Tunnel 29: The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall

This book was so gripping, like reading a novel. I had to keep reminding myself that this was all true, it all really happened. Hard to believe this all began over 60 years ago, but we sadly have not learned the lessons as similar things continue to happen. A must read for all history lovers, a must read for all to be aware and not repeat history

I identified with this book. I went on a walking tour alone through Checkpoint Charlie in 1967 after serving as an LDS missionary. I saw how depressing East Berlin was the last shopping day before Christmas. I did not fully understand how dangerous it was to walk around East Berlin.

Very interesting account of the early years of the Berlin Wall. A little slow at points and exciting at others, much like it must have been then, but without the fear.

I hadn't heard of the tunnel before reading this book and my knowledge of East/West Berlin after WW2 was superficial at best. This is not only a fascinating story about the people who built the tunnel and helped people escape, but is also a very interesting history lesson on lives in East and West Berlin in the late 1940s through early 1960s. And the author does a wonderful job of making this a page turner, even better than a great novel with incredible people.

I love real stories of history and this book didn’t disappoint. A real eye opener of the lives of real people just trying to have good lives with their families. I was about 10 when the wall went up, but I was always aware of the stories of people desperate to get out from under communism. A reality check when you have lost your freedom. Highly recommend.

The writing is straightforward. But the story is compelling. It is a stark reminder that there are those who seek power for the sole purpose of controlling others. You can judge the greatness of a country by looking at whether people want out (East Germany before reunification, North Korea, etc) or want in (the United States). The people who ran East Germany were evil.

I don’t think I’ve ever posted a book review before and I’m really not doing that now except to say that every American should read Hellen Merriman’s new book Tunnel 29. Those older than 50 or so will well remember the Berlin Wall and events surrounding it. Those younger will not. None will fully understand the life and death struggles that played out behind the scenes, chronicled in riveting detail here. This book had great meaning for me since, in the late 1960’s, I landed at Tempelhof Airport. I stood at the Brandenburg Gate - saw the sign “Achtung! Sie Verlassen Jetzt West Berlin” and the armed guards who would shoot to kill in an instant if a threat was perceived. The book expands on what I’ve heard from colleagues I know and have worked with living in what was the former GDR (East Germany). It is an incredible and important read. Perhaps most of all in light of the philosopher George Santayana’s famous words “those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” If you start to read this book I truly believe you will have a very hard time putting it down.

I was stationed in West Germany in the Army Signal Corps in 1970-71. Because of my clearance I got to read many of the reports coming in from the east. It was a scary time and we all knew we were there to do one thing: fight the Russians when they crossed the border. This book relives some of the time leading up to my time in Germany. I recommend the read. My wife and I made a return trip to Germany in 1989 only 10 days after the wall fell. I still remember seeing a slow Trabant with E German plates literally filled to the brim with W German goods and heading back to the east. The car was so loaded I videoed it. Finally the people in the east were free to travel.

Great read,very tense and didn’t realise what it was like in Berlin in those days. I have already recommended this book to a friend

One of the best non-fiction book I have ever read. Also really makes you to hate communism which is fine with me. Most of all, those who worked on the tunnel digging are the hero of modern times. I am really glad I bought this book. As a Japanese, this book gave me an insight to what it was like in the Cold War periods of Europe. I highly recommend this book.

Such a well written book, it brings you in the same tunnel and makes you live the same feelings of the characters. Best book I have read in the last couple of years.

If you love history and are you planning to visit Berlin, this book will help you to see the city in a total different way.

A great read couldn’t put the book down! A true life story of a few who risked their lives to help 29 people escape from East Berlin and communism Highly recommended!