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The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers
Category: Classic | Series: Tales of Mystery & the Supernatural
One of the first and still one of the finest spy stories ever written, Erskine Childers' book introduced Edwardian readers to the idea of a 'secret service'. In an enthralling tale of a duel among the islands and sandbanks of the North Sea, two amateur investigators and yachtsmen discover sinister prepa ...Show more
The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers
Category: Classic Fiction | Series: Green Popular Penguins
Tempted by the idea of duck shooting, Carruthers joins his friend Davies on a yachting expedition in the Baltic. But Davies has more on his mind than killing fowl. As they navigate the waters and treacherous, shifting sands on board the Dulcibella, Carruthers learns the real reason behind their trip - a ...Show more
The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers
Category: Classic
Described by Ken Follett as "the first modern thriller", The Riddle of the Sands is the best-known sailing narrative and a true classic. It was recently ranked 37th in The Observer's list of the 100 Greatest Novels of the past 300 years. Winston Churchill even credited it for the Admiralty's decision to ...Show more
The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers
Category: Fiction | Series: Pocket Penguin Classics
Childers' lone masterpiece, "The Riddle of the Sands", considered the first modern spy thriller, is recognisable as the brilliant forerunner of the realism of Graham Greene and John le Carre. Its unique flavour comes from its fine characterization, richly authentic background of inshore sailing and vivi ...Show more
The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers
Category: Classic
When Carruthers receives a letter from his friend Davies suggesting a Baltic sailing trip the vision of a manned yacht, A1 scenery and excellent duck shooting quickly works its charm. Much to Carruther's disgust, the reality couldn't be more different. If the Dulcibella is distressingly underwhelming, D ...Show more
The Riddle of the Sands : A Record of Secret Service by Erskine Childers
Category: Fiction | Series: Essential.penguin S.
The Riddle of the Sands: A Record of Secret Service by Erskine Childers
Category: Classics | Series: Oxford World's Classics
'About this coast...In the event of war it seems to me that every inch of it would be important, sand and all.' Executed in 1922 for his involvement in Irish republicanism, Childers in remembered most vividly for his ground-breaking spy novel, The Riddle of the Sands (1903). In spite of good prospects i ...Show more
The Riddle of the Sands : A Record of Secret Service by Erskine Childers
Category: Fiction | Series: Modern Library Classics
I have read of men who, when forced by their calling to live for long periods in utter solitude-- save for a few black faces-- have made it a rule to dress regularly for dinner in order to maintain their self-respect and prevent a relapse into barbarism. It was in some such spirit, with an added touch o ...Show more
The Riddle of the Sands: A Record of Secret Service by Erskine Childers
Category: Classic
Loosely based on the author's own experiences, "The Riddle of the Sands" takes readers back to the early days of the twentieth century, when Britain shared a tense rivalry with the Kaiser's Germany. Tempted by the idea of duck shooting, Carruthers is lured by his friend Davies into a yachting expedition ...Show more
The Riddle of the Sands (Macmillan Collector's Library) by Erskine Childers
Category: Classic | Series: Macmillan Collector's Library
One of the first great spy novels, The Riddle of the Sands is set during the long, suspicious years leading up to the First World War. In spite of good prospects in the Foreign Office, sardonic civil servant Carruthers is finding it hard to endure the boredom of his life in London. He accepts an invitat ...Show more
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