Cruel Crossing: Escaping Hitler Across the Pyrenees - Softcover

Stourton, Edward

3.91 out of 5 stars

205 ratings by Goodreads

9780857520524: Cruel Crossing: Escaping Hitler Across the Pyrenees

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0857520520 ISBN 13: 9780857520524

Publisher: Doubleday UK, 2013

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The secret history of the WW2 escape route through the Pyrenees from France to Spain: personal stories of endurance, betrayal and remarkable bravery.

- Midnight scrambles across rooftops to flee the Gestapo
- Bayonets jabbed into haystacks and suspicious ticket inspectors
- Nazi collaboration and Resistance betrayals
- Gadgetry, burning Lancasters and evil SS officers
- Doomed love affairs and heroic self-sacrifice

Everything you would expect of a tale of wartime escape and evasion is here in this collection of stories and reminiscence from the Chemin de Libertie -- the perilous climb through the Pyrenees used by men, women and children escaping Occupied France to Spain. Bringing history alive, Ed undertakes the walk to experience some of the hardship of the wartime refugees, finding himself with fellow pilgrims each with their own personal reasons for commemorating an extraordinary and desperately moving aspect of WW2. The walk, interviews with the few remaining survivors, and previously unseen primary source material, combine into a hugely accessible, poignant dramatic and inspiring history.

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About the Author

EDWARD STOURTON is the author of six previous books. He is newspaper columnist, writer and presenter of several high-profile current affairs programmes and documentaries for radio and television, and regularly presents BBC Radio Four programmes such as The World at One, The World this Weekend, Sunday and Analysis. He is a frequent contributor to the Today programme, where for ten years he was one of the main presenters.

Review

� "Edward Stourton'’s portrayal of the escape lines across the Pyrenees -- the courage and endurance of those involved and above all, the heroism in one man (or woman) risking their life for another -- is rich in detail and a remarkable testimony to the resilience of the human spirit. A compelling read." --James Holland

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