Status
Available
Call number
Library's review
Sydtyskland, 1943
Chefen for M.I.6, viceadmiral Rolland og hans næstkommanderende, oberst Wyatt-Turner er i en kattepine efter at en amerikansk general Carnaby er blevet taget tilfange af tyskerne og anbragt i middelalderborgen (som faktisk er bygget i moderne tid, men i gammel stil), Schloss
Lynhurtigt bliver et lille commando-hold sat sammen og puttet på et Lancaster fly, med pilot oberstløjtnant Cecil Carpenter og andenpilot løjtnant Tremayne. De flyver over Schweiz, selv om det krænker schweizisk luftrum for hellere det end at blive skudt ned af tyskerne.
Holdet på syv ledes af major John Smith og de andre er hans næstkommanderende løjtnant Morris Schaffer, Edward Carraciola, Olaf Christiansen, sergent George Harrod, Lee Thomas og Torrance-Smythe. De når frem til destinationen og springer ud, idet en artillerisergent Johnson hjælper. Da de er ude, hjælper han en ung kvinde Mary Ellison, der har siddet skjult under en pressening under hele flyvningen, med at springe som den sidste.
De syv lander, men Harrod er død. De lader ham ligge og får sig firet ned af en mindre afgrund. Smith kommer i tanke om at Harrod har listen over radiofrekvenser i inderlommen og klatrer tilbage efter den. Det er selvfølgelig aftalt spil, for da han er kommet op igen, møder han Mary Ellison, der er godt forfrossen. Han fortæller hende om Harrod og de kigger sammen på det tov, han er kommet op ad. Han har sat det godt fast og det er godt tænkt, for de ser begge to at nogen nedenfor forsøger at rykke tovet ned. Det lykkes dog ikke. Smith undersøger Harrod og kan se at det ikke var et ulykkestilfælde, der slog ham ihjel. Så der er en forræder i gruppen.
Mary gemmer sig i en klippesprække om natten og næste dag følger hun efter gruppen i sikker afstand. Længere nede gemmer sig træningscenteret for værnemagtens alpejægerkorps, hvilket Smith betragter som en fordel, for de snakker alle tysk, har alpejægeruniformer med og i et træningscenter vil man ikke lægge så meget mærke til nye ansigter. Smith kontakter basen hjemme, mens han lader som om han ikke kan få forbindelse. Han har også kontakt til Mary igen og fortæller hende at hun skal søge job som hushjælp på Schloss Adler. Tilbage ved sin gruppe bliver han orienteret om sikkerheden omkring borgen. Elektriske hegn, projektører, soldater og uvenlige hunde, der ikke ligner pudler, men Dobermann-pinchere.
Smith og Schaffer ser en helikopter lande ved borgen. Det er Reichsmarschal Julius Rosenmeyer, værnemagtens stabschef.
Om aftenen begiver den lille gruppe sig ned i landsbyen og går ind på værtshuset Drei Könige. De er klædt som alpejægere, Smith som major, Schaffer som løjtnant og de fire andre som sergenter. Smith mener dog, der er overfyldt både der og i det næste Eichhof, før de ender på Zum Wilden Hirsch, hvilket hele tiden har været Smiths hensigt. Her har han en forbindelse i kropigen, Heidi (som i virkeligheden hedder Ethel og er engelsk), som han laver en aftale med. Kort tid efter lukker han Mary ind og hans forbindelser har både tøj, papirer og en historie klar til hende, så hun kan spille rollen som Maria Schenk, der har været på sanatorium og nu er klar til et job på borgen. Smith bliver dog lidt foruroliget over at finde Torrance-Smythe myrdet i sneen udenfor. Nogen har røbet dem og en razzia får Carraciola, Christiansen, Thomas arresteret som et hold og Schaffer og Smith ført bort i bil af en oberst Weisser. Smith bluffer sig ud af den knibe ved at have identifikationspapirer, der lyder på efternavnet Himmler. Schaffer og Smith slipper væk i bilen og oberst Weisser og hans fire mænd ligger tilbage i sneen med lidt knubs. Schaffer og Smith kører bilen ud over en klippeskrænt i et farligt sving og lader som om de selv gik med i købet. I stedet gemmer de sig på togstationen og sætter ind på en bus for at skabe lidt afledning. De bliver hjulpet lidt af de tyske soldater ikke er ret glade for at lede efter skydelystne engelske specialagenter uden noget at miste. Et par soldater går fx udenom et aflåst dametoilet og Smith når endda at sende besked om tingenes tilstand tilbage til Rolland og Wyatt-Turner.
