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Overview
The daring escape of the fictional Count of Monte Cristo pales in comparison to the real-life exploits of POWs, persecuted clerics, political detainees, contenders for thrones, master spies, and even common criminals.. "In this encyclopedia, disguises, ruses, stratagems, capers, devices, rescues, and plots abound, from a papier-mache POW substitute to Bonnie Prince Charlie's successful 1746 masquerade as a maid to a British airman's short-lived escape from a German hospital wearing a nurse's cap and cape - and enormous flying boots and a luxuriant mustache. Each story is a tribute to humankind's ingenuity, perseverance, courage, and indomitable will. The A-to-Z entries, many of them illustrated, suggest sources for pursing each subject further, and the book also contains a detailed bibliography and index.Synopsis
In this entertaining and informative encyclopedia, disguises, ruses, stratagems, capers, devices, rescues, and plots abound. Topics range from a papier-mâché POW substitute and Bonnie Prince Charlie's successful 1746 masquerade as a maid to a British airman's short-lived escape from a German hospital wearing a nurse's cap and cape—and enormous flying boots and a luxuriant mustache. Each story is a tribute to ingenuity, perseverance, courage, and indomitable will. The A-Z entries, many of them illustrated, suggest sources for pursuing each subject further.
Library Journal
This volume collects, in one place, information on history's greatest "escapes and rescues." Arranged both alphabetically and topically, it covers a quirky array of events, from the slave revolt led by Spartacus in the first century B.C.E. to the Peruvian Embassy Siege of 1997. Entries, which are in essay form, range in length from a paragraph to several pages and include a chronological account of each event, bibliographic references, and See also references. The author, a freelance journalist and historian, writes informally and capably, peppering his prose with colorful adjectives (dramatic, desperate, fantastic, swashbuckling, and ingenious). Although seemingly narrow in scope, this is actually a useful, focused historical encyclopedia. Recommended for public reference librarians.--Marilyn Rosenthal, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
Library Journal
This volume collects, in one place, information on history's greatest "escapes and rescues." Arranged both alphabetically and topically, it covers a quirky array of events, from the slave revolt led by Spartacus in the first century B.C.E. to the Peruvian Embassy Siege of 1997. Entries, which are in essay form, range in length from a paragraph to several pages and include a chronological account of each event, bibliographic references, and See also references. The author, a freelance journalist and historian, writes informally and capably, peppering his prose with colorful adjectives (dramatic, desperate, fantastic, swashbuckling, and ingenious). Although seemingly narrow in scope, this is actually a useful, focused historical encyclopedia. Recommended for public reference librarians.--Marilyn Rosenthal, Nassau Community Coll. Lib., Garden City, NY Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.Booknews
More entertaining than informative, this encyclopedia by freelance writer Howard provides the reader with harrowing stories of POW rescues and jail breaks, as well as familiar stories such as the Von Trapp family's evasion of the authorities in Austria. In several cases Howard's history is deficient in detail and tends overall to be merely anecdotal. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR booknews.comFrom the Publisher
"…a useful, focused historical encyclopedia. Recommended for public reference librarians."
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Library Journal
"The material in this book … is ideally suited for browsing, and public libraries might want to consider an additional copy for their circulating collections."
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American Reference Books Annual
"…this is an interesting and informative volume for beginning researchers or general readers."
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Choice