The Riddle of the Sands

`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 in the Foreign Office, the sardonic civil servant Carruthers is finding it hard to endure the emptiness and boredom of his life in London. He reluctantly accepts an invitation from a college friend, Davies, the shyly intrepid yachtsman, and joins him on a sailing holiday in the Baltic. The regeneration of Carruthers begins as he is initiated into the mysteries of seamanship, but the story builds in excitement as Carruthers and Davies discover a German plot to invade England. Like much contemporary British spy fiction, The Riddle of the Sands reflects the long suspicious years leading up to the First World War and the intricacy of its conception and its lucid detail make it a classic of its genre. This edition is complemented by a fine introduction which examines the novel in its political and historical context. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

`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 in the Foreign Office, the sardonic civil servant Carruthers is finding it hard to endure the emptiness and boredom of his life in London. He reluctantly accepts an invitation from a college friend, Davies, the shyly intrepid yachtsman, and joins him on a sailing holiday in the Baltic. The regeneration of Carruthers begins as he is initiated into the mysteries of seamanship, but the story builds in excitement as Carruthers and Davies discover a German plot to invade England. Like much contemporary British spy fiction, The Riddle of the Sands reflects the long suspicious years leading up to the First World War and the intricacy of its conception and its lucid detail make it a classic of its genre. This edition is complemented by a fine introduction which examines the novel in its political and historical context. ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

A must-read for espionage junkies and 'chaps in scraps' fans. 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, Davies' ambition for their sailing trip is anything but. There has been suspicious German activity along the coast. "The Medusa," manned by the sinister Dollman, has already tried to destroy him. Why should anyone want to kill Davies? What are the Germans trying to hide? Nothing less than a plot to invade Britain. And only these two courageous Englishmen can stop them. "The Riddle of the Sands" is Erskine Childers only novel. Published in 1903 it is considered the first modern spy novel.

Robert Erskine Childers was the author of the influential novel The Riddle of the Sands and an Irish nationalist who smuggled guns to Ireland in his sailing yacht Asgard. He was executed by the authorities of the nascent Irish Free State during the Irish Civil War. He was the son of British Orientalist scholar Robert Caesar Childers; the cousin of Hugh Childers and Robert Barton; and the father of the fourth President of Ireland, Erskine Hamilton Childers.

Robert Erskine Childers was the author of the influential novel The Riddle of the Sands and an Irish nationalist who smuggled guns to Ireland in his sailing yacht Asgard. He was executed by the authorities of the nascent Irish Free State during the Irish Civil War. He was the son of British Orientalist scholar Robert Caesar Childers; the cousin of Hugh Childers and Robert Barton; and the father of the fourth President of Ireland, Erskine Hamilton Childers.

A must-read for espionage junkies and 'chaps in scraps' fans. 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, Davies' ambition for their sailing trip is anything but. There has been suspicious German activity along the coast. "The Medusa," manned by the sinister Dollman, has already tried to destroy him. Why should anyone want to kill Davies? What are the Germans trying to hide? Nothing less than a plot to invade Britain. And only these two courageous Englishmen can stop them. "The Riddle of the Sands" is Erskine Childers only novel. Published in 1903 it is considered the first modern spy novel.

The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers is a gripping espionage novel that unfolds against the backdrop of the North Sea and the intricate politics of early 20th-century Europe. When Carruthers receives an invitation from an old acquaintance, Davies, to join him on a sailing trip through the Frisian Islands, he embarks on what he believes to be a leisurely adventure. However, as Carruthers becomes entangled in Davies' quest to uncover suspicious activities along the German coast, their seemingly innocent voyage transforms into a thrilling journey fraught with danger and intrigue. Filled with suspenseful twists, maritime espionage, and geopolitical tensions, "The Riddle of the Sands" is a riveting tale that keeps readers guessing until the very end.