When Hell Was in Session

When Hell Was in Session chronicles U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Jeremiah Denton's experiences as a prisoner of war in Vietnam after his plane was shot down in 1965. The memoir details his capture, imprisonment, and the brutal conditions he endured during his seven years and seven months of captivity in North Vietnam. The book includes Denton's account of a pivotal 1966 interview with a Japanese television crew, during which he managed to communicate secretly with U.S. intelligence. The narrative follows his role as a senior officer among the POWs and documents the resistance strategies employed by American servicemen in captivity. The memoir serves as a testament to human resilience and military honor in the face of extreme adversity. Through Denton's first-hand perspective, the book examines themes of patriotism, faith, and the complex psychological battles fought by prisoners of war.

Readers describe this as a raw, unflinching account of POW survival in Vietnam. The book resonates with veterans and military families who appreciate Denton's detailed descriptions of captivity conditions and resistance techniques. Readers highlight: - Clear, straightforward writing style - Technical details about prison camp operations - Documentation of communication methods between prisoners - Faith-based perspective on endurance Common criticisms: - Religious content feels heavy-handed to some readers - Limited coverage of post-war experiences - Jumps between time periods can be confusing Ratings: Amazon: 4.8/5 (800+ reviews) Goodreads: 4.4/5 (900+ ratings) Reader quote: "Denton doesn't sensationalize or seek pity - he simply tells it like it happened." - Amazon reviewer Several readers note the book serves as a valuable historical record, with one Goodreads reviewer stating: "The firsthand account provides details that official military documents couldn't capture."

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★ While appearing to cooperate in a propaganda video, Denton blinked the word "T-O-R-T-U-R-E" in Morse code - the first confirmation to U.S. intelligence that American POWs were being tortured in Vietnam. ★ After his release in 1973, Jeremiah Denton became the first Republican elected to the U.S. Senate from Alabama since Reconstruction, serving from 1981 to 1987. ★ The book's title "When Hell Was in Session" refers to the intense torture periods at the infamous Hỏa Lò Prison, nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton" by American POWs. ★ The memoir was adapted into a 1979 NBC television film starring Hal Holbrook as Denton, winning an Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing. ★ Denton was the senior officer at the prison camp and developed an elaborate tap code system that allowed prisoners to communicate between cells, maintaining military organization and morale.