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Biggles #19
Biggles: geheim agent
Biggles se vydává do Lucranie, do Beklinderova rodiště, kde je vězněn na hradě, který spojuje hotel ve kterém Biggles s Gingerem bydlí. Vchod je v pokoji číslo 17. Profesorova záchrana by nebyla tak těžká, nebýt Ericha von Stalheina, se kterým se zase střetávají. Bohužel je zajat jejich přítel Algy, kterého vysvobozují spolu s profesorem.
Hardcover
First published May 1, 1940
About the author
W.E. Johns
719 books119 followersInvariably known as Captain W.E. Johns, William Earl Johns was born in Bengeo, Hertfordshire, England. He was the son of Richard Eastman Johns, a tailor, and Elizabeth Johns (née Earl), the daughter of a master butcher. He had a younger brother, Russell Ernest Johns, who was born on 24 October 1895.
He went to Hertford Grammar School where he was no great scholar but he did develop into a crack shot with a rifle. This fired his early ambition to be a soldier. He also attended evening classes at the local art school.
In the summer of 1907 he was apprenticed to a county municipal surveyor where he remained for four years and then in 1912 he became a sanitary inspector in Swaffham, Norfolk. Soon after taking up this appointment, his father died of tuberculosis at the age of 47.
On 6 October 1914 he married Maude Penelope Hunt (1882–1961), the daughter of the Reverend John Hunt, the vicar at Little Dunham in Norfolk. The couple had one son, William Earl Carmichael Johns, who was born in March 1916.
With war looming he joined the Territorial Army as a Private in the King's Own Royal Regiment (Norfolk Yeomanry), a cavalry regiment. In August 1914 his regiment was mobilised and was in training and on home defence duties until September 1915 when they received embarkation orders for duty overseas.
He fought at Gallipoli and in the Suez Canal area and, after moving to the Machine gun Corps, he took part in the spring offensive in Salonika in April 1917. He contracted malaria and whilst in hospital he put in for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps and on 26 September 1917, he was given a temporary commission as a Second Lieutenant and posted back to England to learn to fly, which he did at No. 1 School of Aeronautics at Reading, where he was taught by a Captain Ashton.
He was posted to No. 25 Flying Training School at Thetford where he had a charmed existence, once writing off three planes in three days. He moved to Yorkshire and was then posted to France and while on a bombing raid to Mannheim his plane was shot down and he was wounded. Captured by the Germans, he later escaped before being reincarcerated where he remained until the war ended.
He went to Hertford Grammar School where he was no great scholar but he did develop into a crack shot with a rifle. This fired his early ambition to be a soldier. He also attended evening classes at the local art school.
In the summer of 1907 he was apprenticed to a county municipal surveyor where he remained for four years and then in 1912 he became a sanitary inspector in Swaffham, Norfolk. Soon after taking up this appointment, his father died of tuberculosis at the age of 47.
On 6 October 1914 he married Maude Penelope Hunt (1882–1961), the daughter of the Reverend John Hunt, the vicar at Little Dunham in Norfolk. The couple had one son, William Earl Carmichael Johns, who was born in March 1916.
With war looming he joined the Territorial Army as a Private in the King's Own Royal Regiment (Norfolk Yeomanry), a cavalry regiment. In August 1914 his regiment was mobilised and was in training and on home defence duties until September 1915 when they received embarkation orders for duty overseas.
He fought at Gallipoli and in the Suez Canal area and, after moving to the Machine gun Corps, he took part in the spring offensive in Salonika in April 1917. He contracted malaria and whilst in hospital he put in for a transfer to the Royal Flying Corps and on 26 September 1917, he was given a temporary commission as a Second Lieutenant and posted back to England to learn to fly, which he did at No. 1 School of Aeronautics at Reading, where he was taught by a Captain Ashton.
He was posted to No. 25 Flying Training School at Thetford where he had a charmed existence, once writing off three planes in three days. He moved to Yorkshire and was then posted to France and while on a bombing raid to Mannheim his plane was shot down and he was wounded. Captured by the Germans, he later escaped before being reincarcerated where he remained until the war ended.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 14, 2009
As a boy, starting a new Biggles adventure always made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up - the anticipation was astounding. So, nothing changes - I must just be a big kid!
