The Riddle of the Sands Audiobook By Erskine Childers cover art

The Riddle of the Sands

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The Riddle of the Sands

By: Erskine Childers
Narrated by: George Hagan
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The Riddle of the Sands: A Record of Secret Service by Irish author Erskine Childers is often described as the first modern thirller and was one of the first popular spy novels.

Published in 1903 novel it spearheaded a genre and influenced the great espionage writers John Buchan, Ian Fleming, John le Carre and many others.

The plot involves the uncovering of secret German preparations for an invasion of the United Kingdom and is sited by Winston Churchill as one of the major reasons the Admiralty decided to establish naval bases at Invergordon, the Firth of Forth and Scapa Flow.

Robert Erskine Childers (1870 - 1922) was an Irish nationalist. Son of British Orientalist scholar Robert Caesar Childers; the cousin of Hugh Childers and Robert Barton; and the father of the fourth President of Ireland, Erskine Hamilton Childers.

Please note: This is a vintage recording. The audio quality may not be up to modern day standards.

Public Domain (P)2008 RNIB Action & Adventure Classics Espionage Historical Fiction Mystery Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Spies & Politics Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives
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I haven't completely finished the book, although at more than halfway, I find it fascinating. But the narration is an unpleasant surprise. The narrator would be perfect - right accent, excellent modulation, BUT. Every two or thee sentences he stumbles over words, or mispronounces, and goes back to correct the mistake. It happens so frequently that it quickly becomes unacceptable for a professional performance. As well, there are audible page turnings and microphone adjustments. I've never experienced anything like it in the many years I've been buying Audible books. This book really needs to be re-recorded.

The narrative would have been perfect.....

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I found this audio book to be enjoyable listening. The narration made it believable. I can highly recommend it.

Excellent including narration

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Where does The Riddle of the Sands rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Tops. Hagan's reading, which I believe was originally made for the Royal National Institute of Blind People, is masterful. All of Childers' sometimes intricate prose is brought amazingly to life. And the story is just great, particularly if you have ever sailed a small boat. Pure pleasure.

An Incredible Reading of A Marvelous Spy Story

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The Riddle of the Sands has a reputation as an exciting spy story, but there was nothing exciting about this reading. I felt like I was enduring, rather than enjoying this book.

perhaps a new recording would help...

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