Tunnel 29: The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall Paperback – January 10, 2023

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 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.

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 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.

Truly amazing story about the human spirit when faced with unbearable hardships and our ability to rise above very dark times. Helena is a master storyteller who brings this story to life that will grip your soul.

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 picked up this book on the recommendation of Ryan Holiday, he said it was excellent and I agree. I have read a couple of other books about the situation in Berlin right after the end of World War II, but i haven’t read anything about escape attempts so I was game to give it a read. I knew the wall went up to keep the Berliners in country as there were thousands escaping to the west weekly. It reminds me of the fence line in the early 1980’s dividing Communist Cuba and Guantanamo Naval Base. The base has one fence with barb wire on top facing out, Cuba has two fences with the closest to the base with barb wire going both ways. Cubas second fence has barb wire facing in to keep their captives in, just the worlds largest mine field had U.S. mines facing Cuba, 1/3 of Cuba’s mines faced the base, the other 2/3s faced Cuba also to keep their captive citizens from leaving. Yet, they tried to swim the Guantanamo River only to be captured or shot. This book needs to be read by everyone, especially those who continue to advocate for communism…SLT

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.