great number of people. I would give this book four and a half stars out of five simply because of the combination of good writing and excellent storytelling.
September 24, 2012
I really rate it 4.75 but that's not an option. For those not familiar Jeremiah Denton was the first POW to get the information out (ehile in captivity) that the POWs were being tortured by using Morse code via blinking during a television recorded interview. It amazes me how men (and women) can suffer such cruelty and still keep faith in themselves, each other, their country, and God. I have read multiple stories concerning POW accounts from several wars now and all come back to faith in God. Simply amazing and inspiring. A lesson for today's generation reveberates throughout this book. Especially in the epilogue. On another note: out of all the books concerning Vietnam POWs this one covers the communications systems used by the prisoners more extensively to include: more information on tap code, verbal codes (coughing, sneezing, hacking etc.), message drops, and written code such as letter slanting.
January 6, 2013
When I picked up this book, it was because Jeremiah Denton, Jr. was my father in law's Captain in the Navy. I have not met my father in law due to his early passing, but I was curious about someone who knew him and wrote a book about being a POW. This was a difficult book to read. I had to put down frequently, but kept going because I was only reading this... he actually endured this awful treatment! It gave me a certain kind of inspiration that on my worse day, I have it very very good! And it is because of the brave men who fought for my country.
September 9, 2022
What an incredible story, what an incredible man! Some people are criticizing the epilogue in which the author talks about conservative values and does it in an all knowing way but to me that is even more interesting. Might it be that his conservatism, his belief in god and his patriotism are exactly the things that made him a hero in the worst conditions imaginable? Might it be that his certainty in his beliefs made him resist the torture? It's useful to understand the belief system of an admirable person, especially when that belief system is so contrary to ones own.
November 30, 2009
My Mother gave me this book for christmas in 1976 and this book is my favorite book. After reading this book I walked away with a whole new insight to the hell that our POWs went through. Admiral Denton and the other POWs of Vietnam are true heroes. Its amazing how Admiral Denton got word back to the would about how he was being treated by his captives. His efforts to resist the Vietcong, despite his safety, elevates him to a true American.
November 1, 2010
A gripping first hand account of the 7 year imprisonment of Jeremiah Denton during the Vietnam War. He was tortured many times for information by the North Vietnamese. Denton was a leader in the prison camp at various times and inspired his fellow prisoners to not give in. They developed ingenious ways to communicate even though they rarely saw their fellow prisoners. It was inspiring to see how much suffering someone could actually endure without breaking.
August 16, 2011
Very interesting. A POW in Vietnam was in solitary for about 4.5 yrs of 7 in captivity. He blinked morse code to send a message to the US while being interrogated and tortured. Tame enough for students to read and has excellent message about patriotism and our country. Faith element may be too much for the politically correct groups. I wanted more on his return to civilization; the book ended too soon!
May 11, 2012
Horrifyingly eye opening account of Vietnam war POW Jeremiah Denton, his capture, and imprisonment during his time as a POW. This first person account instilled in me horror, sadness and nothing but sympathy for this man and what he endured. This is a very informative read that provides insight on what it was to be a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. I strongly recommend everyone reads this and sees what real sacrifices our armed forces can potentially face when going into harms way.
September 1, 2012
This book is intensely disturbing, gut-wrenching and horrific... That being said, it may sound cliché, but Jeremiah Denton provides an entirely new insight into what our servicemen have endured for our country -- what he went through will hit you hard. I dare anyone to read this book and not come away a changed person in some way... Just wow.
August 27, 2016
Inspirational!
May 26, 2014
Must read for every American!
Read
August 15, 2024Incredible account that shows who character enabled POWs to persevere in the Vietnam War.
September 21, 2024
In this book the author tells us what it was like being a prisoner of war during Vietnam. It was brutal. In the epilogue he talks about his life after war and we get a sermon. I disagreed with a lot of what he said in his epilogue. He believes that America needs to love their neighbors and save them from communism. My question is how can we love them if we bomb them?
