The Flame Keepers: The True Story of an American Soldier's Survival Inside Stalag 17

It is not hyperbole to say that The Flame Keepers is an excellent, well-paced book that will captivate readers of all ages and backgrounds - from teens to seasoned citizens. Not only about World War II, or even strictly a "war story," the book covers the effects on human behavior of war, imprisonment and defiance of one's enemies -- all well beyond the armored battles that raged. Author and protagonist Ned Handy tells the unvarnished story through his eyes of a network of men and comrades-at-arms whose sudden imprisonment brought out their individual and collective ingenuity, bravery, stamina and perseverance in ways they could not have imagined. These qualities possessed by so many "ordinary" sergeants came to the fore when they faced the stark choice of surviving or giving up behind a wire, while watched by armed guards, deep in enemy territory, and in spite of brutal weather and a starvation diet. The incredible story of a brash and brilliantly conceived escape attempt from Stalag Luft XVII-B plays a major part in the narrative, and it is spell-binding. Mr. Handy employs simple but eloquent language that takes the reader on a hard-to-put-down journey through five seasons in the life of a 21-year-old B-24 flight engineer and top turret gunner, who survives a shoot-down only to be imprisoned in infamous Stalag XVII-B. Events inside Stalag 17 are interwoven with interesting vignettes that bring to life Mr. Handy's memories of home, family and early life, which inform his ability to survive the prison ordeal. He ascribes well-deserved credit to his colleagues, from his crewmates to POWs with whom he lived in extremely close quarters for more than a year. He describes how each POW used the talents he had to their utmost, such that they were able to survive, defy the enemy at times, and create a vital internal safety net for their fellows when it mattered most. For a man imprisoned and isolated for a time due to circumstances that are movingly presented in the text, Mr. Handy presents a fair-minded view of the individual human beings behind the generic descriptors, "soldier," "prisoner," "enemy," "guard," and "civilian." It is easy to get "lost" while reading this book, and is a challenge to return, during the intervals one puts it down, to the regular and occasionally mundane tasks of everyday living. For it is the ability to do these tasks, and to take advantage of all the small and large freedoms we have today, that was denied the prisoners of war like Mr. Handy and those whom he describes so vividly. And although the author doesn't indulge in self-praise, the reader cannot help but thank God for stalwart men like Mr. Handy and his comrades, who sacrificed so much for the liberty and prosperity we all enjoy today. It's a must-read for all ages.

I finished reading this book around the anniversary of my father's death. Sixty years earlier, he had flown with the American forces based in England and the parallels to the the men of Stalag XVII moved me considerably. My emotions surged. Take "The great escape", "Stalag 17", and mix in "Band of Brothers" and you will have a good sense of the story. In April 1944, a young, optimistic flier loses his plane and two comrades in one of the "last, big" Nazi efforts to thwart American daylight bombing. The crippled plane struggles to make it back to safe territory, but fails. Local people and soldiers round up the dispersed crew for a harrowing journey by rail to a camp for American fliers -- Stalag XVII -- in Austria. Kindness and cruelty quickly become evident and random. The camp has a history, and the older 'kriegies' resent the newly arrived, only recently shot down fliers. Some of the 'old' men have been there a year or more already. In a stroke of luck, Handy finds a link that leads him to the leadership of a tunnel detail. While the escape attempt loses steam, the tunnel plays a critical role in saving the life of a famed escape artist and sabateur who owes his life to Handy. This leads to a second escape attempt, only with audacity abd a twist. Read the book to see who gets out, who dies, and who hangs on to April 1945 when the Nazis march the remaining prisoners west, towards Patton and the Americans. The beauty of the book can be found in Handy's stories of the men, their lives, their dreams, and their consistent efforts to stay alive and to stay focused on home, if not escape. From the Native American sage, watching over all the comings and goings from his quiet perch, to Young, who while despised by the men, makes Handy a keepsake that lasts the duration, Handy shows how men in terrible crises -- each day meant a struggle for food and warmth -- band together, develop freindships, and work to fight the enemy in the only way they possibly can. Scrounging becomes an art. Nothing is wasted. Mundane activities take on new roles. A detailed description of a mouth-watering meal helps postpone some of the longings and deter the hunger pangs, if only for a short time. The men are disciplined, respectful mostly of expertise and professionalism (even from the enemy), and at the same time bond in a dark humor sort of way you would expect from dire circumstances. There is also a remarkable amount of luck involved. But was it hard work and opportunity, or was it luck? Did the soldiers late in the war owe their lives to an enterprising prisoner who alerts the oncoming Patton army of the prisoners' location in an area about to be bombed by the American forces? Does the kindness of one guard show luck, weakness, or just that -- kindness? This is an underpublicized, underappreciated, deserving-to-be-read history of men at war on a daily basis, and about the lessons they learn for a lifetime. Read it and give thanks.

The Flame Keepers gives more than a good story. It sets up a counterpoint of the men's reflections on home-life, their daily confrontations with danger in the camp, and the reflections of the young Ned Handy growing older, lonlier, and self-reliant in order to survive. A deep perspective on the character of the USA in the 40s and the nature of men in desperate circumstances. This book is a keeper. Worth passing around to friends, rereading for yourself.

The Flame Keepers is a riveting description of some pretty tough times. An important story well-told, it brings into focus the trials of not just Ned, but all those who became prisoners of war and effectively illustrates why war is something to be avoided if at all possible.This book is especially timely given the anniversary of D-Day and would make a great addition to anyone's summer reading list.