Against All Odds: History’s Greatest Escapes

Some escapes are so daring they seem almost impossible. This class recounts remarkable true stories of prisoners of war, political prisoners, and ordinary people who risked everything in extraordinary bids for freedom. From elaborate tunnels and clever disguises to bold acts of courage and ingenuity, you’ll discover the planning, perseverance, and luck behind some of history’s most unforgettable escapes—and the lasting impact they had on the world.

You’ll travel from a Nazi POW camp where Allied airmen secretly dug three tunnels, to the notorious penal colony of French Guiana made famous by the novel Papillon. You will also discover how three prisoners engineered their mysterious escape from Alcatraz and how 38 IRA prisoners staged a daring mass breakout from Northern Ireland’s Maze Prison. Each escape reveals a combination of ingenuity, determination, deception, and sheer nerve. Together, these stories reveal what people are capable of when freedom is worth risking everything to achieve.

Murray Norcross, M.D., M.P.H., is a 30-year career U.S. Navy medical officer and family physician who has served in the Cold War, Operation Desert Storm and the Global War on Terror. An eyewitness to many historic events of the past 30 years, Murray served two staff tours in Washington, D.C., deployed in support of several Joint Task Forces, and was stationed overseas for six years, split between Bahrain and Japan. Murray holds master’s degrees in international relations, public health and health care administration. He is an avid photographer, writer, researcher, artist and lifelong learner.