Includes bibliographical references and index.

Great Escapes brings together extraordinary stories of daring escapes from prison, prisoner-of-war camps and other places of incarceration and confinement, drawn from every period of history and from every corner of the world. In addition to telling the stories of the most celebrated and notorious of prison breaks, including Alcatraz, Great Escapes recounts the classic POW escape stories of World War II, including the 'Great Escape' (immortalized by the eponymous 1960s movie starring Steve McQueen). A celebration of human ingenuity and daredevil courage, Great Escapes offers the reader an exhilarating and unforgettable sequence of escape stories. The 'great escapes' include: Daedalus and Icarus; Underground Railroad; Colditz; Mary Queen of Scots; Over the Icy Passes; Mt Kenya; St John of the Cross; Libby Prison Break; Stalag Luft III; Charles II; Devil's Island; Evading the Enemy; Amazons of Haverhill; Edith Cavell; Walter Bonatti; Jack Sheppard; Houdini; Alcatraz; Bonnie Prince Charlie; Bretholz; George Blake; Casanova; Dunkirk; Berlin Wall.