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They Have Their Exits: The Best-Selling Escape Memoir of World War Two
The Author, who as a senior member of Mrs. Thatcher's Government was tragically assassinated by the IRA, had the most distinguished of war records.
Wounded and taken prisoner in the desperate fighting at Calais in 1940, he became a compulsive escaper and the first one of the very few to make a 'home-run' from Colditz Castle. Thereafter he rejoined the fighting serving in France and Holland before becoming a member of the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremburg War Crimes trials. There he was to meet the most notorious members of the Nazi hierarchy as they faced justice and, in many cases, death.
For the quality of its writing and the breadth of its author's experiences, They Have Their Exits is arguably the finest memoir to emerge from the Second World War, and one for which the sobriquet 'classic' seems wholly inadequate.
Wounded and taken prisoner in the desperate fighting at Calais in 1940, he became a compulsive escaper and the first one of the very few to make a 'home-run' from Colditz Castle. Thereafter he rejoined the fighting serving in France and Holland before becoming a member of the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremburg War Crimes trials. There he was to meet the most notorious members of the Nazi hierarchy as they faced justice and, in many cases, death.
For the quality of its writing and the breadth of its author's experiences, They Have Their Exits is arguably the finest memoir to emerge from the Second World War, and one for which the sobriquet 'classic' seems wholly inadequate.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1955
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
June 7, 2022
This is one of the better Prisoner-of-War memoirs I have read. Neave's story is well told and in very good detail that does not overpower the story, and being published just a few years after the war makes it even more authentic. Airey Neave was one of the first two prisoners to escape from the infamous Colditz Castle and make a home run via Switzerland. His story really starts when he is captured at the fall of Calais in 1940, and his mind almost immediately turns to escaping. He almost made it during his first escape attempt from occupied Poland and was apprehended by German border guards at the frontier with the Soviets. Then he gets moved to Colditz where these master escapers have perfected the art of breaking out with ingenious ways. It is interesting to see how these men almost made escaping and annoying the guards into a school game and how they evolved their methods. After reaching Swtizerland Neave and his companions still had to cross Vichy France and Francoist Spain to reach Gibraltar and these had their own perils. After reaching England he joined MI9 and helped other Allied servicemen reach friendly lines. As an added bonus to this book, he was heavily involved in the Nuremburg Trials of top Nazi officials and gives great insight into the last days of these men. Highly recommended reading!!
December 18, 2016
A really good memoir of World War Two on how a POW British soldier was able to escape with the help of the French Resistance. Later, Airey Neave got his revenge by serving after the war as a member of the Nuremburg War Crimes Tribunal.
A fantastic read.
A fantastic read.
November 19, 2011
A world long gone! It's so interesting to get a glimpse into it. We owe them so much.
As a story teller what I noticed was that good times are passed over in a sentence such as we spent three comfortable well-fed weeks in the hotel before moving on, while tense moments, such as hiding in a 'safe' house waiting for resistance fighters to help them along the path to freedom, heighten the senses so that a liftime seems to be lived in a minute and the spots on a woman's dress, the texture of an egg, all these tiny details are invested with significance when you may die at any moment.
As a story teller what I noticed was that good times are passed over in a sentence such as we spent three comfortable well-fed weeks in the hotel before moving on, while tense moments, such as hiding in a 'safe' house waiting for resistance fighters to help them along the path to freedom, heighten the senses so that a liftime seems to be lived in a minute and the spots on a woman's dress, the texture of an egg, all these tiny details are invested with significance when you may die at any moment.
June 10, 2019
Airey Neave provides a fascinating account of his adventures in the Second World War: his service in the army, being captured in the Dunkirk campaign, his escape from a prisoner of war camp and recapture, and his eventual successful escape from the notorious Colditz castle; combined with his role in the post-War war crimes trials, which brought him into direct contact with Nazi leaders being tried at Nuremburg. This provides a good supplement to anyone's study of the Second World War, adding the colour of the individual's experience. We follow Neave through the adventure of escape, and the risk of recapture; and we are confronted with the uniquely personal portraits of the Nazi leaders.
Knowing something of Neave's role in the later half of the War, their is a surprising gap in the memoirs. Neave was a key figure in a less-known British secret organisation known as MI9 which worked with the Resistance in Europe to facilitate the exfiltration of downed airmen and escaped prisoners of war. Presumably at the time They Have Their Exits was written, much of this story was still secret. Only much later did Neave write Saturday at M.I.9 .
Knowing something of Neave's role in the later half of the War, their is a surprising gap in the memoirs. Neave was a key figure in a less-known British secret organisation known as MI9 which worked with the Resistance in Europe to facilitate the exfiltration of downed airmen and escaped prisoners of war. Presumably at the time They Have Their Exits was written, much of this story was still secret. Only much later did Neave write Saturday at M.I.9 .
August 24, 2025
Long before he became a senior member of Thatcher’s Government and his subsequent assassination by the IRA, Airey Neave had a distinguished war record. Taken prisoner in 1940, he made several escape attempts and was one of the few British prisoners to successfully make a ‘home-run’ from Colditz Castle.
This book has been on my to-read shelf for seven years, so I’m delighted to finally mark it off my list. They Have Their Exits is a very readable account of Neave’s time at Colditz where he was involved in several escape attempts, including a failed one of his own. However, when he did make a successful break along with another soldier, the route took him through France, Switzerland and Spain, and threw him and his fellow escaper into many difficult situations where they risked being recaptured. The book goes on to relate Neave’s part as a member of the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremburg War Crimes trials, where he encountered the likes of Herman Goring and Rudolf Hess.
Aside from way too many exclamation marks, this is a fascinating account of a challenging and dangerous escape from one of World War Two’s most infamous prisons.
This book has been on my to-read shelf for seven years, so I’m delighted to finally mark it off my list. They Have Their Exits is a very readable account of Neave’s time at Colditz where he was involved in several escape attempts, including a failed one of his own. However, when he did make a successful break along with another soldier, the route took him through France, Switzerland and Spain, and threw him and his fellow escaper into many difficult situations where they risked being recaptured. The book goes on to relate Neave’s part as a member of the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremburg War Crimes trials, where he encountered the likes of Herman Goring and Rudolf Hess.
Aside from way too many exclamation marks, this is a fascinating account of a challenging and dangerous escape from one of World War Two’s most infamous prisons.
January 22, 2020
This book really hit the spot with me. Author Airey Neave was an English soldier taken prisoner by the Germans at Calais early in the war and committed to a POW camp in Poland. He vividly describes his journey across the country and the derogatory remarks made to him by spectators and guards about England. He was a committed escaper and after an unsuccessful attempt was placed in the 'bad boys' prison of Colditz Caste and became one of the few to successfully escape and get back to England. After the end of hostilities, he went back to his pre-war occupation of the law and was appointed to the War Crimes Commission where the victorious powers tried and convicted the Nazi leadership who had been responsible of such horrendous crimes against humanity. He revisited his journey from Calais to Poland and his description of the countryside and the people is fascinating as well as his recollection of the Nazis he interviewed in their cells prior to facing trial. A very interesting book and a great piece of history.
November 2, 2017
I'd started this book thinking that it would be primarily about Neave's account of escaping from Colditz. While the escape did comprise the main part of the book, getting out of Colditz turned out to just be the start of the journey. The account is told simply from Neave's viewpoint and makes for an exciting yarn in the "Boy's own" tradition but he's also not much given to introspection or getting into the minds of those around him. It's great fun to read, but I can't see myself wanting to go back to it.
May 15, 2018
Exits.
The book says it all about the determination of Airey Neave and his comrades to escape as POW during the Second World War under the Nazi regime and his eventual escape. On reading my thoughts kept on returning to how the scourge Naziasm was ever forgiven or forgotten. But of course that is another story and a lesson in history I suppose.
A good read
The book says it all about the determination of Airey Neave and his comrades to escape as POW during the Second World War under the Nazi regime and his eventual escape. On reading my thoughts kept on returning to how the scourge Naziasm was ever forgiven or forgotten. But of course that is another story and a lesson in history I suppose.
A good read
September 7, 2023
From the time of his capture, when Dunkirk was overrun, to the Nazi trials in Nuremberg this is a personal story, told personally and told well, by a well-schooled, well-versed individual. The courage and the tenacity of the man is apparent, along with his compassion for others.
He gives us an understanding of the mindsets and emotions of the PoW. This is a great read.
He gives us an understanding of the mindsets and emotions of the PoW. This is a great read.
October 14, 2025
Airey Neave attempted three escapes from captivity and finally succeeded. He was then involved in helping others escape before finally being involved in the Nuremburg Trials at the end of the War.
Airey superbly weaves the different parts of this story into an arc while concentrating on his escape story. An easy read and it would be difficult to better as a WWII escape story
Airey superbly weaves the different parts of this story into an arc while concentrating on his escape story. An easy read and it would be difficult to better as a WWII escape story
May 12, 2017
A great read by a true hero
At the end I was reminded what a loss his death at the hands of low life was. He fought and eventually died serving his country. I thoroughly recommend this book.
At the end I was reminded what a loss his death at the hands of low life was. He fought and eventually died serving his country. I thoroughly recommend this book.
September 29, 2018
An enlightening, disturbing vital book.
I believe this book should be compulsory reading in all Western world educational systems. "lest we forget" and as is evident today "forget we do"
I believe this book should be compulsory reading in all Western world educational systems. "lest we forget" and as is evident today "forget we do"
April 24, 2019
Personal drive and perseverance throughout war
Interesting personal account of the mindset of prisoner of war escapees.... Indominatable optimism despite repeated failures. Satisfying, but sad, opportunity for closure.
Interesting personal account of the mindset of prisoner of war escapees.... Indominatable optimism despite repeated failures. Satisfying, but sad, opportunity for closure.
January 1, 2023
This was interesting to read as my uncle was the one who escaped with the author. I had hoped for more about him but of course once they escaped they went their separate ways. I wonder if they maintained contact?
May 11, 2024
Couldn't read more than 10% of this book. The massive amount of military jargon and abbreviations, plus its failure to explain the location of obscure sites and towns made it impossible to understand.
October 15, 2024
A remarkable man with an even more remarkable story. First man to escape from Colditz and served the indictment to Goering at Nuremberg. Heavily involved in organising the Resistance in between. Not necessarily the most elegant of storytellers, but definitely a terrific read.
September 11, 2025
A quality book but a difficult read.
Written in almost old English (think Shakespeare) I often found myself looking up words or phrases. Moves from one stage to another with much assumed by the reader.
Written in almost old English (think Shakespeare) I often found myself looking up words or phrases. Moves from one stage to another with much assumed by the reader.
April 4, 2018
Great read
The author grips you from the outset in his intense journey to freedom and justice. Would highly recommend this book to all.
The author grips you from the outset in his intense journey to freedom and justice. Would highly recommend this book to all.
March 3, 2019
Great escape story good read well writtentd
Excellent war escape tale that was true. Very detailed and suspenseful true account of a horrible time in history
I
Excellent war escape tale that was true. Very detailed and suspenseful true account of a horrible time in history
I
June 4, 2023
My expectations were high - Airey Neave was a legend - but they were not met by this book. It was just OK.
June 1, 2024
Undoubtedly one of the best war memoirs written.
Written with clarity, honesty and humour.
Quite simply a remarkable man who lived a remarkable life.
Written with clarity, honesty and humour.
Quite simply a remarkable man who lived a remarkable life.
August 20, 2019
I didn't think this was brilliantly written, but it's a good story! As someone interested in Colditz, it was particularly interesting to hear about how they got back to the UK having reached Switzerland, which was not entirely straightforward.
June 3, 2014
Airey Neave is probably best remembered as the Conservative MP killed by an IRA bomb as he drove out of the car park at the Houses of Parliament. But before he moved into politics, Neave had an eventful war.
Wounded and captured during the Battle of France in 1940, Neave was interned in a prisoner of war camp in Poland. Almost immediately, he began plotting to escape, successfully breaking out with a partner three months after arriving in the camp. His taste of freedom was sweet but brief, though, as the Germans recaptured the pair as they attempted to enter the Soviet zone of Poland.
As a POW with one escape under his belt, Neave was sent to Colditz or, as he calls it, the Bad Boys' Camp. On his second attempt, Neave escaped from the castle with a new escape partner. In doing so, he became the first British officer to make it back to England from Colditz.
Neave is an engaging character, who doesn't stand on ceremony with his writing. His style is straightforward but of its time, which gives his memoirs a certain charm. He never portrays himself as anything other than an ordinary soldier trying to stick it to the Germans by escaping. On a number of occasions, he credits the success of various ruses to his escape partner, rather than himself. And along the way, he meets up with some colourful characters, both inside and outside the camps.
Most of the book is taken up with his internment and various escape attempts, but he also had a front row seat to the Nuremberg trials, reading indictments to the surviving German leaders. Neave was also heavily involved in MI9, the wartime department that tried to help Allied servicemen escape from occupied Europe, but he leaves most of that out of this novel, covering it instead in Saturday at M.I.9: The Classic Account of the Ww2 Allied Escape Organisation.
If tales of escape are your thing, this is one to read as you get the story straight from the horse's mouth. It might have been more flamboyant or exciting as a novel, but you never forget that the man writing this is telling his own story. And what a story it is.
Wounded and captured during the Battle of France in 1940, Neave was interned in a prisoner of war camp in Poland. Almost immediately, he began plotting to escape, successfully breaking out with a partner three months after arriving in the camp. His taste of freedom was sweet but brief, though, as the Germans recaptured the pair as they attempted to enter the Soviet zone of Poland.
As a POW with one escape under his belt, Neave was sent to Colditz or, as he calls it, the Bad Boys' Camp. On his second attempt, Neave escaped from the castle with a new escape partner. In doing so, he became the first British officer to make it back to England from Colditz.
Neave is an engaging character, who doesn't stand on ceremony with his writing. His style is straightforward but of its time, which gives his memoirs a certain charm. He never portrays himself as anything other than an ordinary soldier trying to stick it to the Germans by escaping. On a number of occasions, he credits the success of various ruses to his escape partner, rather than himself. And along the way, he meets up with some colourful characters, both inside and outside the camps.
Most of the book is taken up with his internment and various escape attempts, but he also had a front row seat to the Nuremberg trials, reading indictments to the surviving German leaders. Neave was also heavily involved in MI9, the wartime department that tried to help Allied servicemen escape from occupied Europe, but he leaves most of that out of this novel, covering it instead in Saturday at M.I.9: The Classic Account of the Ww2 Allied Escape Organisation.
If tales of escape are your thing, this is one to read as you get the story straight from the horse's mouth. It might have been more flamboyant or exciting as a novel, but you never forget that the man writing this is telling his own story. And what a story it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 26, 2025
"They Have Their Exits" by Airey Neave is an enthralling memoir that draws from the authors experiences during World War II.
It recounts his time as a soldier, his capture at the fall of Calais and then his time as a prisoner of war. This includes many escape attempts including his successful escape from Colditz.
It serves as a reminder of the human spirit's capacity to endure and overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
After the war he served with the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremberg trials, and later became a Conservative MP.
Airey Neave’s life was tragically cut short by an IRA car bomb in 1979.
Highly recommended.
It recounts his time as a soldier, his capture at the fall of Calais and then his time as a prisoner of war. This includes many escape attempts including his successful escape from Colditz.
It serves as a reminder of the human spirit's capacity to endure and overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
After the war he served with the International Military Tribunal at the Nuremberg trials, and later became a Conservative MP.
Airey Neave’s life was tragically cut short by an IRA car bomb in 1979.
Highly recommended.
January 30, 2016
An interesting detail of a POW experience during WWII. It almost seemed like a real life version of Hogan's Heroes. While the escape narrative was quite engaging, the post escape narrative was almost anticlimactic in comparison to the beginning of the book.
June 20, 2008
The account of Airey Neave's stay in and escape from Colditz - the first British officer to get home. Fascinating to read.
Read
April 21, 2017The author's escape from two German prison camps during WarII [WWII]. His work with the underground and his part in the war criminal's trials. Excellent reading.
(reviewed 5/11/67)
(reviewed 5/11/67)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews