Where Eagles Dare

A simply terrific read, this pretty much unputdownable World War II adventure set deep in Germany delivers both plenty of action and a plot with numerous surprising twists, turns and revelations. Overall, immensely enjoyable and not to be missed.The screenplay for the film with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood was also written by Alistair MacClean, making for a very satisfying tie-in, and the film is also wholeheartedly recommended.

Classic Alistair MacLean stuff and a bit of a nostalgia trip if I'm honest. When I was younger MacLean was the man to go to for thrillers and he certainly was good at writing them.Now, this is one of his best ones - but actually not quite as good as the film which is an utter classic. What I do note with the passing of years and a more jaded eye is that MacLean either does not do much in the way of research or does not let material facts get in the way of a good story. Given that today most authors who write in this genre - the better ones that is - do a fair bit of checking to make sure that facts are correct, reading a book where they don't seem important is slightly jarring.Overall though a great military romp that's fast paced well written.

Having seen the film dozens of times, I thought I'd have a crack at the book as it was on offer, and I was not disappointed. The premise is that of a small group of Allied (there is a token America who, when I first watched the film, I assumed was added to appeal to the US market - Clint Eastwood as a young man), commandos are tasked with rescuing a captured US General from an all-but impregnable Nazi SS castle in the Bavarian Alps.As might be expected, all is not what it seems, and the plot rattles along with its twists and turns like the bus racing towards the airfield towards the end. The scenery that is so key to the film is brilliantly described, from the shivery Alpine blizzard, to the tightly packed, sweaty bar and the imposing Bavarian castle.The classic 'Broadsword calling Danny Boy' callsign certainly brought back memories of the film, which I was 'forced' to watch once again after reading the book. If you like a wartime thriller, this is for you.

This is a fantastic book, the plot is set during WW2 in Bavaria. It is very clever and follows closely (but not exactly) the plot from the film. Alistair MacLean eases you in to the plot and it is not hard to imagine the scenes in your minds eye he desribes as he leads you through the story. For those unfamiliar with the story, an American General Carnaby has been shot down in Germany while attempting to finalise the plans for the second front. A small hand picked team of men from Britain, lead by Smith (Richard Burton's character in the film), is sent in with the almost impossible task of rescuing him before the Germans can make him talk. But all is not as it seems! A great read.

As a big fan of the movie of the book I decided to read the novel. Given how much film makers muck about with a books story when turning them into films the great pleasure with this Book is finding how closely they followed Alistair McLean's novel.The only differences really being due to those imposed by the films location and the fact that McLean for some unknown reason wrote laughable descriptions of the insides of a Lancaster Bomber and Mosquito aircraft.But overall a brilliant read.

An odd one, this. The book was written (I assume almost immediately) after MacLean had written the screenplay, but there are many differences between the two. I rather think the book reflects the original screenplay, which may have been altered during filming. In the book, there is at least one extra character, minimal killings, and scenes such as the car crash in the camp. There is also no resistance at he airport, and they don’t fix explosives on the posts as they drive the bus. But the writing style did not suit me, and for a professionally produced book there are quite a few errors, including one I could not unravel. The preposterous elements of the film seem more preposterous in the book!

I've got to admit I'm a really big fan of the film so I thought it about time I gave the book a go, I was a little apprehensive after looking at some of the reviews but thought what the he'll.It starts out very much like the film and an enjoyable read and I can see why they decided to make the film, it has an excellent plot which is full of intrigue and twists. Now the further you progress you notice the subtle differences such as name changes and lack of fatalities, to cut a long review short, is it as good as the film, in my opinion.....No!The changes made for the film add a lot more action sequences and bring more excitement, the book is worth a read if you haven't seen the movie but I recommend watching the movie afterwards as the locations/acting and plot are brilliant!

Great book great characters no wonder they made it into a movie! Great story! Fast action on every page! Give men sent to a alpine target to retrieve a American general, or so they think one dies on arrival,n another is killed later, who is next!

I have seen the movie but still I wanted to read the book also.Very gripping book.

Far better than film. Tho the film was more true than Ice Station Zeebra !!!! One two thee for fief

Für alle die den Film "Agenten sterben einsam" mögen und lieben!Dies ist quasi das Script dazu!Sehr gut und spannend geschrieben! - hat mehr von einem Aktionfilm als von einer 1stPerson-Erzählung Ala "Band of Brothers". Gefällt mir sehr gut!Ein Actionfilm als Buch :)

Spies, Nazis, murder, double agents and an impenetrable fortress are just a portion of what you will encounter in one of the best page turners in history, Alistair MacLean's Where Eagles Dare. Captain Smith and lieutenant Scaffer and 5 other British and American agents must parachute into the frozen, frigid and treacherous German alps in the midst of World War II. Next, they break in to the German secret intelligent headquarters, only accessible by a air gondola, all for what seems to be to rescue one of general, but turns out to be much, much more. As their mission progresses Schaffer begins to suspect the presence of a double agent as the enemies always seems to know their next move and the agents slowly began to die out. Where Eagles Dare is a must read for anyone who calls himself an action reader and suspense lover.I am not kidding when I say Where Eagles Dare is the king of suspense novels and is literally impossible to put down. Every chapter leaves you and the characters hanging from cliff- tops, gondolas and sometimes for their lives. I have read many books that are suspenseful such as Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Alex Rider, and Ranger's Apprentice, and none of them even come close.Warning to girls and the weak of heart: This book may not be for you, but will fore sure lure the average teen boy with the novel's catastrophic explosions, bullet wounds, stab marks and bodies. Every one of these factors also leads to the book not having even one single dull moment. So if you enjoy being reading thrilling books, then Where Eagles Dare is the perfect choice for youOne of the great things that separates Where Eagles Dare from most action and suspense novels is that although the book is bloody, the author (through the sensitivity displayed by the characters) does show a little more courtesy to human life than most action books now a days. For example, at one point in the book, Captain Smith goes back, at risk to his own life, to untie the German radio officer they earlier ambushed to give him a chance to escape before the place blew up.This historic action packed and suspenseful page-turners appeals to not only to teens but to adults too. For instance, my dad and I agree that it is one of, if not the, best book of all time. So if you read this 5 star book and do not enjoy it, then do yourself a favor and GET TO A DOCTOR!

Excellent book. Nothing to say about it. It is world famous.It was so outstanding that a world class movie was made on it.