Richmond's Libby Prison has long been described as "notorious"--the Abu Ghraib of the Confederacy. This deeply researched, well written page-turner at last helps us understand why, offering gruesome details about mistreatment, abusive and sadistic staff, and hideous conditions. Robert Watson has added to this a compelling story about an extraordinary breach of Libby's equally notorious security, and the result is an important contribution to Civil War literature that manages to unfold like a thriller.

Robert Watson has done it again! His inciteful and historically rich narrative brought to life the ingenuity of the prisoners suffering in the Confederate Bastille who undertook one of the most remarkable and daring escapes this country ever witnessed, the largest in US history, and one that has been long forgotten. A must read for anyone interested in the Civil War or military history, for that matter.

Until very recently, there has been astonishingly little attention paid to the subject of prisoners of war. ...Escape! shines a bright light on the conditions, the men living under them, and the extraordinary endurance of those who managed to escape.

Watson's vivid prose is at its best when conveying the humanity, valor, and ingenuity of the US military officers who endured deplorable conditions to mount a daring escape from the Confederate prison. Ample historical context and biographical detail, including the captivating stories of escaped prisoners who rejoined the fight against slavery and disunion, make this a compelling and informative read for anyone interested in 19th century American history and culture.