Ashenden, or the british agent by w somerset maugham 1928. Ashenden was written by somerset maugham and published in 1928. Or the british agent, a collection of short stories about a gentlemanly, sophisticated, aloof spy. Ashenden, or, the british agent by william somerset maugham new edition 2000 on. Such titles are in the public domain in many countries, particularly those outside the us and europe. Ashenden lay back, and as his body grew used to the heat of the water gave a sigh of satisfaction. Original publishers cloth binding embossed in gilt and black to spine and front board. Somerset maughams ashenden is usually described as the first modern espionage novel. A set of short stories, connected in theme, featuring ashenden, a writer by profession, who is now a member of the british secret service. It is partly based on the authors experience as a member of british intelligence in europe during the first world war. Find ashenden or the british agent by maugham, w somerset at biblio.
Whether youve loved the book or not, if you give your honest and detailed thoughts then people will find new books that are right for them. Somerset william somerset date of first publication. Other readers will always be interested in your opinion of the books youve read. Buy ashenden, or, the british agent new ed by william somerset maugham isbn.
When war broke out in 1914, somerset maugham was dispatched by the british secret service to switzerland under the guise of completing a play. Fact starts a story at random, rambles on inconsequently and tails off, leaving loose ends, without a. Maugham used his spying experiences as the basis for ashenden. Or the british agent is a 1927 collection of loosely linked stories by w. Ashenden, by somerset maugham the presidential panel on nsa has brought renewed attention to the practice of spying this week. This fascinating book contains the most expert stories of espionage ever written. Or the british agent is a 1928 collection of loosely linked stories by w. Arthur conan doyles story, his last bow, 1917 which has holmes doing secret agent work and outwitting a german secret agent, also precedes maughams work, though doyles work is a. Somerset maugham, himself a former british operative, based this novel on his own real life experiences. Second impression of this archetype of the espionage. Somerset maugham vintage classics initially published in 1928, w.
Arthur conan doyles story, his last bow, 1917 which has holmes doing secret agent work and outwitting a german secret agent, also precedes maughams work, though doyles work is a short story. Ashenden, or the british agent presentation copy w. It was loosely based on somerset maughams experiences as an mi6 agent during world war one. Ashenden, or the british agent by w somerset maugham 1928 this collection of stories drew closely on maughams own experiences as an intelligence officer in. This british spy thriller shows how thrillless spying can be. Ashenden is a sumptuous and glossy bbc production that seems to have been left behind as just a name in our tv memories now. Somerset maugham ashenden, or the british agent ebay. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Maugham collects his series of stories about ashenden, the lessthanglamorous secret agent. John le carre declared him the first person to write about espionage in a mood of disenchantment and almost prosaic reality. Later spy novelists, such as john lecarre, ian fleming, eric ambler and len deighton. Somerset maughams espionage tales rooted in his own experiences of the first world war.
This fascinating book contains probably the most expert stories of espionage ever written. The stories collected in ashenden are rooted in maughams own experiences as an agent, reflecting the ruthlessness and brutality of espionage, its intrigue and treachery, as well as its absurdity. The british agent is founded on maughams experiences in the english intelligence department during world war i, but rearranged for the purposes of fiction. Somerset maugham ashenden, or the british agent hardcover garden city doubleday 1941 good in boards. Having read it now, i can see its ideas, tropes, and styles revived in all of the key cold war spy novels ive read, including those by deighton and fleming. Joseph conrads the secret agent 1907 may hold that honor. Ashenden or the british agent by maugham, w somerset. Somerset maughams ashenden, or the british agent is an example of one of my favourite genres, the early 20th century espionage tale. Ashenden or the british agent classics to go ebook. Ashenden was one of the first realistic spy novels, taking a cynical view of espionage and its human consequences. Ashenden, or the british agent the hermetic library blog.
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. In a series of short stories, he chronicled the adventures of a writer turned spy named ashenden, a dapper, pleasureloving chap who is. 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. This character is considered to have influenced ian flemings later series of james bond novels. 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. It was hugely influential, with authors like eric ambler, graham greene, len deighton and john le.
Like ian fleming, somerset maugham had himself been a secret agent. Uncommonly good collectible and rare books from uncommonly good booksellers. For a period of time after it was first published the book became official required reading for. If youd like to get the additional items youve selected to qualify for this offer, close this window and add these items to your cart. It is partly based on the authors experience as a member. Ashenden or the british agent kindle edition published march 4th 2019 by otbebookpublishing classics to go, kindle edition, 274 pages. Somerset maugham is not the first secret agent novel in english. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. Search for library items search for lists search for contacts search for a library.
During world war i, maugham enlisted with an ambulance unit, but was soon shifted to the intelligence department. This british spy thriller shows how thrillless spying can be npr. Though condition may have altered, though difficulties may be greater, when war is raging, there will always be secrets which one side jealously guards and which the other will use every means to discover. Founded on maughams own experiences in the british secret service during world war i, ashenden is a. Ashenden is one of the two or three greatest spy stories ever written. Ashenden, or, the british agent by william somerset maugham. His selfsatisfaction was enormous but so ingenuous that you could not resent it. Multilingual, knowledgeable about many european countries, and a celebrated writer, maugham had the perfect cov. Somerset and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Ashenden, or the british agent presentation copy london.