Ashenden, Or: The British AgentThis fascinating book contains probably the most expert stories of espionage ever written. For a period of time after it was first published, the book became official required reading for persons entering the British Secret Service. During World War I, Maugham enlisted with an ambulance unit, but was soon shifted to the Intelligence Department. 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. Maugham's clarity of style, the perfection of his form, the subtlety of his thought, veiled thinly behind a worldly cynicism, has made him an international figure. |
From inside the book
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I told her to have her there next evening and not to let her go till I came . But I was
delayed and when I arrived La Marqueza told me that the girl had said she was
not used to being kept waiting and had gone . I am a good - natured fellow and I ...
Caypor addressing her in English told her in his jovial way , as though she did
not know it already , what Ashenden had told him about himself . She listened
grimly . " I think you told me you understood German , ' said Caypor , his big red
face ...
Mr. Harrington thought her a very remarkable and deeply wronged woman ; he
told her all about his wife and his two sons , he told her all about the Constitution
of the United States ; she on her side told him all about Vladimir Semenovich ...
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - kristykay22 - LibraryThingThis is a compelling, although rather chilly, collection of loosely connected short stories following the intelligence work of Ashenden, a writer turned spy for the British government during World War ... Read full review
LibraryThing Review
User Review - lamour - LibraryThingThis is volume three of Maugham's collected short stories. In this volume he has placed his stories that have the same protagonist, Ashendan, who is recruited to move to Switzerland where he will be a ... Read full review