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The Grand Escape: The Greatest Prison Breakout of the 20th Century
Neal Bascomb, author of The Nazi Hunters , returns with a thrilling work of narrative nonfiction about a group of Allied POWs who staged an escape for the ages during World War I. ***Three starred reviews!*** Illustrated throughout with incredible photographs and published on the 100th anniversary of the Holzminden escape! At the height of World War I, as battles raged in the trenches and in the air, another struggle for survival was being waged in the most notorious POW camp in all of Holzminden. A landlocked Alcatraz of sorts, it was home to the most troublesome Allied prisoners -- and the most talented at escape. The Grand Escape tells the remarkable tale of a band of pilots who pulled off an ingenious plan and made it out of enemy territory in the biggest breakout of WWI, inspiring their countrymen in the darkest hours of the war.
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2018
106 people are currently reading
1759 people want to read
About the author
Neal Bascomb
19 books455 followersNeal Bascomb is a national award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of a number of books, all non-fiction narratives, all focused on inspiring stories of adventure or achievement. His work has been translated into over 18 languages, featured in several documentaries, and optioned for major film and television projects.
Born in Colorado and raised in St. Louis, he is the product of public school and lots of time playing hockey. He earned a double degree in Economics and English Literature at Miami University (Ohio), lived in Europe for several years as a journalist (London, Dublin, and Paris), and worked as an editor at St. Martin’s Press (New York). In 2000, he started writing books full time.
His first book HIGHER was selected for the Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writer award and was featured in a History Channel documentary. His second THE PERFECT MILE was a New York Times bestseller and frequently ranks as one of the top books on running. His third RED MUTINY won the United States Maritime Literature Award and critical acclaim around the world. His fourth HUNTING EICHMANN was an international bestseller and led to a young adult edition called NAZI HUNTERS that was the 2014 winner of the YALSA Award, Sydney Taylor Book Award (Gold Medal), among numerous others. His fifth book THE NEW COOL was optioned by major producer Scott Rudin for film. His sixth ONE MORE STEP, focused on the first man with cerebral palsy to climb Kilimanjaro and finish the Kona Ironman, was a New York Times bestseller as well.
An avid hiker, skier, and coffee drinker, he is happily settled in Seattle, Washington with his family.
Born in Colorado and raised in St. Louis, he is the product of public school and lots of time playing hockey. He earned a double degree in Economics and English Literature at Miami University (Ohio), lived in Europe for several years as a journalist (London, Dublin, and Paris), and worked as an editor at St. Martin’s Press (New York). In 2000, he started writing books full time.
His first book HIGHER was selected for the Barnes and Noble Discover Great New Writer award and was featured in a History Channel documentary. His second THE PERFECT MILE was a New York Times bestseller and frequently ranks as one of the top books on running. His third RED MUTINY won the United States Maritime Literature Award and critical acclaim around the world. His fourth HUNTING EICHMANN was an international bestseller and led to a young adult edition called NAZI HUNTERS that was the 2014 winner of the YALSA Award, Sydney Taylor Book Award (Gold Medal), among numerous others. His fifth book THE NEW COOL was optioned by major producer Scott Rudin for film. His sixth ONE MORE STEP, focused on the first man with cerebral palsy to climb Kilimanjaro and finish the Kona Ironman, was a New York Times bestseller as well.
An avid hiker, skier, and coffee drinker, he is happily settled in Seattle, Washington with his family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
April 3, 2019
One of the major themes of this book is survival and hope because the team that is escaping prison has to hope that they will not get seen and that they will survive when they get out
April 9, 2019
A fascinating look inside the prisons where the Germans kept their POWs during the Great War and the determination many had to escape hoping to rejoin the war effort. This book specifically focuses on a group of men who manage to dig their way out of Holzminden. After meticulous planning and months of tedious digging, 29 managed to escape in one day much to the humiliation of the commandant of the camp. Not all were able to get out of Germany before being recaptured. Fortunately the war was over shortly thereafter and the camp shut down. The knowledge these men gained was shared with those who followed them into WW II and the number of escapees was exponentially increased.
November 7, 2019
Great read aloud for teen boys! Lots of very detailed information about this escape from a prison camp during WWI - many maps, notes, etc... This is perfect to learn about a forgotten piece of WWI history!
