The Thirty-Nine Steps: Amazon.ca: John A. Buchan: Books

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Product Description

From AudioFile

Frederick Davidson's voice is properly sardonic, and his supercilious British articulation is just right. The story's extended chase scene inspired Alfred Hitchcock's movie of the same name. J.N (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine --This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Book Description

John Buchan wrote The Thirty-Nine Steps while he was seriously ill at the beginning of the First World War. In it he introduces his most famous hero, Richard Hannay, who, despite claiming to be an `ordinary fellow', is caught up in the dramatic race against a plot to devastate the British war effort. Hannay is hunted across the Scottish moors by police and spy-ring alike, and must outwit his intelligent and pitiless enemy in the corridors of Whitehall and, finally, at the site of the mysterious thirty-nine steps. The best-known of Buchan's thrillers, The Thirty-Nine Steps has been continuously in print since first publication and has been filmed three times, most notably by Alfred Hitchcock in 1935. In this, the only critical edition, Christopher Harvie's introduction interweaves the writing of the tale with the equally fascinating story of how John Buchan, publisher and lawyer, came in from the cold and, via The Thirty-Nine Steps, ended the war as spy-master and propaganda chief.

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First Sentence
I returned from the City about three o'clock on that May afternoon pretty well disgusted with life. Read the first page

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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover

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Customer Reviews

18 Reviews

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
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Average Customer Review

3.7 out of 5 stars (18 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An immensely entertaining adventure story!, Sep 10 2009

By	Paul Weiss (Dundas, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Penguin Classics Thirty Nine Steps (Paperback)

Richard Hannay, a former Scotsman, has been in South Africa for some time working as a mining engineer. Now returned to the UK and living in a small flat in London, he meets journalist Franklin Scudder, a stranger who, claiming to be afraid for his very life, spins him a tale of his discovery of a complex anarachist plot to de-stabilize Europe and plunge it into a multi-national war by assassinating the Greek premier during an upcoming visit to London. With some reservations, Hannay allows Scudder to hide in his flat.

A few days later, when Hannay finds Scudder murdered with a knife in his heart, he realizes the truth behind Scudder's story and takes to his heels. Scotland Yard will be after him as the only plausible suspect in Hannay's murder and Hannay also realizes that the anarchists will be after him next because they won't know what Scudder might have told him. With Scudder's pocket book in hand, the only thing that contains the clues to his research into the plot, Hannay takes a train north planning to take refuge in the wilds of the Scottish Highlands. His only plan is to come out of hiding at the last minute before Karolides' visit in order to reveal the plot to the British government.

There is no doubt that "The Thirty-Nine Steps" is a staunchly British, well written, exciting and immensely entertaining adventure story that tells the tale of a man on the run in fear of his life. Richard Hannay is also depicted as a courageous patriot who selflessly puts his country's and his government's national interests and security ahead of his own. First published in 1915 with WW I already hotly under way, author John Buchan also took a tiny step into the political arena by obviously criticizing those government officials who had pursued a policy of pacification and negotiation with Germany before the war.

With a significant question in my mind as to what its long term literary values may be, I'll leave the question of whether or not a simple adventure story deserves to be elevated to the status of classic to others to decide. But I will say that its timeless entertainment value and feel-good ending will ensure that "The Thirty-Nine Steps" will be read by adventure, mystery and thriller lovers for years and years to come.

Highly recommended.

Paul Weiss

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4.0 out of 5 stars A Romp Through the Highlands, Sep 13 2006

By	Kelley Charlebois "Kelley" (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Thirty Nine Steps (Paperback)

An excellent introduction to the Buchan style of descriptive narrative that takes you though the Scottish wilds. While my introduction to this author was through Hitchcock I actually prefer the story of the book more.

The lead character, Richard Hannay goes on to 4 more adventures but this is the best of the series (though all were an enjoyable read).

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4.0 out of 5 stars Just Plain Fun!, Mar 14 2004

By	Dan Blankenship "Author of THE RUNNING GIRL" (Lowell, IN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thirty-Nine Steps (School & Library Binding)

This is one of those short novels that is just a fun read. The main character is taken on a journey that leads him away from the boredom he was experiencing in London. It is a simple first-person story with a very interesting writing style. John Buchan manages to make the "rookie-happenstance-spy being chased by everyone" story work without a hitch.

I wish I had read this novel sooner. I believe it is a must read for anyone interested in good literature and storytelling. I felt like the main character, Richard Hannay, was telling me the story as he puffed on his tobacco pipe. Hannay is like a man trapped in a giant rolling snowball...cept' he's enjoying the wild ride and ignoring the eventual crash.

Buchan made the suspense, the landscape, and the travel blend together in a very well-rounded adventure. I have never seen the movie adaptation, but will definitely look for it.

www.therunninggirl.com

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Most recent customer reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Seminal British thriller.
A breezy little read, John Buchan's "The 39 Steps" was quite the success in its' day, and has apparently never been out of print. Read more

Published on Sep 4 2003 by M J Heilbron Jr.

4.0 out of 5 stars High-quality potboiler of the Edwardian era
John Buchan claims to have written this fast-paced "dime novel" while recovering from an illness. The story of how Richard Hannay stumbles upon and then escapes from a pre-WWI... Read more

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4.0 out of 5 stars Great book that became an even greater film!
A great espionage thriller, involving danger, murder, and the future of England, set just before World War I. The pace is fast, and it makes for a quick but enthralling read. Read more