Schaffer og Smith sniger sig med som blinde passagerer på svævebanen, da Carraciola, Christiansen og Thomas under skarp bevogtning flyttes op til borgen.
Mange små detaljer viser at planen for at redde Carnaby ud har været lagt uger i forvejen, så dennes nødlanding har også være planlagt. Faktisk er Carnaby bare en dygtig skuespiller, Cartwright Jones, der er hyret til rollen. Schaffer og Smith bryder ind i samtalen lige som Weisser og Rosenmeyer gør klar til at afhøre Carnaby med lidt farmaceutisk hjælp fra en kvinde, Anne-Marie. Carraciola, Christiansen og Thomas bliver afsløret som dobbeltagenter, for de er også til stede, men ikke som fanger. Smith truer dem alle med en maskinpistol, men skubber så Schaffer over til de andre og afslører sig selv som dobbeltagenten Johann Schmidt. Hans identitet bliver bekræftet fra højeste sted til de fires store overraskelse.
Han laver også et stunt med at få Carraciola, Christiansen og Thomas til at nedskrive navnene på deres agenter, så Paul Kramer kan dobbeltchecke med Schmidts egen liste.
Den viser sig dog at være helt blank, for Smidt er tredobbeltagent. Han bliver dog skudt i hånden af en von Brauchitsch, der kommer til. Til gengæld bliver denne holdt op af Mary, der har givet Anne-Marie en judo-lektion.
Carraciola, Christiansen og Thomas bliver dræbt undervejs i transport med svævebane til foden af bjerget. Ørneborgen bliver brændt ned. Schaffer, Smidt, Mary og Jones kommer ned med svævebanen og sprænger gondolen i luften, da den går retur, så der er lang vej ned for tropperne på Ørneborgen. Vel nede hjælper Heidi dem med et lift med en postbus, der er udstyret med en solid sneplov foran. De overlever en biljagt, hvor både tyske soldater og en enkelt tigertank deltager. De sprænger en bro i luften og kan så med sindsro gå ombord i et fly, hvor Wyatt-Turner og Carpenter sørger for styring og forplejning. Desværre er Wyatt-Turner agent for tyskerne og vil have flyet til Lille.
Men det har viceadmiral Rolland og ikke mindst Smith allerede opdaget, så Wyatt-Turners maskinpistol kunne lige så godt være fra en legetøjsbutik. Han får lov at stå af flyet et sted undervejs, men i normal flyvehøjde.
Alle de onde dobbeltagenter er døde og alle de gode dobbeltagenter er i live og kan gifte sig med deres udkårne. Ikke et øje er tørt.
Major Smith er meget tæt på supermand, både hvad angår fysik, intelligens og efterretninger. Så man kan roligt slå al skepsis fra og bare lade sig underholde. Det er dog ikke en James Bond film, så rustfrit stål og beton kan trods alt ikke brænde af sig selv. Men han kan balancere ovenpå et isglat tag på en svævebanegondol, mens Carraciola skyder gennem taget uden dog at ramme. I stedet er det Carraciola, der rejser sig op på et dumt tidspunkt og dør. Og lidt efter skifter Smith til den opadgående gondol, mens Christiansen og Thomas fortsætter nedad, da Smith har sat en sprængladning med en hurtig tændsats fast til ophænget til deres gondol.