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January 31, 2020great story this is my second time reading it reccomend if you like books about history
February 14, 2021
Fascinating true story!
June 29, 2025
This was recommended to me by one of my brothers, and my whole family enjoyed listening to it! It was very interesting.
December 15, 2021
**SPOILER ALERT**
The Grand Escape, written by Neal Bascomb, is an engaging novel that provides readers with an image of the greatest prison breakout of the 20th century. Neal Bascomb is known for writing numerous amounts of war novels but this one, in particular, is about prisoners of war escaping Holzminden — a large World War Ⅰ camp that held British Officers captured by the Germans. This novel is not too long of a read and is very interesting especially with the fantastic maps, pictures, and way of writing. Along with the wonderful descriptions, the author doesn’t fail to show the determination of the prisoners throughout their jail time and escape. With the pros being said the only con I have about this book was that it was difficult to read at parts when Bascomb mentioned many names, which made it hard to keep track of character traits and personalities. At times I got lost reading but I really enjoyed how he could write about the German and British sides of the camp. Overall, this nonfiction novel gives an amazing depiction of the conditions that these prisoners experienced and really keeps the reader intrigued throughout the whole story.
Neal’s writing is a brilliant form and he uses amazing descriptive language throughout the novel. Early in the book, he mentions, “The mechanic jerked the propeller downward, counterclockwise. With a belch of blue smoke, the Sopwith sputtered to life. The rush of air from the spinning propeller flattened the airfield’s grass behind the tailplane.” which gave a perfect description of the crash that was going to result in them being placed into a camp and eventually moving to Holzminden (10). As a person who loves to read historical books, this novel helped me picture scenes in my mind like a movie would and I believe most people would think this way with Neal’s superb writing skills. The pilots, Blain and Griffith, both have unique personalities and the author seems to show how these fighters were rebellious and all they could think about was escaping the living hell they lived in. The German officer Niemeyer is presented as a cruel and unfair general who could care less about the British and in the story does things like not give the prisoners hot water, plentiful food, and letters that were sent by the prisoners' families. The literature in this novel connects readers to the story incredibly well.
The personality traits of each character throughout this novel are represented wonderfully and allow the reader to picture how the officers would be in real life. Along with showing the personalities of the officers it shows how the war affected how the officers thought about the enemy and how they should be treated. This message shows how war is a terrible thing and that it affects people’s lives both in the war and out of it. While the prisoners are in Holzminden, the author doesn’t fail to talk about some of the prisoner’s claustrophobia in the tunnels and depict what they felt and how the tight space frightened them to a ridiculous amount. With other prisoners, they are seen as always ready to fight and some are good at communicating with guards which allows them to use the guards and make deals to get certain materials for possible escape plans. Along with character traits, the generals and aggressive guards are seen as very cruel and Neal goes as far as talking about what the officers would do to the guards and how they honestly felt about the unfair treatment.
Without a doubt, I would say the author has one of the best writing styles I have read. The only thing I dislike is that he mentions too many names in the book which makes it hard to keep track of characters’ traits and actions. Throughout the book I found myself re-reading passages and pages to take in the information correctly and understand what is going on in the book. Even though it’s hard not to mention all 29 prisoners in Block A, I think if Neal dedicated more time to the characters it would be easier for the reader to keep track of all the characters' personalities and differences.
I would recommend this book to other people interested in war stories and adrenaline-rushing stories. This novel always kept me on my toes and helped me envision the conditions of the camps and the war itself. I would give this book a four out of five stars only because of the crammer of names. Reading this novel filled me with many emotions and made me want to keep reading until the end and even discuss it at home with my parents. I think in the future I will find myself reading more of Neal Bascomb’s books and even doing some research and further reading on the escape of Holzminden or World War Ⅰ in general.
The Grand Escape, written by Neal Bascomb, is an engaging novel that provides readers with an image of the greatest prison breakout of the 20th century. Neal Bascomb is known for writing numerous amounts of war novels but this one, in particular, is about prisoners of war escaping Holzminden — a large World War Ⅰ camp that held British Officers captured by the Germans. This novel is not too long of a read and is very interesting especially with the fantastic maps, pictures, and way of writing. Along with the wonderful descriptions, the author doesn’t fail to show the determination of the prisoners throughout their jail time and escape. With the pros being said the only con I have about this book was that it was difficult to read at parts when Bascomb mentioned many names, which made it hard to keep track of character traits and personalities. At times I got lost reading but I really enjoyed how he could write about the German and British sides of the camp. Overall, this nonfiction novel gives an amazing depiction of the conditions that these prisoners experienced and really keeps the reader intrigued throughout the whole story.
