Well written and thrilling, this tells the true story of prisoners in Stalag Luft III and their 100th attempt to escape. Photos, drawings, maps, the related Hitler decrees and the post war trials are also included. I finished this book on January 27th, UN Holocaust Remembrance day.

While this book mostly glosses over the very difficult parts of prison life (I found myself picturing Hogan's Heroes too often), the details of the escape read like a thriller. It is also fairly short, and worth reading. It references some of the other escape attempts detailed elsewhere, such as the Wooden Horse. I can see why this tale was made into a movie.

Speaking of that, I haven't seen it, but am looking forward to it. I have also found out there is a miniseries with Christopher Reeve from 1988 titled The Great Escape Part II, covering the trial in more detail. Even The Wooden Horse was made into a film - and I've seen none of them (yet).

On the night of the escape, eighty men managed to get through the tunnel and outside the camp, each taking separate routes. Three reached the allies and freedom. Fifty were executed by the Gestapo. This book is dedicated to them.