Chefen for M.I.6, viceadmiral Rolland og hans næstkommanderende, oberst Wyatt-Turner er i en kattepine efter at en amerikansk general Carnaby er blevet taget tilfange af tyskerne og anbragt i middelalderborgen (som faktisk er bygget i moderne tid, men i gammel stil), Schloss
Show More
Adler, dvs Ørneborgen. Her har også Gestapo og tysk efterretningstjeneste deres regionshovedkvarter. Carnaby er den øverste planlægger af den kommende operation Overlord. Og han er amerikaner, så man kan ikke bare pulverisere hans fængsel med et luftbombardement.Lynhurtigt bliver et lille commando-hold sat sammen og puttet på et Lancaster fly, med pilot oberstløjtnant Cecil Carpenter og andenpilot løjtnant Tremayne. De flyver over Schweiz, selv om det krænker schweizisk luftrum for hellere det end at blive skudt ned af tyskerne.
Holdet på syv ledes af major John Smith og de andre er hans næstkommanderende løjtnant Morris Schaffer, Edward Carraciola, Olaf Christiansen, sergent George Harrod, Lee Thomas og Torrance-Smythe. De når frem til destinationen og springer ud, idet en artillerisergent Johnson hjælper. Da de er ude, hjælper han en ung kvinde Mary Ellison, der har siddet skjult under en pressening under hele flyvningen, med at springe som den sidste.
De syv lander, men Harrod er død. De lader ham ligge og får sig firet ned af en mindre afgrund. Smith kommer i tanke om at Harrod har listen over radiofrekvenser i inderlommen og klatrer tilbage efter den. Det er selvfølgelig aftalt spil, for da han er kommet op igen, møder han Mary Ellison, der er godt forfrossen. Han fortæller hende om Harrod og de kigger sammen på det tov, han er kommet op ad. Han har sat det godt fast og det er godt tænkt, for de ser begge to at nogen nedenfor forsøger at rykke tovet ned. Det lykkes dog ikke. Smith undersøger Harrod og kan se at det ikke var et ulykkestilfælde, der slog ham ihjel. Så der er en forræder i gruppen.
Mary gemmer sig i en klippesprække om natten og næste dag følger hun efter gruppen i sikker afstand. Længere nede gemmer sig træningscenteret for værnemagtens alpejægerkorps, hvilket Smith betragter som en fordel, for de snakker alle tysk, har alpejægeruniformer med og i et træningscenter vil man ikke lægge så meget mærke til nye ansigter. Smith kontakter basen hjemme, mens han lader som om han ikke kan få forbindelse. Han har også kontakt til Mary igen og fortæller hende at hun skal søge job som hushjælp på Schloss Adler. Tilbage ved sin gruppe bliver han orienteret om sikkerheden omkring borgen. Elektriske hegn, projektører, soldater og uvenlige hunde, der ikke ligner pudler, men Dobermann-pinchere.
Smith og Schaffer ser en helikopter lande ved borgen. Det er Reichsmarschal Julius Rosenmeyer, værnemagtens stabschef.
