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Moonless Night: The Second World War Escape Epic
From the moment he was shot down to the final whistle, Jimmy James' one aim as a POW of the Germans was to escape.
The Great Escaper describes his experiences and those of his fellow prisoners in the most gripping and thrilling manner. The author made more than 12 escape attempts including his participation in The Great Escape, where 50 of the 76 escapees were executed in cold blood on Hitler's orders.
On re-capture, James was sent to the infamous Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp where, undeterred, he tunneled out. That was not the end of his remarkable story.
Moonless Night has strong claim to be the finest escape story of the Second World War.
The Great Escaper describes his experiences and those of his fellow prisoners in the most gripping and thrilling manner. The author made more than 12 escape attempts including his participation in The Great Escape, where 50 of the 76 escapees were executed in cold blood on Hitler's orders.
On re-capture, James was sent to the infamous Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp where, undeterred, he tunneled out. That was not the end of his remarkable story.
Moonless Night has strong claim to be the finest escape story of the Second World War.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
23 people are currently reading
115 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 9, 2023
Another great book from one of the Great Escapers detailing not only his daring exploits, but also others that were with him in the different POW camps. The author was shot down in June 1940 and only got his freedom at the end of the war in Europe, and only his time as a POW is covered in the pages. The author had a very busy time as a prisoner and attempted many escapes during this time. He describes these events in great detail with a lot of the thinking that went into these crazy plans of them to get out, even though they knew the chances of them reaching friendly territory were slim.
The part about the Great Escape is only covered in a few chapters, after which he was one of the fortunate prisoners not executed, yet he was sent to Sachsenhausen concentration camp along with three other escapees. Here they escaped again from a place the Nazi's deemed inescapable, but were caught again soon after and went to a succession of other concentration camps before going to South Tyrol along with the Prominenten prisoners that the Nazi's held that included a few Germans. The book is filled with suspense as the prisoners believe that they will be executed and just live from day to day and try to make the most of their time on what they believed were death-row.
James captures what it was like to be a prisoner during the war beautifully and this is one of the better escapee books I have read. Have also read 'Wings' Day by Sydney Smith which is also good and almost follows the same path as these two men were in camps together most of the time. Highly recommended World War 2 POW book.
The part about the Great Escape is only covered in a few chapters, after which he was one of the fortunate prisoners not executed, yet he was sent to Sachsenhausen concentration camp along with three other escapees. Here they escaped again from a place the Nazi's deemed inescapable, but were caught again soon after and went to a succession of other concentration camps before going to South Tyrol along with the Prominenten prisoners that the Nazi's held that included a few Germans. The book is filled with suspense as the prisoners believe that they will be executed and just live from day to day and try to make the most of their time on what they believed were death-row.
James captures what it was like to be a prisoner during the war beautifully and this is one of the better escapee books I have read. Have also read 'Wings' Day by Sydney Smith which is also good and almost follows the same path as these two men were in camps together most of the time. Highly recommended World War 2 POW book.
June 6, 2019
Absolutely epic! The style of writing pulled me in so well and I'm flabbergasted at all the effort the men put into the Great Escape. It was also interesting to read about how the author met many famous Germans in the camps, who were not Nazi's. Overall the author's presentation of the events and his mindset helped him through rough years. You can tell at the end of the book he held no bitterness toward what had happened.
April 17, 2021
My wife met Jimmy on several occasions. Her colleagues took him back to the camp for a visit, some years before he died. She said he was charming, with a wicked sense of humour. Very humble and very kind. He helped out as father Christmas in the town of Ludlow for many years. He cared for his wife Madge who had dementia. Their only son died many years previously.
He was a special person who will long be remembered.
He was a special person who will long be remembered.
June 7, 2018
This is one of the best books I have ever read. Would read it time and time again.
September 18, 2025
It was a good book, but not my cup of tea. I have realised that I don't really like biographies
September 29, 2021
I found the author’s writing style a bit challenging at times, but then again he wasn’t a trained, professional writer. That point notwithstanding, this is an amazing, at times horrific, accounting of his (and others’) life in the concentration camps. The horrors and atrocities that were so commonplace in the concentration camps were difficult to read about, but must never be forgotten. Only humans can treat their own kind so terribly!
* Every anti-masker and anti-vaxxer who snivels about their rights and freedoms in the age of COVID-19 should read this book to gain a bit of perspective.
* Every anti-masker and anti-vaxxer who snivels about their rights and freedoms in the age of COVID-19 should read this book to gain a bit of perspective.
November 30, 2022
3.5 stars. Not bad for a non-writer writing his memoir of being in WWII prisoner-of-war camps. I picked this up because I saw that the author was one of the men involved in "the Great Escape", on which the Steve McQueen movie is based. I'm kind of "over" Holocaust stories, but hoped that this would be a little bit more like "Let's make things as difficult as possible for those Nazis!" instead of the Schindler's List variety of misery. There were some of those hijinks in the beginning of the book, when the men were plotting various escapes and generally making a nuisance of themselves, but this did eventually turn into a depressing book of bleak prison life.
The actual "great escape" happened about 50% through the book, and then the rest is the author's time in worse and worse prison camps. He ended up in a compound next to an extermination camp, where thousands of prisoners were being "liquidated". So, while I was trying to avoid it, this did end up being a book about the horrors of the Holocaust. There were definitely some new-to-me details about who was being executed, and the means in which people were tortured and/or murdered (not just shot or gassed).
I will say that the writing style of this book can be a bit....stiff? Dry? Matter-of-fact? It's very much a chronology of what happened. This happened, then this happened, then this happened, etc. People are introduced quickly with a name, rank, and maybe a little background detail about them...but you don't really get the *know* the individuals. Deaths are reported in the same way. This style did make it a little difficult to really sink into the story, but I managed. I laughed out out during some of the earlier antics, and I even got a little teary-eyed during the part where the author and others learn that Hitler had ordered 50 of their fellow escapees shot instead of returned to a prison camp. That was a gut punch, even though I already knew it had happened. So, despite the writing style, this book did manage to deliver a few emotional ups and downs.
I think if you're not typically a non-fiction reader, this might not be the best book to read if you want a page turning "narrative non-fiction" escape story. I think I'm going to go read the actual book that the film based on (The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill), or perhaps The Escape Artists: A Band of Daredevil Pilots and the Greatest Prison Break of the Great War by Neal Bascomb, even though that one is about a different escape.
The actual "great escape" happened about 50% through the book, and then the rest is the author's time in worse and worse prison camps. He ended up in a compound next to an extermination camp, where thousands of prisoners were being "liquidated". So, while I was trying to avoid it, this did end up being a book about the horrors of the Holocaust. There were definitely some new-to-me details about who was being executed, and the means in which people were tortured and/or murdered (not just shot or gassed).
I will say that the writing style of this book can be a bit....stiff? Dry? Matter-of-fact? It's very much a chronology of what happened. This happened, then this happened, then this happened, etc. People are introduced quickly with a name, rank, and maybe a little background detail about them...but you don't really get the *know* the individuals. Deaths are reported in the same way. This style did make it a little difficult to really sink into the story, but I managed. I laughed out out during some of the earlier antics, and I even got a little teary-eyed during the part where the author and others learn that Hitler had ordered 50 of their fellow escapees shot instead of returned to a prison camp. That was a gut punch, even though I already knew it had happened. So, despite the writing style, this book did manage to deliver a few emotional ups and downs.
I think if you're not typically a non-fiction reader, this might not be the best book to read if you want a page turning "narrative non-fiction" escape story. I think I'm going to go read the actual book that the film based on (The Great Escape by Paul Brickhill), or perhaps The Escape Artists: A Band of Daredevil Pilots and the Greatest Prison Break of the Great War by Neal Bascomb, even though that one is about a different escape.