Neal’s writing is a brilliant form and he uses amazing descriptive language throughout the novel. Early in the book, he mentions, “The mechanic jerked the propeller downward, counterclockwise. With a belch of blue smoke, the Sopwith sputtered to life. The rush of air from the spinning propeller flattened the airfield’s grass behind the tailplane.” which gave a perfect description of the crash that was going to result in them being placed into a camp and eventually moving to Holzminden (10). As a person who loves to read historical books, this novel helped me picture scenes in my mind like a movie would and I believe most people would think this way with Neal’s superb writing skills. The pilots, Blain and Griffith, both have unique personalities and the author seems to show how these fighters were rebellious and all they could think about was escaping the living hell they lived in. The German officer Niemeyer is presented as a cruel and unfair general who could care less about the British and in the story does things like not give the prisoners hot water, plentiful food, and letters that were sent by the prisoners' families. The literature in this novel connects readers to the story incredibly well.
The personality traits of each character throughout this novel are represented wonderfully and allow the reader to picture how the officers would be in real life. Along with showing the personalities of the officers it shows how the war affected how the officers thought about the enemy and how they should be treated. This message shows how war is a terrible thing and that it affects people’s lives both in the war and out of it. While the prisoners are in Holzminden, the author doesn’t fail to talk about some of the prisoner’s claustrophobia in the tunnels and depict what they felt and how the tight space frightened them to a ridiculous amount. With other prisoners, they are seen as always ready to fight and some are good at communicating with guards which allows them to use the guards and make deals to get certain materials for possible escape plans. Along with character traits, the generals and aggressive guards are seen as very cruel and Neal goes as far as talking about what the officers would do to the guards and how they honestly felt about the unfair treatment.
Without a doubt, I would say the author has one of the best writing styles I have read. The only thing I dislike is that he mentions too many names in the book which makes it hard to keep track of characters’ traits and actions. Throughout the book I found myself re-reading passages and pages to take in the information correctly and understand what is going on in the book. Even though it’s hard not to mention all 29 prisoners in Block A, I think if Neal dedicated more time to the characters it would be easier for the reader to keep track of all the characters' personalities and differences.
I would recommend this book to other people interested in war stories and adrenaline-rushing stories. This novel always kept me on my toes and helped me envision the conditions of the camps and the war itself. I would give this book a four out of five stars only because of the crammer of names. Reading this novel filled me with many emotions and made me want to keep reading until the end and even discuss it at home with my parents. I think in the future I will find myself reading more of Neal Bascomb’s books and even doing some research and further reading on the escape of Holzminden or World War Ⅰ in general.
October 21, 2025
It’s okay, kinda boring but the escape was exciting.
Would have been better with less characters because I couldn’t keep track of them.
Would have been better with less characters because I couldn’t keep track of them.
March 1, 2019
This is my 2nd book by Neal Bascomb. I liked it better than The Nazi Hunters, but it has the same fundamental problem. There are moments when it's a page turner, and there are moments when it's a sleeper.
This one takes place during World War I. I know very little about World War I compared to World War II, so I was excited to read this. The cover, photographs, and formatting are all attractive. Once inside, I was disappointed to find that there wasn't much background on the war, so I'm still a little fuzzy on the war itself. Nearly all of the characters are British pilots who went down behind enemy lines in Germany. They were captured and sent to various prisons, but most of the book focuses on a prison called Holzminden, run by the cruel commandant Karl Niemeyer. There are lots of small escape attempts, all ending in recapture, and then the big one happens. A group of prisoners manage to allude guards for months while digging a 50 yard tunnel. 29 men go through with the actual escape. About half of them make it across the border. The others are recaptured.
There are some great moments in the book. For instance, it starts out giving you a little history about the Hague Conventions where countries agreed upon the rules for the treatment of prisoners of war. Then it jumps to the end of the story describing one of the men in the escape tunnel. So far, it's great, but then in true Bascomb fashion it starts to slow. As other reviewers have said, there are too many characters. You start to lose track of who's who. Same thing happened to me in The Nazi Hunters. So there's a rough a patch in the middle. At times it drags. Then it picks up again when the escape happens.
