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Its a shame. I so much wanted to believe in this great story. But, when i came upon the chapter where they cross Gobi Desert, the story is no longer credible.
You can not possibly go wrong by buying this book if you have any interest in adventure books. This is one of the best "adventure" stories of all time.
References to substantiate this farce are too numerous to mention. There was much controversy when the book came out in the 50s, and the story was debunked when Soviet records of the era were made available in the 90s. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, but was surprised I had never heard of the story. After doing a bit of research, I learned that though the historical context is correct, the events did not occur as described.
He did not escape by winter and make it on foot to India. So could this actually have happened. I have to say that I agree with skeptical readers in that I can't possibly see how hungry prisoners could walk long distances through snow. First of all, any potential reader of this book should be (painfully) aware that the story is most likely NOT true. It just doesn't seem possible - based on calorie requirements. According to Wikipedia, an intelligence officer in Calcutta in 1942 did interview three emaciated people who said they escaped from Russia. Perhaps some enterprising journalist will continue to shed some light on the accusations and unresolved claims surrounding this whole story line.DON'T buy this book if you want the facts.But if you would simply like a good story - go ahead.
because if he had it would certainly have been the most incredible escape of all time.People interested in the factual background should look up "Slawomir Rawicz" on Wikipedia - where they point out the discrepencies discovered after a BBC investigation in 2006. Did anyone make it out of the gulags in the Russian winter - or was such an escape completely impossible. Good question.So the mystery goes on. I guess the author and Mr. Supposing this new claim is true (and that's a big IF), could Slawomir Rawicz have plagiarized the real-life experience of another Pole.
The man who was the subject of this supposed "escape", Slawomir Rawicz, was in fact relased by the Soviets from a gulag. In 2009 a Polish man by the name of Witold Glinski claimed the answer was "Yes" and that he was one of the true escapers. this is not the end of the story (). Too bad. Rawicz have been happy to keep collecting royalties on this book for a long time.However.
What a story teller. As I was reading my mind had a hard time believing. Then I read it might not be true.that would make more sense.
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