Om aftenen begiver den lille gruppe sig ned i landsbyen og går ind på værtshuset Drei Könige. De er klædt som alpejægere, Smith som major, Schaffer som løjtnant og de fire andre som sergenter. Smith mener dog, der er overfyldt både der og i det næste Eichhof, før de ender på Zum Wilden Hirsch, hvilket hele tiden har været Smiths hensigt. Her har han en forbindelse i kropigen, Heidi (som i virkeligheden hedder Ethel og er engelsk), som han laver en aftale med. Kort tid efter lukker han Mary ind og hans forbindelser har både tøj, papirer og en historie klar til hende, så hun kan spille rollen som Maria Schenk, der har været på sanatorium og nu er klar til et job på borgen. Smith bliver dog lidt foruroliget over at finde Torrance-Smythe myrdet i sneen udenfor. Nogen har røbet dem og en razzia får Carraciola, Christiansen, Thomas arresteret som et hold og Schaffer og Smith ført bort i bil af en oberst Weisser. Smith bluffer sig ud af den knibe ved at have identifikationspapirer, der lyder på efternavnet Himmler. Schaffer og Smith slipper væk i bilen og oberst Weisser og hans fire mænd ligger tilbage i sneen med lidt knubs. Schaffer og Smith kører bilen ud over en klippeskrænt i et farligt sving og lader som om de selv gik med i købet. I stedet gemmer de sig på togstationen og sætter ind på en bus for at skabe lidt afledning. De bliver hjulpet lidt af de tyske soldater ikke er ret glade for at lede efter skydelystne engelske specialagenter uden noget at miste. Et par soldater går fx udenom et aflåst dametoilet og Smith når endda at sende besked om tingenes tilstand tilbage til Rolland og Wyatt-Turner.
Schaffer og Smith sniger sig med som blinde passagerer på svævebanen, da Carraciola, Christiansen og Thomas under skarp bevogtning flyttes op til borgen.
Mange små detaljer viser at planen for at redde Carnaby ud har været lagt uger i forvejen, så dennes nødlanding har også være planlagt. Faktisk er Carnaby bare en dygtig skuespiller, Cartwright Jones, der er hyret til rollen. Schaffer og Smith bryder ind i samtalen lige som Weisser og Rosenmeyer gør klar til at afhøre Carnaby med lidt farmaceutisk hjælp fra en kvinde, Anne-Marie. Carraciola, Christiansen og Thomas bliver afsløret som dobbeltagenter, for de er også til stede, men ikke som fanger. Smith truer dem alle med en maskinpistol, men skubber så Schaffer over til de andre og afslører sig selv som dobbeltagenten Johann Schmidt. Hans identitet bliver bekræftet fra højeste sted til de fires store overraskelse.
Han laver også et stunt med at få Carraciola, Christiansen og Thomas til at nedskrive navnene på deres agenter, så Paul Kramer kan dobbeltchecke med Schmidts egen liste.
Den viser sig dog at være helt blank, for Smidt er tredobbeltagent. Han bliver dog skudt i hånden af en von Brauchitsch, der kommer til. Til gengæld bliver denne holdt op af Mary, der har givet Anne-Marie en judo-lektion.
Carraciola, Christiansen og Thomas bliver dræbt undervejs i transport med svævebane til foden af bjerget. Ørneborgen bliver brændt ned. Schaffer, Smidt, Mary og Jones kommer ned med svævebanen og sprænger gondolen i luften, da den går retur, så der er lang vej ned for tropperne på Ørneborgen. Vel nede hjælper Heidi dem med et lift med en postbus, der er udstyret med en solid sneplov foran. De overlever en biljagt, hvor både tyske soldater og en enkelt tigertank deltager. De sprænger en bro i luften og kan så med sindsro gå ombord i et fly, hvor Wyatt-Turner og Carpenter sørger for styring og forplejning. Desværre er Wyatt-Turner agent for tyskerne og vil have flyet til Lille.
Men det har viceadmiral Rolland og ikke mindst Smith allerede opdaget, så Wyatt-Turners maskinpistol kunne lige så godt være fra en legetøjsbutik. Han får lov at stå af flyet et sted undervejs, men i normal flyvehøjde.
Alle de onde dobbeltagenter er døde og alle de gode dobbeltagenter er i live og kan gifte sig med deres udkårne. Ikke et øje er tørt.
Major Smith er meget tæt på supermand, både hvad angår fysik, intelligens og efterretninger. Så man kan roligt slå al skepsis fra og bare lade sig underholde. Det er dog ikke en James Bond film, så rustfrit stål og beton kan trods alt ikke brænde af sig selv. Men han kan balancere ovenpå et isglat tag på en svævebanegondol, mens Carraciola skyder gennem taget uden dog at ramme. I stedet er det Carraciola, der rejser sig op på et dumt tidspunkt og dør. Og lidt efter skifter Smith til den opadgående gondol, mens Christiansen og Thomas fortsætter nedad, da Smith har sat en sprængladning med en hurtig tændsats fast til ophænget til deres gondol.
