The First Modern Spy Thriller: The Riddle of the Sands Two sail-boaters are cruising off the coast of Germany on a vacation. To their amazement they discover a German military exercise-a trial-run for the invasion of England. From that starting point we are whisked through a series of mysteries, bluffs, counter-bluffs, and wild nautical maneuvers as our sail-boaters try to learn more and get their information back to England. Through it all, Childers brilliantly captures the style and attitudes of the day. His use of ...
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The First Modern Spy Thriller: The Riddle of the Sands Two sail-boaters are cruising off the coast of Germany on a vacation. To their amazement they discover a German military exercise-a trial-run for the invasion of England. From that starting point we are whisked through a series of mysteries, bluffs, counter-bluffs, and wild nautical maneuvers as our sail-boaters try to learn more and get their information back to England. Through it all, Childers brilliantly captures the style and attitudes of the day. His use of military terms and concepts is creditable, and his depiction of small boat sailing is impeccable. What is astonishing is that the book was written before WW-I and correctly anticipates the coming military aggressiveness of Germany. As such, it created a sensation when it was first released, and remains a classic, perhaps THE classic, spy-action-adventure novel to this day. Whether you are a boater, a military buff, a spy novel fan, or just like a good thrilling read-this book is for you. Move over Ian Fleming and make way for your grandpa!
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Add this copy of The Riddle of the Sands to cart. $47.84, good condition, Sold by Bonita rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Newport Coast, CA, UNITED STATES, published 2008 by Fireship Pr.
THIS IS A GREAT READ. TOO BAD CHILDERS DID NOT WRITE MORE. I ALSO HAVE THE VIDEO--GOOD MOVIE. ACCURATE. GOOD EXAMPLE OF ONE-ON-ONE AND SUSPENSEFUL STORY.
Tompy
Mar 31, 2011
A good story
This was billed as the first of the spy stories, and it lived up to that quite well. Also if you like sea stories you would enjoy it just for that. The characters were well developed, and the plot quite suspenseful.
simor
Oct 1, 2009
I was first introduced to Riddle of the Sands as a young girl; over the years I have taken it from the library every so often to reread and finally decided I should own a copy. Anyone who enjoys suspenseful adventure/spy stories free of modern, super-hero flash will love this jewel. (Having some sailing experience does help.)
