Slavomir Rawicz Message Board
bob anderson posts on 1/11/2010 7:33:09 PM
"The Long Walk" is a book that I really want to be true! It is a fascinating read. After reading about Ernest Shackelton in the book, "Endurance", I suppose Rawicz's story is possible.
charles posts on 1/3/2010 6:02:50 AM
The story of the authenticity of the escape and journey has taken a new twist. The new story surrounding the evidence purporting it to be a hoax and even stolen are as fascinating as the original account.
Jon Sorensen posts on 12/30/2009 2:39:41 AM
I just read the "Long Walk" and though I liked it I am highly suspect of its authenticity. To travel that many miles through such harsh environments with no real equipment and inadequate food and water is just not believable. If they hadn’t died in the Gobi they would have definitely perished in the Himalayas.
In addition, he does not have a follow up story about his companions. If any group of people survived that much hardship they would be friends for life.
Robyn posts on 12/16/2009 10:31:45 PM
Iam only 15 years old and I have read Rawicz's book "The Long Walk". I really liked it, and I was kinda drawn back to it recently because we are learning about Gulgas in the Soviet Union in school. The only part about the book that didn't make sense to me is when they saw the Yeti..but my brother suggested they could have been hallusinating or something as well. But then again, who knows? Perhaps, he really did encounter a Yeti and who are we to claim he didn't? We weren't there. I was interested when they were rescued in India, how they all became very Ill after being fed proper food. Is it possible for your body to go through sickness like that after weeks of living on barely any food at all? I guess you body has to adjust to all of that slowly...but it was interesting how Rawicz tied that in to add to the book.
jim posts on 10/31/2009 11:08:59 AM
I just finished reading Rawicz's book and have several questions that give me pause as to whether the book is non-fiction or fiction. First, after the journey's end there is no further contact between the participants. This just does not seem plausible unless Rawicz makes sure no one can debunk his story. Second, the girl coming out of basically no where and then fitting in to the group as they continue their journey. Third, a token American named Smith and the reason he was in Siberia not very credible and to top it all off Smith disappears after reaching India. How convenient once again. Lastly, the supposed sighting of two abomidable snowmen. Please give me a break.
Caroline posts on 9/12/2009 7:57:43 AM
I started to read this book when living in Dublin 30 years ago and never got to finish it, the book having belonged to a relative with whom I was staying. However, at the time I vowed to get hold of a copy and finish it, which I have just done. I finally got a copy through Dymocks Stores in Melbourne, Australia where I now live. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and am glad now that I didn't read any of the other things that have been written either in this forum or in Wikipedia etc, as I feel it would have spoilt the allusion for me. Taking the book on face value it was a terrific read and I am so glad after all these years I have finally got to finish it. Whether fact or fiction or in part only, it was most enjoyable and I am just glad that he ended his days in peace and tranquility.
chris the reader posts on 8/23/2009 4:39:50 PM
I have just read this fasinating book, whilst on holiday. My mother gave it to me and implored me to read it. At first I was entralled then I started noticing inconsistences. Not about dates or locations, but what actually was acheived, and the episodes of fortune. Firstly I doubted the close relationship he struck up with the commandants wife, she then went on to help him in his escape. Then prior to leaving siberia having encountered nobody they stumbled on a fellow pretty and petite polish escapee. Then there are the accounts of the desert. Quite simply I dont believe you could survive 7 days in that enviroment without water. Only to stumble on a oasis. Each time they were at deaths door along came a kindly mongul or tibetan. Who were only to willing to slaughter a sheep to keep starvation at bay. Then we come to the himalayas in winter. Many a person has died on our relative small mountains in winter. Due to lack of suitable clothing, never mind suffering from scurvy and malnutrition. I agree with a previous poster, enjoy the book. But it's a cocktail of fact with a liberal helping of fiction.
Onlooker posts on 7/7/2009 4:18:35 PM
Ronald Downing died in the sixties he has no close relatives.Hopefully Witold Glinski will be subject to the same intense scrutiny.
Paula posts on 6/30/2009 1:23:32 AM
I wondered if Downing is still alive? Can anyone direct me to information about him or his relatives? I am also curious to read the accounts mentioned here by Rawicz's wife and Downing, that are apparently inconsistent. Fascinating topic. Does anyone know more about Witold Glinski, after the article in the Mirror?
catrina posts on 5/7/2009 10:35:25 AM
The Long Walk matches stories heard from that time and place. The people from the Eastern Block Countries which escaped about the same time all have unbelievable stories about how they survived.
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