Mitchell Zuckoff’s Lost in Shangri-La is a thrilling novel about the untold story of a World War II “mission” gone wrong. Zuckoff dives deep into the lives of young soldiers after their plane crashes in an uncharted village of New Guinea. With danger, discovery, and determination, Zuckoff reels readers in as he captures this dauntless tale almost flawlessly.
Lost in Shangri-La recounts the true story of 24 World War II Army men and women who take an aerial tour of the New Guinean valley called “Shangri-La.” The excursion turns into a fight for survival as the plane crashes into mountains surrounding the valley:
“The air grew bitter with the stench of burning metal, burning leather, burning rubber, burning wires, burning oil, burning clothes, …show more content…
Unaware of Archbold's success using a seaplane in Shangri-La and speculating that the nearby Baliem River isn't accessible, the idea to use a seaplane to recover the survivors is shut down by the rescue crew. The knowledge that a seaplane rescue is possible, yet isn’t thoroughly considered, leaves the reader on the edge of their seat and adds essential dramatic irony to the truthful plot. Zuckoff’s additional inclusion of supplementary information on significant elements of the story, such as the history and usage of glider planes, “a motorless aircraft … pulled through the sky by a twin-engine tow plane,” in World War I, ensures that the reader is knowledgeable on each topic he investigates (257). Most nonfiction doesn't stray from the central plot, leaving specifics up to readers, but Zuckoff guarantees, through his diligent investigation, that his audience is aptly educated on the minor …show more content…
This minute detail seems insignificant at first glance, but after knowing Robert dies, its importance is uncontestable. Had the twins sat together in the front, both most likely would have perished on impact; should they both have been near the tail of the plane, Robert may have also survived. On top of it all, the trip isn’t mission essential; it’s simply an attempt to “boost morale” (). The disregard of safety in Lost in Shangri-La closely resembles that of Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand in which a group of soldiers discounts the fact that their plane is too destroyed to fly safely, resulting in a crash and the death of most of the passengers. Hillenbrand tells the story of Unbroken well, but Zuckoff displays the true vulnerability of humanity that Hillenbrand doesn’t capture.
Mitchell Zuckoff elaborately brings the tale of Lost in Shangri-La to life. With the addition of essential background knowledge, Zuckoff’s novel seamlessly defines the fragility of life and how one’s fate can be determined by the most basic of decisions. Lost in Shangri-La was first published by Harper Perennial on April 24, 2012, each copy costing approximately $8.95. The novel receives an A- because Zuckoff’s innovative writing and thorough investigation outshine its minor
Lost in Shangri-La recounts the true story of 24 World War II Army men and women who take an aerial tour of the New Guinean valley called “Shangri-La.” The excursion turns into a fight for survival as the plane crashes into mountains surrounding the valley:
“The air grew bitter with the stench of burning metal, burning leather, burning rubber, burning wires, burning oil, burning clothes, …show more content…
Unaware of Archbold's success using a seaplane in Shangri-La and speculating that the nearby Baliem River isn't accessible, the idea to use a seaplane to recover the survivors is shut down by the rescue crew. The knowledge that a seaplane rescue is possible, yet isn’t thoroughly considered, leaves the reader on the edge of their seat and adds essential dramatic irony to the truthful plot. Zuckoff’s additional inclusion of supplementary information on significant elements of the story, such as the history and usage of glider planes, “a motorless aircraft … pulled through the sky by a twin-engine tow plane,” in World War I, ensures that the reader is knowledgeable on each topic he investigates (257). Most nonfiction doesn't stray from the central plot, leaving specifics up to readers, but Zuckoff guarantees, through his diligent investigation, that his audience is aptly educated on the minor …show more content…
This minute detail seems insignificant at first glance, but after knowing Robert dies, its importance is uncontestable. Had the twins sat together in the front, both most likely would have perished on impact; should they both have been near the tail of the plane, Robert may have also survived. On top of it all, the trip isn’t mission essential; it’s simply an attempt to “boost morale” (). The disregard of safety in Lost in Shangri-La closely resembles that of Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand in which a group of soldiers discounts the fact that their plane is too destroyed to fly safely, resulting in a crash and the death of most of the passengers. Hillenbrand tells the story of Unbroken well, but Zuckoff displays the true vulnerability of humanity that Hillenbrand doesn’t capture.
Mitchell Zuckoff elaborately brings the tale of Lost in Shangri-La to life. With the addition of essential background knowledge, Zuckoff’s novel seamlessly defines the fragility of life and how one’s fate can be determined by the most basic of decisions. Lost in Shangri-La was first published by Harper Perennial on April 24, 2012, each copy costing approximately $8.95. The novel receives an A- because Zuckoff’s innovative writing and thorough investigation outshine its minor