I was still in high school when I rented the movie for the first time. After getting over the shock that his daughter had rented a WWII movie, my father handed me his well worn original copy of the book. (Which by the way, I never did return to him) Over the years I read it over and over to the point that it finally fell apart. At some point I will get around to picking up another copy. This book is heartbreaking in portraying the hopes of those 50 who paid the ultimate price for freedom. You really want the ending to be different, but you know it's not going to be. Instead, you marvel at their ingenuity, the sheer genius that made these men turn everyday items into the valuable tools used to make this escape a reality.
After watching some of the specials on this, I shudder at the actual size of the tunnels and the conditions. The survivor's will deny this, but they are the true inspiration.

Many reviewers have written much about the story so I won't add any more, However, not seeing many reviews about this audiobook version, I thought that I would some comments about it. My family and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this during a long road trip; 7.5 hours on one disk instead of fumbling around for multiple disks was also very helpful. The narrator does an excellent job in expressing the emotions of the characters and also holding the attention of the listener. I highly recommend this story and this audiobook version to anyone with an interest in history, especially WWII and military history.

A couple of people offhandedly told me I ought to read this book. I eventually got around to buying it -- and could not put the thing down. When I finished it, it didn't take long before I started it again; and ordered another book on POWs in Germany. Since then I've read about every book on this subject I can get my hands on; Brickhill did /that/ good of a job.

Admittedly, the men lack some characterization, but the story is so vibrant that can be passed over. (Try A Gallant Company: The True Story of the Man of "The Great Escape" for characters). Brickhill relays some of the other escapes that were pulled in the camp -- several unsuccessful and a couple "home runs". The story flows with the feel almost of fiction, it's so well-paced. You'll be drawn in by the story; it is at times funny, others tragic, but you won't let go. It's too Great.

The Real Deal! No "Steve Mcqueen" character, but everyone a true hero.The Great Escape

It's a shame the publisher decided to put a picture on the cover of Steve McQueen wrapped up in the barbed wire at the end of his big motorcycle escape attempt. Because, you see, that never happened in the TRUE story of the Great Escape contained in this book. The movie (while good) took serious dramatic license, while Brickhill's book presents the facts. And they are quite inspiring and thrilling enough without the addition of fictional elements such as McQueen's stunt riding.
I first read this book while in elementary school, and was hooked to the extent that I've read it many times since over the decades. A truly outstanding story.

If you want to know how to make something out of nothing, this is the book for you. I've been reading and re-reading this book since early childhood and that's how I learned to make a needed item out of just what was at hand. McGyver had NUTHIN' on these guys.

MRS. Dee Schauer
Texas