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<\/a>The Great Escape<\/a> by Paul Brickhill<\/a>\nMy rating: 5 of 5 stars<\/a><\/p>\n
Paul Brickhill\u2019s book is full of information about the methods of building their tunnels and producing false documentation as well as the experiences of the prisoners of war. Two of the main pleasures about reading The Great Escape was comparing it to the film, which, like so many others I\u2019ve watched at least twice, and knowing that it is a true story. Some of the details are upsetting when you see how many times all of their efforts to escape came to nothing.<\/p>\n
Disappointing would not cover it and the fortitude, strength of purpose and hope of the POW\u2019s is incredible to read about. When I stopped to think how many hundreds of men were imprisoned at the compound, and how much fear, despair and anger there would have been on hearing that so many had been shot after they had been recaptured, I was full of admiration at how they kept up their spirits, still determined to continue with their escape plans. The ingenuity of the prisoners making civilian clothing, false passports, hiding tunnel entrances, and shoring up the tunnels to ensure they were safe was just so amazing.<\/p>\n
The ending of the book was both sad and happy. Sad because of all the escapees who lost their lives on Hitler\u2019s orders, but happy when you know the remaining prisoners were delighted to hear how much trouble their efforts had caused the Gestapo and German military authorities.
Highly recommended.<\/p>\n