Greenmantle - John Buchan

Published by Hodder & Stoughton: Great Britain, 2007. (1916).

This is a classic spy novel, written during World War 1, and involving the on-going conflict greatly within its plot. At the time it was written it was a best seller, and was even read by some of the historical figures of the time, such as the Tsar of Russia! Given the very specific period of its origin, Greenmantle feels quite unique. The war is still somewhat a lark, not yet tarred with the same heaviness it would come to be. Gentlemen spies are able to travel the battlefields without too much problem, and even when difficulties arise are able to get out of them fairly easily.

The plot itself centres around a mysterious figure, a possible Islamic prophet, who may be seeking to draw the Muslim world into the conflict on the side of Germany. Our heroes must try to discover the truth of these rumours, and undermine anything that would align such a significant chunk of the world with their enemies.

I recommend this book, but go into it expecting a different take on events than we would have. Or even that people living in 1918 would have.

Completed 14 June 2019.

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