Lost in Shangri-La by Mitchell Zuckoff

I bought this book for my dad when he got readmitted to the hospital back in August of last year.

My dad was an avid reader and would spend about two hours a day reading. He especially liked books about war and genre-fiction. Clive Cussler was his favourite author.

I went to the local mom and pop bookshop in my neighbourhood and asked them for a book he might like. They suggested this one.

Unfortunately, my dad never did read it. I know he would have enjoyed it but he was too weak to hold a book in those last few months and I think it was straining his eyes to much to read.

When I visited him those last few months, he would fall in and out of consciousness. Whenever he faded, I started reading the book. I talked with him about it too. He was intrigued.

The story revolves around a real life rescue mission during World War II. A small plane crashed in an unexplored valley with twenty four army servicemen and WACs (Women’s Army Corp) aboard. There were only three survivors and it was tough going for them to stay alive and for their rescuers to retrieve them.

Add to that the local tribesmen who had virtually no contact with the outside world and the situation was quite precarious.

Mitchell Zuckoff pieces together historical records and interviews with survivors and family members to tell this incredible story of heroism, first contact, and survival.

Strangely enough, about halfway through the book, we are introduced to Captain Earl Walter, a paratrooper who heads up the rescue effort. This is a strange detail since my father’s name was Walter Earl.

The book reads like fiction as the story develops to tell this real life story. It was a good read and one I know my father would have enjoyed.

My 2014 Reading Log (continually updated all year long)