As always the action begins immediately and is breathtaking throughout as Biggles, naturally enough with Algy and Ginger, rescues a professor who has a valuable formula for world domination from an enemy power. Tremendous suspense (for a boys' story) and interesting to see how foreigners were viewed at the time of writing! The importance of Biggles' action is summed up in the conclusion, "Indeed, it would be no exaggeration to say that had Biggles and his two comrades failed in their quest, the result might have been disastrous, not only for the Professor personally, but for the British Empire." Real or not???? [Read in August 2009]
Having not realised that I had read this Biggles' adventure only seven years ago, I have read it again and I can confirm the five-star rating.
'Biggles - Secret Agent' rattles along from the first page to the last and has the reader on the edge of the seat for 255 pages of exciting action.
Thinking that he was having a quiet night and was going to the pictures, Biggles, along with his pals Algy and Ginger, the latter distinctly showing signs of 'bored impatience' with the inactivity, are suddenly approached to try to discover what has happened to a British professor who has allegedly been killed in a motor accident in Lucrania and immediately buried in the village churchyard when on vacation. Suspicion surrounds the details that have been released from Lucrania for the professor was working for British Intelligence on the development of a new poisonous gas and the thought was that the enemy had captured him to squeeze information from him.
The fearsome threesome are, therefore, empowered to go to Lucrania and discover the truth. Was the professor, Max Beklinder, really killed (unlikely) or will they be able to find him without any clue to his whereabouts ('like looking for a needle in a haystack', says Biggles)? But the first problem they have is getting into Lucrania without alerting the authorities.
As is to be expected, Biggles overcomes getting into the country with relative ease and he and Ginger set about finding the truth, leaving Algy to fly the 'plane and return to pick them up when they have completed their mission. But things do not go as planned and the pair embark on a series of hair-raising escapades in their attempt to discover exactly what has happened.
Along the way they encounter their old nemesis Von Stalhein and his stormtroopers who are ensconced in an old castle, which Biggles and Ginger infiltrate and discover a series of secret passages that both help and hinder them in their search. It is all exciting stuff, with plenty of first-rate action along the way.
Not surprisingly Biggles eventually discovers the truth as to what has happened and, in an thrilling climax, he manages to avoid capture and escape back to England to report back to his boss, Colonel Raymond.
Chocks away for the next exciting Biggles adventure ... and here's hoping it is one that I have not read since teenage days!
As always the action begins immediately and is breathtaking throughout as Biggles, naturally enough with Algy and Ginger, rescues a professor who has a valuable formula for world domination from an enemy power. Tremendous suspense (for a boys' story) and interesting to see how foreigners were viewed at the time of writing! The importance of Biggles' action is summed up in the conclusion, "Indeed, it would be no exaggeration to say that had Biggles and his two comrades failed in their quest, the result might have been disastrous, not only for the Professor personally, but for the British Empire." Real or not???? [Read in August 2009]
Having not realised that I had read this Biggles' adventure only seven years ago, I have read it again and I can confirm the five-star rating.
'Biggles - Secret Agent' rattles along from the first page to the last and has the reader on the edge of the seat for 255 pages of exciting action.
Thinking that he was having a quiet night and was going to the pictures, Biggles, along with his pals Algy and Ginger, the latter distinctly showing signs of 'bored impatience' with the inactivity, are suddenly approached to try to discover what has happened to a British professor who has allegedly been killed in a motor accident in Lucrania and immediately buried in the village churchyard when on vacation. Suspicion surrounds the details that have been released from Lucrania for the professor was working for British Intelligence on the development of a new poisonous gas and the thought was that the enemy had captured him to squeeze information from him.
The fearsome threesome are, therefore, empowered to go to Lucrania and discover the truth. Was the professor, Max Beklinder, really killed (unlikely) or will they be able to find him without any clue to his whereabouts ('like looking for a needle in a haystack', says Biggles)? But the first problem they have is getting into Lucrania without alerting the authorities.
As is to be expected, Biggles overcomes getting into the country with relative ease and he and Ginger set about finding the truth, leaving Algy to fly the 'plane and return to pick them up when they have completed their mission. But things do not go as planned and the pair embark on a series of hair-raising escapades in their attempt to discover exactly what has happened.
Along the way they encounter their old nemesis Von Stalhein and his stormtroopers who are ensconced in an old castle, which Biggles and Ginger infiltrate and discover a series of secret passages that both help and hinder them in their search. It is all exciting stuff, with plenty of first-rate action along the way.
Not surprisingly Biggles eventually discovers the truth as to what has happened and, in an thrilling climax, he manages to avoid capture and escape back to England to report back to his boss, Colonel Raymond.
