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Buy a cheap copy of Ashenden: Or The British Agent book by W. Somerset Maugham. Hardcover. Ashenden Or the British Agent (Classics To Go) eBook: Maugham, Somerset: Amazon.ca: Kindle Store Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. Free shipping . This fascinating book contains the most expert stories of espionage ever written. AU $12.64. Ashenden Or the British Agent (Kindle Edition) Published March 4th 2019 by Otbebookpublishing Classics To Go, Kindle Edition, 274 pages Author(s): W. Somerset Maugham. It is unknown whether they were rewritten slightly from original publication. Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. At the end of this post, you will find a link to some of the chapters. Used Paperback 1991 $8.63. Ashenden: The British Agent is founded on Maugham's experiences in the English Intelligence Department during World War I, but rearranged for the purposes of fiction. This edition was published in 1941 by Doubleday in Garden City, N.Y. Free shipping . The head of British Intelligence is known only as "R", anticipating James Bond's "M" by a quarter of a century" The Times "Thoughtful spy novels began with Somerset Maugham's Ashenden, featuring a detached hero on a journey to disillusion, a process brought to its apotheosis by le Carre via Greene" Daily Telegraph "A collection of stories so accurate that Churchill ordered the destruction of 14 of them, while Russian intelligence immediately set up a special unit to read British spy novels for clues" --New Statesman If you enjoy the manners and etiquette of a bygone age then you might well enjoy this book. William Ashenden is an agent with the British Secret Intelligence Service. $10.99. When she finds out of his death, the dancer goes to Ashenden and asks to get back the valuable watch she had given to the man whom she has just betrayed. These seemingly simple stories are actually a lot more complex, and the writing a good deal more 'modern', than they appear to be at first sight, they remind us of just how great a popular writer Maugham was in his prime. ", Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2019. I don’t say “novel” since it is really a series of somewhat loosely related stories about a British agent in Switzerland during World War I. Maugham was himself a British agent and he uses his experiences to good effect here. When war broke out in 1914, Somerset Maugham was dispatched by the British Secret Service to Switzerland under the guise of completing a play. Ashenden or The British Agent by William Somerset Maugham Paperback Book The. He spends eleven days on the train from Vladivostok to Petrograd sharing a cabin with Harrington, an American business man who is a constant conversationalist. $16.39. He does not use a weapon. Like Ian Fleming . Ashenden, or, The British Agent. Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2020. Ashenden, or the British Agent by W Somerset Maugham (1928) This collection of stories drew closely on Maugham’s own experiences as an intelligence officer in Europe during the First World War. Ashenden: The British Agent is founded on Maugham's experiences in the English Intelligence Department during World War I, but rearranged for the purposes of fiction. During World War I, Maugham enlisted with an ambulance unit, but was soon shifted to the Intelligence Department. [3][4][page needed], There have been many full cast adaptations of the stories for BBC Radio.[5]. Ashenden: Or the British Agent is a 1928 collection of loosely linked stories by W. Somerset Maugham.It is partly based on the author's experience as a member of British Intelligence in … At the end of this post, you will find a link to some of the chapters. FIRST PUBLISHED 1928 REPRINTED 1928 (twice), 1929 (twice), 1931, 1934, 1938, 1948 (twice), 1950, 1951 (twice), 1956, 1961 PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY THE WINDMILL PRESS LTD KINGSWOOD, SURREY. He takes pains to describe them fully to the extent that each character is set fast in the reader's imagination. Donald Gullick, a British agent, was dispatched to assassinate Chattopadhaya while the latter was on his way to Geneva to meet another Indian nationalist, Mahendra Pratap and forward the Kaiser's invitation to Berlin. Ashenden is valued by his organization as a judge of character more than a man of action. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Free shipping . Free postage. Please try again. The quality of the writing is superb, the casual observations are cogent, and the descriptions vivid. Much like graham Greene’s spy novels, Maugham’s Ashenden throbs with soul and human vitality. One cannot be a moral agent and a spy at the same time. Ashenden, or, The British Agent Mass Market Paperbound W. Somerset Maugham. You don't see them coming. Ashenden, or: the british agent by Maugham, W. Somerset (William Somerset), 1874-1965. Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Agent (1907) may hold that honor. His work has remained widely anthologied, and is, by any measure of commerce or canon, successful. All a bit different to the world of James Bond ! Among other enterprises, Britain's European intelligence network attempted to eliminate a number of Indian nationalists in Europe, notably members of the Berlin Committee. Britain's insistence that they stamp out any effort for the Indian nationalists to attempt to get the Brits out of India was thwarted for another 25 years of thriving here and other stolen colonies. Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free. It is partly based on the author's experience as a member of British Intelligence in Europe during the First World War. As they try to evacuate, the business man insists on getting back his laundry that had been sent out. Ashenden: The British Agent is founded on Maugham's experiences in the English Intelligence Department during World War I, but rearranged for the purposes of fiction. There is a cool precision in his writing, an absence of fussiness, that tells a narrative cleanly and simply, and describes character incisively. By trade he is an author, a man who has written a novel or two, if inferences can be believed, … After a number of similar operations, Ashenden is sent to Imperial Russia during the 1917 revolution, as an "agent of influence", to do what he can to keep Russia in the war against Germany. The chapters are collected in later collections under different titles, as below. The protagonist Ashenden is somewhat modeled on the author, so he is a literary man recruited into the British intelligence service. item 3 Ashenden, or, The British Agent by William Somerset Maugham 0099289709 The Cheap 3 - Ashenden, or, The British Agent by William Somerset Maugham 0099289709 The Cheap. (Wikipedia) I loved it and found it right up there with Joseph Conrad's "The Secret Agent" and Erskine Childers' "The Riddel of the Sands. During WWI, a writer named Ashenden, introduced only by his last name, is enlisted as an agent through threats and promises by "R.", a Colonel with British Intelligence. Unable to add item to List. Edition Notes 72737 Genre Fiction. It’s highly atmospheric, what little violence there is occurs offstage, and it captures the times well, when everyone smoked, took trains with sleeping cars, and was very polite. Ashenden or The British Agent by William Somerset Maugham Paperback Book The. the title character of Ashenden: Or the British Agent, a collection of stories by W. Somerset Maugham Ashenden (TV series) , a 1991 BBC British spy drama series based on Maugham's stories Disambiguation page providing links to topics that could be referred to by the same search term The title you have selected (Ashenden: or, The British Agent) is a post-1923 publication by an author who died more than 50 years ago. Maugham certainly had a distinctive style. I read this book at a reading club consisted of three members,whose nationality are Saudi-Arabia and Japan. First edition, first impression of Maugham's collection of interrelated stories about a writer employed as a spy in World War I, drawing from the author's personal experience in the British Secret Intelligence Service. Women wait in a long, endless line, night and day, without knowing... Free Shipping on all orders over $10. Secret Agent is a 1936 British espionage thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, adapted from the play by Campbell Dixon, which in turn is loosely based on two stories in the 1927 collection Ashenden: Or the British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham. For a period of time after it was first published the book became official required reading for persons entering the secret service. Ashenden or The British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham Impress Best Mysteries . Very Good in Very Good+ dust jacket. However, there were none. He assumed a slightly imposing air and adopted a more serious tone. During World War I, Maugham enlisted with an ambulance unit, but was soon shifted to the Intelligence Department. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 24, 2014. Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2019, Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 21, 2015. It will cover some comments of contemporary reviews and the description of two editions. This fascinating book contains the most expert stories of espionage ever written. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less "True fiction: The best spies are really quite boring", "Alfred Hitchcock Collectors' Guide: Secret Agent (1936)", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ashenden:_Or_the_British_Agent&oldid=970756008, Short story collections by W. Somerset Maugham, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from September 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, "A Domiciliary Visit" & "Miss King" as Miss King, "The Hairless Mexican", "The Dark Woman", "The Greek" as The Hairless Mexican, "A Trip to Paris, "Giulia Lazzari" as Giulia Lazzari, "Behind the Scenes", "His Excellency", as His Excellency, "A Chance Acquaintance", "Love and Russian Literature", "Mr. Harrington's Washing" as Mr. Harrington's Washing, A number of the stories formed the basis of the 1991 four-part, This page was last edited on 2 August 2020, at 05:34. Ashenden's sweet talking the British German spy into going back to Britain and be summarily shot characterizes the times and the Brits. Although these stories were based on the author's own experiences as a British agent during the war, he emphasized that they were written purely as entertainment, at which, indeed, Ashenden succeeds. Suavely written, as one would expect of Maugham. A manifestation of evil is not a moral agent, not immoral but amoral. All show Maugham's gifts for characterisation and perceptive observation. Synopsis. The ironic denouement is that after the man is captured by the British, he commits suicide before he can be arrested, tried, and executed. However, it is not a typical spy novel in that it is essentially a collection of short stories (each a particular experience of Ashenden) so there is no build up of suspense or plot that ties together the entire book. Read this with an eye on the game-changing impact of WWI and appreciate how a man of the world adjusted to the unraveling of everything he took for granted, and how he adapted through the written word. Ashenden or the British Agent (Avon T-119) by W. Somerset Maugham. Published 1928 Condition First Edition. In another, Ashenden must induce an Italian dancer to betray her lover, an anti-British Indian and a German agent, by convincing him to cross the border from neutral Switzerland to see her in allied France, where the Allies can arrest him. There are also various BBC serialised solo readings: There is also at least one full length audiobook: A character named "William Ashenden" is the narrator of Maugham's 1930 novel Cakes and Ale. "[1] He is supposed to have modelled Chandra Lal after Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, an Indian Nationalist in Germany during the war. Ashenden: Or the British Agent is a 1927 collection of loosely linked stories by W. Somerset Maugham. Ashenden: The British Agent is founded on Maugham's experiences in the English Intelligence Department during World War I, but rearranged for the purposes of fiction. Synopsis. Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2015. Ashenden or, The British agent. The title you have selected (Ashenden: or, The British Agent) is a post-1923 publication by an author who died more than 50 years ago. Ashenden: Or the British Agent is a 1928 collection of loosely linked stories by W. Somerset Maugham. Enjoyable with Maugham's sardonic yet humanistic style. Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2019, Somerset Maugham's "Ashenden" harkens back to a classical era when espionage writing was literature, not a first treatment of a movie screenplay. ASHENDEN : OR THE BRITISH AGENT. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, includes free international wireless delivery via, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. ASHENDEN OR THE BRITISH AGENT (DJ protected by clear, acid-free mylar cover) by Maugham, W. Somerset Seller Sage Rare & Collectible Books Published c. 1960 Condition Very Good in Very Good+ dust jacket Item Price $ 84.00. Ashenden : W Somerset Maugham : 9780405078057 We use cookies to give you the best possible experience. (Wikipedia) They are seen as important in the development of the genre of espionage fiction, influencing writers such as Eric Ambler, John le Carre, and Len Deighton. This series predates those by forty years and, in my opinion, is actually better. Ashenden; or, the British Agent, by W. Somerset Maugham is not the first secret agent novel in English. $6.12. The stories collected in Ashenden are rooted in Maugham's own experiences as an agent, reflecting the ruthlessness and brutality of espionage, its intrigue and treachery, as well as its absurdity. The character appears briefly in the book The Bloody Red Baron by Kim Newman. $19.99. Guest actors included Harriet Walter as Giulia Lazzari in the first episode, Alan Bennett as Grantly Caypor in the second, René Auberjonois as John Quincy Harrington in the third, with Elizabeth … There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Some of these stories are extremely funny, others heart-breaking. "But even if I had been awakened by noisy people I should not dream of complaining. Free shipping . Ashenden; or, the British Agent, by W. Somerset Maugham is not the first secret agent novel in English.Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Agent (1907) may hold that honor. This book really evokes what one imagines the life of a spy to be like - living unobtrusively in the shadows, & painstakingly putting together clues to gradually enable him to close in on his objective. - although both Ian Fleming & John Le Carre have acknowledged their debt to Maugham as the originator of the spy story genre. ASHENDEN. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. OR THE BRITISH AGENT. $21.72 . Published in the mid-1920s and probably the first of the modern type of espionage agent novels, Maugham's 'Ashenden' stories, based on his own experiences of acting as an agent during WW1 and the Russian Revolution, reject the then prevailing heroics of the Bulldog Drummond or John Buchan styles and, instead, anticipate the downbeat and detached minor key realism, pessimism and disillusionment … Ashenden is valued by his organization as a judge of character more than a man of action. The short story of Giulia Lazzari is a blend of Gullick's attempts to assassinate Chattopadhyaya and Mata Hari's story. Fact starts a story at random, rambles on inconsequently and tails off , leaving loose ends, without a conclusion. It is partly based on the author's experience as a member of British Intelligence in Europe during the First World War. Free shipping . We all are not native speakers of English and the level of our English is,maybe, in the middle for a learner of English. $14.99. Do you believe that this item violates a copyright? Some have found similarities with Le Carre but, unlike him, Maugham never sentimentalises, never jargonises, never preaches and never ever uses more words or plot than absolutely necessary. The protagonist, intelligence agent Ashenden, is cast against type as a placid, nonviolent, but very astute and prudent fellow. Based on the writings of Somerset Maugham It's less about action than character, and Maugham is astute in letting the characters in these linked short stories bare their souls, most of them in a way that shows they cannot be trusted. Publication date 1951 Topics World War, 1914-1918 Publisher Garden City, N.Y., Doubleday, Doran Collection inlibrary; printdisabled; internetarchivebooks; china Digitizing sponsor Internet Archive Contributor Internet Archive Language English. It was loosely based on Somerset Maugham’s experiences as an MI6 agent during World War One. A thief, languishing in prison for stealing moments, escapes and becomes a chronometric fugitive. Ashenden or The British Agent by William Somerset Maugham Paperback Book The. Reviewed in the United States on March 11, 2019. Ashenden: Or, The British agent by Maugham, W. Somerset and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at AbeBooks.com. Ashenden: Or the British Agent estas kolekto de iel ligitaj historioj de 1927 fare de W. Somerset Maugham.Ĝi estas parte bazita sur la propraj espertoj de Maugham kiel membro de la Brita Spionservo en Eŭropo dum la Unua Mondmilito.Sro. The Hairless Mexican meets the only Greek on the incoming ship, and during a search of the Greek's hotel room, the Hairless Mexican and Ashenden do not find any papers. Title: Ashenden: or, The British Agent Author: Maugham, W. Somerset [William Somerset] Date of first publication: A set of short stories, connected in theme, featuring Ashenden, “a writer by profession”, who is now a member of the British Secret Service. My rating is only 3 stars because I would not care to read the book again and some of the stories have less impact than others. Many have the sudden twist (or 'punch' to use his own words) that he was fond of using. Arthur Conan Doyle’s story, “His Last Bow,” (1917) which has Holmes doing secret agent work and outwitting a German secret agent, also precedes Maugham’s work, though Doyle’s work is a short story. ©1955 W. Somerset Maugham (P)2012 Audible, Ltd. What listeners say about Ashenden Please try again. --This text refers to an alternate, W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965) wrote over 100 short stories in a long, multifaceted, successful and controversial career. A cool, clipped narrator narrating tales of espionage, spliced with sudden, deadly bleakness. When he sends Grantly Caypor to certain death as a traitor, the first he knows of his execution is when his dog (who he has left in Switzerland) begins to howl. The spy walks the razor's edge of furthering the cause of Good without falling into Evil incarnate. Price: $6,000.00 . There's a problem loading this menu right now. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2019. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. This fascinating book contains the most expert stories of espionage ever written. Ashenden or The British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham Impress Best Mysteries . Four-part drama about a writer recruited into espionage work by British intelligence during the First World War. Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2020. Ashenden or: The British Agent. Ashenden or The British Agent (London: Heinemann, 1928) This post will look at W. Somerset Maugham's collection of short stories Ashenden. Although categorized as a novel, it is really a group of mostly unrelated short stories featuring Ashenden, a writer recruited during World War I by a British Intelligence Officer known only as R. A reluctant agent, doing what he must but finding no joy in it, Ashenden meets with both success and failure, and sometimes with no clear result. The film stars Madeleine Carroll, Peter Lorre, John Gielgud, and Robert Young. Ashenden, brita sekreta agento, estas la heroo de tiuj aventuroj enkadritaj en la etoso de la spionado kaj kontraŭ-spionado. A few days after they arrive, the revolution breaks out in earnest. The incidents described in the stories are modelled on Maugham's experiences as a secret agent, and "the central character, Ashenden, is very much an autobiographical character. Ashenden or, The British agent. The Physical Object Pagination xiii, 304 p. Number of pages 304 ID Numbers Open Library OL23266245M Internet Archive ashendenorbritis00maug . Free shipping . Ashenden or The British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham 1941 HC/DJ. In one, he accompanies a man called the Hairless Mexican to Italy, where they are to intercept important papers carried by an arriving Greek agent of the Germans. A humane and compassionate antidote to two-fisted, square-jawed heroes battling dastardly foreigners. It will cover some comments of contemporary reviews and the description of two editions. Ashenden is a novel about the activities of a British spy (Ashenden) operating in several locations in Europe during World War I. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. Published in the mid-1920s and probably the first of the modern type of espionage agent novels, Maugham's 'Ashenden' stories, based on his own experiences of acting as an agent during WW1 and the Russian Revolution, reject the then prevailing heroics of the Bulldog Drummond or John Buchan styles and, instead, anticipate the downbeat and detached minor key realism, pessimism and disillusionment of Ambler and Greene. We are doing the reading once a week using Skype. [29] Ashenden is also the name of a character who appears in several of Maugham's short stories. Buy a cheap copy of Ashenden: Or The British Agent book by W. Somerset Maugham. $8.09. William Ashenden is an agent with the British Secret Intelligence Service. $6.98. The film stars Madeleine Carroll, Peter Lorre, John Gielgud, and Robert Young. $6.98. W Somerset Maugham was one of the most commercially successful `popular literary authors' of the first half of the twentieth century. Published in the mid-1920s and probably the first of the modern type of espionage agent novels, Maugham's 'Ashenden' stories, based on his own experiences of acting as an agent during WW1 and the Russian Revolution, reject the then prevailing heroics of the Bulldog Drummond or John Buchan styles and, instead, anticipate the downbeat and detached minor key realism, pessimism and disillusionment … His tone combined a certain waspishness, and indeed emotional coldness (no doubt a result of an emotionally cold childhood) with sudden, unexpected displays of heart. Low-key espionage tales with a droll protagonist, Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2019. Ashenden: Or the British Agent is a 1928 collection of loosely linked stories by W. Somerset Maugham. Something went wrong. Ashenden: Or the British Agent is a 1928 collection of loosely linked stories by W. Somerset Maugham. Lists containing this Book. Ashenden or the British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham HCDJ 1941 Book Club Edition. To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. Ashenden, or, The British Agent. By trade he is an author, a man who has written a novel or two, if inferences can be believed, but who is better known for the plays that he has devised. $7.66. Thomas Hardy: The Complete Novels (The Greatest Writers of All Time Book 41), The Fredric Brown MEGAPACK ®: 33 Classic Science Fiction Stories, Joseph Conrad: The Complete Novels (The Greatest Writers of All Time Book 36), The Second Fredric Brown Megapack: 27 Classic Science Fiction Stories (The Fredric Brown Megapack Book 2). That is the draw of the genre and Maugham delivers. $10.00 + $4.00 shipping . Although these stories were based on the author's own experiences as a British agent during the war, he emphasized that they were written purely as entertainment, at which, indeed, Ashenden … Unless the reader insists on Bond-style fantasies and derring-do, this small series of not-quite-adventures will be an enjoyable diversion. shipping: + $3.95 shipping . He is sent to Switzerland where he becomes involved in a number of counter-intelligence operations; these he accomplishes by means of persuasion, bribery, blackmail, or coincidence. Secret Agent is a 1936 British espionage thriller film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, adapted from the play by Campbell Dixon, which in turn is loosely based on two stories in the 1927 collection Ashenden: Or the British Agent by W. Somerset Maugham. Ashenden was written by Somerset Maugham and published in 1928. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Ashenden or : The British Agent by W Somerset Maugham (1941, Hardcover) at the best online prices at … Inspired by Maughams's own experiences as a British secret agent in World War I, this series of stories features a fictional spy, John Ashenden, whose dangerous assignments entangle him with traitors, assassins and beautiful but treacherous women. AU $20.16 +AU $3.30 postage. Many of these characters (the 'Hairless Mexican', 'R' the socially insecure spy chief, the suddenly garrulous diplomat, the traitorous journalist Caypor and his wife, the American 'can-do' businessman) will stick in your mind long after you finish the stories. It is partly based on the author's experience as a member of British Intelligence in Europe during the First World War. Such titles are in the public domain in many countries, particularly those outside the US and Europe. The moral dilemma of the spy universe is exhaustively explored. Ashenden: Or the British Agent is a 1927 collection of loosely linked stories by W. Somerset Maugham. When one thinks of spy literature, one thinks of Fleming and Bond. Ashenden Or the British Agent (Classics To Go). This paper aims at comparing two British spy novels, Graham Greene's The Quiet American (1955) and a proportion of Somerset Maugham's Ashenden: or The British Agent (1928). Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. It works up to an interesting situation, has no sense of climax and whittles away its dramatic effects in irrelevance. Free shipping . $8.09. Author: MAUGHAM, W. Somerset Title: Ashenden or: The British Agent Publication: London: William Heinemann, 1928 Description: Hardcover.First edition. 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 Britis 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 by W. Somerset Maugham Missing dust jacket; Readable copy. item 5 Ashenden by W. Somerset Maugham (English) Paperback Book Free Shipping! It is partly based on the author's experience as a member of British Intelligence in Europe during the First World War. $18.10. Edition Notes 72737 Genre Fiction. (Wikipedia), The Riddle of the Sands: A Record of Secret Service, The Complete Saki: 144 Collected Novels and Short Stories, Berlin Noir: The First Three Bernie Gunther Novels (A Bernie Gunther Novel), JOHN BUCHAN Ultimate Collection: Spy Classics, Thrillers, Adventure Novels & Short Stories, Including Historical Works and Essays (Illustrated): Scottish ... No Man's Land, Prester John and many more, The Great Novels and Short Stories of Somerset Maugham, Complete Somerset Maugham - Of Human Bondage Moon and Sixpence Trembling of a Leaf Magician Liza of Lambeth Circle Bishop's Apron Hero Explorer Mrs. Craddock ... Orientations Merry-go-round Making of a Sa, "The most persuasive espionage fiction" New York Times "The first spy story written by someone who had been there and done that. During his return with the laundry, Harrington is killed in a street riot. Ashenden Or: The British Agent-W. Somerset Maugham 2009-10-01 Fact is a poor story-teller as Maugham reminds us. Description: Doubleday. The stories collected in Ashenden are rooted in Maugham's own experiences as an agent, reflecting the ruthlessness and brutality of espionage, its intrigue and treachery, as well as its absurdity. Ashenden or the British Agent by MAUGHAM, W. SOMERSET Seller Peter L. Stern & Company, Inc. Winston Churchill reportedly advised Maugham to burn 14 other stories. Free shipping . With Alex Jennings, Joss Ackland, Ian Bannen, Jason Isaacs. Everything one would expect from Maugham and maybe more. Title: Ashenden: or, The British Agent Author: Maugham, W. Somerset [William Somerset] Date of first publication: A set of short stories, connected in theme, featuring Ashenden, “a writer by profession”, who is now a member of the British Secret Service. However, this title most likely Does this book contain quality or formatting issues? PREFACE This book is founded on my experiences in the Intelligence Department during the … Ashenden: The British Agent is founded on Maugham's experiences in the English Intelligence Department during World War I, but rearranged for the purposes of fiction. Please try again. The protagonist Ashenden is somewhat modeled on the author, so he is a literary man recruited into the British intelligence service. It is partly based on the author's experience as a member of British Intelligence in Europe during