A Vietnam Experience: Ten Years of Reflection

by James B. Stockdale

The decade that followed James Stockdale's seven and a half years in a North Vietnamese prison saw his life take a number of different turns, from a stay in a navy hospital in San Diego to president of a civilian college to his appointment as a senior research fellow at the Hoover Institution. In this collection of essays he offers his thoughts on his imprisonment. Describing the horrors of his treatment as a prisoner of war, Stockdale tells how he discovered firsthand the capabilities and limitations of the human spirit in such a situation. As the senior officer in confinement he had what he humbly describes as "the easiest leadership job in the world: to maintain the organization, resistance, and spirit of ten of the finest men I have ever known."

His reflections on his wartime prison experience and the reasons for his survival form the basis of the writings reprinted here. In subject matter ranging from methods of communication in prison to military ethics to the principles of leadership, the thirty-four selections contained in this volume are a unique record of what Stockdale calls a "melting experience"—a pressure-packed existence that forces one to grow.

Retired Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale, a Hoover Institution fellow from 1981 to 1996, was Ross Perot's 1992 presidential running mate and a recipient of the Medal of Honor after enduring seven and a half years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. He died in 2005 at the age of 81.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Military Fiction, Philosophy, War

148 pages, Paperback

First published November 14, 1984

About the author

American and United States Navy vice admiral. He is one of the most decorated Navy officers who had been awarded the Medal of Honor in the Vietnam War where he was a prisoner of war for over seven years.

Stockdale was the highest-ranking naval officer held as a prisoner in North Vietnam. He had led aerial attacks from the carrier USS Ticonderoga (CVA-14) during the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Incident. On his next deployment, while Commander of Carrier Air Wing 16 aboard the carrier USS Oriskany (CV-34), he was shot down in North Vietnam on September 9, 1965.

During the late 1970s, he served as President of the Naval War College. Stockdale was candidate for Vice President of the United States in the 1992 presidential election, on Ross Perot's independent ticket.

Reviews

[Tg · Rating 5 out of 5]

All of Admiral Stockdale's books center on how a person may rise in dignity, in the face of adversity.
In reading his works, it is often difficult to separate him talking from Epictetus.
"How do I separate what is mine from what in not my own ?, The body is finely tempered clay subject to putrefaction, my aversions, My opinions are mine, the desire to get, and avoid is mine,
things outside the power of the will are not mine, subject to decay, and slavish in nature,
subject to compulsion; How should I then will to get and avoid ? " "In a noble, and not a slavish manner,
Does something fall outside of the will to get and avoid ? Then throw it away, these things are nothing to us" Epictetus

"A brave man may live and die in defiance of fate " Seneca

[marilyn zakrzewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

I Joseph Zakrzewski read it good read a proud Vietnam veteran army Strong GodBless theUSA. Till we meet again my friend

[Jeff Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

If all you know about VADM Stockdale was his vice presidential run, you have an incredible opportunity. Learn about him, read his works. A true hero.

[Julie Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half was very difficult - I wanted it to be about his experiences as a POW, but there was a lot of military/society outlook admonishments. I think his reflections are valid, it was just hard for me to relate to them until I heard more of the personal story that followed in the second half of the book. He is an absolutely inspiring person and his experiences speak so loudly to many different subjects. I have put 'in love and war' on my to read list to get more of the personal side of the story.

[Gordon Eldridge · Rating 2 out of 5]

The title of this book is a little deceiving. It is not really ten years of reflection on the author's experience as a prisoner of war in Vietnam. It is a collection of articles and speeches the author has given, some of which directly relate to his experience in Vietnam and some of which only indirectly. Because of the nature of the compilation of documents there is quite a bit of repetition, sometimes word for word.

There are some truly fascinating insights in some of the documents printed in this volume and it is worth reading, but I wonder if one of his other books might not have been more what I was looking for in getting deeper into his Vietnam experience.

[AJ B · Rating 4 out of 5]

16:34 08/05/21
Kindle
New Vernon, NJ

Good patriotic read just some articles were a little repetitive

[Gabriele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable wisdom can be found in the pages of this book.

[Scott Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magnificent Man

The United States of America needs more Admiral Stockdales. They are the stock of presidents. There the stature of spin that men hope they can compare to.

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found his perspective interesting but I was reading this because the library didn't have his Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot which was what everyone had recommended. The brevity and repetitiveness of a collection of speeches and articles meant it never really went in-depth with his arguments or experiences and made it sort of hard to get into.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Stockdale is remembered as one of the outstanding leaders of the Vietnam War. His unique leadership style resonated with a great many prisoners and bolstered their resolve to resist through the dark days of their imprisonment, especially those years when excruciating torture was routine until Ho Chi Minh's death in fall of 1969. Renewed my interest in stoic thought.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

A collection of speeches, op ed pieces, and articles for journals, that are repetitive and some somewhat dated or overtaken by events to be of great interest. Very little of his remarkable experience as a POW.

[Lori Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting. The Admiral is very educated, and if you've never been around such military leaders, his words can come across stilted. I never knew Generals but my share of Colonels, so I found myself underlining quite a bit. But this is not an escapist read; more like a textbook.

[Douglas Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the plus side of good.

[Bobby Daugherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book on Stockdale's reflections on his experiences in the Hanoi Hilton.