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The Riddle of the Sands

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The Riddle of the Sands

By: Erskine Childers
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

 While on a sailing trip in the Baltic Sea, two young adventurers-turned-spies uncover a secret German plot to invade England. Widely recognized as the first modern spy thriller, this 1902 lone masterpiece by World War I Royal Navy officer Erskine Childers was written as a wake-up call to the British government to attend to its North Sea defenses. It accomplished that task and has been considered a classic of espionage literature ever since. Praised for its nautical action and richly authentic background as much as for its suspenseful spycraft, The Riddle of the Sands is the brilliant forerunner to the realism of Graham Greene and John le Carré.©2001 Mary Daheim (P)2002 Blackstone Audio, Inc. Action & Adventure Classics Espionage Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Exciting

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Critic reviews

"This is a book of great renown....Its beautifully sustained atmosphere...adds poetry, and...real mystery." (Ian Fleming)
"Simon Vance lends a mature sound and considerable technique to his narration, making Childers's seafaring not only apparent, but contagious." ( AudioFile)
All stars
Most relevant
I enjoyed this book. I had read it before but the narrator brought it to life. Having no charts to refer to made it a little difficult to follow. Childer's execution by firing squad in the lrish Civil War hung over it for me. Such a fine life wasted.

Gripping story.

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the author's intelligence shines through. full of picturesque details that will carry you away on the adventure. a slice of authentic nautical life with the trappings of the British upper class.

brilliant

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Any additional comments?

I first met this book as a prescribed text on my GCE English course maybe 60 years ago. I found it totally enthralling then and perhaps even more so now when I can fully appreciate the careful detail of the narrative. The plot is simple and neat but the story is woven into a complex tapestry of authentic nautical descriptions and set in a mysterious, shifting and foggy seascape. A startlingly prophetic warning of dire troubles ahead for the seemingly invincible British Empire, the book was a deliberate attempt to sound the alarm against Germany's growing industrial power and military potential.

Nicely told by Simon Vance who perfectly captures the youthful derring do of the story in the infectious enthusiasm of his narration.

A little gem from the dawn of the 20th Century

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I listened to this at a slower speed.. so the narrator almost sounded like a computer voice. I found this slower speed worked very well. Obviously great story. I bought '39 Steps' afterwards!

Almost perfect..

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I've read the entry for Erskine Childers on Wikipedia and I don't really understand why he was executed at the age of 52. What a tragedy! He seems to have been a man of inspiring energy, intelligence and principles.

I only wish this extraordinary book were twice as long. It makes me want to go back in time a hundred years and take up sailing.

Simon Vance gives a perfect rendition. He is also a great talent. What a combination!

A Rare Gem.

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