Chocks away for the next exciting Biggles adventure ... and here's hoping it is one that I have not read since teenage days!
July 29, 2024
The greatest work of spy-fiction ever written. That is a definitive statement. Move over Ian Fleming, John le Carré, Frederick Forsyth - in this book W.E. Johns has proved himself master of the genre and Captain Bigglesworth stands as a testament to his genius. 5 stars.
September 13, 2017
Het verhaal speelt zich af in een klein (fictief) land in Europa dat grote gelijkenissen vertoont met Andorra. De plot is onwaarschijnlijk maar dat doet niets af aan de spanning en het avontuurlijke gehalte van het verhaal. Eens de gebeurtenissen zich razendsnel opvolgen, denk je er zelf niet over na.
Een kasteel met geheime gangen prikkelt natuurlijk altijd de jongensfantasie, althans, toch toen ik jong was. En dat was de doelgroep waarvoor het verhaal werd geschreven. Zoals me steeds vaker opvalt bij verhalen vóór de smartphone: het plot klopt niet meer in het smartphonetijdperk; ik vraag me af of dat voor de jongeren vandaag, die de tijd zonder smartphone niet gekend hebben, een onoverbrugbaar probleem vormt.
Een kasteel met geheime gangen prikkelt natuurlijk altijd de jongensfantasie, althans, toch toen ik jong was. En dat was de doelgroep waarvoor het verhaal werd geschreven. Zoals me steeds vaker opvalt bij verhalen vóór de smartphone: het plot klopt niet meer in het smartphonetijdperk; ik vraag me af of dat voor de jongeren vandaag, die de tijd zonder smartphone niet gekend hebben, een onoverbrugbaar probleem vormt.
March 9, 2023
I discovered this book packed away. It was awarded to me as a book prize in second year high school during the 1960s. I thought I'd re-read it for a bit of fun.
It's a "Boys Own Annual" type of story full of difficult and dangerous situations, overcome by derring-do and a British sense of "whatever ... don't panic". Aimed I'm sure at 10 to 14 year old boys, it's full of skin of the teeth escapes, some fairly improbable. Some characters are caricatures, especially the main 'enemy', an almost cardboard cut-out German Nazi.
The book is very dated. It would be interesting to find out what a modern 12 year old boy might make of it.
It's a "Boys Own Annual" type of story full of difficult and dangerous situations, overcome by derring-do and a British sense of "whatever ... don't panic". Aimed I'm sure at 10 to 14 year old boys, it's full of skin of the teeth escapes, some fairly improbable. Some characters are caricatures, especially the main 'enemy', an almost cardboard cut-out German Nazi.
The book is very dated. It would be interesting to find out what a modern 12 year old boy might make of it.
November 26, 2025
100% my favourite Biggles of all time. It has Biggles at his best. Von Stalhein is breaking records for villain awesomeness. You get to see Algy more than normal because, unfortunately, he often gets left behind as second in command, however this time he is forced into action. The additional characters, Max Beklinder and son are sensational and the setting is extraordinary. The entire adventure takes place in a small village, almost medieval in style, with a deserted castle nearby. Secret tunnels and shocking plot twists abound in this book. It is certainly one of the best books written by Capt. W.E. Johns and will remain a personal favourite for the rest of my life.
May 15, 2017
Pure nostalgie. Als tiener las ik nogal wat Biggles-avonturen in vertaling. Ik heb mij nu voorgenomen ze te herlezen in de originele versie. Een beetje naïef escapisme, met soms ongeloofwaardige plotwendingen. Een held die die alles kan, kent en durft ! Bovendien geschreven in een tijd dat er geen internet, smartphones, enz.. waren. Spionnen, die verdorie nog postduiven nodig hadden om met het thuisfront te communiceren. Uitroepen als als By Jove ! Of What the deuce ! What the dickens ! Love this stuff !
January 27, 2022
First published in 1940, 'Biggles - Secret Agent' is a terrific adventure set pre-war mainly in a fictional principality sharing a border with - and dominated by - Germany. The plot sees Biggles and his team visiting the principality in order to investigate the fate of a missing scientist. The story is well-paced enough for you to perhaps overlook various plot-holes and vague details. In true Biggles fashion, all German soldiers are 'stormtroopers' - did Johns know what a stormtrooper was? - and they are all lousy shots in a gunfight. Great fun.
