On the Run and Loving It

There’s something irresistibly fascinating about a good prison break. Whether it’s a daring dash through a tunnel or a clever disguise that fools everyone, escape stories tap into our most basic instincts for freedom and defiance. In On the Lam: Great (and Not So Great) Escapes from Prison, Lorna Poplak dives headfirst into this thrilling world of jailbreaks, both brilliant and bungled. With her sharp eye for detail and knack for storytelling, Poplak transforms history’s most infamous getaways into page-turning tales that feel as exciting as any heist movie—but all the more gripping because they really happened.

Breaking Out, One Story at a Time

Poplak organizes the book into a collection of true escape stories spanning decades and continents, from meticulously plotted tunnels to escapes that fell apart almost immediately. Readers meet an unforgettable cast of characters: the masterminds who planned every last step, the lucky ones who stumbled into freedom by chance, and the unfortunate few whose dreams of escape ended with a thud. Each account is rich in historical context, giving readers a sense not only of how these breakouts happened but why they mattered. Poplak’s research shines through without ever feeling heavy-handed—she balances fact and flair in a way that keeps the momentum racing from one story to the next.

Smart, Funny, and Full of Surprises

One of the book’s biggest strengths is Poplak’s tone. She doesn’t just recount escapes; she revels in their absurdity and audacity. Some of the tales verge on slapstick—complete with disguises gone wrong and accidental betrayals—while others are feats of engineering genius that deserve a slow clap. Through it all, Poplak maintains a wry sense of humor that keeps the stories from feeling grim, even when the consequences are serious. She writes like someone telling you a great story over coffee—engaging, conversational, and completely in command of her material.

A Celebration of Ingenuity (and Human Folly)

While On the Lam certainly delivers on entertainment, it also digs deeper into what these escapes reveal about human nature. Poplak highlights the persistence, cleverness, and desperation that drive people to risk everything for freedom. There’s a kind of twisted admiration that creeps in as you read, even when you know these fugitives weren’t saints. She never glorifies crime, but she does illuminate the strange mixture of courage and foolishness that makes escape stories so enduringly compelling. It’s this balance—between history and humor, between fact and fascination—that makes the book such a satisfying read.

Verdict: A Wild Ride Worth Taking

On the Lam is perfect for true crime buffs, history lovers, or anyone who enjoys a good underdog story with a twist. Lorna Poplak manages to make each escape feel fresh and immediate, reminding readers that truth really can be stranger—and more entertaining—than fiction. The book’s pacing, personality, and depth of research make it both enlightening and fun, a rare combination in the true crime genre. By the time you turn the last page, you might just find yourself rooting—if only a little—for the next great escape artist who dares to make a run for it.