Tunnel 29

The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall

By: Helena Merriman

Narrated by: Helena Merriman

Length: 9 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

He escaped from one of the world’s most brutal regimes.

Then, he decided to tunnel back in.

In the summer of 1962, a young student named Joachim Rudolph dug a tunnel under the Berlin Wall. Waiting on the other side in East Berlin were dozens of men, women, and children - all willing to risk everything to escape.

From the award-winning creator of the acclaimed BBC Radio 4 podcast, Tunnel 29 is the true story of this most remarkable Cold War rescue mission. Drawing on interviews with the survivors and Stasi files, Helena Merriman brilliantly reveals the stranger-than-fiction story of the ingenious group of student-diggers, the glamorous red-haired messenger, the Stasi spy who threatened the whole enterprise, and the love story that became its surprising epilogue.

Tunnel 29 was also the first made-for-TV event of its kind; it was funded by NBC, who wanted to film an escape in real time. Their documentary - which was nearly blocked from airing by the Kennedy administration, which wanted to control the media during the Cold War - revolutionized TV journalism.

Ultimately, Tunnel 29 is a success story about freedom: the valiant citizens risking everything to win it back, and the larger world rooting for them to triumph.

©2021 Hugely Limited and the BBC (P)2021 PublicAffairs

Critic reviews

“A fascinating account of a daring escape from a repressive regime as well as a vivid portrait of life in Berlin in the early days of the wall - and of the international impact of events in that city. Merriman effectively maintains the pace and suspense, giving readers a novelistic narrative with a solid foundation of fact. An entertaining real-life Cold War thriller following a group of students who escaped under ‘the Wall of all walls.’” (Kirkus Reviews)

“A gripping, real-life page turner, packed with great characters stuck in impossible situations. This is nonfiction at its very best, and more dramatic and incredible than any fiction I have read for a very long time.” (John O’Farrell, cohost of the We Are History podcast)

“Merriman takes us inside not only the tunnel, but also the personal lives of those who dug it. We feel we’re experiencing history as it happens. It’s a gripping story of bravery, determination, and, ultimately, love.” (Lindsey Hilsum, author of In Extremis: The Life and Death of the War Correspondent Marie Colvin)

Real life in a tough time

True story written as a documentary about a tunnel that was built under the Berlin wall to help Germans escape from east to west.

Story is told from start to finish including many different aspects of the overall operation.

I was stationed in the army in West Germany in the early 1970s while the wall was still up and functioning. At the time it seemed the wall would never come down and Germany reunited.

A decade later I was riveted to the tv as I watched the wall come down. Now I meet young Germans who were born in what was East Germany and have no memory of it, only what their parents tell them.

This was pretty good and it seemed like a novel.

Amazing should be read by all Americans

This book brings to life a period too many have forgotten. It is a story about overcoming overwhelming odds and a warning against any philosophy that would turn neighbor against neighbor, friend against friend, or parents against children.

We need to remember this history

Socialism and communism have never worked. It ruined peoples lives. It allows leaders to be corrupt. Every system has its flaws flaws but Socialism and communism are about the worst. This is a great book and it’s real heroes are regular people. Hopefully young people who don’t even remember the Berlin wall will read this book.

Fascinating piece of history

A fascinating read that helped to give more context for the cold war, especially what it was like to be in a divided city. This book did a great job explaining the cultural tensions, the collective anxiety of those living through this, and the impact these tunnels had on society.

Excellent!

Well read, we’ll researched, you can feel the tension the participants felt. An Excellent historical reminder for those who are too young to remember the walk and to remind us all of how lucky we are to live in America.

A follow up or a previous book to read is “40 autumns” surrounding the same topic to give another escapee’ life After she escapes to West Berlin and at the same time describes the life her family lived who’s remained behind the wall. Again another excellent book to remind us how very lucky we are.

Interesting and Largely Forgotten History

This book is an interesting reminder of largely forgotten recent history: Efforts to escape from East Germany and the Berlin Wall. Ms. Merriman draws from interviews and other source material, particularly the files of the East German secret police, who recorded everything.

The book reads like a novel. If I have any minor criticism, it is that the narrative is a little overwrought at times. The author may also take a few too many liberties describing the emotions of the protagonists. That said, it is compelling reading that is difficult to put down.

Along the way, we learn that the book was the subject of a CBS news documentary made when the escape happened. The documentary is available online. I wish the author had addressed some minor discrepancies between the documentary and the book.

Overall, a good book. The narration is also fine.

Exceptional Book and Most Highly Recommended

While a non-fiction book it reads like a fast-paced novel. The characters are amazing and are real people. It’s a perfectly written book. And when you’ve completed reading the book I recommend watching the NBC video that can be found on YouTube.

Exciting and interesting

Great narration, exciting story, opened my eyes to the history of East Germany that I wasn’t aware of

A book everyone should read

It is amazing how quickly we forget history. This was mesmerizing , shocking, educational and much more. Truly one of a kind.

Great narration

The narrator has a terrific voice and just the right tone. Gripping true story. Everyone should be educated about the evils of communism.