Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Porvoo : WSOY, 1995.
Description
The classic World War II thriller from the acclaimed master of action and suspense. Now reissued in a new cover style. One winter night, seven men and a woman are parachuted onto a mountainside in wartime Germany. Their objective: an apparently inaccessible castle, headquarters of the Gestapo. Their mission: to rescue a crashed American general before the Nazi interrogators can force him to reveal secret D-Day plans.
User reviews
LibraryThing member MSWallack
This was my absolute favorite book as a kid ... at least until I discovered Robert Ludlum. I even recall making a diorama of a scene to go with a book report I wrote in 6th grade. Seriously. And I do love the movie, too. But I haven't seen the movie in probably 15 years and it's been even longer
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since I read the book, so I decided to give it a go. I still love the book. That said, I can't say that certain elements have aged well. The writing seems a bit stilted now and the action is far less vivid than in modern works by authors like Eisler, Child, or Flynn. Much of the dialogue seems highly realistic, but nevertheless entertaining. But the plot twists are still fun. If you haven't read this book, do yourself a favor and give it a try. Show Less
LibraryThing member scottcholstad
Where Eagles Dare is the most fast-paced, action-oriented, craziest thriller I have ever read. Which is good, because it's largely unbelievable. The plot is too crazy, the characters too unreal, etc., et al for this to be read as a believable book. And that is a shame.
In the book, a team of six
The reason for this mission is, theoretically, to rescue a downed American general who is in charge of coordinating D-Day. They need to get him before the Germans get info out of him, so time is of the essence. We soon see, however, other reasons for the mission.
The protagonist, Smith, though is problematic. See, he possesses super human strength and endurance and is generally omniscient. In other words, not remotely believable. He rides atop the gondola twice without being blown off, in one case with Germans grabbing his legs and trying to throw him off. With the altitude, the high winds, and the cold, it just doesn't seem likely. Additionally, this book is full of double and even triple agents and Smith knows all. We're never told how he comes by half of his information; we're just to accept it. I have problems with that.
Nonetheless, as I said, it's an action packed book, a real page turner. It's rather stunning how they pull this off, all the while with people dying off all around them, and the twist at the end is a real shocker. Of course Smith knew of the twist. Yeah. I'd give this book three stars for believability, but it's so good, I'm giving it four. Recommended.
In the book, a team of six
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British commandos and one American OSS agent parachute into the Alps to gain entrance to a German fortress that can only be accessed by aerial gondola. It's also the headquarters for the Gestapo and Nazi intelligence. It's surrounded by a barracks of German alpine troops, who are supposed to be elite.The reason for this mission is, theoretically, to rescue a downed American general who is in charge of coordinating D-Day. They need to get him before the Germans get info out of him, so time is of the essence. We soon see, however, other reasons for the mission.
The protagonist, Smith, though is problematic. See, he possesses super human strength and endurance and is generally omniscient. In other words, not remotely believable. He rides atop the gondola twice without being blown off, in one case with Germans grabbing his legs and trying to throw him off. With the altitude, the high winds, and the cold, it just doesn't seem likely. Additionally, this book is full of double and even triple agents and Smith knows all. We're never told how he comes by half of his information; we're just to accept it. I have problems with that.
Nonetheless, as I said, it's an action packed book, a real page turner. It's rather stunning how they pull this off, all the while with people dying off all around them, and the twist at the end is a real shocker. Of course Smith knew of the twist. Yeah. I'd give this book three stars for believability, but it's so good, I'm giving it four. Recommended.
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LibraryThing member TadAD
Along with Guns of Navarone and, perhaps, The Secret Ways, this is probably MacLean's best. A commando raid on a Nazi schloss during World War II.
