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

Thrilling and tragic

A tragic true story of loss, bravery, courage. Very well told story of a daring rescue.

Fascinating

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

A fascinating look at a piece of history that had been lost. I wish that more of the participants were still alive to see their bravery recognized.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lost in Shangri-La?

My most memorable moment is when Maggie saw the natives as people and not as savages.

Any additional comments?

I thought the current state of affairs in the valley was very sad. It appears that the natives beliefs have totally been fulfilled and their lives are unimportant to the Indonesian government.

Fantastin

The book and it's narration was gripping for me. Sometimes I would be so fixated that I would wonder how I got to work.

Captivating Story

Would you consider the audio edition of Lost in Shangri-La to be better than the print version?

No.

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

Hellhound on His Trail

Which scene was your favorite?

Following the crash the story of survival and the meeting of the natives.

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

No.

Any additional comments?

Good story wish I could share it easily with my friends. That is the biggest drawback for your service. I love loaning my books and CD's but it is impossible to really just share the book without signing them up.

A first row view of an extraordinary event.

Loved how well researched and detailed the story of the Gremlin Special was told. I loved how Zuckoff brought details from the diary entries of Madetails Hastings.

You won't regret getting this book.

Stick to the Story! 3,75 Stars

This would have been so much better had Zuckoff stuck to telling the story in a linear fashion instead of constantly meandering off course in distracting directions and with endless details. I did love the sound of his voice and how he narrated.

Fascinating piece of American history!

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

Yes. This was a truly riveting piece of history that my generation knows very little about. My dad was stationed in the Philipines in the navy shortly after this took place and often talked about life in the jungle; this really made his stories come alive to me!
I would have liked to see a little more emotion from the narrator but he did a good job at telling the story nontheless.

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

The Swiss Family Robinson.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the descriptions of the natives and how they lived and thought. Such a precious civilization who, unfortunately, would have been better off left alone in my opinion.

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

I did cry during some of the stories "good-bye" moments. The characters were very clearly defined and did really come alive in my mind's eye.

Any additional comments?

This was a wonderful true story about the brave men and women who lived adventurous lives fraught with risk and peril, during World War II in a place that few of us still know about today. Makes me want to go there and see for myself! I loved all of it and would highly recommend this to any listener who loves history and adventure. My only regret is that it wasn't longer!!

A riveting adventure story

Lost in Shangri-La takes readers back in time to the era of the 40’s and reveals the mindset, prejudices, and valor of a great generation. While using original documents, the author retells the amazing story that brings the adventure alive and keeps the pages (or minutes) turning. Very descriptive but not boring, it captures a wide range of emotions and observations about nature as well as human nature. I heartily recommend for any adventure, World War 2, or anthropology enthusiast.

Riveting

I found this story riveting. The strength and endurance of the survivors was amazing. The group that rescued them really had to have a paradigm shift to figure out how to get them out of the valley and it was very creative thinking.

Facinating history

I made this selection because it was recommended for those who enjoyed "Unbroken", and it was an excellent recommendation. The stories are similar in time period and setting (Pacific theater, WWII) and both deal with a tragic air crash with survivors in need of rescue. But this is not a copy of the earlier story and is compelling in its own way. The narrative follows the events up to and subsequent to the crash, but but also puts into context the backgrounds of the players, allowing us to know them as more than vague historical characters who experienced a unique event. He also puts historical context to the exploration of New Guinea which deepens the understanding of the hardships caused by the nearly impenetrable terrain. I especially appreciated Zuckoff's research into the culture of the native New Guinea people. By explaining their point of view we get a facinating picture of cultural exchanges that are sometimes comical, sometimes touching and sometimes unfortunate. Also appreciated was the attention given to the passengers who did not survive the crash. I found it respectful to acknowledge their presence and who they were as individuals. Interviews with survivors, recuers and natives, or family members of those (decades later of course), and the use of diaries kept by several of the main characters adds authenticity to the story.
As another reviewer has stated, the reading by the author was excellent, and added to the enjoyment of the book. Highly recommended.