Under the Wire (Paperback)

The bestselling WWII memoir of an American Spitfire pilot and legendary Prisoner of War escape artist.

American Bill Ash went from Hobo to hero as he joined up to fly Spitfires for the RAF in 1940, before the United States entered the war.

Shot down in 1942, the French Resistance helped him on the run until the Gestapo caught and tortured him, then sentenced him to death as a spy. He was saved by the Luftwaffe and put in legendary Great Escape camp Stalag Luft III, thanking them by escaping a dozen times, over the wire, under it or straight though it. He became one of the great ‘escape artists’ of the war, risking all for that elusive ‘home run’.

“Totally spellbinding. Bill Ash makes Steve McQueen look like Jim Carrey”– Alan Plater

"A story of bravery, humor and never-say-die”– The Times, London

"Under the Wire makes the reader want to stand up and cheer!”– Charles Rollings, Wire & Walls

“One of the most inspirational stories I’ve ever read. A wonderful book about a wonderful man”– Robert Elms, BBC

This is the first North American paperback, but Under the Wire is already a bestseller in the UK, topping Amazon UK's History, WWII and Biography charts. It has gained 33 reader reviews on Amazon UK, 32 five-star and one four star. Here are a few excerpts:

***** Enthralled!By R.B. Lee

Being ex-forces, and in my 40's, the daring-do books about the SAS and the Gulf Wars have been high on my agenda. I happened to see 'Under the wire' and thought "I'd give it a go". My opinion - absolutely brilliant! I couldn't put it down. I'd love to meet Bill Ash, shake him by the hand, and know I've met one of the most inspirational characters that ever walked this earth.

***** InspiringBy Jim Sells

It is Story that makes this book so amazing: all at once it manages to be incredibly moving, heart-warming, hilarious, disturbing and inspiring. To come out the other side of these experiences with the deep love for people that Bill Ash clearly has, just goes to show what an amazing human being he must be.

***** Exceptional By Timothy De Ferrars

This book is exceptional. Ash is candid about his motives for fighting; he reveals hot-headed fury at those who had started the war. Never afraid to reveal his feelings, Ash is always witty and ironic. The book is thoroughly modern and easy to read, yet it evokes wartime life as vividly as if it were yesterday.

***** A blockbuster of EscapologyBy Joanne Isaak

Breathtaking! Riveting, exciting, and spellbinding! Mr. Ash lived it, Mr. Foley brought it alive. Don't begin reading late in the day or you'll lose a whole night of sleep.

***** Bravo Misters Ash and Foley!By Jane Rosen

I have Misters Ash and Foley to blame for 2 nights of lost sleep reading this riveting tale. I simply could not put it down. This is an amazing story. I admire Mr. Ash's heroism as well as his humor and humility and ultimately his humanity. Highly recommended!

***** Among the top five escapes books ever!By R. Laplander

As a military historian and author, I search out good books. It has been years since I have come across such a wonderful story that has held my attention from start to finish as `Under the Wire' has. It now has a spot on my top shelf alongside favorites I have revered for years.

***** Humbly I give thanksBy Brett

The book brought out so many emotions in me...I laughed, I seriously shed a tear and I ended the book feeling totally humbled. I've gone on about it so much that my wife is reading it now!

***** A Wonderful read By A. R. Hancock

Took it up on holiday and couldn't put it down. A true story and a wonderful read.

***** Loved itBy C. Martin

As they waited in those tunnels for the right moment to escape, I found myself holding my breath slightly as I waited with them so as not to use up their oxygen.

Born in Dallas in 1917, WILLIAM ASH worked his way through school and college during the Great Depression, graduating from the University of Texas at Austin, to the heights of elevator operator, then Hobo.

At the outbreak of war in Europe he rode the rails to Canada and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940. A Spitfire pilot, he saw action over England and France. He was shot down near Calais in March 1942 and evaded the German forces for months with help from the French Resistance but was captured and badly beaten by the Gestapo.

Bill was sent to a succession of POW camps in Occupied Europe from which he escaped on a regular basis, becoming one of the greatest escapers of the war. At war's end, he was awarded an MBE for his escaping activities and went on to work for the BBC in India and Britain. He became a writer and a past Chair of the Writers Guild (GB). Married to the academic Ranjana Ash, he lives in London where he stayed after the war.

This account of his wartime adventures became a best-seller in the UK and Tunnel King Ash observed "I've discovered the secret of success - all you have to do is dig a hole and wait seventy years". He celebrated his 95th birthday in November 2012 with the publication of this, the first paperback edition in North America.

Bill's friend and co-author BRENDAN FOLEY grew up in Belfast and now divides his time between London and Los Angeles, with his wife Shelly, also a writer. A former award-winning features journalist, Foley has also written feature films including Johnny Was starring Vinnie Jones and The Riddle starring Derek Jacobi and Vanessa Redgrave. He is now developing a feature film version of Under the Wire.

Recent reviews on amazon.co.uk: ***** Under The Wire By Mike Goldwater. Under the Wire is a wonderfully moving book. We journey with him through beautiful moments of freedom as he discovers his ability as a flyer, refining his skills in combat as he weaves his Spitfire across the skies, through appalling tortures by the Gestapo, to the terrifying claustrophobia of tunnelling under the wire. Iit is almost impossible to put the book down. I thoroughly recommend it.

***** Excellent Read By Oldbiker. I've just read "Under The Wire" from cover to cover, the dishes need doing, phone calls should have been made and there's no food in the house. "Unputdownable" might be a horrible word, but it applies to William Ash's superb book.