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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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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onlooker
posts on 4/9/2009 8:27:45 AM
Your opinion is also highly valued!
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George
posts on 4/6/2009 6:10:41 AM
Lester Hunt asks about Rawicz motives for writing and says that money could not have been one of them. Well, it is public knowledge that the prceeds from the book bought him a nice roomy house. The book has sold in the hundreds of thousands and continues to sell. If it was not really him who did the walk and wrote about it, that is scandalous, is it not? All the evidence points to him not having done the walk.
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Onlooker
posts on 1/30/2009 8:03:42 AM
Your opinion is highly valued!
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Tom Allen
posts on 1/26/2009 11:47:54 PM
The question of motive is rather complicated because its not Rawicz thats involved, its Rawicz, Downing and Rawicz' wife. All have told multiple inconsistant stories on the subject and its rather hopeless trying to figure out why. Downing wanted the book written for his own purposes. My theory is that the Rawicz'es found themselves afterward in over their heads and decided to bluff it out rather than confess that the whole thing was a fraud.
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