cover image First Heroes: The POWs Left Behind in Vietnam

First Heroes: The POWs Left Behind in Vietnam

Rod Colvin. Irvington Publishers, $19.95 (355pp) ISBN 978-0-8290-2008-3

A broadcaster for radio station WOW in Omaha, Colvin examines the tough question of whether there are still American POWs/MIAs in Vietnam and concludes that there are. He explains why none of these prisoners have been seen or heard from by pointing out the difficulty of escape through the jungle and the possibility that some of the missing might be deserters with no wish to return home. He also considers reasons why the Vietnamese government may have held the POWs, ranging from anger over the failure of the U.S. to honor President Nixon's promise of 3.25 billion in reconstruction aid to a desire to exploit American technical expertise. The book includes interviews with 13 families whose husbands, fathers and sons are still missing. Although Colvin's account is fervent and moving, those skeptical about the existence of POWs are likely to remain unconvinced. Photos. (August 1)