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Forbidding peaks, resourceful commandos, beautiful spies, nonstop action, and neck-snapping plot twists make this the classic adventure thriller—the kind of page-turner that readers actually will find impossible to put down. A team of British Special Forces commandos parachutes into the high peaks of the Austrian Alps with the mission of stealing into an invulnerable alpine castle—accessible only by aerial gondola—the headquarters of Nazi intelligence. Supposedly sent in to rescue one of their own, their real mission turns out to be a lot more complicated—and the tension climbs as team members start to die off, one by one. Written by Alistair Maclean, author of the Guns of Navarone, this is the novel that set the pace for the modern action thriller (the film version, with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood, also helped), and it still packs twice the punch of most contemporary best-selling thrillers. What's more, the cast of spooks, turncoats, and commandos who drive this story are more relevant than ever in our new era of special forces, black ops, and unpredictable alliances.
252 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1967
1202 people are currently reading
12692 people want to read
About the author
Alistair MacLean
347 books1,208 followersAlistair Stuart MacLean (Scottish Gaelic: Alasdair MacGill-Eain), the son of a Scots Minister, was brought up in the Scottish Highlands. In 1941, at the age of eighteen, he joined the Royal Navy; two and a half years spent aboard a cruiser were to give him the background for HMS Ulysses, his first novel, the outstanding documentary novel on the war at sea. After the war he gained an English Honours degree at Glasgow University, and became a schoolmaster. In 1983, he was awarded a D. Litt. from the same university.
Maclean is the author of twenty-nine world bestsellers and recognised as an outstanding writer in his own genre. Many of his titles have been adapted for film - The Guns of the Navarone, The Satan Bug, Force Ten from Navarone, Where Eagles Dare and Bear Island are among the most famous.
Maclean is the author of twenty-nine world bestsellers and recognised as an outstanding writer in his own genre. Many of his titles have been adapted for film - The Guns of the Navarone, The Satan Bug, Force Ten from Navarone, Where Eagles Dare and Bear Island are among the most famous.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 735 reviews
June 24, 2018
A momentous read for me in many respects.
The most famous book of my favorite author as a young teenager; I was given a signed first edition (signed not just by the author but by two of the actors in the film whose screenplay the author wrote before the novel) by my closest friends as a 50th birthday present; it's also the 1000th book I have added to Goodreads since I started loading my new and old reviews here just under 18 months ago (on 1.1.17).
A classic MacLean in every respect.
The most famous book of my favorite author as a young teenager; I was given a signed first edition (signed not just by the author but by two of the actors in the film whose screenplay the author wrote before the novel) by my closest friends as a 50th birthday present; it's also the 1000th book I have added to Goodreads since I started loading my new and old reviews here just under 18 months ago (on 1.1.17).
A classic MacLean in every respect.
February 20, 2022
Where Eagles Dare was the first Alistair Maclean book I ever read in High School. One of my buddies loaned me a copy, and I (figuratively) inhaled it. (I think I read it in a day or two.) It really is quite a fast read. This is an action, adventure, espionage, thriller set during World War II, that doesn’t really have a lot of characterization. Where it skimps on characterization, it spends on description of the setting and expounding on the action scenes. I found it very cinematic, and even though I saw the movie a long time ago, I could see Clint Eastwood and Richard Burton as the story unfolded. This is a genre novel which means it’s not for everyone, and to make that assumption would be both a grave injustice to the book and the author. There are scenes that are thrillingly iconic. They still caused my heart to race as I breathlessly read about the fight atop the aerial trams. Despite knowing how it would turn out, I felt swept along. Remember my caveats and you will not go wrong. This novel is probably why Alistair Maclean is a favored writer.
January 10, 2019
"When no other option offered there was no point in figuring the percentages."
- Alistair MacLean, Where Eagles Dare
I recently picked this up. I've got several (5-7) MacLean books laying around fighting to be read. I think rewatching the movie version of The Guns of Navarone a couple months ago with my family moved his books a bit higher up my list. I forgot how nostalgic these books make me. I came from a military family. These 1960s movies and books are part of my DNA. I grew up with the Dirty Dozen, Patten, Guns of Navarone, and Where Eagles Dare. So, I didn't read this book for the plot. I was interested in how MacLean wrote his thrillers and how they compared to his movies. I think the move version of Where Eagles Dare is a tad more violent while the novel contains a bit more humor (or at least levity). I also loved the two main protagonists a bit more in the book (Smith and Schaffer). The movie's action scenes are exceptional given the time and age.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book even though there was no real surprise ending. If you haven't either read the book or seen the movie, and you like good war thrillers, this one has aged exceptionally well.
- Alistair MacLean, Where Eagles Dare
I recently picked this up. I've got several (5-7) MacLean books laying around fighting to be read. I think rewatching the movie version of The Guns of Navarone a couple months ago with my family moved his books a bit higher up my list. I forgot how nostalgic these books make me. I came from a military family. These 1960s movies and books are part of my DNA. I grew up with the Dirty Dozen, Patten, Guns of Navarone, and Where Eagles Dare. So, I didn't read this book for the plot. I was interested in how MacLean wrote his thrillers and how they compared to his movies. I think the move version of Where Eagles Dare is a tad more violent while the novel contains a bit more humor (or at least levity). I also loved the two main protagonists a bit more in the book (Smith and Schaffer). The movie's action scenes are exceptional given the time and age.
Anyway, I enjoyed the book even though there was no real surprise ending. If you haven't either read the book or seen the movie, and you like good war thrillers, this one has aged exceptionally well.
May 13, 2020
“Why didn't you shoot him?”
“I'm a changed man, boss.” Schaffer sighed. “Something splendid has just come into my life.”
“Besides, you didn't have a chance.”
“Besides, as you say, I didn't have a chance.”
This used to be a favourite book of mine in my teens. I was totally riveted by it. I found it cheeky and exciting and daring and funny.
I have not read the book... well.. let's say 20 years.. it was still amusing, tense and exciting, even though there were some OTT moments.
But boy, did Alistair MacLean know how to do entertainment!
“I'm a changed man, boss.” Schaffer sighed. “Something splendid has just come into my life.”
“Besides, you didn't have a chance.”
“Besides, as you say, I didn't have a chance.”
This used to be a favourite book of mine in my teens. I was totally riveted by it. I found it cheeky and exciting and daring and funny.
I have not read the book... well.. let's say 20 years.. it was still amusing, tense and exciting, even though there were some OTT moments.
But boy, did Alistair MacLean know how to do entertainment!
January 13, 2019
When I was at school, way back in the 1970s, I used to read a lot of Alistair MacLean novels as I'm sure many teenage boys did. Back then the shelves of my local WH Smith was full of his books, many with tie in covers from the film versions. MacLean was not only a hugely successful author, but his novels provided the basis for many popular films of the 1960s & 70s: The Guns Of Navarone, Ice Station Zebra, The Golden Rendezvous, Breakheart Pass and (of course) Where Eagles Dare are just a few of them.
Returning to this novel as an adult has been a surprisingly enormous amount of fun. The plot (with its breathtaking amount of twists) still holds up extremely well, even if the characterisations are very shallow.
All in all, a good old fashioned, rip-roaring adventure story. They don't write them like this anymore.
Returning to this novel as an adult has been a surprisingly enormous amount of fun. The plot (with its breathtaking amount of twists) still holds up extremely well, even if the characterisations are very shallow.
All in all, a good old fashioned, rip-roaring adventure story. They don't write them like this anymore.
August 27, 2025
Smith and Schaffer 🙂
Read it!
Read it!
March 29, 2017
Excellent story and movie.
August 31, 2017
MacLean wrote the book on WWII suspense thrillers. A team of allied specialists parachute into
Germany to rescue a captured American general. He team is led by a Brit, Smith, played in the movie by Richard Burton, aided by an American, Schaefer, played in the movie by Clint Eastwood. Worth reading. The movie is worth watching, as is the inspired Pinky and The Brain cartoon which pokes fun at the movie.
Germany to rescue a captured American general. He team is led by a Brit, Smith, played in the movie by Richard Burton, aided by an American, Schaefer, played in the movie by Clint Eastwood. Worth reading. The movie is worth watching, as is the inspired Pinky and The Brain cartoon which pokes fun at the movie.
October 29, 2023
🦅 I always liked Alistair’s adventure books as a boy. You may remember the movie featuring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood. This story is exciting and, I would say, the book gives a more gritty and authentic feeling to this WW2 spy and action thriller than the movie. 🦅
April 11, 2023
Cărțile lui Alistair MacLean s-au vândut în peste 150 de milioane de exemplare, ceea ce face ca scriitorul britanic să fie unul dintre cei mai bine vânduți autori de ficțiune istorică din toate timpurile. Apoi vin eu și spun meh. Nu spun asta, dar știam că e ceva diferit față de restul scrierilor cu care eram obișnuit, iar după o scurtă documentare am aflat că schița pentru cartea “Acolo unde se avântă vulturii” a fost scrisă cam în același timp cu scenariul pentru filmul cu același nume, doar câteva aspecte fiind ușor modificate. Sau cel puțin adaptată după scenariu. Deci asta era. Pe tot parcursul cărții scriitura mi s-a părut mult prea lungită cu acțiuni simple care puteau fi redate în câteva cuvinte în loc să fie înșirate în câteva rânduri bune. Probabil tocmai de aceea mi-a luat mai bine de o lună să termin o carte de 300 de pagini despre care cred că putea fi rezumată în 200. Dar un drum lung cu trenul m-a salvat de frustrarea de a stagna atât de mult pentru că apoi am înțeles că de fapt am citit un scenariu de film. Dar exceptând scuza mea, ideea cărții mi se pare genială și cred că putea fi exploatată mult mai adânc dacă gândul lui MacLean ar fi fost strict pentru carte și nu împărțit cu scenariul de film.
Al Doilea Război Mondial, miezul iernii, câțiva agenți britanici sunt aleși să se parașuteze în spatele liniilor inamice și să se infiltreze în cel mai imposibil loc din toată Germania nazistă, o fortăreață montană accesibilă doar pe cablu. Scopul lor inițial este să scoată de acolo un presupus general Aliat care deține informații cruciale pentru cursul războiului, dar totul se dovedește o cacealma și nimeni nu mai este cine credem că este pentru că descoperim personaje care joacă la dublu și se dovedesc a fi spioni ai inamicilor. Ideea cărții este foarte bună și mi-a stimulat imaginația suficient cât să-i acord maximul de stele, chiar dacă inițial m-am gândit la 4, dar după ce am descoperit cât de apreciată este și timpul în care a fost scrisă, parcă am uitat complet de blocajul ăla și mi-a rămas în minte doar ideea centrală a cărții.
Al Doilea Război Mondial, miezul iernii, câțiva agenți britanici sunt aleși să se parașuteze în spatele liniilor inamice și să se infiltreze în cel mai imposibil loc din toată Germania nazistă, o fortăreață montană accesibilă doar pe cablu. Scopul lor inițial este să scoată de acolo un presupus general Aliat care deține informații cruciale pentru cursul războiului, dar totul se dovedește o cacealma și nimeni nu mai este cine credem că este pentru că descoperim personaje care joacă la dublu și se dovedesc a fi spioni ai inamicilor. Ideea cărții este foarte bună și mi-a stimulat imaginația suficient cât să-i acord maximul de stele, chiar dacă inițial m-am gândit la 4, dar după ce am descoperit cât de apreciată este și timpul în care a fost scrisă, parcă am uitat complet de blocajul ăla și mi-a rămas în minte doar ideea centrală a cărții.
May 25, 2014
Alistair MacLean wrote the screen play for his close friend, Richard Burton. Burton's star power was sliding at the time of the film and he wanted an action film along the lines of Maclean's bestseller and hit movie, The Guns of Navarone. And he got it! The novel is in fact based upon the screenplay, rather than the other way around - slightly odd.
I watched the film last night and I had to read the novel. And it is the screenplay. The first 30 pages are a bit slow, since one really can't get the anxiousness of the team. A team of British Special Forces commandos parachutes into the high peaks of the Austrian Alps with the mission of stealing into an invulnerable alpine castle—accessible only by aerial gondola—the headquarters of Nazi intelligence. Supposedly sent in to rescue one of their own, their real mission turns out to be a lot more complicated—and the tension climbs as team members start to die off, one by one.
There are a few scenes that suspension of disbelief is necessary, but they don't violate the viability of the story negatively. MacLean understands how to write an action thriller and I would recommend Alistair MacLean to read any day of the week. To give more of the storyline besides the book blurb would reveal the delicious twists, turns, and events that would destroy a reader's pleasure.
I watched the film last night and I had to read the novel. And it is the screenplay. The first 30 pages are a bit slow, since one really can't get the anxiousness of the team. A team of British Special Forces commandos parachutes into the high peaks of the Austrian Alps with the mission of stealing into an invulnerable alpine castle—accessible only by aerial gondola—the headquarters of Nazi intelligence. Supposedly sent in to rescue one of their own, their real mission turns out to be a lot more complicated—and the tension climbs as team members start to die off, one by one.
There are a few scenes that suspension of disbelief is necessary, but they don't violate the viability of the story negatively. MacLean understands how to write an action thriller and I would recommend Alistair MacLean to read any day of the week. To give more of the storyline besides the book blurb would reveal the delicious twists, turns, and events that would destroy a reader's pleasure.
November 19, 2020
I love Alistair MacLean, his books talk about WWII, which fascinates me.
My father fought in that War, oh the tales we heard! Lunch was always peppered with episodes of strange places like Ethiopia, Burma. We still have my Father's Water Canteen.
Sadly being young girls we were more interested in school stories, June and Schoolfriend, Schoolgirls, those tales of War bored us to tears.
We did however, love the story of Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery visiting the troops.
We were astounded by the fact that my Father saw the Field Marshal from a mile away, the security was extremely tight!
Alistair MacLean captures the spirit of those days beautifully and reminds me of my Father in that great War.
My father fought in that War, oh the tales we heard! Lunch was always peppered with episodes of strange places like Ethiopia, Burma. We still have my Father's Water Canteen.
Sadly being young girls we were more interested in school stories, June and Schoolfriend, Schoolgirls, those tales of War bored us to tears.
We did however, love the story of Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery visiting the troops.
We were astounded by the fact that my Father saw the Field Marshal from a mile away, the security was extremely tight!
Alistair MacLean captures the spirit of those days beautifully and reminds me of my Father in that great War.
April 10, 2018
Take a WWII spy plot. Add some action sequences and some plot twists. Then add some more plot twists. Then some more action and more plot twists. Then a few more plots twists and some spy stuff and action and more plot twists. Also, characters, add some of those if you have room, and some smart aleck-y dialogue (50 years ago we didn't call it "snarky"). A few more twists and you're ready to publish your Alistair MacLean novel.
August 9, 2016
A 2.5 really.
The book 'Where Eagles DARE' starts with a trifling irony. Before a sky-drop scene into the German lands to pursue a high class search and rescue mission of an eminent person, the characters(soldiers specially chosen and obviously quite able) visibly seem to lose their calm and start contemplating death in a nervous set of dialogues and the confusing character introduction.
A plot with the premise of an ever-interesting World War II scenario where the author chooses to aim and enlarge upon the cloak-and-dagger activities rather than the blood-shed and the extensive violence. The characters are susceptible to any circumstances that might drastically change the following course of events or the character's fate which generally can be attributed to a very well-written espionage thriller. It has double agents as well as speculated treble agents.(Kudos to Alistair Maclean!)
The snappy exchanges between the main protagonist and his side-kick are amazing and so are the sky-drop scene and breaching the formidable and the inaccessible Schloss Adler, a castle where all the eminent German officials and the hostage to be rescued are located.
Why would I give it a '2.5 really' rating is because the transpiring of events, the build-up of the plot seems stiff and reeks with the scenic technical details which makes the book read-out like a movie script rather than a thriller book. From what I understand, thanks to the group-read discussions, Alistair Maclean was simultaneously writing the screenplay of the movie.The same is conspicuous in his writing style of the book. The only thing that came out good from this is the fact that the book was short and not time consuming.
The author fails to develop interest in the protagonist and makes the reader anticipate more appearances from the other characters in the book which the author inadvertently gives a lovable characteristic traits at the start of the book.
The book also pays homage to ancient clichés. For instance, the protagonists are hiding in a room in one of the buildings in a chase sequence and a German soldier seems to miss checking on the same room. The protagonist then explains this incident to his side-kick with the help of a bleak psychological reasoning that the individual who missed this room did so deliberately because he too wanted to avoid the remote possibility of encountering them. The other German soldiers also seemed to look for the suspects in the wrong way and at crucial times looking away to the luck of the protagonists.
Last thought, maybe I should have just watched the movie than read the book.
The book 'Where Eagles DARE' starts with a trifling irony. Before a sky-drop scene into the German lands to pursue a high class search and rescue mission of an eminent person, the characters(soldiers specially chosen and obviously quite able) visibly seem to lose their calm and start contemplating death in a nervous set of dialogues and the confusing character introduction.
A plot with the premise of an ever-interesting World War II scenario where the author chooses to aim and enlarge upon the cloak-and-dagger activities rather than the blood-shed and the extensive violence. The characters are susceptible to any circumstances that might drastically change the following course of events or the character's fate which generally can be attributed to a very well-written espionage thriller. It has double agents as well as speculated treble agents.(Kudos to Alistair Maclean!)
The snappy exchanges between the main protagonist and his side-kick are amazing and so are the sky-drop scene and breaching the formidable and the inaccessible Schloss Adler, a castle where all the eminent German officials and the hostage to be rescued are located.
Why would I give it a '2.5 really' rating is because the transpiring of events, the build-up of the plot seems stiff and reeks with the scenic technical details which makes the book read-out like a movie script rather than a thriller book. From what I understand, thanks to the group-read discussions, Alistair Maclean was simultaneously writing the screenplay of the movie.The same is conspicuous in his writing style of the book. The only thing that came out good from this is the fact that the book was short and not time consuming.
The author fails to develop interest in the protagonist and makes the reader anticipate more appearances from the other characters in the book which the author inadvertently gives a lovable characteristic traits at the start of the book.
The book also pays homage to ancient clichés. For instance, the protagonists are hiding in a room in one of the buildings in a chase sequence and a German soldier seems to miss checking on the same room. The protagonist then explains this incident to his side-kick with the help of a bleak psychological reasoning that the individual who missed this room did so deliberately because he too wanted to avoid the remote possibility of encountering them. The other German soldiers also seemed to look for the suspects in the wrong way and at crucial times looking away to the luck of the protagonists.
Last thought, maybe I should have just watched the movie than read the book.
December 23, 2015
Had I reviewed this in my thriller-loving youth, I would have given it five stars. It is the adventure story par excellence: the secret mission behind enemy lines carried out by a group of intrepid adventurers: the snowbound castle up in the sky: fights on the top a moving cable car: and double-crosses, double-double-crosses and (even) double-double-double-crosses.
However, nowadays I find all such stories shallow, the adventure rather juvenile and the Anglo-centric view a bit nauseating. Hence the three stars.
But if gung-ho adventure stories are your thing, you can't make a mistake with this.
However, nowadays I find all such stories shallow, the adventure rather juvenile and the Anglo-centric view a bit nauseating. Hence the three stars.
But if gung-ho adventure stories are your thing, you can't make a mistake with this.
October 2, 2012
I'm about to review a modern techno-thriller and while researching the author something jogged my 14 year old self's memory of Alistair McLean.
I gobbled his books in high school - I remember when The Eagle Has Landed was all the big rage and I read it, sure, like everyone else, but Alistair had me hooked and I ploughed through his entire oeuvre (or at least as much as our high school library budget allowed) during one year.
Then I forgot all about him until two days ago. I suppose that will be another author that my adult self will have to ignore if I want to keep my five star memories intact.
I gobbled his books in high school - I remember when The Eagle Has Landed was all the big rage and I read it, sure, like everyone else, but Alistair had me hooked and I ploughed through his entire oeuvre (or at least as much as our high school library budget allowed) during one year.
Then I forgot all about him until two days ago. I suppose that will be another author that my adult self will have to ignore if I want to keep my five star memories intact.
January 18, 2016
Aveam în jur de 14 ani când am citit cartea aceasta. Este una dintre primele cărţi citite şi parcă am şi-acum în faţa ochilor colecţia bibliotecii Adevărul, romanul acesta fiind eterogen orânduirii celorlaltor cărţi. L-am luat şi am început, calm, să citesc. Eram în perioada în care mai toţi adolescenţii de gen masculin sunt pasionaţi de Al Doilea Război Mondial. M-a ţinut în suspans o noapte întreagă.
Cartea această are 5 steluţe din două motive: 1. pentru că la vremea respectivă mi-a plăcut enorm; şi 2. (10/5 steluţe) pentru că mi-a deschis pofta de literatură.
*E ciudat cum am trecut, apoi, brusc, de la MacLean la literatură de expresie.*
Andrei Tamaş,
18 ianuarie 2016
Cartea această are 5 steluţe din două motive: 1. pentru că la vremea respectivă mi-a plăcut enorm; şi 2. (10/5 steluţe) pentru că mi-a deschis pofta de literatură.
*E ciudat cum am trecut, apoi, brusc, de la MacLean la literatură de expresie.*
Andrei Tamaş,
18 ianuarie 2016
Want to read
September 4, 2020It is a very entertaining film,with a fine cast,Richard Burton and a young Clint Eastwood.
It is filmed in a beautiful setting,the Austrian Alps,snowbound in winter.There are thrilling stunts and plenty of action.
The story isn't all that realistic.A team of British commandos disguised as Germans, paracahutes into a German stronghold to rescue an American officer.The real mission is more complex.
I've found that MacLean's stories generally work better on the screen than in book form.In this case,he wrote the screenplay as well,and it's pretty good.
4 stars for the film.
It is filmed in a beautiful setting,the Austrian Alps,snowbound in winter.There are thrilling stunts and plenty of action.
The story isn't all that realistic.A team of British commandos disguised as Germans, paracahutes into a German stronghold to rescue an American officer.The real mission is more complex.
I've found that MacLean's stories generally work better on the screen than in book form.In this case,he wrote the screenplay as well,and it's pretty good.
4 stars for the film.
November 11, 2024
Nu doar că nu am terminat-o (și, prin urmare, cele două steluțe sunt pe nedrept date), dar m-a și obosit, încât am nevoie de o pauză de câteva zile de la citit cărți și vizionat filme.
October 13, 2017
The plot seemed like a cross between Max Smart (only taking itself very, very seriously) and a Tintin comic. It really stretched the bounds of credulity with its explosions, double, triple, quadruple agents (I used to make up convoluted plots like that when I was in high school and thought it was super clever- but one wonders that no one on either side really considers it a possibility with double.agents), The female characters seemed to be purely there to look good, follow orders (eg serve drinks), accept the incidental sexual harassment and did I mention look good?
Mary we are told near the end is an experienced and resourceful spy, in another chapter we are told she knows how to act "professional" but throughout the book she spends more time mooning over the excessively unlikeable Smith than doing anything else. She does beat up ne female and of course ridiculously attractive spy from the other side which is nice (?). He of course does not return the favour and with his hyper-masculine attitude and stiff upper lip gives no indication that he even likes her until suddenly at the end he demands (right verb I am afraid) to marry her.
I have red worse books than this, and at least I suppose it HAD a plot. The hardest part for me to get over was how unlikeable Smith was with his narcissism (which was seen as fair enough in the circumstances, but paranoia is part of narcissism anyway). Perhaps spies in a war have to be a bit like that (any true stories I have looked into suggest otherwise).
I know that because of he fast moving action and danger and quick reversals of fortune some people will still enjoy this novel. For me given how little realism it had I would have liked to at least relate to the characters a little more. One and a half (because I have certainly read worse)
Mary we are told near the end is an experienced and resourceful spy, in another chapter we are told she knows how to act "professional" but throughout the book she spends more time mooning over the excessively unlikeable Smith than doing anything else. She does beat up ne female and of course ridiculously attractive spy from the other side which is nice (?). He of course does not return the favour and with his hyper-masculine attitude and stiff upper lip gives no indication that he even likes her until suddenly at the end he demands (right verb I am afraid) to marry her.
I have red worse books than this, and at least I suppose it HAD a plot. The hardest part for me to get over was how unlikeable Smith was with his narcissism (which was seen as fair enough in the circumstances, but paranoia is part of narcissism anyway). Perhaps spies in a war have to be a bit like that (any true stories I have looked into suggest otherwise).
I know that because of he fast moving action and danger and quick reversals of fortune some people will still enjoy this novel. For me given how little realism it had I would have liked to at least relate to the characters a little more. One and a half (because I have certainly read worse)
March 1, 2019
Literarische Verwertung des Äktschn-Kinos der Sechziger mit ein paar Spritzern Nazi-Klamauk
Hirnloses Gerenne und Geknalle auf den ersten zweihundert Seiten, ziemlich schlecht beschrieben dazu, so weit meine Bilanz von Drei Vierteln des Buchs zum Film, das der Drehbuchautor selbst zusammen schusterte. Jedes noch so jämmerliche Jump and Run-Spiel bietet heute mehr Unterhaltung. Auf den letzten Sechzig Seiten zieht MacLean dann noch ein paar Überraschungsasse
und übertrumpft den Film in mehrfacher Hinsicht.
Der Kampf des an der Hand verwundeten Superhelden Smith/Schmidt auf dem Dach der vereisten Seilbahn gegen drei gesunde und bewaffnete Gegenspieler strapaziert zwar die Glaubwürdigkeit bis zum Äußersten ist aber eine deutliche Steigerung gegenüber den vorher gehenden Szenen. Allerdings wehrt sich Smith-Darsteller Burton in zähem Ringen erfolgreich gegen zwei Gegner, im Roman hampelt darüber hinaus noch ein Caracciola mit einer Maschinenpistole in der Gondel und zuletzt auch auf dem Dach herum, - natürlich gibt es auch noch einen Nazi-General namens Rosemeyer.
Auch die Flucht im Bus mit der Schneeräumschaufel hat besseres Bond-Niveau. Aber diese Art von Achterbahn-Kino sollte man sich ansehen, wenn man drauf steht, das literarische Niveau dieses Buches entspricht einer Schussfahrt vom Anfängerhügel.
Angeblich war der Autor nach seinem Überraschungserfolg mit Die Kanonen von Navarone schnell dahinter gekommen, dass man mit weniger Aufwand viel mehr Bücher nach demselben Schema produzieren und damit auch mehr Geld machen kann. Selbstverständlich versucht er den kameradschaftlichen Humor auch in die Agenten zu importieren, durchaus möglich, dass er damit seinerzeit den Geschmack des Publikums getroffen hat, wer immer noch gern die Filme von Bud Spencer und Terence Hill guckt, wird im Buch sogar besser auf seine Kosten kommen als in der Leinwandversion. Die besteht überwiegend aus Bond-Action in Naziklamotten, sämtliche Stunts wurden (später) mehrfach besser und spektakulärer umgesetzt. Ich glaube nicht, dass ich mir noch mal dergleichen in Buchform antun muss.
Hirnloses Gerenne und Geknalle auf den ersten zweihundert Seiten, ziemlich schlecht beschrieben dazu, so weit meine Bilanz von Drei Vierteln des Buchs zum Film, das der Drehbuchautor selbst zusammen schusterte. Jedes noch so jämmerliche Jump and Run-Spiel bietet heute mehr Unterhaltung. Auf den letzten Sechzig Seiten zieht MacLean dann noch ein paar Überraschungsasse
und übertrumpft den Film in mehrfacher Hinsicht.
Der Kampf des an der Hand verwundeten Superhelden Smith/Schmidt auf dem Dach der vereisten Seilbahn gegen drei gesunde und bewaffnete Gegenspieler strapaziert zwar die Glaubwürdigkeit bis zum Äußersten ist aber eine deutliche Steigerung gegenüber den vorher gehenden Szenen. Allerdings wehrt sich Smith-Darsteller Burton in zähem Ringen erfolgreich gegen zwei Gegner, im Roman hampelt darüber hinaus noch ein Caracciola mit einer Maschinenpistole in der Gondel und zuletzt auch auf dem Dach herum, - natürlich gibt es auch noch einen Nazi-General namens Rosemeyer.
Auch die Flucht im Bus mit der Schneeräumschaufel hat besseres Bond-Niveau. Aber diese Art von Achterbahn-Kino sollte man sich ansehen, wenn man drauf steht, das literarische Niveau dieses Buches entspricht einer Schussfahrt vom Anfängerhügel.
Angeblich war der Autor nach seinem Überraschungserfolg mit Die Kanonen von Navarone schnell dahinter gekommen, dass man mit weniger Aufwand viel mehr Bücher nach demselben Schema produzieren und damit auch mehr Geld machen kann. Selbstverständlich versucht er den kameradschaftlichen Humor auch in die Agenten zu importieren, durchaus möglich, dass er damit seinerzeit den Geschmack des Publikums getroffen hat, wer immer noch gern die Filme von Bud Spencer und Terence Hill guckt, wird im Buch sogar besser auf seine Kosten kommen als in der Leinwandversion. Die besteht überwiegend aus Bond-Action in Naziklamotten, sämtliche Stunts wurden (später) mehrfach besser und spektakulärer umgesetzt. Ich glaube nicht, dass ich mir noch mal dergleichen in Buchform antun muss.
June 18, 2009
This is based on MacLean's own script for the movie, which he wrote for his friend, Richard Burton. It is full-throated, roaring adventure, complete with a parachute drop behind enemy lines to attack a Nazi stronghold in the mountains of Germany, twists and turns double-crosses and triple-crosses, everything that made MacLean's novels so much fun. Guns, planes, explosions, what more can you ask for?
March 24, 2012
[9/10]
April 27, 2020
Cred că am avut așteptări prea mari de la roman, altfel nu-mi explic sentimentul dulce-amar de la final, în condițiile în care l-am devorat în mai puțin de trei ore, în miez de noapte. O intrigă foarte bună, un stil alert, multe răsturnări de situație și un duo exploziv (Smith și Schaffer), însă, la un moment dat, am avut impresia că Alistair Maclean mi-a oferit scenariul pentru unul dintre filmele din franciza Misiune imposibilă.
Șapte bărbați și o femeie sunt trimiși într-o misiune (aparent) sinucigașă: trebuie să se strecoare în Castelul Vulturilor (Schloss Adler), cartierul general comun al Serviciului Secret și al Gestapoului din sudul Germaniei pentru a-l salva pe generalul Carnaby, coordonatorul general pentru Operațiunea Overlord, cel care deține cele mai multe informații despre pregătirile Aliaților pentru al doilea front.
Membrii echipei nu știu aproape nimic despre misiune, cu excepția maiorului Smith, liderul secretos și inuman, care mi-a amintit de un robot extrem de inteligent. Nu pare capabil să simtă empatie, nu are nevoie de somn și are o rezistență ieșită din comun, care o depășește până și pe cea a răufăcătorilor din filmele de acțiune sau de groază americane, când antagoniștii sunt împușcați de cel puțin 3-4 ori înainte de a muri (dacă e un film SF, deja știi că o să învie în următoarele 10 minute).
Unele „acrobații” mi s-au părut exagerate sau imposibile. Sunt conștientă că sunt soldați și că au avut parte de antrenamente intense, dar autorul a uitat că sunt și oameni, că simt durerea și că nu pot să își țină echilibrul pe acoperișul înghețat al unei telecabine, în mijlocul unei furtuni de zăpadă, după ce au fost împușcați și fugăriți timp de aproape 24 de ore.
Schaffer a fost personajul meu preferat, cu toate că glumele lui au fost nepotrivite pentru o astfel de misiune. Când ești înconjurat de sute de soldați nemți, oare chiar poți să te plimbi cu atâta siguranță în uniforma lor și să fii ironic? Când colegii tăi de echipă mor mai repede ca personajele din Zece negri mititei, când afli că există un trădător printre voi și planul general este „improvizează și supraviețuiește”?
Acolo unde se avântă vulturii este un roman de acțiune, dar mi-ar fi plăcut ca autorul să își definească mai bine personajele, mai ales că numărul lor este destul de mare pentru un volum atât de scurt; nici nu vreau să o aduc în discuție pe Mary, care m-a enervat de la început până la final.
Vă recomand Where Eagles Dare, adaptarea din 1968, cu Richard Burton și Clint Eastwood în rolurile principale. Una din excepțiile de la regulă, cel puțin pentru mine, când filmul „bate” cartea. Unele schimbările au fost binevenite, dar nu am înțeles de ce au schimbat numele unor personaje.
Șapte bărbați și o femeie sunt trimiși într-o misiune (aparent) sinucigașă: trebuie să se strecoare în Castelul Vulturilor (Schloss Adler), cartierul general comun al Serviciului Secret și al Gestapoului din sudul Germaniei pentru a-l salva pe generalul Carnaby, coordonatorul general pentru Operațiunea Overlord, cel care deține cele mai multe informații despre pregătirile Aliaților pentru al doilea front.
Membrii echipei nu știu aproape nimic despre misiune, cu excepția maiorului Smith, liderul secretos și inuman, care mi-a amintit de un robot extrem de inteligent. Nu pare capabil să simtă empatie, nu are nevoie de somn și are o rezistență ieșită din comun, care o depășește până și pe cea a răufăcătorilor din filmele de acțiune sau de groază americane, când antagoniștii sunt împușcați de cel puțin 3-4 ori înainte de a muri (dacă e un film SF, deja știi că o să învie în următoarele 10 minute).
Unele „acrobații” mi s-au părut exagerate sau imposibile. Sunt conștientă că sunt soldați și că au avut parte de antrenamente intense, dar autorul a uitat că sunt și oameni, că simt durerea și că nu pot să își țină echilibrul pe acoperișul înghețat al unei telecabine, în mijlocul unei furtuni de zăpadă, după ce au fost împușcați și fugăriți timp de aproape 24 de ore.
Schaffer a fost personajul meu preferat, cu toate că glumele lui au fost nepotrivite pentru o astfel de misiune. Când ești înconjurat de sute de soldați nemți, oare chiar poți să te plimbi cu atâta siguranță în uniforma lor și să fii ironic? Când colegii tăi de echipă mor mai repede ca personajele din Zece negri mititei, când afli că există un trădător printre voi și planul general este „improvizează și supraviețuiește”?
Acolo unde se avântă vulturii este un roman de acțiune, dar mi-ar fi plăcut ca autorul să își definească mai bine personajele, mai ales că numărul lor este destul de mare pentru un volum atât de scurt; nici nu vreau să o aduc în discuție pe Mary, care m-a enervat de la început până la final.
Vă recomand Where Eagles Dare, adaptarea din 1968, cu Richard Burton și Clint Eastwood în rolurile principale. Una din excepțiile de la regulă, cel puțin pentru mine, când filmul „bate” cartea. Unele schimbările au fost binevenite, dar nu am înțeles de ce au schimbat numele unor personaje.
February 19, 2016
It was always going to be difficult to enjoy this book having just read and been astounded by the brilliant Submerged by Thomas F Monteleone. As a youth I have fond memories of the boys own type thrillers by Scottish born Alistair McLean, and on initial reading I recall that Where Eagles Dare was a first class page-turner. Unfortunately revisiting this 2ndWW thriller after many years has not proved so enjoyable.
The story starts off with a great flourish when Major Smith and Lt Shaffer together with their motley crew are sent on a perilous mission to the Schloss Adler, a fortress high in the alps of Southern Bavaria. There is initial intrigue when having parachuted into enemy territory one of the saboteurs is found murdered, there is an enemy agent within the ranks! We then proceed in a set formulaic manner as Smith and Shaffer proceed to infiltrate the fortress stronghold by means of a perilous journey on the roof of a cable car. Their task it would appear is to rescue Col Carnaby before the Germans can interrogate him and discover the plans for the second front ie the expected imminent Normandy Landings. There is lots of shooting, and a final confrontation within the castle when the true nature of Smith’s mission is disclosed. This is followed by more shooting as our brave heroes depart the bloody scene amidst chaos and a smouldering fortress that is fast being destroyed by fire and turning into dust and decay.
This is a clean easily assimilated adventure story suited to the minds and attitude of teenage boys emerging from a youth spent reading the adventures of comic heroes Batman and Superman. It is not really a book to satisfy the intellect or demands of an adult reader due to its simplicity and soulless empty characters. It is probably best remembered for the 1968 movie starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood with the immortal words “Broadsword calling Danny Boy, he said Broadsword calling Danny Boy. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? It is also equally absurd as representing the German high command as bumbling fools who somehow allowed a small trained group of saboteurs to destroy a seemingly well protected impregnable fortress and as they escape are heard to say..” Gott in Himmel!” They’ve got away.”
Perhaps I criticize and reprimand a story that is simply there to entertain, and not to be viewed as a well researched and informative thriller. That may be so but in the final analysis I demand more from my reading than a routine adventure with a much frequented theme and a predictable conclusion.
The story starts off with a great flourish when Major Smith and Lt Shaffer together with their motley crew are sent on a perilous mission to the Schloss Adler, a fortress high in the alps of Southern Bavaria. There is initial intrigue when having parachuted into enemy territory one of the saboteurs is found murdered, there is an enemy agent within the ranks! We then proceed in a set formulaic manner as Smith and Shaffer proceed to infiltrate the fortress stronghold by means of a perilous journey on the roof of a cable car. Their task it would appear is to rescue Col Carnaby before the Germans can interrogate him and discover the plans for the second front ie the expected imminent Normandy Landings. There is lots of shooting, and a final confrontation within the castle when the true nature of Smith’s mission is disclosed. This is followed by more shooting as our brave heroes depart the bloody scene amidst chaos and a smouldering fortress that is fast being destroyed by fire and turning into dust and decay.
This is a clean easily assimilated adventure story suited to the minds and attitude of teenage boys emerging from a youth spent reading the adventures of comic heroes Batman and Superman. It is not really a book to satisfy the intellect or demands of an adult reader due to its simplicity and soulless empty characters. It is probably best remembered for the 1968 movie starring Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood with the immortal words “Broadsword calling Danny Boy, he said Broadsword calling Danny Boy. Can you hear me? Can you hear me? It is also equally absurd as representing the German high command as bumbling fools who somehow allowed a small trained group of saboteurs to destroy a seemingly well protected impregnable fortress and as they escape are heard to say..” Gott in Himmel!” They’ve got away.”
Perhaps I criticize and reprimand a story that is simply there to entertain, and not to be viewed as a well researched and informative thriller. That may be so but in the final analysis I demand more from my reading than a routine adventure with a much frequented theme and a predictable conclusion.
September 22, 2024
Well, that's another novel I've enjoyed as a teenager, as I've read the book (the Romanian version) before even knowing about the movie.
None of them disappointed me, bravery against Germans being among the favorite themes of those times.
The action takes place in the German Alps (the movie was shot in Austria, in 1969), as an Allied commando tries to save a very important American General from the claws of the Nazis. The novel is alert, has lots of twists and turns and is an easy read.
The movie is known better then the novel (if you're searching for this title, Google is sending you fast forward right to the film) and is considered a masterpiece of the genre.
No wonder, as Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood starred as major Smith and Lt. Schaeffer, the main characters...
None of them disappointed me, bravery against Germans being among the favorite themes of those times.
The action takes place in the German Alps (the movie was shot in Austria, in 1969), as an Allied commando tries to save a very important American General from the claws of the Nazis. The novel is alert, has lots of twists and turns and is an easy read.
The movie is known better then the novel (if you're searching for this title, Google is sending you fast forward right to the film) and is considered a masterpiece of the genre.
No wonder, as Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood starred as major Smith and Lt. Schaeffer, the main characters...
March 6, 2017
It's been a long time since I read an Alistair MacLean novel so I grabbed one that was a favorite, and it didn't disappoint. Even though it's been years, MacLean is still a sure bet if you are looking for an entertaining story.
Admittedly, this book is not like some of the other suspense thrillers MacLean has written, where readers are kept guessing who the killer/spy is until the very end. What this tale lacks in suspense more than makes up for it with the adrenalin factor. This book is a page-turner. Four stars.
Admittedly, this book is not like some of the other suspense thrillers MacLean has written, where readers are kept guessing who the killer/spy is until the very end. What this tale lacks in suspense more than makes up for it with the adrenalin factor. This book is a page-turner. Four stars.
September 6, 2021
“Pentru el, vibraţiile puternice erau, neîndoios, la fel de relaxante ca serviciile celui mai blând masor, zgomotul asurzitor al motoarelor, un bun somnifer, iar temperatura din jur, potrivită pentru un individ pasionat de lecturi uşoare.”
Nu credeam vreodată că o să ajungă o carte să îmi placă chiar de la prima pagină. La a doua pagină zâmbeam, iar deja la a treia râdeam din tot sufletul 😊.
Acțiunea romanului se petrece pe perioada a 24 de ore în timpul celui de-al Doilea Razboi Mondial. John Smith si echipa sa trebuie să se infiltreze în interiorul castelului Schloss Adler (supranumit și Castelul Vulturilor) pentru a salva un general amercan care a fost prins de nemți după ce avionul lui s-a prăbusit în Alpi. În misiunea lor, spionii au parte de tot felul de obstacole care mai de care mai periculoase. Misiunea lor: să salveze ostatecul și să rămână în viață!
Maiorul Smith dovedește incontestabile calități de lider, dar și inteligență iețită din comun ce le salvează viețile de nenumărate ori. Este cu un pas înaintea băieților răi si e atent la detalii. Ceea ce mi-a plăcut cel mai mult la Smith este calmul cu care tratează orice situatie, și culmea, mereu reușește să acționeze în așa fel încât să scape la limita din mâinile inamicului. Nu se lasă intimidat sau distras de la misiune, abia în momentul încheierii acesteia își permite să dea frau liber emoțiilor.
Romanul este plin de acțiune, de ține în suspans încă de la primele pagini. Descrierile sunt clare, la obiect, chiar dacă povestea este plină de detalii. Modul în care este scris romanul, ne face pe noi să ne imaginăm fiecare miscare pe care o face Smith și combină perfect seriozitatea misiunii cu umorul replicilor dintre personaje. Se pare că spionajul nu e chiar floare la ureche, mai ales pe timp de război. Atitudinea lui Smith este revigorantă!
Cartea continuă să surprindă până la ultima pagină, nu te lasă să te plictisești și nici nu poți să știi la ce să te astepți de la următoarele rânduri. Cartea se citește foarte repede, te ține într-o stare continuă de teniune și nu o poți lăsa din mână până ce nu descoperi cine este vinovatul și care este, de fapt, misiunea din spatele misiunii.
Mie mi-a amintit de cărțile cu James Bond.
Nu credeam vreodată că o să ajungă o carte să îmi placă chiar de la prima pagină. La a doua pagină zâmbeam, iar deja la a treia râdeam din tot sufletul 😊.
Acțiunea romanului se petrece pe perioada a 24 de ore în timpul celui de-al Doilea Razboi Mondial. John Smith si echipa sa trebuie să se infiltreze în interiorul castelului Schloss Adler (supranumit și Castelul Vulturilor) pentru a salva un general amercan care a fost prins de nemți după ce avionul lui s-a prăbusit în Alpi. În misiunea lor, spionii au parte de tot felul de obstacole care mai de care mai periculoase. Misiunea lor: să salveze ostatecul și să rămână în viață!
Maiorul Smith dovedește incontestabile calități de lider, dar și inteligență iețită din comun ce le salvează viețile de nenumărate ori. Este cu un pas înaintea băieților răi si e atent la detalii. Ceea ce mi-a plăcut cel mai mult la Smith este calmul cu care tratează orice situatie, și culmea, mereu reușește să acționeze în așa fel încât să scape la limita din mâinile inamicului. Nu se lasă intimidat sau distras de la misiune, abia în momentul încheierii acesteia își permite să dea frau liber emoțiilor.
Romanul este plin de acțiune, de ține în suspans încă de la primele pagini. Descrierile sunt clare, la obiect, chiar dacă povestea este plină de detalii. Modul în care este scris romanul, ne face pe noi să ne imaginăm fiecare miscare pe care o face Smith și combină perfect seriozitatea misiunii cu umorul replicilor dintre personaje. Se pare că spionajul nu e chiar floare la ureche, mai ales pe timp de război. Atitudinea lui Smith este revigorantă!
Cartea continuă să surprindă până la ultima pagină, nu te lasă să te plictisești și nici nu poți să știi la ce să te astepți de la următoarele rânduri. Cartea se citește foarte repede, te ține într-o stare continuă de teniune și nu o poți lăsa din mână până ce nu descoperi cine este vinovatul și care este, de fapt, misiunea din spatele misiunii.
Mie mi-a amintit de cărțile cu James Bond.
January 30, 2018
For me some of the books authored by Clive Cussler, Jack Higgins, Ken Follett and Dan Brown as and when the novel reaches the end I feel why not add another 50 or 100 pages to the story. This I felt when I finished reading Where Eagles Dare.
I came to know about this novel when joined good reads, then I got the DVD watched it before reading the book. This year in the book exhibition I bought Alistair MacLean's suspense thriller "Where Eagles Dare"
Mission:
A team of 6 British special forces headed by Major John Smith and one American Lieutenant Morris Schaffer were airdropped behind enemy lines to rescue an US Army General George Carnaby having secret with him about D-day plan, he who had crash landed and is in the custody of Germans in an impregnable fortress, an inaccessible eyrie set between mountain and sky, Schloss Adler.
Though the mission looks to be simple but the team also has double agents and on the way to Schloss Adler two members die mysteriously. There are many twists in the story, is Major Smith is really from British force or is he a German and double agent named Major Johann Schmidt? Is the crash landing of the American General is a drama? What so special about the General George Carnaby? and more questions arise when we dwell into the story.
The humorous exchange of Smith and Schaffer all along the adventure (it made me laugh most of the time), the breathtaking action over the cable car, the superb plan of Smith to enter Schloss Adler, his psychological approach towards his adversaries are so beautiful to read. The book is below 300 pages and I feel one time reading is not enough. The only drawback is that the first 30 pages drags on and when the seven team members lands on Weisspitze the story picks up speed and it becomes a page turner.
More of this review with images click the link below.
http://www.chromaring.com/2018/01/whe...
I came to know about this novel when joined good reads, then I got the DVD watched it before reading the book. This year in the book exhibition I bought Alistair MacLean's suspense thriller "Where Eagles Dare"
Mission:
A team of 6 British special forces headed by Major John Smith and one American Lieutenant Morris Schaffer were airdropped behind enemy lines to rescue an US Army General George Carnaby having secret with him about D-day plan, he who had crash landed and is in the custody of Germans in an impregnable fortress, an inaccessible eyrie set between mountain and sky, Schloss Adler.
Though the mission looks to be simple but the team also has double agents and on the way to Schloss Adler two members die mysteriously. There are many twists in the story, is Major Smith is really from British force or is he a German and double agent named Major Johann Schmidt? Is the crash landing of the American General is a drama? What so special about the General George Carnaby? and more questions arise when we dwell into the story.
The humorous exchange of Smith and Schaffer all along the adventure (it made me laugh most of the time), the breathtaking action over the cable car, the superb plan of Smith to enter Schloss Adler, his psychological approach towards his adversaries are so beautiful to read. The book is below 300 pages and I feel one time reading is not enough. The only drawback is that the first 30 pages drags on and when the seven team members lands on Weisspitze the story picks up speed and it becomes a page turner.
More of this review with images click the link below.
http://www.chromaring.com/2018/01/whe...
September 1, 2014
Unusually this book is not a novelization, it was written at the same time as the script and as such it's practically identical to the film. However because of that quite a few sections read a little sluggishly as it's not as fast paced as the film. Where Eagles Dare is quite possibly my favourite 'Christmas Movie' from when I was a kid and the book was a slight disappointment (the films still rocks).
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