As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Escape from a Siberian Labour Camp and His 3-Year Trek to Freedom [Paperback]

Josef M. Bauer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 23, 2003

Originally published in 1955, As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me has seen international success ever since. It has been translated into fifteen languages, sold more than 12 million copies, and is the basis for an award-winning German entry at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival. Recounting an incredible real-life adventure, it tracks the destiny of German soldier Clemens Forrell who, in the aftermath of WWII, was sentenced to twenty-five years of forced labor in a lead mine in the barren eastern reaches of Siberia. Subjected to the brutality of the camp and the climate, Forrell dreamed continuously of escape—and then daringly effected it. From East Cape across the vast trackless wastes of Siberia, for thousands of miles and three years, with fear as his most intimate companion, Forrell fled treachery and endured some of the most inhospitable conditions on earth. In a long series of taped interviews with esteemed German author Josef M. Bauer, Forrell unfolded his remarkable story of survival. Bauer not only reconstructs Forrell’s arduous journey to the Iranian frontier and freedom; he also poignantly evokes the emotional content of Forrell’s brave quest—emerging as an affecting portrait of a man who strove and triumphed against all odds.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Josef M Bauer was born in Germany in 1901. He was an extremely successful author in Germany, writing many prize-winning novels, short stories and radio plays. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: Carroll & Graf (July 23, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786712074
• ISBN-13: 978-0786712076
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 6.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #986,671 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely amazing escape and survival story in Siberia!, March 31, 2005

By 

George Coppedge (Czech Republic) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Escape from a Siberian Labour Camp and His 3-Year Trek to Freedom (Paperback)

Absolutely one of the best books that I have ever read! There were times when my heart was literally racing while reading this book. This is the story of one man's quest against both nature and man to reach his home - by foot, alone, walking west from the Bering Strait, destination: Germany! Our man fights Siberian blizzards, relentless hunger, ravenous wolves, escaped convicts, and even manages to defy the immense, omnipresent dangers of the Soviet police state.

From beginning to end, the story leaps right out of the pages, and you can feel you are right there with Forell (the main character). Forell is a German POW that has been sentenced to 25 years hard labor in a Soviet lead mine at the edge of human existence. Of course, no one lives more than a few years after mining lead - who cares anyway since they are enemies of the Soviet state. After some time Forell and all his comrades slowly but inevitably begin to succumb to lead poisoning. Shaking off the lead-induced apathy, Forell makes his grim resolution to reach Germany or die trying - there will be no surrender. From then on we follow Forell's long, hard, and bitter journey to ultimate freedom. After his labor camp ordeal, his trek across the wilds of Siberia, and his experience with Soviet-style civilization, even his own uncle is completely unable to recognize him.

Truly one of the best adventure stories ever told!!! I never wanted to put the book down!

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Remarkable Account, May 31, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Escape from a Siberian Labour Camp and His 3-Year Trek to Freedom (Paperback)

This story just demands to be read. It is one of tremendous suffering and the triumph of the human spirit. This is the ultimate World War II escape story.One sees the fate of the defeated German Army in a new light. Sent to die in a lead mine, this German Soldier has a remarkable account to share. I highly recommend it to anyone with an interest from this period. You will never forget it.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book was excellent, I couldn't put it down., April 27, 2006

By 

Ls World - See all my reviews

This review is from: As Far as My Feet Will Carry Me: The Extraordinary True Story of One Man's Escape from a Siberian Labour Camp and His 3-Year Trek to Freedom (Paperback)

As for the other half negative reviews, like it being for a young reader, don't pay any attention to that. Obviously those reviews are written by people that can't look or think beyond their own egos nor actually try to imagine what it must have been like, what the permanent affects were after such an altering event, and obvious emotional scars that must have continued on and on... After I finished the book, I re-read the preface and understood why there seemed to be pieces "I" wanted answers to, but understood why they weren't there.

I recommend this book to anyone of all ages. It's absolutely an amazing account of someone accomplishing a journey home with EVERYTHING against him and the beckoning door of death at every turn. How he survived? It's beyond me....

Now, I will hunt for the DVD....if anyone knows where I can find the DVD, please find a way of letting me know. Thanks!