October 6, 2019
I don't do book reviews like you keep seeing, as I find that some give too much of the plot away and I personally hate that, as it makes the book not worth reading. I much prefer to take the authors back cover write up as a review as it can either intrigue you enough to read the book of provide you enough information to make you decide that the book is not for you.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
My review rules are: The more stars, the more I liked it.
If there are too many typos or errors the less stars I give
If the storyline or plot is poor or contains too many errors, the characters are too weak, the ending lacking something, then the less stars I give.
Simple, uncomplicated and to the point without giving anything away.
Some of the books I read have been given to me by the author as a pre-release copy and this does not bias my reviews in any way.
November 11, 2021
This is the first WW history book I’ve read in a while, so I may adjust this score later.
What an amazing, sobering and heartbreaking journey. James and his fellow soldiers courage and companionship are an inspiration in an era of independence and self centredness
That being said, the book is very much told chronologically which at times can break the flow and energy… but that’s not to take away from the story as a whole!
My Scale
5 - Flawless masterpiece or personal favourite
4 - read of the year material or exceptional enjoyment
3 - Enjoyable and recommendable
2 - Good/Adequate - most books probably belong here
1 - Finishable but a struggle
DNF - because we should abandon books that aren’t worth it!!
What an amazing, sobering and heartbreaking journey. James and his fellow soldiers courage and companionship are an inspiration in an era of independence and self centredness
That being said, the book is very much told chronologically which at times can break the flow and energy… but that’s not to take away from the story as a whole!
My Scale
5 - Flawless masterpiece or personal favourite
4 - read of the year material or exceptional enjoyment
3 - Enjoyable and recommendable
2 - Good/Adequate - most books probably belong here
1 - Finishable but a struggle
DNF - because we should abandon books that aren’t worth it!!
August 13, 2022
A remarkable true story of a RAF pilot who was shot down over Holland in 1940 and spent five years as a POW in nine different German camps. He attempted 13 different escapes, the most famous (and the most tragic) from Stalag Luft III, which was dramatized in the popular movie The Great Escape (1963). For those familiar with the movie, James was responsible for dispersing the soil from the tunnel nicknamed "Harry."
The first half of this prison memoir is a bit plodding and not as lighthearted and thrilling as the movie, but the second half turns into a harrowing survival epic. James is a humble, laconic narrator, and his story is truly amazing. It's a much more somber and realistic portrayal of the prisoner of war experience than the movie.
Surprisingly, James didn't publish this POW memoir until 1982, four decades later, long after the movie's success. He died in 2008 at age 92.
The first half of this prison memoir is a bit plodding and not as lighthearted and thrilling as the movie, but the second half turns into a harrowing survival epic. James is a humble, laconic narrator, and his story is truly amazing. It's a much more somber and realistic portrayal of the prisoner of war experience than the movie.
Surprisingly, James didn't publish this POW memoir until 1982, four decades later, long after the movie's success. He died in 2008 at age 92.
April 28, 2019
Every time I read about WWII POWs I am inspired by their ingenuity and in awe of the awful conditions that they had to endure and this book is no exception. James spent 5 years enduring Nazi hospitality and was extremely lucky not to be on the death list following the great escape especially as he was a serial escapologist. I thoroughly recommend this well written account of the Great Escape and the life of a POW.
October 14, 2018
Five stars
I have read most every ww2 POW book and this is one of the best first person escape stories written. It is one of the few books I will keep and read again. Well written, and explained.
I have read most every ww2 POW book and this is one of the best first person escape stories written. It is one of the few books I will keep and read again. Well written, and explained.
November 28, 2021
Very informative
This is more than one man's account of his war experience. The book introduces many other individuals with both their interactions with the author and background story detailed. One of the more interesting WW2 books of this genre. What a brave group of people.
This is more than one man's account of his war experience. The book introduces many other individuals with both their interactions with the author and background story detailed. One of the more interesting WW2 books of this genre. What a brave group of people.
September 4, 2019
Great war story and the countless escapes from the worst German concentration camps. So gutsy and stoic.