Show Less
Publication
[Kbh.] : Gyldendal, (1970).
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
Show More
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
Show More
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.
Show Less
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
Show More
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
Show More
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
Show More
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.
Show Less
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
Show More
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
Show More
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
Show More
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
Show More
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.
Show Less
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.
Show More
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.
Show Less
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
Show More
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
Show More
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
Show More
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
Show More
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
Show More
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
Physical description
270 p.; 20.5 cm
Local notes
Omslag: Eric Palmquist
Omslaget viser fire mænd på vej op ad en klippeside
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "Where Eagles Dare" af Knud Müller
Side 23: Dengang De var på flyveskolen, hørte De da ikke noget om et mærkeligt fænomen der hedder stallefart?
Side 33: Den pågældende bylt blev fundet og nylontovet taget frem, en længde på et tusind fod kvejlet op inden i en sejldugspose, som det var kommet fra fabrikken. Dets diameter var ikke meget større end en tøjsnors, men det var forsynet med en stålkalv, der gjorde det umådeligt stærkt, og hver eneste meter af det var afprøvet for den garanterede brudstyrke - den faktiske brudstørrelse var langt større - før det blev leveret fra rebslageriet.
Side 59: Der er folk, der har en sjette sans. Smith har en syvende, ottende og niende og et indbygget radaranlæg mod alle farer. Smith kan klare sig under enhver tænkelig omstændighed. Det var ikke ved hjælp af et raflebæger jeg fandt frem til ham, sir. Han er vores bedste agent i Europa.
Side 60: Hvad mener De med chancer? Han har slet ingen.
Side 67: Jeg skylder Dem ingenting. Jeg fortæller Dem ingenting. Og hvis De ikke ved noget, kan De heller ikke snakke over Dem. De skal få besked når tiden er inde.
Side 145: Et komptometer (en superhurtig additionsmaskine, hvor man kan taste op til ticifrede tal ind på en gang, dvs ca 10 gange hurtigere end hvis man bruger en moderne lommeregner).
Omslaget viser fire mænd på vej op ad en klippeside
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra engelsk "Where Eagles Dare" af Knud Müller
Side 23: Dengang De var på flyveskolen, hørte De da ikke noget om et mærkeligt fænomen der hedder stallefart?
Side 33: Den pågældende bylt blev fundet og nylontovet taget frem, en længde på et tusind fod kvejlet op inden i en sejldugspose, som det var kommet fra fabrikken. Dets diameter var ikke meget større end en tøjsnors, men det var forsynet med en stålkalv, der gjorde det umådeligt stærkt, og hver eneste meter af det var afprøvet for den garanterede brudstyrke - den faktiske brudstørrelse var langt større - før det blev leveret fra rebslageriet.
Side 59: Der er folk, der har en sjette sans. Smith har en syvende, ottende og niende og et indbygget radaranlæg mod alle farer. Smith kan klare sig under enhver tænkelig omstændighed. Det var ikke ved hjælp af et raflebæger jeg fandt frem til ham, sir. Han er vores bedste agent i Europa.
Side 60: Hvad mener De med chancer? Han har slet ingen.
Side 67: Jeg skylder Dem ingenting. Jeg fortæller Dem ingenting. Og hvis De ikke ved noget, kan De heller ikke snakke over Dem. De skal få besked når tiden er inde.
Side 145: Et komptometer (en superhurtig additionsmaskine, hvor man kan taste op til ticifrede tal ind på en gang, dvs ca 10 gange hurtigere end hvis man bruger en moderne lommeregner).
Other editions
Where eagles dare by Alistair MacLean (Paper Book)
Similar in this library
Pages
270
DDC/MDS
| 823.914 |