Bascomb's books leave me frustrated. They're so good and so bad at the same time. He's a great writer, but needs a better editor. For me, Steve Sheinkin and Deborah Hopkinson are the king and queen of kid's nonfiction. Bascomb has the potential, but he's not there yet.
This one takes place during World War I. I know very little about World War I compared to World War II, so I was excited to read this. The cover, photographs, and formatting are all attractive. Once inside, I was disappointed to find that there wasn't much background on the war, so I'm still a little fuzzy on the war itself. Nearly all of the characters are British pilots who went down behind enemy lines in Germany. They were captured and sent to various prisons, but most of the book focuses on a prison called Holzminden, run by the cruel commandant Karl Niemeyer. There are lots of small escape attempts, all ending in recapture, and then the big one happens. A group of prisoners manage to allude guards for months while digging a 50 yard tunnel. 29 men go through with the actual escape. About half of them make it across the border. The others are recaptured.
There are some great moments in the book. For instance, it starts out giving you a little history about the Hague Conventions where countries agreed upon the rules for the treatment of prisoners of war. Then it jumps to the end of the story describing one of the men in the escape tunnel. So far, it's great, but then in true Bascomb fashion it starts to slow. As other reviewers have said, there are too many characters. You start to lose track of who's who. Same thing happened to me in The Nazi Hunters. So there's a rough a patch in the middle. At times it drags. Then it picks up again when the escape happens.
Bascomb's books leave me frustrated. They're so good and so bad at the same time. He's a great writer, but needs a better editor. For me, Steve Sheinkin and Deborah Hopkinson are the king and queen of kid's nonfiction. Bascomb has the potential, but he's not there yet.
July 5, 2023
GRIPPING. COULD NOT PUT THIS DOWN. The kind of book that makes you want to flip to the end, before finishing, to see what happens! Bascomb has written a superb, thoroughly researched narrative detailing the tenacity of British POWs attempting to escape German prison(s) during WWI. The reader will learn quite a bit about German-British relations, multi-country agreements about how POWs should be treated, how the POWs survived (or did not) in grueling conditions, their loyalty to country and each other, and their determination to return home so they could rejoin the war effort.
If you are a 7TH-12TH GRADE TEACHER, I'd BOOK TALK this and leave in the classroom library to be snatched up. As part of a book talk, you might share a few facts from "a bit of history" like "In the first six months of World War I, 1.3 million soldiers became POWs across Europe" (p. 4) and/or read aloud the two page prologue which skips ahead in the narrative and describes a harrowing moment when a team of POWs is deep into digging an escape tunnel under the prison.
I agree with another reviewer that there is just not enough out there on WWI for student readers. Bascomb gives the reader just enough information in the first part of the book, "A Bit of History" (do not skip!) that a reader with little knowledge or a reader with a lot of knowledge about WWI is set to go as Bascomb begins the narrative. Lots of well-chosen images of primary sources and a few graphics (e.g. escape route, prison map, etc.) sprinkled throughout. This book could launch readers into learning more about this war or deepen their understanding of one particular aspect of a war they have some knowledge about already.
Check out Bascomb's note at the end about his research on this book - WOW. He reached out to so many people and institutions, read/analyzed scads and scads of primary sources, synthesized, oh my! He sets the bar high for other authors; his research is worthy of student-led discussions about how they can analyze primary sources to tell a story for themselves.
Bascomb is a "go-to" author for me. The Nazi Hunters was just as compelling a read. If students read The Grand Escape, I'd recommend that next.
If you are a 7TH-12TH GRADE TEACHER, I'd BOOK TALK this and leave in the classroom library to be snatched up. As part of a book talk, you might share a few facts from "a bit of history" like "In the first six months of World War I, 1.3 million soldiers became POWs across Europe" (p. 4) and/or read aloud the two page prologue which skips ahead in the narrative and describes a harrowing moment when a team of POWs is deep into digging an escape tunnel under the prison.
