The Long Walk

The True Story of a Trek to Freedom

By: Slavomir Rawicz

Narrated by: John Lee

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)

Definitely worth listening to

John Lee, one of my favorite narrators, brings a measured dignity and care to this harrowing story of human endeavor, comradeship and courage. Rawicz, a Polish soldier, imprisoned in Siberia during the second world war, escapes and this is his account of his prison hell and subsequent long walk out. Ghost written, it is a very restrained account of such an extraordinary achievement.
There is some question as to the authenticity of the walk, but on balance it seems to be true. It is certainly worth listening to. Published in 1956, it has never out of print and, despite the unimaginable privations endured, Rawicz lived to 89. Distinguished Australian film maker, Peter Weir, has just released a film of this walk called The Way Back.

Overcoming Incredible Odds

If you could sum up The Long Walk in three words, what would they be?

Endurance, hope, will

What other book might you compare The Long Walk to and why?

Endurance and We Die Alone

Which scene was your favorite?

The scape from the camp

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When two of the characters died in the Gobi.

Any additional comments?

I am always inspired by true stories of survival. There are 3 that I know of that amaze me almost beyond belief. This is one of those!

Beautifully Told Fabrication?

I was enjoying this book as one of best escape/adventure stories I had ever read until near the end when author claimed that he had seen the Abominable Snowman in the Himalayas, replete with detailed description. How can anything else in this story then be believed?

Incredible true story

Well written and fabulously read. An unbelievable true story of perseverance and friendship. An inspiring read and testament to the power of the human spirit

Great book and outstanding performance.

Would you listen to The Long Walk again? Why?

Sure. It's an outstanding narrative.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The girl.

What does John Lee bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A moving performance.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A 4000 Mile Journey.

Any additional comments?

Would like to hear what happened to the people in later years.