LibraryThing member djnapoli
A great World War II adventure, espionage mystery, with many twists and turns
LibraryThing member soylentgreen23
I loved this story when I was growing up - I have clearer memories of the plot points here than in almost any other book from that period of my life, though how much of that can be attributed to the novel rather than the movie is hard to say. Sadly, returning to the book itself has not been as
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enjoyable experience. MacLean's writing is poor in so many places - his prose needed a better editor to remove repeated phrases, and some of the structures he employs are as bad as those that I used as a teenager writing my own fiction. Show Less
LibraryThing member antiquary
Typical MacLean with a mixed group of British intelligence (disghuised as Germans) gong in to make sure a captued American general desn' reveal the details of D-Day. I flatly don't believe a general with sure knowledge would have been allowed to fly over Nazi occupied Europe.
Suspense is limited
Suspense is limited
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since we know D-Day was not revealed. Show Less
LibraryThing member Scribble.Orca
I'm about to review a modern techno-thriller and while researching the author something jogged my 14 year old self's memory of Alistair McLean.
I gobbled his books in high school - I remember when The Eagle Has Landed was all the big rage and I read it, sure, like everyone else, but Alistair had me
Then I forgot all about him until two days ago. I suppose that will be another author that my adult self will have to ignore if I want to keep my five star memories intact.
I gobbled his books in high school - I remember when The Eagle Has Landed was all the big rage and I read it, sure, like everyone else, but Alistair had me
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hooked and I ploughed through his entire oeuvre (or at least as much as our high school library budget allowed) during one year.Then I forgot all about him until two days ago. I suppose that will be another author that my adult self will have to ignore if I want to keep my five star memories intact.
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LibraryThing member mausergem
A spy thriller set in the Second World War. Fast paced and entertaining.
LibraryThing member Dalziel
an enthralling, exciting, believable, intelligent story that sweeps the reader along as a group of British (and an American) agents are sent into wartime Germany to a mountaintop schloss to rescue an Allies general. Twists and turns abound and it really is an action book that conveys the sense of
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action and urgency. Don't expect too much by way of character development - it's not that kind of book. Before the current crop of modern action writers came Alistair Maclean and going back to read this again lately, he was the top of his class. No wonder he was the great action writer of his time - and his stories have not diminished their power over time. Well worth reading - and I'm not even much of a fan of action books, but I'd never pass on a Maclean book. Show Less
LibraryThing member jphillips3334
A masterful spy thriller set in WWII. A rag-tag group of MI-6 operatives along with one American OSS agent are sent to Bavaria, deep behind enemy lines to rescue a captured US Army general who has information on the Second Front (the invasion of Europe) before he spills all their secrets. This is
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not an action war book one would expect. Maclean's story is a page-turning thriller that includes misdirection, red herrings and double-crosses. The dialog is smart between characters and the Germans are more than mere cookie-cutter characters. The pace is fast and suspenseful, always a sense of urgency and the feeling that the heroes maybe be caught at any moment. Wonderful book. Show Less
LibraryThing member jigwagigiggs
This is one of my favourite films and fair play to whoever was responsible for the adaptation as i can se very little difference between the two which suggests the director of the film has done his job. Im not a massive fiction fan but this is a good read, however the good guys and the bad are more
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obvious in the book and as a result the film has the edge for me as Richhard Burton could have been the bad guy for at least 2/3 of the film until he gets what he came for namely the names of all the nazi double agentts in the UK Show Less
LibraryThing member PiyushC
With this do I end my reading chronicles for 2013, not a bad read to end the year with.
This is only my third Alistair MacLean read, and I am already a fan. MacLean's books are full of action, adventure, fast paced and generally a lot more fun. So what if the protagonist is Superman, or what if they
The majority of MacLean's works, from what I gather are War thrillers, most of them Anti-German WW books, which he manages to write without portraying the Germans as super-villains, which I think is in itself a great achievement, yes, there is no Hitler and the war with the Germans may as well have been based in an alternative universe, with conventional warfare, a code of conduct, and no atrocities.
For all that, they are well written and all the positive sentiments expressed in the Para above, apply. What is the catch then, you ask? Even for works of fiction, they greatly lack that grossly over-rated factor, one calls "realistic". Doesn't put me off, neither should it, I think, these books don't advertise themselves to be history books; probability is not entertained either, possible is good enough for MacLean and it is good enough for me.