I agree with another reviewer that there is just not enough out there on WWI for student readers. Bascomb gives the reader just enough information in the first part of the book, "A Bit of History" (do not skip!) that a reader with little knowledge or a reader with a lot of knowledge about WWI is set to go as Bascomb begins the narrative. Lots of well-chosen images of primary sources and a few graphics (e.g. escape route, prison map, etc.) sprinkled throughout. This book could launch readers into learning more about this war or deepen their understanding of one particular aspect of a war they have some knowledge about already.
Check out Bascomb's note at the end about his research on this book - WOW. He reached out to so many people and institutions, read/analyzed scads and scads of primary sources, synthesized, oh my! He sets the bar high for other authors; his research is worthy of student-led discussions about how they can analyze primary sources to tell a story for themselves.
Bascomb is a "go-to" author for me. The Nazi Hunters was just as compelling a read. If students read The Grand Escape, I'd recommend that next.
February 12, 2022
"The Wearisome sameness of the day, the monotony of the faces, the unchanged landscape, the intolerable talk about the war, all these tended to produce the effect of complete and utter depression," one prisoner wrote. (Bascomb 85)
In the Novel "The Grand Escape" By Neal Bascomb we see many forms of change in different ways. Bascomb talks about how many people that are attempt to escape come out with no success and start to lose hope for any possible way out, until a man by the name of Vigil Hilts changes everything. When the author brings in higher class characters with a great backstory, it tend to work out for something greater and more intreating. The author then creates a society that works in many different ways, creating tunnels and using the thoughts and knowledge from other people is something that the author incorporates to help show us that the new people have much more determination and more fight towards what they want. Then another high point is when one of the main characters is caught and killed creating a huge impact on the other people that were working on the tunnel. And then we see the prisoners about the attempt to escape, and then we see only a certain amount manage to leave while the rest we captured and tortured. This then shows us how the depression and war built up was still inside the prison even if they might not be involved in it. But this also brings the out the characteristics to show there not only in it for themselves but for the well being of everyone else. The author finished with how Hilts is in a isolated location planing ways to release everyone else who happens to still be in the prison. One Downside to the book is the fact that they don't have someone outside the prison help them in any sort of way, it does show the determination and will but the fact that no one else is out to help seems somewhat unreasonable.
In the Novel "The Grand Escape" By Neal Bascomb we see many forms of change in different ways. Bascomb talks about how many people that are attempt to escape come out with no success and start to lose hope for any possible way out, until a man by the name of Vigil Hilts changes everything. When the author brings in higher class characters with a great backstory, it tend to work out for something greater and more intreating. The author then creates a society that works in many different ways, creating tunnels and using the thoughts and knowledge from other people is something that the author incorporates to help show us that the new people have much more determination and more fight towards what they want. Then another high point is when one of the main characters is caught and killed creating a huge impact on the other people that were working on the tunnel. And then we see the prisoners about the attempt to escape, and then we see only a certain amount manage to leave while the rest we captured and tortured. This then shows us how the depression and war built up was still inside the prison even if they might not be involved in it. But this also brings the out the characteristics to show there not only in it for themselves but for the well being of everyone else. The author finished with how Hilts is in a isolated location planing ways to release everyone else who happens to still be in the prison. One Downside to the book is the fact that they don't have someone outside the prison help them in any sort of way, it does show the determination and will but the fact that no one else is out to help seems somewhat unreasonable.
May 17, 2022
The Grand Escape by Neal Bascomb. A fantastic, grand story about the POW camps of Germany in the First World War is a must read for anyone interested in World War 1. It truly was a fun and exciting book to read, about the journey of British officers attempting to escape the inescapable fortress: Holzminden.
I haven’t read such an engaging and exciting book in a while. I loved the way Neal Bascomb took a real life story and added such grand and interesting vocabulary and a wonderful writing style. The story is filled with suspense around every corner, and great introductions to real prisoners of war during the First World War. One of the things I loved the most was how he expressed their emotions so wonderfully, and the visualizations for what was happening and pictures and maps to show what it really was like.
I feel like the only thing I disliked was the lack of going into further detail than already was dug into about the POWs daily loves at Holzminden, but even then that isn’t much of a dislike as it is just something I want to learn more about. I really recommend this book to anyone who loves courageous war stories.
