- Paperback: 336 pages
- Publisher: Atlantic Books; Reprint edition (1 Mar 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1843549085
- ISBN-13: 978-1843549086
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.7 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 378,243 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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"'The best story of adventure published in the last quarter of a century' John Buchan 'A thriller anticipating Frederick Forsyth and Len Deighton... never loses pace' Independent on Sunday 'The first and best of spy stories' The Times"
Product Description
The perennial classic. Arguably the first spy novel ever written that remains one of the finest examples of the genre to this day.Carruthers, a Foreign Office clerk with a taste for yachting, joins his former schoolmate, Davies, for a spot of sailing on the North Sea. Carruthers is initially disdainful of their rather rudimentary vessel, the Dulcibella; but he warms to the voyage when they detect suspicious German naval activity off the coast of the Frisian Islands. Pretending to be hunting duck, the friends decide to investigate the Germans' intentions - self-appointed secret agents. In no time they become embroiled in a world of suspense and intrigue, and the pair set about foiling a plot to invade England.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Paperback
Robert Erskine Childers' (1870-1922) only novel, first published in 1903, The Riddle of the Sands has been described as the first modern spy thriller.
Childers's biographer Andrew Boyle remarked that "For the next ten years [1903-1913] Childers's book remained the most powerful contribution of any English writer to the debate on Britain's alleged military unpreparedness". Winston Churchill even credited it for the Admiralty's decision to build naval bases in Scapa Flow, Invergordon and Rosyth. The work was also a notable influence on John Buchan, Ian Fleming and John Le Carre. Ken Follett has described it as "the first real thriller".
The Riddle of the Sands was recently ranked 37th in The Observer's list of the 100 Greatest Novels of the past 300 years.
Included in this edition are a number of maps and charts as well as an interesting afterword by literary critic Robert Giddings.
Childers's biographer Andrew Boyle remarked that "For the next ten years [1903-1913] Childers's book remained the most powerful contribution of any English writer to the debate on Britain's alleged military unpreparedness". Winston Churchill even credited it for the Admiralty's decision to build naval bases in Scapa Flow, Invergordon and Rosyth. The work was also a notable influence on John Buchan, Ian Fleming and John Le Carre. Ken Follett has described it as "the first real thriller".
The Riddle of the Sands was recently ranked 37th in The Observer's list of the 100 Greatest Novels of the past 300 years.
Included in this edition are a number of maps and charts as well as an interesting afterword by literary critic Robert Giddings.
Format:Paperback
I live in France and 'The Riddle of the Sands' was our book clubs choice for October. On seeing this book on library shelves and in book shops, I have always shied away from taking the opportunity to read it. I think this was largely due to not recognising the author and the age of the publication.
I was hooked from the start. I found the style of writing refreshing, compared with some modern day writers - I actually had to concentrate and was not able to foreguess the next sentence. Childers is able to describe objects, people and surroundings in such a way that you feel you are part of the adventure.
I actually felt the cold, the damp and the fog and was grateful to be tucked up in a nice warm bed. The maps and charts helped to contribute to ones feeling of involvement in the adventure. Although a work of fiction it certainly highlighted the weaknesses and problems Britian had at that time where Germany was concerned.
His no nonsense end to the story made one feel that the important matters were dealt with and what happend afterwards to the characters was of no consequence.
A book I would not have chosen to read but one which I very much enjoyed and will certainly read again - and I am sure will enjoy even more the second time around.
I was hooked from the start. I found the style of writing refreshing, compared with some modern day writers - I actually had to concentrate and was not able to foreguess the next sentence. Childers is able to describe objects, people and surroundings in such a way that you feel you are part of the adventure.
I actually felt the cold, the damp and the fog and was grateful to be tucked up in a nice warm bed. The maps and charts helped to contribute to ones feeling of involvement in the adventure. Although a work of fiction it certainly highlighted the weaknesses and problems Britian had at that time where Germany was concerned.
His no nonsense end to the story made one feel that the important matters were dealt with and what happend afterwards to the characters was of no consequence.
A book I would not have chosen to read but one which I very much enjoyed and will certainly read again - and I am sure will enjoy even more the second time around.
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