He talks about when he was in communist Nicaragua and they question him about prejudice in America and he said- that the govt wasn’t racist but people are and the people who discriminate are jailed. That’s a lie. He said this while Reagan was president. Redlining existed. People who discriminated against others weren’t arrested they were elected.
He then said Mitch McConnell was a good man. 😂😂😂😂 another lie.
He blames the degrading of morality in the US on liberal policies like abortion and same sex
Marriage. But overlooks the idolatry of guns in America and the violence and death it brings. Or the cost of healthcare that decreases our quality of life?
He does explain why he believes the US won the war in Vietnam and goes on a tirade against the anti war movement.
I hate what he went through in Vietnam. I hate that he spent almost 8 years alway from his family. But I disagree with parts of his sermon in the epilogue.
He talks about when he was in communist Nicaragua and they question him about prejudice in America and he said- that the govt wasn’t racist but people are and the people who discriminate are jailed. That’s a lie. He said this while Reagan was president. Redlining existed. People who discriminated against others weren’t arrested they were elected.
He then said Mitch McConnell was a good man. 😂😂😂😂 another lie.
He blames the degrading of morality in the US on liberal policies like abortion and same sex
Marriage. But overlooks the idolatry of guns in America and the violence and death it brings. Or the cost of healthcare that decreases our quality of life?
He does explain why he believes the US won the war in Vietnam and goes on a tirade against the anti war movement.
I hate what he went through in Vietnam. I hate that he spent almost 8 years alway from his family. But I disagree with parts of his sermon in the epilogue.
September 23, 2018
I read this years ago. I'm currently re-reading it as I will be having Second Son read it as part of his high school history required reading. Jeremiah Denton was an American who loved serving his country even though he was tortured for it as a POW in Vietnam. This book describes his time as a POW, so naturally, there are some things described that are quite harsh and involves profanity. However, I think our younger generation should read this because they need to know what some went through while serving our country. Content-wise I give this a 5 star rating, but I did only give 4 stars because there are numerous editing mistakes.
January 8, 2024
No POW experience is Hogan's Heroes.
This book and the historical books of how foreign POWs were treated by the Japanese during WWII explains the bitterness towards both countries felt by lots of veterans.
Dehumanizing is easy to do in war, however if you don't follow the golden rule by treating others how you want to be treated you wallow in the mud with them.
A very easy read for someone too young to experience the US during the Vietnam war. Denton did not get political, nor was he bitter towards the Americans who sympathized with the communists.
This book and the historical books of how foreign POWs were treated by the Japanese during WWII explains the bitterness towards both countries felt by lots of veterans.
Dehumanizing is easy to do in war, however if you don't follow the golden rule by treating others how you want to be treated you wallow in the mud with them.
A very easy read for someone too young to experience the US during the Vietnam war. Denton did not get political, nor was he bitter towards the Americans who sympathized with the communists.
May 3, 2018
This is a book that should be required reading for every American. The story in the book reveals the terrible torture that our American POWs endured during their imprisonment in North Vietnam. It shows the love and commitment that they had for our nation. If you don’t read anything else you must read the epilogue and the new epilogue. What are our responsibility to the men who gave so much and to the nation that they gave it for?
July 24, 2022
Very thrilling, scary read on how the author survived 7years in a vietnam pow camp, enduring tortures and other awful things.
My only gripe: the new epilogue that was written years later (1998) in which the author goes on a Trumpian diatribe, accusing all the classics (leftist media, atheism, education) on why the country (and by extension, the world) is in decline and not evolving the way 'it should be'. Sigh
My only gripe: the new epilogue that was written years later (1998) in which the author goes on a Trumpian diatribe, accusing all the classics (leftist media, atheism, education) on why the country (and by extension, the world) is in decline and not evolving the way 'it should be'. Sigh
August 4, 2018
Very good book! An account of his experience as a POW in the Vietnam war - detailed and graphic. Allowed a glimpse into a world most of us can't imagine. I appreciated the explanations of the politics during and after the Vietnam War. It gave me a much greater understanding. I love his patriotism.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews