High Jinx

Blackford Oakes #7

by William F. Buckley Jr.

In 1954 when a joint British-American mission to liberate a Soviet satellite is scuttled by the wholesale interception of sensitive cable traffic, Blackford Oakes must find the mole

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Espionage, Historical Fiction, 20th Century, War, Politics

349 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

About the author

William Frank Buckley, Jr. was an American author and conservative commentator. He founded the political magazine National Review in 1955, hosted 1,429 episodes of the television show Firing Line from 1966 until 1999, and was a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist. His writing style was famed for its erudition, wit, and use of uncommon words.

Buckley was "arguably the most important public intellectual in the United States in the past half century," according to George H. Nash, a historian of the modern American conservative movement. "For an entire generation he was the preeminent voice of American conservatism and its first great ecumenical figure." Buckley's primary intellectual achievement was to fuse traditional American political conservatism with economic libertarianism and anti-communism, laying the groundwork for the modern American conservatism of US Presidential candidate Barry Goldwater and US President Ronald Reagan.

Buckley came on the public scene with his critical book God and Man at Yale (1951); among over fifty further books on writing, speaking, history, politics and sailing, were a series of novels featuring CIA agent Blackford Oakes. Buckley referred to himself "on and off" as either libertarian or conservative. He resided in New York City and Stamford, Connecticut, and often signed his name as "WFB." He was a practicing Catholic, regularly attending the traditional Latin Mass in Connecticut.

Reviews

[E · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here Buckley is exploring the reasons a man might betray his country. The novel was written in light of revelations that some Britons had for decades been spying for the Soviets. Buckley tries to show how that is possible--and yet still dastardly. And of course his hero Oakes thus becomes the foil to such treachery. There is a bit of James-Bond-villan-esque gadgetry that somewhat gums up the works (no sharks, though--let alone sea bass), but nevertheless the novel works very well. A great entry in the series but also one that could stand on its own.

[Mike Glaser · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entry in the Blackford Oakes series. This one does not follow the previous book chronologically. Still a good read although it raises some questions about continuity within the series.
My advice is to enjoy the read.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1988. Oakes is on the case.

[Jorn Barger · Rating 1 out of 5]

Weirdly incoherent.

[Delia Binder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book three stars because, well, the late Mr. Buckley and I certainly didn't see eye-to-eye on...almost anything, really, from politics to sex to perceptions of Cold War history. That said, it was perfectly readable, and I got through it without any fits or starts - so I guess like the late Tom Clancy, Buckley's an author I can completely oppose politically and still enjoy reading.

In this case, Buckley's series hero, Blackford Oakes, starts out training as part of a US/British Commando outfit planning...something to do with Bringing FREEDOM! to...some Communist State, whether they want it or not. (In Buckley's worldwiew, of course they should want it...!)


"Boo."

Since Oakes is incognito under the code name of "Ernie", and only doing the training course to get back into physical shape following his previous adventure ( Stained Glass , set in 1953), during which "his mind and spirit had had extensive exercise...but not his body", he's only vaguely interested in the Commandos' target - but being a curious sort, he quickly pieces together they're planning to overthrow the current regime in Albania - because, well, That What Manly Men Do, and Alan Dulles Wants it That Way!

[R.L. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent Cold War mystery/thriller by one of the greatest authors of that genre, the late great William Buckley. I started reading Buckley because I enjoyed his political commentaries, being of a similar political persuasion myself. And I soon found out that in addition to being a political analyst, Buckley was also a great fiction author. High Jinx is Buckley at his best. It is fiction, but based on fact as well, and the reader gains an insight into the workings of the CIA and the history of the Cold War era. I also found a little inspiration for my own writing career, as I embark on writing mysteries of my own. Buckley based his main character Blackford Oakes largely on himself. Blackford Oakes is William Buckley. Perhaps a bit of an alter ego, he is basically the author himself, thrown into the action. Similarly, my own main character Will Nickerson, who features in Ranch Park and It's A Place For Trees, is based on me. Why not? You write what you know. Buckley wrote what he knew, and now I am writing what I know as well.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blackford Oakes, suave spy, is saving the US again. The fast-paced spy thriller reminds me why the Cold War kept us awake at night. The USSR no longer exists, but history is full of Soviet demons. Some characters are fictionalized (Queen Caroline) but not the Soviets. That's ok, because I can't picture Blackie with Elizabeth, at any time. The book is set in 1954.

[Steven Kent · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as compelling as See You Later Alligator, this novel takes Blackford Oaks and British commands behind the iron Curtain. The action is excellent, though I did piece together the final twist a bit in advance.

[Damien Sutevski · Rating 4 out of 5]

not much into spy stuff, but pretty good story (historical fiction); main character (as critics point out) is somewhat uninteresting

[Jean Barry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I got any of the jokes.

[David Vanness · Rating 4 out of 5]

My copy Large print 377 pages by Thorndike Press 1986.

[John Uzzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series.

[Benedict Reid · Rating 1 out of 5]

Reads like wooden puppets being moved around by someone with a high I.Q.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the time I read these novels (the late 1980's and early 1990's), I found them to be pretty good... sort of a cross between Matt Helm and James Bond. Not quite up to Ian Fleming's standards, but not quite as dated by then either.