Monopoly X

“Reveals the never-before-told story of how an authority in the game of bridge used a Monopoly board to create an ingenious code that, surprisingly, exposed spies at the highest level of the U.S. government.” – Will Shortz, Crossword editor, The New York Times

“Phil Orbanes vividly brings to life this amazing true story of Monopoly’s role, undercover, in World War II. It is populated by heroes, remarkable heroines, and a notorious villain. I doubt you’ll be able to put it down.” – Alan Hassenfeld, philanthropist and former chairman/chief executive of Hasbro

“In Monopoly X, Phil Orbanes weaves together a fascinating story about Monopoly’s previously unknown role in World War II. With skill befitting the best novelists, Orbanes takes the reader on a ride through the twists and turns of great spy fiction–only the story he’s telling is true.” – Steve Dubnik, President and CEO of the Strong National Museum of Play

“The undercover use of the Monopoly game during World War II rings as true as Cold War counterintelligence. It was top secret, yet in plain sight. It was conceived and implemented by dedicated spies (men and women) who avoided suspicion by the enemy. It helped thousands of our POWs escape, despite the efforts of a notorious traitor and the swirling tides of war in Europe.” – Lieutenant Colonel Thomas J. Howley, U.S. Army, Retired, former Counterintelligence Special Agent

Philip E. Orbanes is an American author, former president of Winning Moves Games, and game historian. Prior to founding Winning Moves Games, he worked as a Senior Vice President for Research and Development at Parker Brothers. He is considered the foremost expert on the history of Monopoly, writing several books about the board game, including Monopoly: The World’s Most Famous Game–And How it Got that Way. He lives in Massachusetts.