The Long Walk

The True Story of a Trek to Freedom

By: Slavomir Rawicz

Narrated by: John Lee

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

Twenty-six-year-old cavalry officer Slavomir Rawicz was captured by the Red Army in 1939 during the German-Soviet partition of Poland and sent to the Siberian Gulag. In the spring of 1941, he escaped with six of his fellow prisoners, including one American. Thus began their astonishing trek to freedom.

With no map or compass but only an ax head, a homemade knife, and a week's supply of food, the compatriots spent a year making their way on foot to British India, through 4,000 miles of the most forbidding terrain on earth. They braved the Himalayas, the desolate Siberian tundra, icy rivers, and the great Gobi Desert, always a hair's breadth from death. Finally arriving, Rawicz reenlisted in the Polish army to fight the Germans.

©2006 Slavomir Rawicz (P)2006 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

Nominee, 2008 Audie Award, Solo Narration - Male

"Positively Homeric." (London Times)

"One of the most amazing, heroic stories of this or any other time." (Chicago Tribune)

"It is a book filled with the spirit of human dignity and the courage of men seeking freedom." (Los Angeles Times)

Rivetting, excellent

This true story captivated me right from the beginning. 9.5 hrs never went so fast. You begin to empathize with the characters and I found myself with a few tears at one point. I wish there was a sequel. Will have to research what happens to Slavomir beyond this book.

Great historical adventure

Well written, beautifully narrated WWII story of incredible courage and resilience. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a book that is very hard to put down.

Enjoyed

Interesting what they went through to get home. I did feel the ending was abrupt. Would have been nice to know more

The Long Walk.

This is one of those stories that you never hear about. I am glad that I found it here at Audible. I have told I don't know how many people about this Book and it"s story, It's great. My son found a movie about it on Direct TV and I had to watch it. I loved it but the Book was a little better than the movie. I would Highly Recommend this Book to anyone and everyone.

One of the best stories I've heard

Where does The Long Walk rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

For me, this book ranks up there with The Boys in the Boat as one of the best books I've read.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

John Lee's reading of a great story adds to the story. His voice is pleasant, peaceful and distinctive. The story itself is just amazing. I find it difficult to fathom the perseverance, courage and strength of these travelers. The book has highs and lows. I found myself weeping at the lows, I was that drawn in.

Awesome

Get it!! Hard to stop listening. Incredible story that takes you from Siberia to India. Awesome!

Great story told in perfect pitch pace & tone

Really enjoyed this story & how it was delivered by the reader. I've listened to it at least six times and continue to be entertained.

Great If True

This is a powerful story. Even with the witness of a possible Big Foot. It would have been great to know what happened to the main characters, but there is some doubt to the story's veracity. Nevertheless, this story of reveals so much about the time, when people were much hardier and could endure so much more than those today. A great listen.

I enjoyed the book

I don’t know if the events are true, but it is an encouraging book on resilience. Shows how much knowledge we’ve lost about living off the land

Fantastic Book

If one doesn’t appreciate this book then give yourself one star. A testament to the strength of freedom, endurance and fellowship.