What is the theme in Five Years to Freedom: The True Story of a Vietnam POW by James N. Rowe?

The will to survive is the main theme of this book. Rowe has a strong will to survive, the same will that is seen in several other prisoners. When Rowe is facing the threat of death because of dysentery and malnourishment, he fears the possibility of death and continues to fight for his survival. This will is so strong that Rowe forces himself to eat rice, day after day, in an effort to fight off the weakening of his body.