Magazine Sneak Peek!: Winston Churchill's Incredible Prison Break

Last week, The New York Times reported that journalist David Rohde, who had been kidnapped by the Taliban and held for 7 months in the mountains of Afghanistan, escaped with a fellow captive by jumping over a wall and then trekking to meet up with Pakistani army officials. The story is utterly fascinating, and it almost reminds me of Winston Churchill's crazy escape back when he was a journalist during the Boer Wars.

Winston Churchill's Incredible Prison Break

Upon escaping, Churchill ran to a nearby villa, where he waited until he was able to hop on a passing train. For several more days, he followed the rail lines, sleeping in ditches, stealing food where he could, and fishing newspapers out of trash bins to read about the manhunt pursuing him. Six days later, Churchill made the last leg of his journey when he crept onto a train headed for the Portuguese colony at Delagoa Bay. The ride took him 250 miles east to the Mozambique coast, where he crossed the border into freedom. Churchill's daring escape did wonders for his name. It made him a celebrity in England and helped launch his political career.

REMEMBER! This preview is part of a larger piece on the 7 Greatest Escapes of All Time. Make our editors happy and grab the full story in the new issue of mental_floss, on newsstands tomorrow. Or take advantage of our latest offer and pick up a t-shirt with your subscription for just a couple of dollars more.