September 30, 2017
My first Biggles book! Given its intended audience, I enjoyed it hugely; it was a good plot, with lots of cliffhangers, but sane and believable ones. It didn't try to do too much or shoehorn in coincidences, and whilst it had to reach a fairly obvious conclusion, it was good fun getting there!
June 15, 2022
Exciting and fast paced finish! Classic Biggles adventure with secret tunnels and lots of action. No matter if the chips are down, Biggles & Co always find a way.
Read
August 26, 2024von stalhein clearly angling for a flyby on the biggles & co polycule in this one
January 1, 2025
Discovered this in a second hand book shop over Christmas and read it in one go- Biggles books of this era are all quite similar but very enjoyable.
August 23, 2024
Louter als jeugdsentiment opgenomen in mijn Good Reads overzicht. In mijn jeugdjaren heb ik de boeken van Biggles en zijn vrienden verslonden. Dat waren nog eens avonturen!
November 19, 2025
I am reviewing the series as a whole, rather than the books individually
The Biggles series is great adventure fiction: we get high stakes, aerial action (in most of the books), and a hero who is endlessly loyal, competent, and calm under pressure.
I love the dogfights, recon missions, and wartime scenarios.
Where the series falls short is character depth. Some attitudes and simplifications reflect the period in which the books were written. There are very definitely dated elements, but considering the era the books were written - overall the series performs well. More than a few of the stories defy plausibility, but who doesn't love to curl up with a good adventure book or 10?
“Never say die.”
The Biggles series is great adventure fiction: we get high stakes, aerial action (in most of the books), and a hero who is endlessly loyal, competent, and calm under pressure.
I love the dogfights, recon missions, and wartime scenarios.
Where the series falls short is character depth. Some attitudes and simplifications reflect the period in which the books were written. There are very definitely dated elements, but considering the era the books were written - overall the series performs well. More than a few of the stories defy plausibility, but who doesn't love to curl up with a good adventure book or 10?
“Never say die.”
August 2, 2016
Thriller/agent/spy novels was an undeveloped genre in the 1930s. At least it seems so to me because every one I read is rather bad and so is this one. One of the main ingredients of such a novel is the plot. It can be intricate but it must not be full of holes. This plot is full of holes.
A genius professor who was on the brink of inventing a chemical weapon that would determine the fate of the world has "died" in a car crash in a hostile country in Europe. Only Biggles and his friends have a chance at investigating. They do so.
A genius professor who was on the brink of inventing a chemical weapon that would determine the fate of the world has "died" in a car crash in a hostile country in Europe. Only Biggles and his friends have a chance at investigating. They do so.
May 11, 2023
Biggles Secret Agennt
This is my fifth Biggles book. I enjoyed it just as much as the previous four. I had never heard of these books or the author until I saw Tristen reading one in the new TV version of “All Creatures Great and Small”. I was curious if the book was real. My wife and I found on Amazon. She bought the first three that I read. The stories are full of twists and turns that grab you attention and make me anxious to keep reading. The books are suitable for young and old readers.
This is my fifth Biggles book. I enjoyed it just as much as the previous four. I had never heard of these books or the author until I saw Tristen reading one in the new TV version of “All Creatures Great and Small”. I was curious if the book was real. My wife and I found on Amazon. She bought the first three that I read. The stories are full of twists and turns that grab you attention and make me anxious to keep reading. The books are suitable for young and old readers.
April 21, 2016
Biggles wordt gevraagd om te onderzoeken of een professor aan de gevolgen van een autoongeluk is overleden, of dat hij door de vijand gevangen is genomen.
In dit verhaal ontmoet Biggles zijn tegenstander Erich von Stalhein weer eens.
In dit verhaal ontmoet Biggles zijn tegenstander Erich von Stalhein weer eens.
June 14, 2020
Tip top
Before Bond and Indiana Jones, there was and is Biggles... ! A good straightforward adventure which features Von Stalhein, parachuting, and messing about in crypts, all delivered in WEJ’s inimitable, comforting style. As usual, implausible and unputdownable!
Before Bond and Indiana Jones, there was and is Biggles... ! A good straightforward adventure which features Von Stalhein, parachuting, and messing about in crypts, all delivered in WEJ’s inimitable, comforting style. As usual, implausible and unputdownable!
July 13, 2015
I loved this adventure. And how they said that they are ready to sacrifice each other, but still saved everyone, yay!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews