Harper
Monopoly X: How Top-Secret World War II Operations Used the Game of Monopoly to Help Allied POWs Escape, Conceal Spies, and Send Secret Codes
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An amazing true story of World War II that reveals how British and American military intelligence successfully smuggled escape aids into German P.O.W. camps hidden inside Monopoly game boards, and also the game’s surprising role in espionage.
Monopoly X is the fascinating true story of what is arguably the most unusual and best-kept secret operation of World War II. The masterminds at England’s top-secret MI-9, and later America’s MIS-X, created a special version of the popular game, hiding tools, maps, and money within game boards—delivered by fictitious charities—to captured Allied servicemen held at gunpoint behind barbed wire in German prison camps. This ingenious and complex plot, dubbed “Monopoly X,” was never discovered by the Nazis and led to many successful Allied breakouts.
The creation and consequences of Monopoly X remained a deep secret through the war and for decades after, until now. For the first time, Phillip E. Orbanes tells the full story of the people behind this clandestine program—how it was devised, implemented, and used to great success. A tale of derring-do as compelling as the World War II classic, The Great Escape, Monopoly X is an amazing war story of Allied intelligence services, resistance forces in Europe, heroes and heroines, a notorious traitor, and the pivotal role a seemingly innocent board game played in secret codes and espionage.
Monopoly X includes a 16-page black-and-white photo insert.
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Book Details
ISBN:
9780063425132
EAN:
0063425130
Binding:
Hardcover
Pages:
304
Authors:
Philip E Orbanes
Publisher:
Harper
Published Date: 2025-15-07
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As soon as I started the book, I couldn't put it down! Did not know any of the history of the secretive role and story of the Monopoly game during WWII, It's remarkable and don't want to say anymore, to give away any details. READ it for yourself!
I just finished this book as it was recommended in the Wall Street journal. I really enjoyed it's matter of fact and fact-based approach to telling a very complicated and interweaving story across multiple countries. It contains fascinating details not only of the people involved but of the difficult decisions they faced. The book doesn't excellent job of acknowledging without wasting any time on political considerations as well as incorporating the larger context of what was going on in the war into the activities of the participants in the book. It is an excellent survey tying together so many different moving pieces across the allied actions to attack and then retrieve using soldiers and airmen. Highly recommend this as a good read.
Great story, well designed and from a rare SME on the topic. Highly recommended.
The use of the world-famous Monopoly game as a way for POW's to escape prison camps is an amazing true story.As a longtime toy and game executive, the author provides all the inside scoop behind this ingenious plan. Thrilling accounts of escapes and lots of twist and turns reading about the lies, spies and allies during WW II. An entertaining, well-researched read! Highly recommend!
This was a page turner. I could hardly put it down. And the best thing about the story is that it's true. There were some real courageous people during WW2.
