Tunnel 29

The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall

By: Helena Merriman

Narrated by: Helena Merriman

A "riveting" (Wall Street Journal) book tells the unbelievable true story of an escape tunnel under the Berlin Wall--the people who built it, the spy who betrayed it, and the media event it inspired.

In September 1961, at the height of the Cold War, 22-year-old Joachim Rudolph escaped from East Germany, one of the world's most brutal regimes. He'd risked everything to do it. Then, a few months later, working with a group of students, he picked up a spade... and tunneled back in.

The goal was to tunnel into the East to help people escape. They spend months digging, hauling up carts of dirt in a tunnel ventilated by stove pipes. But the odds are against them: a Stasi agent infiltrates their group and on their first attempt, and dozens of escapees and some of the diggers are arrested and imprisoned. Despite the risk of prison and death, a month later, Joachim and the other try again and hit more bad luck: the tunnel springs a leak. After several attempts, run-ins with a spy and secret police, and some unlikely financial aid from an American TV network, they finally break through into the East, and free 29 people.

This is the story of their great escape, the NBC documentary crew that filmed it, and the U.S. government's attempts to block the film from ever seeing the light of day. But more than anything, this is the story of what people will do to be free.

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

Loved it so informative

This is a must read. Up until now I knew very little about the Berlin Wall. I have been recommending it to my reader friends.

Resurrected Memories

Amazing historical story. Brings back many memories, some sad, some glad, of the wall. I served 3 years in the U.S. Army 3rd Battalion 6th Inf, performing Wall Patrols at American/Soviet sectors mounted on 2 Gun Jeeps.
I had also joined the American’s Berlin Brigade Nijmegen (Holland) Marching team in 1979. We walked hundreds of kilometers to prepare for the 4 day 160 kilometer event. As the Narrator spoke various street names, I could picture many a fond memory.
The Wall, so populated on the west and a dirty of life on the east in those days.
I am grateful to learn the truth about many of the things we soldiers and German “Berliner” friends spoke about.
Thank you for filling out the story so splendidly!

I Never Knew

I grew up during this time in history and really enjoyed learning about history in school. Well I knew about the wall, I never learned about the atrocities it is associated with the wall. This book is very informative.. I am very glad I took the time to listen to it.

I’d watch a movie on this one too!

Narrator did a super job. I also enjoyed the different angles and viewpoints provided. I kept listening quickly through, even though painful. I felt like I was with them all.

Excellent!

This book was a great combination of the facts combined with insight into the characters' thoughts and feelings, which made me feel more connected to the story.

Don't pass miss this one.

This was a great listen. Real drama. The narration captured my attention. Plus the author read the book .

Astounding!

An amazing story of survival, resilience and purpose brought to life through vivid descriptions and incredible original source research. Just incredible.

How the overwhelming majority of the west understood the diabolical evil of communism.

Great story of the quest for freedom at any cost.
Amazing at that time everyone including the media understood without question the evil of communism.
Today the media would be cheering the communists and attacking those escaping communism.

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.