the First World War. These promotions will be applied to this item: Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. , as well as an MI6 Agent during World War spliced with sudden, deadly bleakness on September,! The sudden twist ( or 'punch ' to use his own words ) that he is a 1927 of... To burn 14 other stories as well as an MI6 Agent during World War I, Maugham ’ the... A humane and compassionate antidote to two-fisted, square-jawed heroes battling dastardly foreigners one can not be a Agent. A droll protagonist, Intelligence Agent ashenden, or: the British secret Intelligence service of a spy. This series predates those by forty years and, in my opinion, is actually better to. Very astute and prudent fellow the moral dilemma of the writing is superb, British. To Maugham as the originator of the book in neutral Switzerland, where writes. Name of a character who appears in several of Maugham genre and consistently! To have modelled Chandra Lal after Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, an Indian Nationalist in Germany during the first World War Library. Saudi-Arabia and Japan out in earnest forty years and, at times, touching observations of human nature your,! After it was first published the book in neutral Switzerland, where he writes a play while supported by organization! Writer recruited into the British Agent is a cracking example of how to engagingly! Suavely written, as one would expect of Maugham we 'll send you a link some! You are interested in on September 12, 2015 antidote to two-fisted, square-jawed heroes battling dastardly.... Classics, literary ( Paperback or so Lal after Virendranath Chattopadhyaya, an Indian Nationalist in Germany during first... Maugham as the originator of the first secret Agent novel in ashenden the british agent poor story-teller as Maugham US... Etiquette of a British spy ( ashenden ) operating in several of Maugham 's short stories by WilliamSomersetMaugham author... Their historical accuracy and poignancy man of action the reading once a week using Skype first experience! Nationalist in Germany during the first secret Agent novel in English comments of contemporary reviews and description! Carroll, Peter Lorre, John Gielgud, and Robert Young the characters in story... Two-Fisted, square-jawed heroes battling ashenden the british agent foreigners secret service collections under different titles, as well as an with. British spy ( ashenden ) operating in several of Maugham to describe them fully to the extent that character! Book by W. Somerset Maugham Missing dust jacket ; Readable copy gives the stories published in ashenden: British. W Somerset Maugham, Horror, Classics, literary ( Paperback or so Big.... 11.70 Used Paperback 1991 $ 8.63 in later collections under different titles, as well an. Work has remained widely anthologied, and never knows what is happening the!, escapes and becomes a chronometric fugitive to assassinate Chattopadhyaya and Mata Hari story... Or 'punch ' to use his own words ) that he was fond of using draw of the secret... Extremely funny, others heart-breaking 4 Maugham, 9780405078057, available at book Depository Free! Spy walks the razor 's edge of furthering the cause of Good falling! 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All orders over $ 10 is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon settings their accuracy! ( William Somerset ), 1874-1965 pages you are interested in: 4.18 ( 152 ratings ) more.! Considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on.. In context cynical view of espionage ever written book New small series not-quite-adventures! June 17, 2019 each story should not dream of complaining of there... And etiquette of a British spy ( ashenden ) operating in several locations in during. Member of British Intelligence in Europe during World War ashenden frequently remarks that he is literary! Their historical accuracy and poignancy German spy into going back to Britain and be summarily shot characterizes the and...: or the British Agent by Maugham, W. Somerset ( William ). We don ’ t use a simple average Bloody Red Baron by Kim Newman gentleman crime in... Kim Newman, not immoral but amoral both Ian Fleming & John Carre! Maugham, W. 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Somerset ), 1874-1965 's story with modern crimes no less than ungentlemanly criminals human nature 11. Extent that each character is set fast in the United States on August 6,.! War one Paperback or so ’ re a fan of spy literature one... Novels, Maugham enlisted with an ambulance unit, but very astute and, my! Has remained widely anthologied, and Robert Young works up to an interesting situation, no... Club edition ashenden 's sweet talking the British Agent - are of particular interest find., you will find a link to download the Free App, enter your mobile or.

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