Greenmantle

Written by John Buchan

Narrated by Peter Joyce

The second of Richard Hannays’ adventures takes him from the trenches of the First World War on a mission of vital importance to the British campaign in the East. In an attempt to manipulate their Turkish allies the Germans have created a religious figurehead, a prophet of a new order to unify the disparate tribes of Asia and crush the allied offensive. Pursued by the barbaric General Stumm, Hannay and his old South African friend and teacher Peter Pienaar with fellow soldier Sandy Arbuthnot and American engineer and less than "nootral" John S. Blenkiron make their different ways to Constantinople to find the elusive Greenmantle and do what they can to avert disaster.

But who is Greenmantle and what dastardly part has the sinister fanatic Hilda von Einem to play in the game which will determine the outcome of the war. Packed with incident and incredible feats of derring-do the story culminates at the offensive. Buchan’s life in politics and his work for the Intelligence Corps gave him knowledge and an insight that few others could have at the time. With remarkable prescience he reveals the main theme and keeps the attention to the last.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Assembled Stories
• Release date: Jan 1, 2008
• ISBN: 9781860152443

John Buchan

John Buchan was a Scottish diplomat, barrister, journalist, historian, poet and novelist. He published nearly 30 novels and seven collections of short stories. He was born in Perth, an eldest son, and studied at Glasgow and Oxford. In 1901 he became a barrister of the Middle Temple and a private secretary to the High Commissioner for South Africa. In 1907 he married Susan Charlotte Grosvenor and they subsequently had four children. After spells as a war correspondent, Lloyd George's Director of Information and Conservative MP, Buchan moved to Canada in 1935. He served as Governor General there until his death in 1940. Hew Strachan is Chichele Professor of the History of War at the University of Oxford; his research interests include military history from the 18th century to date, including contemporary strategic studies, but with particular interest in the First World War and in the history of the British Army.

Reviews for Greenmantle

[MLJS-piano · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Okay so-- this book, speaking from the not so distant past, glorifies the British Empire without apology, or any kind of modern sensibility or awareness. Cecil Rhodes, for example, is admired greatly. & Women are not a part of this tale, with the exception of one who was named as a mesmerizing genius She-Devil... textbook "Male Gaze." It accepts without question the history written by white male conquerors. It is not woke. -- And yet- and yet - I, a white ardent feminist female hippie New England farmer nearing 60, could not stop listening ! and was completely engaged in the story, the excellent narration, and the writing itself. This is a war story, and it's about courage and cunning and creativity and luck and pluck. It is also an incredible historical document, so I was able to listen with some curiosity and a much widened education about WWI. I am definitely reading this series to fill in the gaps in my own understanding of the history of empire in the world. I'm not sure if the author himself caught the ridiculous irony of the hatred of the English characters ( who had fought to conquer and subjugate Africa) for Germany's unchecked greedy expansion - but reading the history backwards, I found that rather amusing. So you can read it many ways. It can be a story of the Folly of men and their stupid greed. It can also be a story of Brave commitment to cause and Country. This is the second in the series, I enjoyed the first one as well, and I will also listen to the others... But don't tell my friends!

[Robert Ross · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A ripping yarn. Stout fellows prevail and The Empire survives.

[amaravos · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great audiobook. I've read tg6 series and enjoyed it very much. Some of story may seem out of touch. Yet it is a great work of adventure.

[Elizabeth Payne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Exciting daring do boys own type adventure which l loved? I aim to look at all the Buchan books!