The Road to En-dor : A True Story of Cunning Wartime Escape

The incredible true story of two WWI POWs who used amateur magic to convince their captors that they were in touch with the spirit world Captured during World War I, Lieutenant E. H. Jones, a Welsh officer in the Indian Army, and Lieutenant C. W. Hill, an Australian serving in the R.A.F., were prisoners of war at the Yozgad prison camp in Turkey. Duty-bound as officers to attempt to escape, Jones sensed that what had previously been the harmless fun of fooling around with a homemade Ouija board could be turned into something much more productive. Playing on the credulous nature of their captors, Hill and Jones weaved an incredibly elaborate plot, hatched to plan their escape. Acting as mediums for the Ouija board, they attempted to convince their captors that they were gradually descending into insanity—which, had it been true, would have seen them repatriated. A true story of bravery, dedication, and extreme hardship, this book is a fascinating insight account of a daring escapade. As well as containing astonishing original materials including photographs, letters, and postcards, the book contains a preface by the author's grandson, as well as a foreword by Neil Gaiman who is linked to a film which is currently in pre-production. A free companion ebook is available to download from the Hesperus website (www.hesperuspress.com/the-road-to-en-dor) which includes back stories on the characters, maps, letters,and coded messages; and an exclusive short story written by Jones. The incredible true story of two WWI POWs who used amateur magic to convince their captors that they were in touch with the spirit worldCaptured during World War I, Lieutenant E.H. Jones, a Welsh officer in the Indian Army, and Lieutenant C.W. Hill, an Australian serving in the R.A.F., were prisoners of war at the Yozgad prison camp in Turkey. Duty-bound as officers to attempt to escape, Jones sensed that what had previously been the harmless fun of fooling around with a homemade Ouija board could be turned into something much more productive. Playing on the credulous nature of their captors, Hill and Jones weaved an incredibly elaborate plot, hatched to plan their escape. Acting as mediums for the Ouija board, they attempted to convince their captors that they were gradually descending into insanitywhich, had it been true, would have seen them repatriated. A true story of bravery, dedication, and extreme hardship, this book is a fascinating insight account of a daring escapade. As well as containing astonishing original materials including photographs, letters, and postcards, the book contains a preface by the author's grandson, as well as a foreword by Neil Gaiman who is linked to a film which is currently in pre-production. A free companion ebook is available to download from the Hesperus website (www.hesperuspress.com/the-road-to-en-dor) which includes back stories on the characters, maps, letters, and coded messages; and an exclusive short story written by Jones I followed them on a journey into nightmares, as what seemed to be a simple escape plan (simple? A lunatic escape plan of infinite complexity and unlikelihood, more like) transmuted and transformed' Neil Gaiman, from the foreword Captured during the First World War, Lieutenant E.H. Jones and Lieutenant C.W. Hill are prisoners of war at the Yozgad prison camp in Turkey. With no end to the war in sight and to save themselves from boredom, the prisoners hit upon the idea of making of a makeshift Ouija board to keep themselves entertained. But Jones, it turns out, has a natural skill for manipulating his fellow inmates, and Hill ably fulfils the role of magician's assistant and partner in crime. As their deception succeeds beyond their wildest imagination, other possibilities begin to emerge. What if this new-found hobby could be put to better use? Together Jones and Hill conjure up an almost unbelievable plot to dupe their captors into setting them free, featuring séances, ghost-guided treasure hunts and faked suicides. A runaway success when fi rst published, this true life-story is a remarkable tale of courage, ingenuity and resilience in the face of adversity. This brand new edition contains never-before-seen letters and photographs, an introduction from the descendants of E.H. Jones and a foreword by Neil Gaiman and is published alongside a free companion ebook containing even more fascinating material. Captured during the First World War, Lieutenant E.H. Jones (a Welsh officer in the Indian Army) and Lieutenant C.W. Hill (an Australian serving in the R.A.F.) were prisoners of war at the Yozgad prison camp in Turkey. To while away the time, the prisoners hit upon the idea of playing with a make-shift Ouija board to help keep themselves entertained. As it turned out, E.H. Jones had a knack for manipulation and soon had everyone believing his fake messages from the other side. It was then the bright idea came to him: if he could fool his comrades, to what extent could he fool his captors and turn this to his advantage - ? With Lieutenant Hill his partner in crime (who is also an amateur magician), the two orchestrate an extraordinary plan to try to guarantee their release