This is only my third Alistair MacLean read, and I am already a fan. MacLean's books are full of action, adventure, fast paced and generally a lot more fun. So what if the protagonist is Superman, or what if they
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are based on the good old principle of victory of good over evil? The majority of MacLean's works, from what I gather are War thrillers, most of them Anti-German WW books, which he manages to write without portraying the Germans as super-villains, which I think is in itself a great achievement, yes, there is no Hitler and the war with the Germans may as well have been based in an alternative universe, with conventional warfare, a code of conduct, and no atrocities.
For all that, they are well written and all the positive sentiments expressed in the Para above, apply. What is the catch then, you ask? Even for works of fiction, they greatly lack that grossly over-rated factor, one calls "realistic". Doesn't put me off, neither should it, I think, these books don't advertise themselves to be history books; probability is not entertained either, possible is good enough for MacLean and it is good enough for me.
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LibraryThing member www.snigel.nu
Fast-paced action, which I could not seem to get enough in my teens.
LibraryThing member runner56
It was always going to be difficult to enjoy this book having just read and been astounded by the brilliant Submerged by Thomas F Monteleone. As a youth I have fond memories of the boys own type thrillers by Scottish born Alistair McLean, and on initial reading I recall that Where Eagles Dare was a
The story starts off with a great flourish when Major Smith and Lt Shaffer together with their motley crew are sent on a perilous mission to the Schloss Adler, a fortress high in the alps of Southern Bavaria. There is initial intrigue when having parachuted into enemy territory one of the saboteurs is found murdered, there is an enemy agent within the ranks! We then proceed in a set formulaic manner as Smith and Shaffer proceed to infiltrate the fortress stronghold by means of a perilous journey on the roof of a cable car. Their task it would appear is to rescue Col Carnaby before the Germans can interrogate him and discover the plans for the second front ie the expected imminent Normandy Landings. There is lots of shooting, and a final confrontation within the castle when the true nature of Smith’s mission is disclosed. This is followed by more shooting as our brave heroes depart the bloody scene amidst chaos and a smouldering fortress that is fast being destroyed by fire and turning into dust and decay.
This is a clean easily assimilated adventure story suited to the minds and attitude of teenage boys emerging from a youth spent reading the adventures of comic heroes Batman and Superman. It is not really a book to satisfy the intellect or demands of an adult reader due to its simplicity and soulless empty characters. It is probably best remembered for the 1968 movie starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood with the immortal words “Broadsword calling Danny Boy, he said Broadsword calling Danny Boy. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? It is also equally absurd as representing the German high command as bumbling fools who somehow allowed a small trained group of saboteurs to destroy a seemingly well protected impregnable fortress and as they escape are heard to say..” Gott in Himmel!” They’ve got away.”
Perhaps I criticize and reprimand a story that is simply there to entertain, and not to be viewed as a well researched and informative thriller. That may be so but in the final analysis I demand more from my reading than a routine adventure with a much frequented theme and a predictable conclusion.
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first class page-turner. Unfortunately revisiting this 2ndWW thriller after many years has not proved so enjoyable.The story starts off with a great flourish when Major Smith and Lt Shaffer together with their motley crew are sent on a perilous mission to the Schloss Adler, a fortress high in the alps of Southern Bavaria. There is initial intrigue when having parachuted into enemy territory one of the saboteurs is found murdered, there is an enemy agent within the ranks! We then proceed in a set formulaic manner as Smith and Shaffer proceed to infiltrate the fortress stronghold by means of a perilous journey on the roof of a cable car. Their task it would appear is to rescue Col Carnaby before the Germans can interrogate him and discover the plans for the second front ie the expected imminent Normandy Landings. There is lots of shooting, and a final confrontation within the castle when the true nature of Smith’s mission is disclosed. This is followed by more shooting as our brave heroes depart the bloody scene amidst chaos and a smouldering fortress that is fast being destroyed by fire and turning into dust and decay.
