Title
Hide And Seek: The Story Of A Wartime Agent
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One Of The Great Books Of The Second World WarAntony BeevorHide And Seek, First Published In 1954 And Unavailable For Many Years, Is Surely Among The Best Wartime Memoirs. It Is Narrated In A Vivid Closeup Style?By A Man Who Spent Two Years In Caves And Other Hideouts In The White Mountains, Venturing To The Coast Only To Guide A Supply Submarine With Flashing Torch, Or To Smuggle Endangered Or Exhausted Colleagues To Safety In Cairo?It Is Remarkable That He Lived To Tell The Tale; That He Does So With Such Modesty, Grace And Humour Is Extraordinary.James Campbell, Times Literary SupplementXan Fielding Was A Gifted, Manysided, Courageous And Romantic Figure, At The Same Time Civilized And Bohemian, And His Thoughtful Cast Of Mind Was Leavened By Humour, Spontaneous Gaiety, And A Dash Of Recklessness. Almost Any Stretch Of His Life Might Be Described As A Picaresque Interlude.Patrick Leigh Fermorin January 1942, Xan Fielding Landed On Germanoccupied Crete With Orders To Disrupt The Resupply Of Rommel'S Afrika Korps And Establish An Intelligence Network In Cooperation With The Cretan Resistance Movement. Working With Bands Of Cretan Partisans, He Succeeded Magnificently. In This Memoir Of His Wartime Exploits, Fielding Presents A Portrait Of The Quintessential English Operativeamateur, Gifted, Daring, And Charming.From The New Foreword By Robert Messenger:Hide And Seek Is A Classic Of British War Literature, An Understated Account Of A Man'S Comingofage Thanks To The Sudden Shouldering Of Great Responsibility. Fielding Is Deprecating About The Dangers And His Own Achievements. It Is Typical Of The Quiet And Reticent Man Who Preferred To Live Outside The Limelight And Wrote Matteroffactly About The War Rather Than With A Gloss Of Adventure Or Heroism. There'S A Scene, Late In 1943, When Fielding And A Group Of Partisans Study The German'S List Of 'Wanted' Men. He Notes 'With Regrettable But Only Human Pride That The Entry Under My Local Pseudonym, Which Outlined In Detail My Physical Characteristics, Aliases And Activities For A Period Of Eighteen Months, Took No Less Than Threequarters Of An Octavo Page In Closelyset Smallpoint Type.' The Germans Had Surely Measured His Worth.Xan Fielding (19181991) Was A British Writer And Traveler, And A Lifelong Friend Of Patrick Leigh Fermor, Who Served With Him In Crete During World War Ii. (The Introduction To Fermor'S A Time Of Gifts Is Written As A Letter To Xan Fielding.) Fielding Also Translated Many Novels From French, Most Notably, The Bridge On The River Kwai And The Planet Of The Apes.Robert Messenger Is The Books Editor Of The Wall Street Journal.
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- Q: How many pages does the book have? A: The book has one hundred eighty-eight pages. This length makes it a suitable read for those looking for a concise yet impactful memoir.
- Q: What is the binding type of this book? A: The book is paperback bound. This makes it lightweight and portable, ideal for reading on the go.
- Q: What are the dimensions of the book? A: The book measures five point four inches in length, zero point six inches in width, and eight point seven inches in height. These dimensions make it easy to handle and store.
- Q: Who is the author of the book? A: The author is Xan Fielding. He was a British writer and traveler known for his adventurous life during World War II.
- Q: What genre does this book fall under? A: The book is a wartime memoir. It presents personal accounts and experiences from World War II, making it a significant historical narrative.
- Q: When was this book originally published? A: The book was originally published in nineteen fifty-four. It has been re-released after being unavailable for many years.
- Q: Is this book suitable for young readers? A: Yes, this book is generally suitable for older teens and adults. It includes complex themes related to war and personal sacrifice.
- Q: How does one read this book effectively? A: To read this book effectively, find a quiet place to focus on the narrative. The storytelling is vivid and engaging, making it easy to immerse yourself in the author's experiences.
- Q: What themes are explored in the memoir? A: The memoir explores themes of courage, intelligence, and the human spirit during wartime. It provides insights into the challenges faced by those involved in espionage.
- Q: How should I care for this paperback book? A: To care for the paperback book, keep it away from moisture and direct sunlight. Store it upright on a shelf to maintain its shape.
- Q: Is this book a classic in British literature? A: Yes, this book is considered a classic of British war literature. It has received praise from notable figures for its understated yet powerful narrative.
- Q: What if the book arrives damaged? A: If the book arrives damaged, you should contact the seller for a return or exchange. Most sellers will provide options for resolving such issues.
- Q: Can I find this book in libraries? A: Yes, this book may be available in public or university libraries. It is worth checking your local library catalog for availability.
- Q: Does this book include illustrations? A: No, this book does not include illustrations. It focuses on written accounts and descriptions, allowing readers to visualize the narrative.
- Q: What makes this memoir unique? A: This memoir is unique due to its first-hand account of espionage during World War II, combined with the author's modest and humorous storytelling style.