Monday, April 24, 2017

Escape from Siberia: The Long Walk

by Slavomir Rawicz

This book is recommended by Mater Amabilis for Level 4 (8th grade) geography. This was a new book to me, one I hadn't even heard of before.

It's the supposedly true story of an escape from a Siberian gulag by walking south through the Gobi Desert and over the Himalayan Mountains. Along the way, the escapees face thirst, hunger, injury, and despair. Not all of the companions survive the story.

It's quite likely this story is not exactly true. At one point, for example, he claims they saw Sasquatch. He also reports walking through the dessert without water for eight days but I imagine that is unlikely.

As a riveting tale of strength, courage, and the people of Tibet and Mongolia, however, it's amazing. First Son is going to love this book.

There is a brief respectful mention of a Roman Catholic priest in the gulag.