E. Phillips Oppenheim was one of the greatest writers of spy fiction, known in his time as the Prince of Storytellers. To launch their Spy Classics series, the British Library is proud to introduce Oppenheim and his classic work to a new reading public. The most celebrated of Oppenheim's books, The Great Impersonation opens in East Africa in 1913, as the disgraced English aristocrat Everard Dominey stumbles out of the bush only to come face to face with his double--the German Baron von Ragastein. When Dominey returns to London months later and resumes his glittering social life, suspicions rise: Is this really Dominey, or a German agent infiltrating high society on the eve of war?
Through the years there are always certain books that one never forgets, for whatever reason,and often through the last sixty years I remember "The Great Impersonation" which I read at the age of 15. Not a difficult read, yet it holds its reader until the last page. The intrigue and the characters all fit so well that I feel, though not a classic per se, it is a skillful story not to be ignored by any reader. In fact, I am buying a couple of copies for the newer generation so it can be enjoyed for years to come.
Pre WWI -spy thriller
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 15 years ago
Terrific book, exciting, suspenseful, and I couldn't tell that it was written at that time. I read a lot of vintage mysteries -- many are good, but obviously done in a style not suited to today's reader. This could easily have been written today, it is suspenseful without being overly melodramatic. I read it straight through, it was that exciting. And it's free. I'm going to download a lot of his other books as well.
the great impersonation
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 19 years ago
one of the best books ever done on spys, the prose is quaint and interesting considering the date written (1925). Wonderful plot and even a love story. One of my all time favorites.
Looking for a Jolly Good Read?
Published by Thriftbooks.com User , 27 years ago
This is storytelling at its peak. Although a rather just-state-the-facts author, Oppenheim created a delightful story by doing just that: weaving facts into a web that cannot be deciphered until the final chapter. He led the reader through a seemingly straightforward spy novel, only dropping hints at what was to come. This is a great read for anyone who likes their classics served with a twist.
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