In October 1934, the Chinese Communist Army found itself facing complete annihilation, surrounded by hundreds of thousands of Nationalist soldiers. Rather than surrender, 86,000 Communists embarked on an epic journey, the likes of which had never been seen before. Their trek would eventually cover 6,000 miles over 370 days. But that''s not even the most incredible part of the story: of those 86,000 who began what would become known as "The Long March," only 30 were women. Often under enemy fire, they crossed highland swamps that claimed dozens of lives; climbed treacherous Tibetan peaks; scrambled over bridges made of nothing more than chains, and trudged through the hot sands of the western deserts. Fewer than 10,000 of the original group would survive, but remarkably most of the women would live to tell the tale.
Dean King''s UNBOUND tells the amazing story of these thirty women: their love, friendship, and survival. This is truly a journey like none other, told by a master of adventure narrative.
Industry Reviews
"Unbound recounts the amazing journey that 30 women and 86,000 men took in an effort to escape Chaing Kai-shek's advancing soldiers...Threading the narratives of the women's individual stories, women's place in China at the time, and the progress of the March with an overall picture of modern Chinese history, King gives readers a unique look at a turning point for [China].--Olivia Flores Alvarez, The Houston Press
"A terrific feminist story and a significant document of this incredible human feat."--Kirkus Reviews
"Fascinating...King, the best-selling author of Skeletons on the Zahara, has done brilliant work bringing the march to life with a plethora of vivid, well-researched details...Unbound is an authoritative account of the Long March, but its evocations of the marchers' experiences will linger long after the historical details slip from readers' memories."--Doug Childers, The Richmond Times-Dispatch
"King spent five years traveling the length of the Long March, interviewing those women still alive to tell their tales. Theirs are stories of courage, remarkable not only because of the physical and psychological rigors of their journey, but also because of their determination...China has always been a mysterious and secretive empire, but Unbound peels back the curtain to reveal a story of strength and survival."--John T. Slania, Bookpage
"Unbound is a relentless, gripping story of superhuman endurance, of a refusal to accept defeat...King's book is an exhaustive and excellent study of these women and their hard road to equality and freedom...These women, whose blood and sweat helped build a modern nation, truly walked the walk."--Howard Owen, Fredericksburg.com
