On August 6, 1972 Navy pilot Mike Penn’s A-7 Corsair was shot down over North Vietnam. What followed were eight months in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, where he learned the most important lesson of his life: you can live a month without food, a week without water, but not one day without hope.
From the cockpit to the prison cell to the corporate management boardroom, Penn discovered that the same principles that kept him alive in captivity could transform every aspect of life:
- How hope becomes a daily choice, not just a feeling-Why courage must be practiced, not just summoned in crisis
- The power of community in overcoming impossible odds-How your greatest wounds can become your greatest strengths-Why serving others is the ultimate measure of success
Whether you’re facing combat, addiction, illness, loss or simply the daily struggle to live with purpose, this book provides a battle-tested framework for not just surviving, but thriving. Penn’s principles have been proven in the ultimate laboratory of human endurance—and they work. His story proves that recovery isn’t just about surviving crisis—it’s about using that experience to build a life of meaning, purpose and service to others.
“The connection between hope and survival isn’t metaphorical—it’s physiological. Penn’s story provides crucial insights for anyone treating trauma, managing crisis or simply trying to understand the unbreakable power of the human spirit.”
—Dr. Paul Fine, MD, Military Physician, Police Captain and EMS Medical Director
“Mike’s journey is a profound reminder: the most inspiring people aren’t those who avoid hardship, but those who rise in the face of it. His mantra—“Never Give Up, Never Lose Hope”—isn’t just inspirational, it’s a battle cry, a blueprint and, for many, a lifeline.
—Captain Kenneth Lott, Chief Pilot, Dallas, Southwest Airlines, Ret.
MIKE PENN is a former Navy combat pilot, POW survivor, airline captain and Chief Pilot. He has dedicated his post-military career to helping others overcome addiction and rebuild their lives. He continues to lead recovery support groups and speaks nationwide about the power of hope and courage in overcoming life’s greatest challenges.
