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

I Had No Idea This Occurred

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

NA

Who was your favorite character and why?

Margaret Hastings. Probably because so much was taken from her diary and as a women I related more to her.

Which scene was your favorite?

The crash of the plane and the immediate aftermath.

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

The story kept me intrigued all the way through this book. I was amazed at the rescue these very brave men

Any additional comments?

I was in awe of these real people. Fascinated with the natives living in the valley. Made me do more research on New Guinea. I wasn't even sure where exactly it was located before this book.

What a wonderful planet.

Excellent story made me feel as if I was there with them and a part of the greatest generation we have ever known.

Love long lost stories

Human resolve is amazing. I loved the story and learning of a piece of history of which I had no awareness.

Terrific read!

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

Captivating story

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

The descriptions were graphic and make me long for the movie!

Which scene was your favorite?

The "snatch" was exciting!

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

Margret's quote about fear at the end of the book was powerful. The story was powerful!

5 stars all the way!

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

This story is very well written with a lot of very interesting back story. You get to know the characters and their make up well. It kept my interest the whole way through. Breathtaking! Skill, determination, danger and luck are all interwoven into this masterpiece. Well worth the listen!

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

Probably the first snatch where the rescue plane snatches a glider with several survivors off the jungle floor.

What about Mitchell Zuckoff’s performance did you like?

Mr. Z. does an excellent job. He has just the right voice and inflection. He is very believeable and easy to listen to.

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

There is definitely a lot of emotion in this book. I did laugh several times and teared up at other times. My overall feeling was one of joy.

Great story

Great story lots of detail it moves along you will not be bored. The epilogue at the end about what happened to the characters in the story was most interesting man reflective that they became once again after being heroes regular citizens

Excellent read

This was one of the best non-fiction audiobooks I've listened to! It really kept my interest through the full book. The author gives a lot of historical background to the story, and I learned a lot about the Pacific War and New Guinea. Highly recommend!

More impressive than a 3 foot penis gourd - GREAT!

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

Shangri-La works very well in audio because it does not require intense focus to follow the story. While one will rewind a few times, nothing crucial will be missed.

Who was your favorite character and why?

It's really an ensemble, although Maggie (WAC Corporal) is the center of the story, possibly because so much is based on her diary. If I had to pick a favorite it would be "Pete" - read the book to find out who Pete is- or the native Queen.

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

The narrative had an excellent quality. Sensitive and well paced. I found that I could visualize the scenes, which I find difficult with most audios. Still, I generally prefer the "voice" in my mind as I read.

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

The parachuting of the medics and their reaction to the extent of the injuries. When the Native Queen combed Maggie's hair. The Epilogue was really good. There is no spot in this book that is not moving and interesting.

Any additional comments?

This is an incredible story. Someone please make a feature film of the story - PLEASE!

I must disclose that I come to this with a slight bias. My father served in the US Navy in New Guinea through most of WWII. He left in May 1945 as this story begins. His dairy places him at all the locations (except "Shangri-La") mentioned in the book. I have many original photos of the natives as described in the book. So this book is a small connection to my father's past.

The claim that it's "the Most Incredible rescue Mission of World War II" may be a stretch. I would recommend Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides as competition for the claim.

Another terrific unusual "adventure" book I recommend for anyone who enjoys such stories is In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick.

My best tip is to view the video of the rescue. It can be found on a number of websites.

A fun read but little more. And that's okay.

Escape into Shangri-La. Or rather from it. Either way, enjoy this unpretentious and pleasant book.

excellent performance and great story!

fantastic, well narrated story. keeps you on the edge of your seat. the right amount of historical reference, anecdotes and observstions.