Bruno De Castro De Castro itibaren 1225 Preserje pri Lukovici, Slovenya itibaren 1225 Preserje pri Lukovici, Slovenya

W. Somerset Maugham’s Ashenden, or the British Agent is an example of one of my favourite genres, the early 20th century espionage tale. While spy stories set during World War 2 and during the Cold War have their charms I find the earlier tales set during the First Word War or in the years leading up to that war much more appealing. Ashenden, or the British Agent, first published in 1928, is a series of linked stories relating the adventures of a writer of comic plays who is recruited into British Intelligence. Maugham himself actually did serve in British Intelligence during the Great War and based these stories to a considerable extent on his own experiences. This book was the basis for Alfred Hitchcock’s very underrated 1936 film Secret Agent and it’s remarkable just how closely Hitchcock reproduces the tone of the book, with the same mix of black humour and cynicism, of innocence and cold-bloodedness. For anyone with even a passing interest in the evolution of the espionage story Maugham’s book is essential reading. It’s witty and highly entertaining with a very dark edge to it. Highly recommended.

This was good. Not as good as Unbroken, but still a great story of American ingenuity and how we used to "get things done." I would love to read the memoirs of the Guinea tribes people about this event!

Another high octane book by Armstrong!! Love this series!!