This is a clean easily assimilated adventure story suited to the minds and attitude of teenage boys emerging from a youth spent reading the adventures of comic heroes Batman and Superman. It is not really a book to satisfy the intellect or demands of an adult reader due to its simplicity and soulless empty characters. It is probably best remembered for the 1968 movie starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood with the immortal words “Broadsword calling Danny Boy, he said Broadsword calling Danny Boy. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? It is also equally absurd as representing the German high command as bumbling fools who somehow allowed a small trained group of saboteurs to destroy a seemingly well protected impregnable fortress and as they escape are heard to say..” Gott in Himmel!” They’ve got away.”
Perhaps I criticize and reprimand a story that is simply there to entertain, and not to be viewed as a well researched and informative thriller. That may be so but in the final analysis I demand more from my reading than a routine adventure with a much frequented theme and a predictable conclusion.
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LibraryThing member EmpressReece
3.5 stars ...This was my first MacLean read and I thoroughly enjoyed the action and his writing style however I was completely confused at the beginning. I didnt know who was suppose to be the good guys and bad guys and who was suppose to English, American or German. It was just not very clearly
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written I dont think at the beginning. Toward the middle is when I actually started really enjoying it. Show Less
LibraryThing member jeffome
A rip-roaring ride for me! I just loved this. The bulk of the story theoretically takes place just over 2 hours time, and it is non-stop excitement. British WWII agents with some American help do the impossible....over & over & over......which would normally be a detraction for me.....all of the
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skin-of-your-teeth moments and everything always working out just barely......and I have lowered ratings because of that approach in the past....but in this instance, it did not really bother me at all.....I loved it! Leader Smith is brilliantly resourceful and has planned out this mission to infiltrate a Gestapo headquarters in the Alps with a frightening level of detail.....and curve balls come their way constantly. Full of surprises, betrayals, twists and turns......what a book should really be about.....a great ride! BRAVO!! Show Less
LibraryThing member encephalical
One of MacLean's better efforts, though I might prefer the Burton-Eastwood flick.
LibraryThing member wordsampersand
From what I understand, this was essentially written by MacLean to be used as the blueprint for the screenplay for the film adaptation. It's fun, it's relatively short, and it hews fairly close to the movie (if you care about that sort of thing). I do like that the novel is *much* less bloodthirsty
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than the film, where Clint Eastwood guns down, like, 200 people. The novel is also much funnier. That said, MacLean's prose is unwieldy, and there are some whole paragraphs (specifically some action scenes) that are still indecipherable after a half-dozen attempts. Show Less
LibraryThing member delta61
"Where Eagles Dare," a book and a movie about British commandos on a WW 2 raid into Germany. I saw the movie more than once and decided to see if the book was anywhere close. I was not disappointed. The book and movie ran along the same lines, although I found the book much more exciting. The start
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was slow but then it was non-stop action, intrigue and twists to the plot. What I did not like was the continuous flippant remarks by the second in command. Too much for a mission fraught with danger. For those interested in WW 2 commandos, I highly recommend this book. Show Less
LibraryThing member ubiquitousuk
I fell in love the the movie version of WED as a child, and the Novel carries the same intense action and feisty plot--little surprising since the two were written by the same man at the same time. I found the slightly more parsimonious dialog in the film version to be more convincing, but that
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might just be because I am more familiar with that version. One thing that the book does do better is to generate the sense of camaraderie in it's closing stages. Overall, I found this book a fun read; don't expect any surprises if you have seen the film, but you can be sure not to be let down. Show Less
LibraryThing member claidheamdanns
We used to read these together on family trips. Good memories. Every bit as good as I remember them, usually with my brother, John, reading to us.
LibraryThing member Bill.Bradford
Great pulp fiction. MacLean was a master. My only complaint is that the publisher was not careful with the formatting - quite a few small errors.
LibraryThing member themulhern
Not precisely enjoyable. It's not exciting because it is so oddly dated. On the other hand it is an interesting example of the WWII thriller. It is typical Alistair MacLean, with all the murders by the double agents, and the reveals. I liked the snow plow escape sequence.
Subjects
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1967-06-01
ISBN
9510164747 / 9789510164747
Other editions
Kotkat kuuntelevat by Alistair MacLean (Paperback)