Lost in Shangri-La

A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II

By: Mitchell Zuckoff

Narrated by: Mitchell Zuckoff

Length: 8 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

On May 13, 1945, 24 American servicemen and WACs boarded a transport plane for a sightseeing trip over “Shangri-La,” a beautiful and mysterious valley deep within the jungle-covered mountains of Dutch New Guinea .Unlike the peaceful Tibetan monks of James Hilton’s best-selling novel Lost Horizon, , this Shangri-La was home to spear-carrying tribesmen, warriors rumored to be cannibals.

But the pleasure tour became an unforgettable battle for survival when the plane crashed. Miraculously, three passengers pulled through. Margaret Hastings, barefoot and burned, had no choice but to wear her dead best friend’s shoes. John McCollom, grieving the death of his twin brother also aboard the plane, masked his grief with stoicism. Kenneth Decker, too, was severely burned and suffered a gaping head wound.

Emotionally devastated, badly injured, and vulnerable to the hidden dangers of the jungle, the trio faced certain death unless they left the crash site. Caught between man-eating headhunters and enemy Japanese, the wounded passengers endured a harrowing hike down the mountainside - a journey into the unknown that would lead them straight into a primitive tribe of superstitious natives who had never before seen a white man - or woman.

Drawn from interviews, declassified U.S. Army documents, personal photos and mementos, a survivor’s diary, a rescuer’s journal, and original film footage, Lost in Shangri-La recounts this incredible true-life adventure for the first time. Mitchell Zuckoff reveals how the determined trio - dehydrated, sick, and in pain - traversed the dense jungle to find help; how a brave band of paratroopers risked their own lives to save the survivors; and how a cowboy colonel attempted a previously untested rescue mission to get them out.

By trekking into the New Guinea jungle, visiting remote villages, and rediscovering the crash site, Zuckoff also captures the contemporary natives’ remembrances of the long-ago day when strange creatures fell from the sky. A riveting work of narrative nonfiction that vividly brings to life an odyssey at times terrifying, enlightening, and comic, Lost in Shangri-La is a thrill ride from beginning to end.

©2011 Mitchell Zuckoff (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Interesting true story

Zuckoff writes a complete story. His research into the background of those involved in the story makes the story flow.

This is not his best narration. I’ve listened to other books narrated by him and they were much better than this. Still it’s a good story and the follow up of the participants is a great way to end the book.

Excellent Historical read

Where does Lost in Shangri-La rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the upper two thirds of the books my wife and I have listened to.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Margaret. Her courage and perserverance in the face of disaster, death, isolation, danger, and of course her life threatening injuries. The roll in women in WW 2 was also of interest.

What does Mitchell Zuckoff bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He was able to convey the depth of feelings the survivors experienced better tha the printed word.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scene where they met and developed a relationship with the natives.

Any additional comments?

My wife and I lister to your audiobooks daily on an adaptor on our ipod that allows two sets of ear phones to be pluged in. This makes us look forward to our daily 45+ minute walk every day.

John Sarbacker MD (retired)

Excellent book

What did you love best about Lost in Shangri-La?

I found myself unable to turn off my car and go inside. I listened to it in my car, and just couldn't quit! This book had it all: suspense, drama, comedy, horror, culture warfare... Being a nurse in the US Army, I identified with Margaret, one of the survivors. This book brought home the hardships of survival, along with the joys of teamwork.

What other book might you compare Lost in Shangri-La to and why?

"Unbroken" is comparable. It's about a WWII survivor who is captured by the Japanese and kept in POW camps for years. This book details his near-death experiences as a POW.

Which character – as performed by Mitchell Zuckoff – was your favorite?

Margaret, of course, because she, like me, was a female in the mostly male US Army.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me laugh, cry, hold my breath, gasp, and clench my fists.

This is Truly a PATRIOTIC adventure.

What made the experience of listening to Lost in Shangri-La the most enjoyable?

As this was True story that brought me back in time during WWII. Living in the Philippines and hearing all the comments about this country today.

What did you like best about this story?

How the three survivers were able to make it out of the plane crash and travel miles in the jungle with their severe injuries. They did not give up.

Have you listened to any of Mitchell Zuckoff’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not had the time or chance to listen to Mitchell Zuckoffs other performances. I will now look forward to his work.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The courage that the 3 survivers displayed and how they would not give up. They supported each other until they were located.

Any additional comments?

I would like to see a film with this story line. How history is brought to life in all the events that took place over the past 70 years.

Good listen till the end - left you wanting more

It is a story I had never heard before. It is an interesting to see how 2 cultures mixed for weeks that were totally different and so much the same.

Great look into a WWII story

What did you love best about Lost in Shangri-La?

The human interest story not only of the people who survived the crash, but also the natives who were "discovered."

What did you like best about this story?

The explanation of miscommunications was fascinating.

Which character – as performed by Mitchell Zuckoff – was your favorite?

all three crash survivors: John McCollum, Kenneth Decker and Margaret Hastings - for their bravery and outlook.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The story is so compelling - both extremely sad and funny at times.

Inspiring- Truly a Worthwhile Read

Would you listen to Lost in Shangri-La again? Why?

Absolutely. This is a truly inspiring story of three plane crash survivors and the brave men who came to rescue them, but it also tells of the deep relationships that can be formed from soul to soul despite no visible common ground to stand on. This was truly a beautiful read.

What did you like best about this story?

That it was TRUE! The author gives such detailed and accurate information about every aspect of the story that the reader feels completely confident in the reliability of the telling. I also loved the focus on the relationships formed between the natives and military men/women. The natives' perspectives on things was refreshing and eye-opening. Very well-researched.

What about Mitchell Zuckoff’s performance did you like?

He was perfect. Too often the author will try to do his/her own audio recording and fail miserably, but Mr. Zuckoff's performance is top notch. Impeccably done and wouldn't change a thing.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

YES! Couldn't put it down!!

Great World War 2 Story

This is a great listen, that will hold your interest. Apparently, the author - Mitchell Zuckoff did a lot of research. Although the incidents were widely covered by the press in 1945, the story had subsequently petered out. The update on the people involved, was a nice way to end the book.

A Must Have

Any additional comments?

This book is a must have! Great story and narration. I would recommend to anyone interested for sure.

Great story, narration a little slow.

What did you love best about Lost in Shangri-La?

The authors ability to describe the resilience the survivors exhibited made this a great listen!

What did you like best about this story?

The factual accuracy of the time.

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

A little more emotion.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Real Lost Survivors!!