Coauthor Erich Friedrich

won the Iron Cross fighting the Soviets. But when he refused to give the Nazi salute and criticized Hermann Göring, he was charged with subversion and thrown into a cell.

With him were a suspected spy, two accused deserters, a Jehovah''s Witness, a draft dodger, and a leftist.

To try to push back the terror of the unknown, each man took a turn telling why he was awaiting torture and possibly death. Friedrich vowed to remember their remarkable stories forever.