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D.B. Cooper: What Really Happened

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The incredible true story of the hijacking, escape, and years of hiding.

224 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1985

1 person is currently reading
94 people want to read

About the author

Max Gunther

43 books31 followers
Max Gunther was an Anglo-American journalist and writer. He was the author of 26 books, including his investment best-seller, The Zurich Axioms.

Born in England, Gunther moved to the United States at age of 11 after his father, Franz Heinrich became the manager of the New York branch of a leading Swiss bank, SBC.

Gunther graduated from Princeton University in 1949 and served in the United States Army from 1950 to 1951.

He worked at Business Week magazine from 1951 to 1955 and during the following two years he was the contributing editor for Time Magazine. He also contributed to Playboy, True, Reader's Digest, TV Guide, McCall's, and Saturday Evening Post.

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5 stars
16 (20%)
4 stars
23 (29%)
3 stars
28 (36%)
2 stars
6 (7%)
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4 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Eve.
121 reviews
July 12, 2025
this was super entertaining but i feel like it just all can't be 100% true... they would have to have solved it conclusively by now. either way it was written with a great manner of storytelling and it was highly enjoyable!
Profile Image for Rachel Jacobs.
133 reviews4 followers
December 29, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and if it is true what a fantastic tale to one of the countries most intriguing mysteries.
Profile Image for David.
11 reviews
December 10, 2022
This entire book is a story told to the writer by an anonymous source (anonymous to both reader and writer) as to the true story of D.B. Cooper. The source claims to be a spouse to Cooper after the hijacking. She never reveals her true name, Coopers true name, any physical evidence tied to the case, or any other information that can be used to verify her story.

So, if you’re looking for a possible resolution to the case rooted in evidence, this isn’t it. I could forgive this if the story were at least engaging and well-written but it really wasn’t. By the halfway point I was eager to move on.
Profile Image for K.
69 reviews
January 11, 2024
A fascinating read, whether you believe it or not.

Also, just as a note, this article was also very interesting (it cites this book as the starting point for one researcher's conclusion about Cooper's true identity)
https://www.oregonlive.com/news/erry-...
Profile Image for Pulp_Fiction_Books.
186 reviews7 followers
March 20, 2023
Fascinating if for no other reason than we don't know one way or another if Gunther was conversing with the real DB Cooper.
14 reviews10 followers
August 1, 2011
Man, I read this a long time ago. Published in '85, so I guess I read it when it was fairly new. Can't comment on the accuracy of the story, but it was a fun read. Of course, that whole mystery lends itself to story telling. If the Cooper story intrigues you, check it out.
Profile Image for Matteo S.
12 reviews3 followers
April 10, 2016
The mysterious story of D. B. Cooper's hijacking. This book reveals all different ways that the hijacking could've taken place in. It also explains who the suspects are and why people think that they are suspects. This book is highly fascinating. I would re-read this book ten times.
Profile Image for Sara.
195 reviews7 followers
January 9, 2011
I am very intrigued with this whole story. I just wish that "Clara" would come out and bring more truth to the story with other objects of proof.
Profile Image for Susan.
19 reviews6 followers
June 12, 2020
Skeptical from the beginning but turned out to be compelling and believable.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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