The Riddle of the Sands

By: Erskine Childers

Narrated by: Patrick Tull

The time is 1903. Carruthers, on leave from Britain's Foreign Service, accepts an invitation from his friend, Davies, to sail around the Baltic. But Davies has a secret mission. He has run afoul of a secret German invasion plot and persuades Carruthers to push into unknown waters with him to find out what it is the Germans are hiding before it is too late. The Riddle of the Sands is considered the first modern espionage story. It is the only novel written by Erskine Childers, an Intelligence Officer for the Royal Navy during World War I, a decorated soldier, and a suspected double agent and mastermind of the rebellion against the young Irish Free State.

Public Domain (P)1988 Recorded Books, Inc.

Bully

Wonderful narrator of a great maritime yarn.
Reviews require 15 words twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen

the gold standard

The best spy novel I've ever read, and one of the best sea stories to boot. The author (executed by a firing squad--what a credential!) didn't set out to write an entertainment, he wanted to alert the British public to what he thought was a terrible threat (I won't give it away). To get the message to the most possible people, Childers had to come up with a story that was un-put-downable, and in so doing he came up with many of the narrative devices that make the modern thriller thrilling. One guy I know keeps four or five copies on his bookshelf at all times to give away.

Riddle of the Sands

This is without a doubt the best spy novel ever written. It could only have been done by one who "was there." I have given many copies to friends over the years and have read it several times myself. I never tire of this story and intend to visit all the places it covers some day. You have to listen!

The recording is perfectly fine

I hesitated purchasing this book before based on the reviews on the quality of the recoding. The quality is fine and the narration by Patrick Tall is superb, as always. Great read!

You need a map !

I used a detailed map of the Friesan Islands to follow the adventures and route of Davies and Carruthers. For me, it really brought the story to life and greatly enhanced my listening experience. It also prepared me for a clear understanding of the explanations for the exploration/discovery exercise in the epilogue.
It was a very enjoyable story and a superb narrator.