Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 3/14/2012 + 2827 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 1

An 8th Air Force engineer/gunner's B-17 is shot down in early 1944. His story of his capture by the Germans, the trip to Stalag 17 and his experiences there is perhaps the finest and most inspiring POW story I have ever read.

Handy goes into great detail about the workings of the camp; the interactions, often competitive and sometimes hostile, among the POWs; and their relationship with their German captors.

Only sergeants are in this camp, and the leaders rise to the top of the organization structure of each barracks and the entire camp. The planning of food distribution, entertainments, and escapes is unlike anything you may have seen on TV or in the movies.

The only exception is the movie Stalag 17. The script for that movie was actually written by two air force POWs who survived that camp by writing about their experiences, staying alive in the hopes that their script would be made into the great movie it became.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details