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nderiley's review
4.0
Rawicz's ability to objectively tell this harrowing story makes it all the more compelling. I seriously cannot believe this happened. Remarkable.
kangokaren's review against another edition
3.0
More like a 3.5. The writing was fine, the story incredible. But then I read that the story may not be true and I was saddened.
gabmc's review against another edition
4.0
What an amazing story about the strength of the human spirit and the will to survive. Slavomir Rawicz was sent to a Russian work camp in Siberia in 1939 with a sentence of 25 years. He felt that he couldn't survive 25 years there and vowed to escape. He found other prisoners who wanted to make the escape with him and together they walked over 4ooo miles and 9 months from Siberia to India.
ryanreadsstuff's review
5.0
It's no wonder that this true story was made into a movie. The story-teller, despite not being a writer and having to dictate his adventure to another (and through another language, I believe), captivated me from the first chapter. Despite the hardships of torture in Soviet prison, unfair legal proceedings (and thus conviction of a 25-year sentence to a labor camp), multiple treks by foot through inhospitable Siberian winters, a deadly struggle through the Gobi Desert without food nor water, and many other setbacks, the book has a generally uplifting tone. Some of my favorite parts of the book were the adventurers' meetings with Tibetan and Mongolian natives who shared no common language, but nevertheless would gladly share food, shelter, and guidance to what must have been a very bedraggled and strange-seeming bunch.
richardazia's review
5.0
One of the most interesting books I have read in a while. I have read travel books and I have read books about the Gulag and prisons. I have spent years working through The Gulag Archipelago. I read this book in a month and really enjoy the conclusion. I would recommend reading it.