Five Years to Freedom

The True Story of a Vietnam POW

By: James N. Rowe

Narrated by: Reathel Bean

When Green Beret Lieutenant James N. Rowe was captured in 1963 in Vietnam, his life became more than a matter of staying alive.

In a Vietcong POW camp, Rowe endured beri-beri, dysentery, and tropical fungus diseases. He suffered grueling psychological and physical torment. He experienced the loneliness and frustration of watching his friends die. And he struggled every day to maintain faith in himself as a soldier and in his country as it appeared to be turning against him.

His survival is testimony to the disciplined human spirit.
His story is gripping.

Critic reviews

"The Most Important Book Ever Written About The Vietnam Experience. The people of the United States can be immensely proud of Nick Rowe and Americans like him who have resisted and survived the worst abuse a brutal enemy could visit upon us."--Robin Moore

"If you can read this story and not weep, you are inhuman."--The Cincinnati Post

Pre SERE Reading

I offer my highest recommendation of Five Years to Freedom to any student / Soldier / Aviator prior to SERE school.

The story of then MAJ Rowe offers an insight into the life of a POW. The story demonstrates the the ebbs and flow of the life as a POW, and maintaining mental strength, trust in yourself, your partners, and your country. All at the same time, abiding to the Code of Conduct.

The ending to the story is remarkable and is worth the suspense created throughout the book. The story truly reminds you the importance of the POW / MIA flag. Airborne.

Good, fast read

A quick read, this personal narrative is clear and unashamed of the brutal realities experienced by POWs in Vietnam. It makes one consider what they might do if confronted with circumstances of confinement or helplessness.

James “Nick” Rowe eventually escaped, and was instrumental in developing the modern Army Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) school. His concepts of philosophical stoicism, faith, resistance, endurance are worthy of consideration and understanding, and this narrative is useful in understanding his motivations and development of concepts.

Quick Meaningful Listen

I enjoy listening to war stories just because I can listen to want they went through but will never truly understand. Any survivor of any war has a story to tell. Some books that I've read and listened to though seem to drag on sometimes. This one was short and to the point. The feeling I had at the ending was still the same after a 10 or 15 hour long book. This book was recommended to me by a friend and I would recommend it to others.

Must read for all in the military & high school!

The sacrifices made by men such as Nick Rowe who served honorably in our countries military for his and our freedom must be passed on to the next generation!

Excellent

Enjoyed listening to this story of a true hero. SERE training is based on Rowe’s experience.