September 26, 2012
Shot down over German-occupied Holland, "Jimmy" James was captured and initially sent to a Luftwaffe run POW camp. No comparison to the concentration camps, “Goring had a chivalrous feeling for his ‘fellow flyers’ and was able to get the best for the prisoner of camps run by the Luftwaffe." Conditions were actually very good. Airmen for various Allied countries pulled together their talents to create a community that included theatre productions, an orchestra, and an education program known as the "barbed wire university." But, when you lock up soldiers, who are in the prime of their life and are dedicated to the cause they were fighting, the war still continues. There was a constant obsession with escape. “This is an operational war, Roger. It isn’t just a question of getting a few people home, because very few will make it. It’s just as important to make trouble for the Germans, and if we only get half the planned number out it certainly do that.” Organizing themselves into an escape committee responsible for approving all escpae plans, engineers were responsible for designing tunnels and developing air pumps, artists began creating false documents, and tailors made clothing. The author, "Jimmy" James was part of twelve different escape attempts, including what became known as the "Great Escape, which was an effort of 600 volunteers digging a 365 foot tunnel by removing 80 tons of dirt over a year's time. During the Great Escape 76 POW's fled the camp. However, this marked a turn in the attitude of the Nazis towards these attemps. While at first they were seen as amusing, even offering gifts for particularly heroic attempts, when the group was caught 50 were executed and three were sent to Concentration Camps. James was sent to Sachsenhausen, where he attemped one more attempt, using only a kitchen knife. Fortunately, three successfully made it home.
This is one of the best WWII memoirs I've read. You aren't going to find poetic writing, but you will be reminded of sititng on a porch while the author regales you with tales of an heroic era. You almost expect James to say, "Oh yeah....I forgot about the time..." The comradery of the men is evident. James is objective in hiis view of those around him, often pointing out guards who were, yes, kind. Some of the stories are laugh out loud funny. While the emphasis is on the tunneling escapes, some of the most brillaint are ones in which the prisoner simply walked out of camp. Some of the stories are heart-breaking, particularly in relating the fate of the Russian POW's upon liberation, "“Such formalities cost tens of thousands of Russian lives at the time. Many of them Cossacks, who hated Communism, they committed suicide rather than return to the Soviet Union, and those were forced into cattle trucks at the point of bayonet were all executed on arrival.”
This is one of the best WWII memoirs I've read. You aren't going to find poetic writing, but you will be reminded of sititng on a porch while the author regales you with tales of an heroic era. You almost expect James to say, "Oh yeah....I forgot about the time..." The comradery of the men is evident. James is objective in hiis view of those around him, often pointing out guards who were, yes, kind. Some of the stories are laugh out loud funny. While the emphasis is on the tunneling escapes, some of the most brillaint are ones in which the prisoner simply walked out of camp. Some of the stories are heart-breaking, particularly in relating the fate of the Russian POW's upon liberation, "“Such formalities cost tens of thousands of Russian lives at the time. Many of them Cossacks, who hated Communism, they committed suicide rather than return to the Soviet Union, and those were forced into cattle trucks at the point of bayonet were all executed on arrival.”
April 19, 2016
Fantastic story of Jimmy James a RAF pilot who was one of those involved in the Great Escape. The murder of 50 escapees did not deter him from trying to escape again at Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp. His positive approach to every situation and his ability to maintain calm, logic and humour in the face of danger are the driving force in story. This was recommended by my tour guide at Sachsenhausen and I've now read twice since Christmas.
August 17, 2013
This book tells a story that needs to be told. It was fascinating and both easy to read and very hard to read because of the information included about Nazi treatment of humans of all varieties in concentration camps.
September 7, 2015
When I started the book I thought there will be some interesting details on how the author repeatedly fled from Nazi camps. I was disappointed, the book is more like a historical account of the Nazi camps and his endeavour to flee.
January 5, 2010
One of the very best POW/escape memoirs of World War 2
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews