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Summary: A magnificent journey through wild lands
Review: As bleak as the situation facing Rawicz and his party was, the journey through Siberia, Mongolia, China and Tibet is almost magical. Some of this is the ghost writer at work, but the sense of freedom on almost every page of the book - deep deep freedom from labor camps in particular and from society at large in general - is profound. This is one of the great journeys of the world. Rawicz's story is beautiful and moving and is a great read.A number of the reviews here have raised questions about the possibility of all of this being true. Who knows? In fact, who cares? In extreme circumstances, individuals achieve extreme goals, and I believe that it's quite possible that the story is true. I hope never to be in a situation in which I need to find out if I have as deep a set of physical and psychological reserves as the members of Rawicz's party.
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Summary: Superb and Awe-Inspiring
Review: This book reiterates the incredible possibilites of people. To everyone I have shared this book with, it is simply incredible that anyone would have had the strength and stamina to go through what these men went through. It reaffirms ones faith in the future of mankind.
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Summary: Facinating story but has this story ever been verified?
Review: I found this account fascinating, however, I question the validity. Some of the details don't seem to make sense. For instance, would the wife of the prison camp commander really help a prisoner. Even if the escape took place while the camp commander was away he would still be severly punished (maybe even end up a prisoner himself). Also, the author does not talk about the inhuman/unspeakable brutality of these prison camps. The British soldiers who found the men and the doctors who cared for them - where are their accounts or even medical records? So while I found the book a engrossing adventure I am sceptical of its truthfulness.
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Summary: One of the 5 best books that I have ever read.
Review: Excellent book
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Summary: About Slavmir Rawicz's Book.....
Review: This man, Slavomir Rwaicz, is telling the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I grew up with Slavomir in Russia, and he is telling all facts. This story is an unbelievable tale, and is not just a novel. He did encounter all of those things some people may call "untrue", but don't doubt yourself, he is a great man. He can't remember the journey word-by-word, but was trying his best. Thank You
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Summary: An epic of man's struggle for freedom and survival.
Review: This story tells about the horrors of the Soviet regime. The deportation of thousands and millions of innocent people to hard labor camps. It is written for interesting reading that one cannot forget about it.
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Summary: Amazing walk to freedom.
Review: If true, this is one of the most remarkable adventures of all time. It really demonstrates the human will to live. Some phrases and words should have been changed to make it more readable by a western audience. It makes climbing Everest look like a summer stroll.
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Summary: Thrilling yet gives you a sense of reality
Review: I read this book this year and was totally blown away by the way this book was written. Even though the author is from a different country, he writes English very fluently. But most of all, the story is awesome. The hardships and the tough times that were endured by these people are really amazing. It shows that people sometimes perform their best when they have their backs pushed towards the wall.
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Summary: May Freedom Reign, in Poland and Tibet
Review: I highly recommend this book. The best part about it is the contrast between the insane society under totalitarian Stalin and the compassionate society seen in Tibet and Tibet-influenced Mongolia and Buryatia. Now, as to the truth of the account: Some aspects of the book ring true: 1.) As someone who has walked over 2000 miles in a 6 month period, I can say that the distances covered in the book (20-30 miles/day) are reasonable. 2.) Descriptions of Tibetans, Mongols & Buryats ring true with my experience & knowledge. 3.) Description of incarcerated life seems quite real & perhaps is hard to fake in detail. However, some things don't quite jibe: 1.) I'm told its almost impossible to live beyond 3-5 days with out water. (Weeks with out food is not problem however) 2.) What about the other members of the journey. They could not go home so they are in free countries with free media who would be glad to tell their tale. Especially the American (conveniently named "Smith") would have come to light by now, unless, of course, he really was a spy. The most likely scenario in my opinion is that some sort of escape through Tibet took place, but that the escapees were much less innocent than described in the book. Some of the escapees may have died in other ways, and indeed Russians may have been killed by the desperate prisoners to avoid capture. Note that when the woman is discovered, the prisoners initially say "we will have to kill him" Something like this may have happened in real life. In spite of likely creative remembering above, in the end we should probably let bygones be bygones and appaud Rawicz for (rightfully) pointing out the sad fate of fogotten Poland at the hands of communist invaders. His cry for freedom is as applicable today as in 1941, especially when we consider the genocidal repression under which Rawicz benefactors, the Tibetans, now live. One Irony, had the prisoners chosen to enter Lhasa (as I think they should have) they might have met up with fellow escapee Heinrich Harrier (author of "Seven Years in Tibet")....
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Summary: "This book is one of my all-time favorites!! AMAZING
Review: This book is a thrilling adventure that grasped me in it's first paragraph and continued to keep me on the edge of my seat the entire way through. It brought tears to my eyes and made me feel as if I was there, treking along through Siberia, The Gobi desert, The Himalayas, and much more. I felt part of the expedition to freedom, and it made my heart soar. Plesae read it.
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