The Grand Escape: The Greatest Prison Breakout of the 20th Century by Neal Bascomb
Published by Arthur A. Levine Books on September 25th 2018
ISBN: 1338140345
Pages: 256
Format: Chapter Book Nonfiction
Goodreads

The  German POW camp of Holzminden, better known by those that were  there as Hellminden, is where the prisons  were sent that have repeatedly  escaped from other camps and unlucky enough to have survived recapture.  A group of defiant soldiers that have become infamous amongst their ranks as “escape artists” have succeeded in tunneling out of the camp, unbeknownst to the ruthless commandant,  manage to escape. Approximately 29 men escaped and 19 were recaptured and court martialed.  Neal Bascomb has written a compelling, action packed history of POWs in WWI. Avid history fans will enjoy.

Well organized with a List of Participants at the beginning of the book along with a bibliography, source notes section and a complete index. There are diagrams and time period photographs dispersed about the chapters in detail with the text.  Great resource on World War I POW history.

Recommended for grades 10 and up.

Reviewed by Kristin Taylor, Biddeford High School, Biddeford