I haven’t read such an engaging and exciting book in a while. I loved the way Neal Bascomb took a real life story and added such grand and interesting vocabulary and a wonderful writing style. The story is filled with suspense around every corner, and great introductions to real prisoners of war during the First World War. One of the things I loved the most was how he expressed their emotions so wonderfully, and the visualizations for what was happening and pictures and maps to show what it really was like.
I feel like the only thing I disliked was the lack of going into further detail than already was dug into about the POWs daily loves at Holzminden, but even then that isn’t much of a dislike as it is just something I want to learn more about. I really recommend this book to anyone who loves courageous war stories.
July 16, 2019
Continuing in my habit of reading books with my own agenda, I read this adventure story as a study in class. The upper class officers who did the escape were aided by the lower class orderlies, but the expectations and needs of the men were often not aligned. It's a great story of derring do, and also a glimpse into the hierarchies that were so rigidly enforced back then.
Now I'm a bit interested in seeing if there is a German equivalent -- were there daring German escapes from British or French POW prisons, and were poor conditions involved with them?
Now I'm a bit interested in seeing if there is a German equivalent -- were there daring German escapes from British or French POW prisons, and were poor conditions involved with them?
October 7, 2018
Wonderfully told and researched! Narrative non-fiction done so well as always with Bascomb and this is a story that was very new to me. The details of the plan and its execution is so well described that I almost felt as if I were digging and half suffocating with the plotters. Gripping and suspenseful, the action keeps the tale going while also providing plenty of historical and cultural background.
A fascinating read for young historians!
A fascinating read for young historians!
May 3, 2019
Theme
I think the theme of this book is Hope. I think this book represents Hope because the people never give up trying to dig a tunnel to escape prison to get back to there home countries and get back to there families.
I think the theme is hope because the prisoners never gave up trying to escape so that they could go back to there own country and see there family's again
I think the theme of this book is Hope. I think this book represents Hope because the people never give up trying to dig a tunnel to escape prison to get back to there home countries and get back to there families.
I think the theme is hope because the prisoners never gave up trying to escape so that they could go back to there own country and see there family's again
November 28, 2020
Almost 4 stars. Almost.
This was a really fascinating read and I enjoyed it. It was pretty easy to follow. However, and I can't put my finger on it, there was something about the writing style that prevented it from being 4 stars.
I do appreciate that the author took the time to list all his sources, bibliography, notes, etc.
This was a really fascinating read and I enjoyed it. It was pretty easy to follow. However, and I can't put my finger on it, there was something about the writing style that prevented it from being 4 stars.
I do appreciate that the author took the time to list all his sources, bibliography, notes, etc.
January 27, 2021
It's definitely too dense for a lot of younger readers, but I enjoyed it (after a slow start). It's a fascinating story about a war I don't know much about. I definitely recommend for adult readers and higher level middle school readers.
January 16, 2019
Round up to 3.5 stars. Well written and fascinating story.
May 20, 2019
The is the original Great Escape (as in the movie), only it took place during WWI. It surprised me it happened in 1918, but everything else was very familiar.
February 6, 2023
Remarkable!!
April 30, 2025
Top 5 reasons to read The Grand Escape by Neal Bascomb
Explore the story of a group of brave and resourceful allied pilots and troops that attempted to flee Holzminden directly in front of Niemeyer.
1.) Real Life Account of Valor and Fortitude – This is the true story of the three World War I prisoners who escaped from Germany’s most secure POW camp, an inspiring story of unparalleled courage, ingenuity, and strength of spirit.
2.) Fast Paced, Suspenseful Storyline – Written in a fast-paced suspenseful style, it is less a history book, more of an adventure novel, readers can’t help but be gripped.
3.)Rich Historical Insight — The book offers a gripping account of daily life during World War Ip, particularly in German prison camps, and depicting an under-chronicled aspect of the war.
4.)Character Driven – Bascomb breathes life into the heroes, causing readers to care about what happens to them and how they change through challenges.
5.)Accessible and Meticulously Researched – It’s densely researched yet very readable, for both history lovers and general readers seeking an arresting, informative narrative.
The Grand Escape is not only a history book, it’s a real life adventure story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting for what will happen next. Jump in, and the first page will have you hooked!
Explore the story of a group of brave and resourceful allied pilots and troops that attempted to flee Holzminden directly in front of Niemeyer.
