Prisoners of Hope

The old adage that "there are no atheists in foxholes" takes on special meaning in this uplifting story of 10 American POWs from the Vietnam War who suffered the same torture sessions, sleep and food deprivation, and inadequate medical treatment as their secular comrades in arms, but credit their belief in God for helping them endure the unspeakable horrors they encountered. Even today, decades removed from their experiences, the men's emotions are not far from the surface, as statements of faith are combined with tears of remembrance. Sometimes difficult to watch because of the powerful stories and the historical footage obviously taken by the North Vietnamese, Prisoners of Hope is not a maudlin Christian screed; on the contrary, this is a moving tribute to the intangible power of faith, a professional production that illustrates how 10 ordinary men clung tenaciously to their sanity thanks to their religious convictions. Definitely recommended for both public and church libraries. Aud: P. (J. Carlson)