Monopoly X: How Top-Secret World War II Operations Used the Game to Help Allied POWs Escape, Conceal Spies, and Send Secret Codes by Philip E. Orbanes is a gripping nonfiction account that uncovers one of World War II’s most ingenious and little-known intelligence operations. The book details how British MI9 and American MIS-X used doctored Monopoly game boards to smuggle escape tools, maps, and money into German prisoner-of-war camps. These covert operations enabled countless Allied prisoners to attempt—and sometimes achieve—daring escapes from captivity123.
Orbanes, a renowned game historian, brings to light the clandestine partnership between military intelligence and the British game manufacturer Waddington Ltd., which produced Monopoly in England. The result was a secret operation so effective that it remained classified for decades after the war, with most physical evidence destroyed to protect the methods for possible future use34.
The narrative opens with the story of Airey Neave, the first successful Monopoly-aided escapee from the infamous Colditz Castle. Neave’s journey sets the tone for a book that is as much about individual heroism as it is about organizational ingenuity4. Orbanes traces the origins of the Monopoly X project to Christopher William Clayton Hutton, a former magician and MI9 officer, who recognized the potential of everyday objects—like board games—for covert operations.
The Monopoly sets were ingeniously modified: boards were hollowed out to hide silk maps, compasses, miniature saws, lockpicks, fake papers, and even local currency. These games were distributed to POWs under the guise of charity parcels, often escaping the suspicion of German guards, who viewed games as harmless diversions for bored prisoners124.
The book also explores the American involvement, with MIS-X adapting and expanding upon the British methods. Orbanes describes how the operation’s secrecy was so vital that, at the war’s end, nearly all documentation and surviving Monopoly sets used in the plot were destroyed on official orders4.
Reveals a Hidden Chapter of WWII: The book uncovers a virtually unknown aspect of wartime espionage, blending the familiar (Monopoly) with the extraordinary (escape and evasion tactics)12.
Fresh Perspective on Espionage: Unlike many WWII histories focused on battles or politics, Monopoly X delves into the creative and psychological aspects of intelligence work, showing how play and deception intersected in the fight for freedom3.
: Orbanes narrates the story with flair, often placing readers in the midst of clandestine meetings, daring escapes, and tense moments behind enemy lines2.
: The book is populated with memorable figures—magicians, game makers, spies, and POWs—whose ingenuity and courage drive the narrative4.
Documents Disappearing History: With most records and artifacts destroyed, Orbanes’s research preserves an operation that might otherwise be lost to time4.
: The book prompts readers to consider the broader uses of games and play in serious contexts, from psychological warfare to coded communication.
| Strength | Description |
|---|---|
| Original Research | Orbanes draws on rare interviews, declassified documents, and personal accounts to reconstruct the story4. |
| Narrative Drive | The book reads like a thriller, with suspenseful escapes and secret meetings2. |
| Accessibility | Written for general readers, it avoids heavy jargon and explains intelligence concepts clearly. |
| Vivid Characterization | Real-life figures are portrayed with nuance and empathy, making historical events relatable4. |
| Fresh Insights on Familiar Topics | The book reimagines Monopoly not just as a game, but as a tool of resistance and survival1. |
| Weakness | Description |
|---|---|
| Speculative Elements | Some scenes are reconstructed with limited documentation, requiring readers to suspend disbelief2. |
| Limited Surviving Evidence | The destruction of records means some details are necessarily inferred or based on oral history4. |
| UK-Centric Focus | The narrative leans heavily on British operations, with less emphasis on the American MIS-X’s contributions4. |
| Repetitive Explanations | At times, the book reiterates the mechanics of the Monopoly sets and their modifications, which may slow the pace for some readers. |
Monopoly X stands out as a compelling blend of history, espionage, and ingenuity. It is worth reading for its revelation of a hidden wartime operation, its engaging storytelling, and its thoughtful exploration of how ordinary objects can play extraordinary roles in history. While the book’s reliance on reconstructed scenes and limited surviving evidence may leave some questions unanswered, Orbanes’s careful research and narrative skill make this a fascinating and valuable addition to World War II literature124.