1.) Real Life Account of Valor and Fortitude – This is the true story of the three World War I prisoners who escaped from Germany’s most secure POW camp, an inspiring story of unparalleled courage, ingenuity, and strength of spirit.
2.) Fast Paced, Suspenseful Storyline – Written in a fast-paced suspenseful style, it is less a history book, more of an adventure novel, readers can’t help but be gripped.
3.)Rich Historical Insight — The book offers a gripping account of daily life during World War Ip, particularly in German prison camps, and depicting an under-chronicled aspect of the war.
4.)Character Driven – Bascomb breathes life into the heroes, causing readers to care about what happens to them and how they change through challenges.
5.)Accessible and Meticulously Researched – It’s densely researched yet very readable, for both history lovers and general readers seeking an arresting, informative narrative.
The Grand Escape is not only a history book, it’s a real life adventure story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, waiting for what will happen next. Jump in, and the first page will have you hooked!
December 14, 2023
The grand escape takes place back when WWI was happening. A man was battling in the air but was shot down when he woke up, he found himself imprisoned by German Solders. It was like the famous prison Alcatraz and the boorish (someone with bad manners and is rough with people), Karl Niemeyer he swore they couldn’t leave the prison. Some of the allied soldiers formed a plan to escape the prison but it would take a lot of engineering, risk take and athleticism. Their plan was to dig a tunnel underground out of the prison camp. They had to do many things to help the escape like making fake documents, sneaking in supplies to help them, and bribing guards to do stuff for them. There planned failed but in the end some allies escaped successfully. The things I like about this book was that it gave me a understanding of how it was back in these prison camps and how they were treated and what they did to escape. I would recommend this books to someone that likes a thriller book and stuff that deals with historical events.
January 30, 2024
At the height of World War I, as Allied and German forces battled in the trenches and in the air, any captured soldiers and pilots were sent to a web of German prisons. The most dangerous POWs, the ones most talented at escape, were sent to the camp of Holzminden--better known as "Hellminden." Protected by every barrier imaginable, its rules enforced with cruel precision, the prison was the pride of a ruthless commandant named Karl Niemeyer.
This is the story of a group of ingenious and defiant Allied pilots and soldiers who dared to escape from Holzminden, right under Niemeyer's nose. Leading a team that tunneled underneath the prison and far beyond its walls, these breakout artists forged documents, smuggled in supplies, and bribed guards. Twice the tunnel was almost exposed, and the whole plan foiled. But in the end, a group of ten POWs escaped and made it out of enemy territory in the biggest breakout of WWI, which inspired their countrymen in the darkest hours of the war.
This is the story of a group of ingenious and defiant Allied pilots and soldiers who dared to escape from Holzminden, right under Niemeyer's nose. Leading a team that tunneled underneath the prison and far beyond its walls, these breakout artists forged documents, smuggled in supplies, and bribed guards. Twice the tunnel was almost exposed, and the whole plan foiled. But in the end, a group of ten POWs escaped and made it out of enemy territory in the biggest breakout of WWI, which inspired their countrymen in the darkest hours of the war.
August 21, 2024
I thought this would be a prison breakout story like Alcatraz or Shawshank Redemption but this was a POW story with a lot of background about the war and history and was super boring I couldn’t finish it by a long shot.
October 28, 2024
My son and I really enjoy reading WWI and WWII books together and this one is suspenseful and well written; it was a WWII story that I did not know about until reading this book. I was really cheering for them and there escape.
February 15, 2025
This is a YA non-fiction book about a WWI German POW camp, and the British men who attempted a breakout. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and learned a lot. The writing was engaging not dry, and you felt like you understood this men on a deeper level.
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May 13, 2025I know I have not read this book before, but there were a lot of things that sounded familiar. I must have read another book about the same subject. Otherwise it was a great read. I really enjoyed it. Thank you
August 17, 2023
Excellent narrative retelling of an incredible event but take precautions if you're claustrophobic. Could not read in the dark or laying down in certain parts
February 11, 2024
This book is fantastic. I did not see the ending happening and I was pleased to learn that it was a true story. I don't think escaping through a tunnel would be the best way to do it though. I think that what I would do is bribe an officer just to let me out.
February 25, 2024
Gripping story of the largest escape of British officers from German POW camps in WWI.
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