Beyond the Page speaks with Major General John Borling on Taps on the Walls, Borling's collection of poems created during his incarceration in the infamous Hanoi Hilton during the Vietnam War. Sonya asks Borling about the experience of isolation, the emotional force of tap code communication, and the practical challenge of composing and preserving poems in his memory.

The episode offers a compelling angle for listeners interested in the history of the Vietnam War, POW experiences, military resilience, and the power of poetry under pressure. It is both a historical conversation and a human one, rooted in endurance, connection and memory.

BUY THE BOOK: Taps on the Walls: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton

Maj. Gen. John Borling on Poetry, Tap Code and Endurance in the Hanoi Hilton

This episode supports listeners who want a story-driven entry into the Vietnam War while also discovering the related Master Wings title.

Featured Books and Resources in this Episode

Featured titles include Taps on the Walls: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton.
Blog posts related to this topic include: Supplemental Reading for Taps on the Walls: Poems from the Hanoi Hilton and Five Useful Resources to Learn About Prisoners of War.

More information on the Memorial Day mentioned in the podcast is available here.