The Long Walk: The True Story of a Trek to Freedom

Slavomir Rawicz
The Lyons Press (1997)
ISBN 1592289444
Reviewed by Beverly Pechin for Reader Views (10/06)

From the very beginning of “The Long Walk,” the reader will know immediately that the author is no ordinary person. After reading the book, you will truly understand the abilities of the human soul to overtake the human body and survive, literally.

The true saga of a man who is imprisoned in Russian work camps, the author takes you from the beginnings of his capture. His writing style, including the translation process, seems to give you an even more authentic appreciation of the trials and tribulations he and the many others he was with went through. You will see determination, human pride and utter miracles as they unfold throughout the story, touching you so deeply within, that you will never be able to simply walk away from this story. You will carry a piece of it deep within your heart and soul and be able to pull it out whenever you need to be reminded of the human spirit.

As a former Polish soldier, he was taken prisoner under false pretense. Accused of being a spy against the Russians he was given a trial, basically as a front to say he was justly accused and tried for his wrong doings. Having no truth to the matter, they found most all men in his situation, former Polish military men, guilty and quickly condemned them to work camps.

One of the most touching moments of the book was when the men, all gathered tightly in a train car, realized that it was Christmas Eve. Keeping the true spirit of Christmas in their hearts, they banded together and sang to celebrate the birth of Jesus together, ending with most men in tears as they remembered the families they left behind. Those that made the trek through the first part quickly came to realize that survival was going to be something that they had to do themselves, as their capturers were not going to be of any help in keeping them alive.

Marching by gunpoint across the cold Russian terrains, they fought freezing temperatures, horrible weather conditions, plagues, lack of food and much more as they were forced to continue on their route to their literal death camp. Eventually, trekking across many miles after a heroic escape from their camp in Yakutsk the author shares every minute of their life with the reader. While some of it can be almost unbearable to read, you simply cannot turn away as you know you have to see what happens to these brave men who escape their assured fate of death.

As they come across many people who are so kind and generous, they realize that perhaps not the whole world is cold and evil as they have come to expect. Meeting village after village as they walk carrying what little they have to their name, including their own few articles of clothing that sparsely covers them, they literally walk out of Siberia and through China, Tibet, The Gobi Desert, across the Himalayas, over ice covered waterways and finally into British India. As they watch their friends and colleagues die in front of their eyes, combat such amazing conditions that no human being should ever be able to overcome, they begin to realize that perhaps freedom will be theirs.

Touching, amazing and literally breath holding moments will make you want to share this story with others simply to share your sudden awareness of mankind's ability to overcome the impossible. The touching moment when he and his fellow survivors say goodbye from their final ending place, an Indian hospital, you can feel the pain and loneliness in the author's heart. Written with an amazingly poignant touch that will make you not only sympathize but truly feel the pain of all those involved. As you read the special “Afterword,” added to the 1997 edition of the book, you will realize that this man is truly someone you would want to use as a role model. “The Long Walk” shows readers a man of men, a man of courage and a man of heart. Not only will you celebrate his ending, you will cry with him as he realizes he truly is alive with life.

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