Patrick

 The book that I have picked to read is called __The Long Walk__. __The Long Walk__ is a true story (obviously) about a Polish army guy who was falsely accused by the Russians for spying, but he was actually just visiting his mother who lived close to the boundary. This man, Slavomir Rawicz, was whisked away to a prison camp and eventually to a labor camp where he escapes with six other brave men. (Zygmunt Makowski, Anton Paluchowicz, Anastazi Kolemenos, Eugene Zaro, Zacharius Marchinkovas, and Mr. Smith) Escaping, they realize, was just the easy part, as now they have just over 4,000 miles between them and their freedom… As the men embark on this reckless journey they encounter many dilemas. For example they had to figure out a way to get through the harsh Siberian winter, they had to find a way to not die of starvation or dehydration, and, most importantly, they needed to stick together. As the men work their way South they encounter a young woman, Krystyna, who didn't have it out for herself, and they decide to let her come along. Finally after a few months they get out of Russia and into Mongolia. As they reach the Gobi desert they realize they will have to enter this wasteland with nothing more than the clothes on their backs and empty sacks they made to carry provisions. About halfway through the Gobi Krystyna's legs start swelling and the men's worry begins to grow. Eventually she dies and they have a quick and quite funeral service. About dying of thirst the men luckily find an oasis, but not before Makowski gets this strange swelling and quietly dies. Only six are left as they get out of the Gobi and they head into Tibet. They meet some very friendly people here and are given food, water, and a bath. After their quick stay here they disembark for the Himalayas, which they have to cross to reach British India. As they camp in a dark cave Marchinkovas dies from exhaustion in the middle of the night. Even though the remaining men are very sad they have no choice but to keep moving. They are about over the last of the Himalayas when Paluchowicz dies. He was crawling backwards up the cliff face and dropped into a dark pit where he fell to his death. The men were never able to find his body. Finally the remaining four men made it into India and where picked up by a little British squadron. They were taken to a hospital and nurtured back to health. After they were well again the men, Slavomir, Kolemenos, Zaro, and Mr. Smith, say their goodbyes and go their seperate ways.

Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavomir_Rawicz http://www.amazon.com/Long-Walk-Slavomir-Rawicz/dp/1885283202