The Last Helicopter

Two Lives in Indochina

By: Jim Laurie

Narrated by: Jim Laurie

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

A story of a young woman left behind and a young reporter coming of age in a world of war; a gripping memoir of Cambodia and Vietnam in the 1970s.

As brutal wars in Cambodia and Vietnam come to swift and cataclysmic ends, a young reporter plans a last minute rescue of a woman he loved. The rescue fails.

He is helicoptered out of the Cambodian capital days before its collapse and goes on to Vietnam in time to see the fall of Saigon. He vows somehow to return to keep his promise of rescue.
Meanwhile, his former lover, Sinan, is trapped in what she calls “my prison without walls” at one of the Khmer Rouge’s infamous commune work camps.

Drawn from recorded interviews with Soc Sinan and from the contemporaneous writings of Jim Laurie, The Last Helicopter captures the drama and tensions of the 1970s, while recalling places of grace and beauty now gone forever.

This audiobook is narrated by the author himself, a radio and television broadcaster for more than 50 years, and contains a unique audio preface.

Jim Laurie is an award-winning international broadcaster, writer, and media consultant, who has witnessed many defining moments in Asia’s history over the past 50 years. A recipient of Emmy, Peabody, and Overseas Press Club Awards, Jim roamed the world as a radio and television correspondent first for NBC News, 1972-1978, and then ABC News 1978-2000. He has produced and written documentary films on Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, and China, and interviewed noted world leaders over the past 45 years including China’s Deng Xiaoping, India’s Indira Gandhi, Cambodia’s Norodom Sihanouk, the Soviet Union’s Mikhail Gorbachev, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and the Dalai Lama of Tibet.

©2020 James Laurie (P)2020 Jim Laurie

Interesting

This is a brief history of the authors' time in Indochina. It's not a page turner, but it's interesting enough to keep your attention. The facts are given in an even tone. For anyone interested in the region, It gives a rare glimpse into what was going on. Specifically after US Troops left Saigon. I also thought the first hand account of the Khemer Rouge takeover was good.... The book would have been better in my opinion had the author shared more of his feelings at the time. What he thought about the area, more details, stories etc.. It felt a bit like cliff notes. The author has to have a lot more material than what he presented here. I feel his honest even handed reporting for half a century influenced his writing. For good and bad. Pure facts, no speculation. The Narration is good as he has a great voice. ... Although I think a narrator with a little more caffeine running through His/Her veins would have been better. The delivery is reminiscent of PBS news hour. Story is 4.5, Narrator is 4. I'm definitely going to get his next book. worth a credit.

Great personal story

Well researched and informative. Jim Laurie sometimes comes as journalistic presenter rather than a story teller. Overall wonderful work.Finished it in 3 days.

The Last Helicopter leaves lasting memories

A great tale, by a master storyteller, told as only a TV newsman can ...

An Accurate Portrayal

Thank you Jim Laurie for accurately portraying Sinan Soc’s resourcefulness, intelligence, and that unforgettable smile. Sinan and I shared a DC group house with five others in the mid-80s. Sinan was reserved especially about her past. This book taught me much about Sinan’s tribulations, the politics and strategy behind the combat in Asia, and the drive of a young war correspondent. Knowing Sinan and having visited Cambodia, it was easy for me to picture the story as I listened. And I apologize to you Jim Laurie for the many times I answered the house phone and told you Sinan was not at home.

A love Story

I served in the Air force going to Viet Nam (66-67.) I was on Guam (71-73) during the bombing that brought the "Peace with honor." play on words!! I was in Thailand in 1975 when Viet Nam fell. Needless to say this book brought back memories. I must say that the way it was written seemed like a Love story for a person hat had loved and lost and how he attempted to make things right again with his past. I really enjoyed the book in that along with his personal story, giving a view of the suffering that went on during that time in Cambodia. It was fascinating that it all came full circle when he was able to take her ashes back to her home, giving them back to the wind and land from whence she came. Truly a Love Story. EXCELLENT !!!

Great story

Jim Laurie does a fabulous job telling his story. It incorporates a lot of history and descriptions of beautiful people, their lives and the devastation caused by war