Product Description

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #89986 in Books
• Published on: 2001-04
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

From Library Journal
After months of planning, six inmates attempted to escape from the infamous Alcatraz prison in May 1946. Although their plan was thoroughly thought out, it failed because the key needed for escape from the cell block was missing. Instead, a battle ensued between the inmates and the prison authorities. The author is the son of one of the guards taken hostage that day. When the plan failed, the guards were shot so that there would be no witnesses. Miraculously, though, the hostages were only wounded and kept still, pretending to be dead. In the meantime, the inmates fought to the bitter end: three died in the battle, and the other three eventually stood trial. Lageson thoroughly researched this tragedy, giving the reader a real feeling of what happened that day. Although he does give the readers an update of the principal characters involved, he fails to follow up on the aftermath of the incident. Nevertheless, libraries with an interest in prison history will probably want this for their collections.AMichael Sawyer, Northwestern Regional Lib., Elkin, NC
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author
Ernie B. Lageson is a retired attorney, nationally recognized for is his work in civil-jury and non jury cases. He lives in the San Francisco Bay area.

Customer Reviews

Excellent Book
Visited The Rock this July, bought this book at the bookstore, This book was a great book made me feel like i was actully there. The auther Tells a great story. Suggest to everyone

Riveting, Interesting, and Readable
Author Ernest Lageson provides us with an account of the 1946 attempted breakout at Alcatraz prison during which time his father was a guard at the institution. He provides the reader with the details of a well-planned attempt by inmates to vacate "The Rock". The best laid plans go sour for the strangest reasons, and this plan went awry because a guard decided to keep a key to the recreation yard in his pocket because he was to reuse it shortly instead of returning it where it belonged. The inmates were unable to locate the key and their plot was foiled. The author provides us with details of the personalities of the inmates involved and their frustration when things began to go wrong. Author Lageson was a schoolboy at the time, and he expresses his agony in not knowing whether his father was alive or not. Conflict between Warden James Johnston and his associate, Edward Miller, in resolving the takeover is gone into detail with Warden Johnston appearing as confused as to what to do to rescue the guards in the cell block and quash the uprising. According to the author, Johnston had his facts wrong, also, when providing details to the press. Having just visited Alcatraz last week I wanted to read this book and was able to visualize the inside of the prison. I found this book very interesting to read. I can't imagine a reviewer who found it to be boring. I would highly recommend the book to you.

Meticulously researched, Thoroughly readable
Ernie Lageson, is the son of one of the prison guards injured in the failed escape attempt about which this book is written. There are many versions of stories told about Alcatraz the details of which vary by accounting. Being a stickler for correct facts I appreciate the attention to accurate detail paid by the author when writing this book. He not only tells the story with precise accuracy he does so as a skilled story teller weaving a web and drawing you in. If you only read one book about this particular uprising, make sure you chose this one. You won't find an accounting more thoroughly researched nor more intelligently written.