Reflections on Captivity
A Tapestry of Stories by a Vietnam War POW
Porter A. Halyburton, Naval Institute Press, 2022, 216 pages
Book Review published on: August 22, 2025
The book Reflections on Captivity: A Tapestry of Stories by a Vietnam War POW is a biography written by former naval aviator Cmdr. Porter Alexander Halyburton who tells his personal story as a prisoner of war (POW) from 1965 to 1973. During this eight-year period, he encountered harsh living conditions, brutal interrogations, and personal challenges. He meticulously describes his ordeal with many personal recollections while also providing background information and stories on other American service members whose accounts are contained within the book. The manner by which he recounts these stories helps the reader to gain a greater understanding and personal connection with the subjects. The book contains pictures, sketches, and other material to help the reader clearly understand the environment and conditions the POWs faced during their time in captivity.
The author discusses his living conditions, the camps where he was held, and the treatment of the POWs in vivid detail. His thoroughly explains how American POWs communicated with drawings and explanations of various means of communication including the "tap code." He further stresses the importance of the code of conduct, which helped to guide his actions and responses during his many interrogations.
Halyburton's story is one of perseverance, grit, and determination. The courage he and his fellow POWs displayed is truly remarkable. The stories contained within this book are inspiring and contain many anecdotes to illustrate how the POWs maintained their faith and honor to persevere against a ruthless enemy.
This book illustrates how even the most difficult challenges are not insurmountable. The author's writing is well-organized and easy to follow. The stories he shares along with his personal observations truly capture the reader's attention and make it difficult to put the book down. Overall, I highly recommend this book.
Book Review written by: Lt. Col. Travis M. King, U.S. Marine Corps, Retired, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas