Escape from Alcatraz: The Mystery of the Three Men Who Escaped from the Rock

by Eric Braun

What's more exciting than a prison break? Frank Morris and John and Clarence Anglin escaped from Alcatraz in 1962 and have never been caught. Many authorities are certain they died crossing San Francisco Bay. Relatives claim they made it to Brazil. The theories of what happened to them are endless. Find out the facts from people who dealt with the men and the case first-hand. This is one mystery you'll definitely want to solve.

Genres: Nonfiction, True Crime, History, Childrens, Audiobook, Middle Grade, Historical

113 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick fun read about the infamous escape from Alcatraz. Not a whole lot of new information here as this story has been told and told again. It was interesting to read about the different theories on whether or not the three guys actually made it. I choose to believe they did in fact make it. Alcatraz history will always be intriguing and I look forward to reading more about it in the future.

[Hunter Satterfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

My teenager asked a few weeks ago about the "prison on the island" on our way to baseball practice. Having been to Alcatraz myself and having seen the Clint Eastwood movie several times I mentioned to all of my sons that there were three men that escaped from it before it was shut down. Naturally that led to tons of questions about the escape from the curious. Of course each time I answered a question broadly the questions got more specific so when I got home I logged on hoping there was a book for kids about the escape. And I found this gem.

It's an excellent middle grade introduction to the narrative non-fiction style. This is perfect for my two oldest sons who love history and they both read the book cover to cover. It is well written and a captivating synopsis of the story. It stays high level, but covers the background on the prisoners, the planning for the escape, the escape itself, and the aftermath including the theories on what happened to the men. It also has many pages of pictures of the men, their tools of escape, and the jail itself. It really is a great book for kids who are interested in history. Highly recommended for middle grade readers and up.

[SIMON J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING book. Can not believe that they made a hole in 8in. of concrete with the back of a spoon!

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I visited Alcatraz a number of years ago and loved it. It was my favorite part of our trip to San Francisco. I couldn't help but be drawn to this intriguing story.

I suppose any book like this is frustrating because there is no conclusion. We'll probably never know what happened to those guys.

I believe this book is perfectly written for kids. It was informative in an accessible way. I felt like I got plenty of information about the escape. I don't feel the need to explore deeper. Sometimes when I read jr-non I feel the need to get more info from adult non-fiction. Not so with this guy.

Recommended for people wanting a brief, but well written overview of this famous escape.

[Avery]

I have read this 2 more times while I teach it to my students, so it gets to count as a book I read this year.

It’s fine, it’s for kids. It’s fun to read aloud and emphasize the mystery.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Escape from Alcatraz is about the escape of prisoners from the horrible jail and island of Alcatraz. It walks you through their plan and how they escaped. This was a great book to me because one of my bucket list items is to visit Alcatraz someday!

[Jerry Jares · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating story without a solution. The writer gives all the known facts and then offers several possible explanations. However, the author leaves it up to the reader to decide. Did three men escape Alcatraz or not?

Although this book was written for 9 to 12-year-olds, adults will love this book too. The photos of the Alcatraz prison and escape routes add much to the entertainment value of this book. I couldn't put this book down until I finished it. There are so many possible solutions that it is an excellent springboard to discussion.

If the three prisoners of Alcatraz escaped, they were uniquely talented at escaping from prisons. They were assigned to Alcatraz because of their penchant for escaping from other maximum prisons. Frank Morris was notorious for running multiple times. The Anglin brothers, JW and Clarence, were also prison escapees assigned to Alcatraz. The thought was that the prisoners would remain intact in Alcatraz (on an island surrounded by water). Alcatraz was famous because no one had escaped this famous prison. There had been many attempts but no successes.

There was a fourth potential escapee: Allen West. He was on his second term at Alcatraz. The author states that Allen was the key to the escape because he'd been at Alcatraz since 1957 and worked maintenance jobs. While doing various jobs, he could case the facility for his cohorts and collect or create tools.

In this short book, the author introduces all the characters and how they got to Alcatraz. Then, he explains their plan and how they implemented it (parts of it were brilliant). Unfortunately, an unexpected problem at the last minute caused Allen West to remain behind. Finally, the author has investigated many ideas offered to prove or disprove that the men survived and escaped.

Finally, a glossary of terms (used in the book) and questions to spark discussions about the material are included. Thought-provoking.

[American Mensa · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Long dashed over to Morris’s cell and pulled the covers off …. He was gone, too!" This was an incredible way to start the book. This caught my attention immediately. The quote intrigued me and made me want to turn the page.
In 1962 Clarence Anglin, J.W. Anglin and Frank Morris escaped from Alcatraz, also known as The Rock. The Rock was “impossible to escape” so, Clarence Anglin, J.W. Anglin and Frank Morris decided to try for themselves. This escape plan includes stolen and handmade tools, dummy heads, handmade wooden paddles, homemade life jackets and a homemade boat. The inmates carved out the vents in their cells with the handmade tools. This was how they escaped. The dummy heads were made out of soap and human hair.
A man named Allen West was supposed to escape with the rest of the inmates but, his vent got stuck at the last second. Clarence Anglin, J.W. Anglin and Frank Morris left without him but left behind a life jacket, one of the wooden paddles and part of the boat. Allen West’s vent did come out but by that time it was already too late. Clarence, J.W. and Frank left without him. Allen didn’t think he could get off of The Rock alone so he didn’t leave. When he went back to his cell and he left his dummy head in there.
I recommend this book for 8-12 because it was a very interesting book that I think almost everyone would like. This book was a really good read.
Giovanna P., 11, Connecticut/Western Massachusetts Mensa

[Forgetfulone · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know too much about Alcatraz before reading this book, only that some men had tried to escape and the prison closed shortly thereafter. That was the extent of my knowledge. I originally purchased this book for my classroom thinking it would appeal to a lot of my boys. After reading it, I would also say it might be appealing to girls. It was a very interesting story.

I love how the author explained a bit of history of the three men and what led them to being in prison at Alcatraz. He didn't include so much that it was boring. It was actually necessary. This shed some light on their personalities and their abilities as it relates to their escape plan. Braun also went in to great detail about the escape plan, how they procured supplies, and how they planned for every contingency. He also discussed several scenarios that could explain what happened to the three men who escaped "The Rock."

Photographs that help the reader visualize parts of the prison and parts of the plan are also included. This was a very informative yet easy-to-read book. My son has said for a long time he would like to visit Alcatraz, and I think I do, too, now that I know more about what happened.

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about 3 men who escaped from a prison that was thought of as inescapable. This book leads you through the steps that they had to take in order to escape the Rock. It is told through the eyes of the eyewitnesses. Some of the people who tell the story, tell you through experience and some tell you through rumors or a conversation they had with one of the escapees. These men are escape artist and can get out of pretty much anywhere if they are very cautious. They made their escape and got away from the island. They had every detail planned out to the last step they took.

I recommend this book for anyone who likes mystery and investigation books. This book is very entertaining. I really enjoyed the detail that was put into this book. Also, the different perspectives about the escape tell a lot about how it was possible that the men could execute it. I thought that this book was very mysterious and could make you feel anxious at times because when the guards come close to finding out about the escape, it makes you tense. This is a really great book and very educational. I hope you enjoy it!

[Elise Fedorenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading the book Escape from Alcatraz by Eric Braun. I found the subject matter very interesting since Alcatraz is so close to where we live. I like how the author used eyewitnesses to tell the story. I like how descriptive the eyewitnesses are, from describing everything in the jail cells to how the three prisoners escaped. I think the author could have used more detail at the end of the book where he told what happened after the escape. I want to know if the men made it through the ocean alive! The story begins with describing the horrible jail and then on to the prisoners in the jail. Through eyewitnesses, the reader learns specifically about the prisoners that were involved with the escape, and their lives before jail. Next, the eyewitnesses detail how the prisoners escaped and what they did. The book says that they made different tools with items around the jail. For example, they used raincoats to construct life preservers, and utensils from the cafeteria to dig away at the cell. The book says that on the night of the escape, one of the men had trouble and did not get to escape. When this happened, the other three men left his raft that they had made out of raincoats behind for him in case he figured out how to escape later. The other three men continued on to escape. First, they made it to the roof, and then out into the water. No one knows what happened to them after they escaped to the ocean. The ending of the book explains how they sent out search parties to try to find them. After ten years, they closed the case and no one knows what happened to the escapees. I would recommend this intriguing book to others. It was a great read!

[Dyllan Getz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very informative, and well written. I liked the flash back scenes, and how it was laid out. I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while because I am so interested in how these cons escaped Alcatraz. I still question whether or not they escaped, or drowned, but I have more information now, and can make my own theories. I know this is a true story about criminals that did terrible things, but I was somewhat torn between rooting for them, but also hating them at the same time. It blows my mind that they dug through concrete with regular spoons. I could not have the patience to do that, and the fact that they had this so cleverly planned out, and no one notices!? Like what!? But anyways I definitely liked this book, and it was super short, quick, and easy to read and follow.

4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Would recommend 👍🏼 Age rating: 10+ (tad bit of violence)

Happy reading!! 👮‍♀️🥄🌉🕵️🤫🪗🚣🛶

[Dominic · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main idea of my story is three men are trying to escape the rock(Alcatraz) the three men are named Morris, Clarence, Alfred.they have been planning this for a month that has collecting materials.such as drill bits haer pant paper cardboard wedges and other things.that have started to drill the concrete away from the vent in the cell. The vent went to an access chamber that could get them to the roof. So that is about halfway through the concrete. They has started to make there fake masks of their self to trick the guards. the guards went and did a random cell check that didn't see anything. That made the brake and they set out there fake masks and the fake vent. they started to climb out and got stuck on the top had reinforced concrete that couldn't drill through it they went back I the cell and moved everything back...That is as far as I got.

[Brady]

The book escape from alcatraz was an amazing book. This book taught me a lot of things that I did not know about the escape. The book kept me on my toes in most of the parts in the book. For example I really liked reading the part when they were planing the escape. They had to think of what they were going to do and actually make the plan affective. They had fake heads so it looked like they were sleeping but they were actually crawling through the vents while the guards were passing passing bye like nothing was wrong. They also made a boat out of old shirts, so they could get across the bay because they would not make it bye swimming because it would be too cold. To this day the world does not know where they are. They could of made it across or they could have not. If they were alive though they said the three of them would be around the age of 80.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is about 3 men who escaped from the rock. Frank Morris, John Anglin, and Clarence Anglin have a escaped from Alcatraz. First Frank looks all around soaking it in looking for an escape route. Then he finds a team, John and Clarence. They must make everything from scratch will the only things they can use are from the shop and what they can swipe.They must go through dangers without caught and they face other prisoners trying to do the same.

I think this book is just okay. I feel like it could of went a little more in depth. I would recommend this to people who are interested in history and for a short read. I think this book could of not had as many pictures or chapter background. I as well think they should of had a page that shows all the characters because there is a lot

[Diego]

This book is about three different men on a journey to escape Alcatraz since past crime in their life got them there so they plan,join and talk to others how to escape awhile not making them Suspicious once they escape there master plan investigating see how they escape with picture instead the books explain.



I would rate this as a good book there isn’t any thing to really change about it. It explains every thing you would need to know about Alcatraz and the three people that escape from this prison

[Jessica Gallant · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason I thought this would be more like a novel, but it reads more of a documentary (although very interesting, regardless!). Alcatraz and the escape of the three men have fascinated me for some years now.
I find it amazing the determination of these men.
One of the men was put in Alcatraz for being one who easily escaped prisons but he was locked up for burglary. I may not know everything about these men, but it bothers me to death that they served such hard terms for "petty" crimes while child molesters and abusers walk free.
It's disturbing, the entire justice system.

[Cade Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite non-fiction books. It tells the story of the three men who did the impossible and escaped the rock. Although until the night of the escape it was meant to be four men. Allen West couldn't slip through the wall into the cell block. There was recently a pipe put in the way. After the three other inmates try to help him West tells them to leave him and go. The inmates definitely escaped but after they left the island it's a mystery of what happened to them.

[Trish Bahrenfuss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audiobook. It was a quick one. It was about two hours long. I visited Alcatraz with my family a few years ago. This is what interested me in reading the book. There are a few books about Alcatraz. This book focused on the 3 men who escaped and how they did it. I meant to add the audio was not top notch. There were long pauses in the middle of sentences sometimes. It was kind of strange.

[Tyler Hiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's some pictures that are cool to see that tell you some cool facts about what they used to escape and a whole lot more i think anybody reading this should pick this book up and read it. Yes the book is small and not very long but all the details about how they dug through walls and made there escape of Alcatraz Prison...

[Marilyn Grant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Escape from Alcatraz

I enjoyed reading the book, having visited the Island in 1977. It was quite an experience to see those cells and to examine solitary confinement. The book brought me back to that time. It was written well, but I can’t believe anyone escaping from that prison.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It was a great read for my elementary daughters. We read outloud to get ready for our trip to Alcatraz. I loved seeing their excitement and enthusiasm to read this book. They wanted to keep reading to see what happened and how they escaped. A great easy read for elementary students.

[Cole B-C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about three men’s trip to freedom from Alcatraz. They have to craft fake heads and build their own rafts and grates to escape the island and trick the guards.

I think this book is great. It is full of action and is very suspenseful. It put me on the edge of my seat the whole time and it has a great ending. It has a lot of real photographs.

[Kevin]

This book was about this man that went to jail because he was a jew and he made freinds that were in that jail and he planned with them to get out and planned because first time they got caught and then they planned agian just to get out with more people. I think it is a good book to to me because it was pretty skiled and gets better each page

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short non-fiction book about the three inmates who escaped from Alcatraz. Great for young readers ages 9-13. It covers all the intricacies of their plan for escape and everything authorities have done since to try to close the case. Fascinating, especially because we just don’t know what happened to these men.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely a lower reading level on this book which makes it good for middle school aged kids. Clean reading and not long. (The audio version of this book is pretty badly edited though. It pauses right in the middle of sentences so it sounds like a really exaggerated impersonation of William Shatner.
i.e. "West wasn't finished...[very long pause]...cleaning up top.")

[Noah Nelken · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty interesting book, and it actually taught me a lot about the Alcatraz Island. I liked this book because I think that it is written well. This is one of those books where I was assigned to read it, so I was basically dreading it. But I was surprisingly wrong. I think that this book is 3 stars because nonfiction is not my favorite genre, but it was not a bad book either.

[Shannon Minner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book with the basics of this Alcatraz escape. I would recommend it for a middle school library due to some vocabulary and brief mention of violence. I think it could be a good non-fiction companion to the Al Capone Does My...series by Gennifer Choldenko.

[Isabel Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. It was adventurous and dangerous. It kept me on the edge of my seat I loved it so much I couldn't stop reading. They do whatever than can to get out of prison. They were smart and kept a low key all the time.

[Oleg Moshneaga]

No story lives unless someone wants to listen. The stories we love best do live in us forever. So whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.