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James B. Stockdale
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In Love and War: The Story of a Family's Ordeal and Sacrifice During the Vietnam Years Hardcover – January 1, 1984

by Jim Stockdale (Author), Sybil Stockdale (Author)
4.5 out of 5 stars 97 ratings
A former Vietnam War POW and his wife recount their life together and their separate agonies during his imprisonment
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  1. Print length
    472 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Harper & Row
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1984
  5. ISBN-10
    0060153180
  6. ISBN-13
    978-0060153182
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper & Row; First Edition (January 1, 1984)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 472 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0060153180
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0060153182
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.88 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 97 ratings

About the author

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James B. Stockdale

James B. Stockdale

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Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale served in the navy from 1947 to 1979, beginning as a test pilot and instructor at Patuxent River, Maryland, and spending two years as a graduate student at Stanford University. He became a fighter pilot and was shot down on his second combat tour over North Vietnam, becoming a prisoner of war for eight years, four in solitary confinement. He was tortured fifteen times and put in leg irons for two years. As the highest-ranking naval officer held during the Vietnam War he organized the POWs in the infamous "Hanoi Hilton" to provide them with a sense of hope and empowerment. Disabilities from his combat wounds brought about Stockdale’s early retirement, he was the only three-star officer in the history of the navy to wear both aviator wings and the Congressional Medal of Honor.

His books include Thoughts of a Philosophical Fighter Pilot (1995, Hoover Institution Press), A Vietnam Experience (1984, Hoover Institution Press), Courage Under Fire (1993, Hoover Institution Press) and In Love and War (second revised and updated edition, 1990, U.S. Naval Institute Press), coauthored with his wife, Sybil. In early 1987, a dramatic presentation of In Love and War was viewed by more than 45 million viewers on NBC television.

As a civilian, Jim Stockdale was a college professor, a college president, and a senior research fellow at the Hoover Institution. His many and varied writings all converge on the central theme of how man can rise with dignity to prevail in the face of adversity. He died in 2005.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
97 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's storytelling engaging, describing it as an American love story that captures important pieces of American history. The book receives positive feedback for its readability.

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13 customers mention "Story telling"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the storytelling in the book, describing it as an American love story and a real-life thriller, with one customer noting it as an important piece of American history.

"...a beautiful job of demonstrating how faith, unity, community, and love empowers during the most dire circumstances...." Read more

"This book is a great read both as a war/POW story and a love story...." Read more

"...his and one hers in the same time frames and it is a real life thriller with all the love, sadness, misery and then some...." Read more

"An amazing story. You will not be disappointed. My husband, a USAF pilot was KIA in Laos. Only now can I read books written by our precious POW's...." Read more

8 customers mention "Readability"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and wonderful.

"This book is a great read both as a war/POW story and a love story...." Read more

"Good enough condition, but it does have yellowing pages. But it is good enuf." Read more

"This was an excellent read because you were given both actions of ADM and Mrs. Stockdale at the same time...." Read more

"Recommend everyone read this book. Jim Collins uses Admiral Stockdale stories in his book 'Good to great'!..." Read more

Damaged
4 out of 5 stars
Damaged
I had previously read this book and found it fascinating since JB Stockdale was my FIL’s squadron commander during the Vietnam War while he served and flew off of the USS Ticonderoga. Was crushed that I lost the signed book given to us by JB due to divorce but wanted to read it again so went to FB to buy a new copy. I will give 5/5 stars for the book content but 1/5 for the seller. Bought a USED-GOOD version but it was obvious when I received it that whoever had packed it had shoved it in the box and ripped the book cover because the rip area was twisted when I unpacked it. I didn’t mind some wear but why cause more damage to the book cover when packing it??? Sorry, but not happy with the sender.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Faye B. Heller
    5.0 out of 5 stars 10 Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    If possible, I would give this book 10 stars. It is exceptionally well written. The Stockdales did a beautiful job of demonstrating how faith, unity, community, and love empowers during the most dire circumstances. The book brought back vivid memories of those tumultuous years. The most vivid memory of tears rolling down my face as I watched the POWs exiting the planes at Clark Airforce base.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • R Willis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a great read both as a war/POW story and a love story. The intelligence that was used for communication between the prisoners, the family, and the US government was really inspiring. It just goes to show that where there is a will, there is a way
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Cheryl
    4.0 out of 5 stars Damaged
    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I had previously read this book and found it fascinating since JB Stockdale was my FIL’s squadron commander during the Vietnam War while he served and flew off of the USS Ticonderoga. Was crushed that I lost the signed book given to us by JB due to divorce but wanted to read it again so went to FB to buy a new copy. I will give 5/5 stars for the book content but 1/5 for the seller.
    Bought a USED-GOOD version but it was obvious when I received it that whoever had packed it had shoved it in the box and ripped the book cover because the rip area was twisted when I unpacked it. I didn’t mind some wear but why cause more damage to the book cover when packing it??? Sorry, but not happy with the sender.
    Customer image
    Cheryl
    4.0 out of 5 stars
    Damaged

    Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2023
    I had previously read this book and found it fascinating since JB Stockdale was my FIL’s squadron commander during the Vietnam War while he served and flew off of the USS Ticonderoga. Was crushed that I lost the signed book given to us by JB due to divorce but wanted to read it again so went to FB to buy a new copy. I will give 5/5 stars for the book content but 1/5 for the seller.
    Bought a USED-GOOD version but it was obvious when I received it that whoever had packed it had shoved it in the box and ripped the book cover because the rip area was twisted when I unpacked it. I didn’t mind some wear but why cause more damage to the book cover when packing it??? Sorry, but not happy with the sender.
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    2 people found this helpful
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  • Kug
    5.0 out of 5 stars Its late, just finished this book, tears streaming - The best love story ever
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    This book should have been a best seller but I guess it wouldnt get publicity because it isnt politically correct. Written years ago by Jim and Sybil Stockdale and chronicles not just his hideous prison experiences with the North Vietnamese for seven and a half years, but his wifes and families experience on this end.

    It is written as one chapter his and one hers in the same time frames and it is a real life thriller with all the love, sadness, misery and then some. As a Marine and Vietnam Vet I have to say my hat goes off to both of them. The book chronicles her journey from young housewife left alone with four boys to leading the other POW wives and founding an organization that made a difference,. She met with the North Vietnamese and Johnson and Nixon and what a story.

    Every kid in America should have to read this book.
    21 people found this helpful
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  • Sheila Ahern
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The story of Jim Stockdales imprisonment in the Hanoi Hilton during the Viet Nam war and how his wife Sybil started The Natl League of Families
    One person found this helpful
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  • THICKETHILL
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting times.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A glimpse back into the history of the United States.
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  • Mary Soon Lee
    4.0 out of 5 stars An informative but uncomfortable read.
    Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    In September 1965, Jim Stockdale, a naval fighter pilot, was shot down over North Vietnam, and spent the next seven years as a prisoner of war. In this book, in alternating chapters, he and his wife Sybil recount their experiences. I found it an informative account of this aspect of the Vietnam War, but an uncomfortable read. The prisoners were tortured. Their families suffered. The politics of the Vietnam War upsets me.

    I note that the portrayal of the Vietnamese captors struck me as racist. I may be over sensitive on this issue. (My father was ethnically Chinese and spoke English with an accent.) I have no sympathy for men who committed or sanctioned torture, and racism by their victims is understandable (the treatment of the American prisoners in North Vietnam was appalling). Yet still the depiction of the Vietnamese troubled me.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Jennifer H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars So happy to finally have a copy!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I am thrilled about this purchase: I couldn't believe I found a signed version in such fantastic condition. I'm very pleased with this. This was more than worth the purchase price and I'll keep it for years to come.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Kater Felix
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lesenswert
    Reviewed in Germany on June 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Absolut lesenswert,ein unbekanntes Stück Geschichte.
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  • du po
    5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 9, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Who is interesting in the Vietnam war must read this book.I AM VERY HAPPY THAT I BOUTH THIS GREAT BOOK.
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  • 百々秀心
    1.0 out of 5 stars In Love and War: The Story of a Family's Ordeal and Sacrifice During the Vietnam Years
    Reviewed in Japan on November 26, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    レビューということですが、まだ手元に届いていません。
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  • Jack Macyntire
    1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Very poor and boring writing style, didn't go beyond the first few pages.
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