There is something about the movie The Great Escape. It's more than just Steve McQueen and James Gardner. More than the fact that as you watch the movie, you go, "Look, it's James Coburn. Look, it's Charles Bronson! Look, it's David McCallum! Look, it's Hudson! Look, it's Attenborough. No, the other one!". It's more than that. The Great Escape is one of those that you can't help but watch. You might have seen two days ago, but hey, it's on again, and who doesn't like that motorcycle scene. I've even watched it when it's been shown with commericals. It's like Lawrence of Arabia, except with Lawrence, I know why I watch. OMAR!!!!! Young OMAR!!! When he rides up to the well. Sigh. I love that man in black.

Where was I?

The Great Escape, right. Maybe, it's because the director was smart enough to not have Hilts be one of the prisoners (only three) who escaped. There is something far more heroic about that.

I finally broke down and brought the movie on DVD, getting this book along with it. I was somewhat worried that the book wouldn't be as good as the movie.

I was wrong.

The book was as good as the movie.

I finally found out where that scar on Big X came from.

It is amazing how much of the movie is really, truly based on the book. True, some liberties are taken, such as the Americans and how the fifty are dealt with (both of which are understandable). But still. All the tunnel stories, even the ones that didn't work, are true. It's amazing. (I know, I've used that word too many times). Like the one about the mole tunnel, that was true.

What is even more interesting is what some of the recaptured prisoners had to put up with afterwards. Poor Wings Day. I don't know how he and the other five stood with happened to them.

My only negative comment applies to this edition. A list of people in the begining, like a character list, would've been helpful. There are plenty of people and a copy times, I had to flip back to make sure I had people straight.

Yet despite this, the book is a testimony to man's ingeunity and resilance. It illustrates what goes on at many different levels of command and how determined people can get something amazing done.

Blah. A super interesting story told in a mundane,matter-of-fact way.

Enjoyed going through this one a second time, this time listening with the kids. There's a section near the beginning that I skipped and some language I'd rather have been left out, but other than that a great, though tragic, adventure story.

Audiobook: A fascinating look at the ingenuity of these POWs, the human interaction with the guards, the determination to escape, and the workings of both sides. The final part is hard to listen to as it details the aftermath and the search for war criminals, but this is an amazing story. For those who have enjoyed Hogan's Heroes will see where the show sprang from.

"...There is nothing that can stop a group of men, regardless of race, creed, color or nationality from achieving a goal once they agree as to what that goal is. The aftermath may be sheer, stark tragedy but the point is, men working together can accomplish anything."
-George Harsh

The Great Escape is an intimate account about a group of Allied airmen’s meticulous planning and executing an escape from Stalag Luft III, a German POW camp in 1944.

After a year of digging tunnels, facing great difficulties under the watchful eyes of the prison guards and spies, 76 prisoners escape, only for 73 of them to be recaptured. 50 of the recaptured were shot by the Gestapo. Only three of the escapees made it home, safely.

Thank you, Chris, for recommending the book to me. It was certainly eye-opening and inspiring.

The movie based off this historical account is my favorite movie. I am in awe of these men who risked it all to escape.

Read this years ago when I wanted the true story of one of my favorite movies. This is one of the great wwii stories.

a suspenseful story of perseverance and engineering. equal parts humorous and tragic.