Off the Rock-Escaping Alcatraz

Off the Rock: Escaping Alcatraz by Tom McAuliffe was an intriguing story. The author did a fantastic job of recreating the escape of Frank Morris and the Anglin brothers. He described Alcatraz's history—the number of prisoners, how the escape was planned and executed, and the fantastic pictures that showed every escape step and explained everything that happened afterward. He provided detailed descriptions of the prison's interior, the entirety of the island, and its surrounding landscape, including the lighthouse. To my surprise, these escapees meticulously planned their escape, including creating a raft to float and placing hair and other materials to replace them in their cell for departure. Alcatraz had a lot of faith in their no-escape belief. I believe after that escape, it was unbearable, and they had to shut down "The Rock" in March 1963, less than a year after the escape. It was an embarrassment for the government. The author did a fantastic job revealing the feelings of each escapee before they fled. He vividly depicted the prisoners' treatment, feeding, and housing for the reader. The prison imported its food and water. It detailed the food they consumed, the appearance of the escape hole, and the preparation methods they employed. It also detailed their post-escape lifestyle. This escape, with its detailed planning and execution, carries a significant weight in history, making it a delightful read and a part of history.

I took the ferry to Alcatraz a decade ago, fascinated by the stories, the architecture, the location, the history, and that unsettling feeling of despair that most visitors to “the rock” experience when they visit. I left wondering if there was anyway the three men that escaped and were never found had made it to freedom. I never looked further, into books written about the endeavor or Alcatraz itself. BUT by chance I came across Off the Rock - Escaping Alcatraz by Tom McAuliffe and after reading the sample on Amazon I was hooked. Off the Rock satisfied my curiosity, as much as can be in a case with still no closure. The author gave a fictitious narrative of what the men devised, said, and ultimately completed woven amidst the real life events that actual prisoners, guards, and searchers detailed. This narrative was a fascinating read, lending fiction into non-fiction. It worked! Plus, the author gave so much detail (even pics) making for a very satisfying, shortish read (under 30k words). Much recommended.