One Man's Flag

Jack McColl #2

by David Downing

Spring 1915: World War One rages across Europe, and the British Empire is assailed on all fronts—domestic and abroad. Amidst this bloodbath of nations, where one man’s flag is another man’s shroud, a British spy is asked to do the impossible: seduce and betray the woman he loves, again. Only this time betrayal is a two-way street.

Jack McColl, a spy for His Majesty’s Secret Service, is stationed in India, charged with defending the Empire against Bengali terrorists and their German allies. Belgium, he finds, is not the only country seeking to expel an invader.

In England, meanwhile, suffragette journalist Caitlin Hanley begins the business of rebuilding her life after the execution of her brother—an IRA sympathizer whose terrorist plot was foiled by Caitlin’s own ex-lover, the very same Jack McColl. The war is changing everything and giving fresh impulse to those causes—feminism, socialism and Irish independence—which she as a journalist has long supported.

The threat of a Rising in Dublin alarms McColl’s bosses as much as it dazzles Caitlin. If another Irish plot brings them back together, will it be as enemies or lovers?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Espionage, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Historical, Ireland

384 pages, Hardcover

First published November 3, 2015

About the author

David Downing is the author of a political thriller, two alternative histories and a number of books on military and political history and other subjects as diverse as Neil Young and Russian Football.

Reviews

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally, I was going to pass on the rest of this series but finding myself short of a library book & this being on the shelf….

And actually, a decent start after finding the first in the series a little ponderous.

The Story main has us in India, Calcutta to be precise, where McColl finds himself, mainly due to his command of the Urdu language more than anything. He’s on the trail of Indian revolutionaries or should that be Indians wanting independence from their British masters? Although it’s fair to say the majority of Indians through Gandhi’s guidance are co-operating with the Empire in their fight against Germany. The rebels are not universally supported throughout the country. This POV is very much that of cloak & dagger.

On the other POV, McColl’s ex, Irish-American journalist Caitlin’s story is continuing in London & Dublin which continues the theme of the first book, that of Irish nationalists who are seeking out Germany’s support in their quest for independence from the British Empire. Caitlin’s brother was one such nationalist who was executed for treason & his dying request was for her to publish his story, which she sets about, although perhaps with not too much relish as she comes across differing views as to their actions from the families bereaved. She also happens to be one of the few American journos on this side of the pond & her work soon comes to be in demand which opens up more opportunities for her to cover the ongoing war & we see her story change rapidly & before you know it, she’s in Germany covering the story from their side, having met a Bolshevik en route too. Very soon she has become the “European” correspondent for her stateside paper.

It’s clear they both have unfinished business with each other as you listen to their thoughts & it’s not a spoiler to work out soon enough that the POV’s will “collide” at some point which then takes the story in another direction for a while.

India eventually ends up being a mere side show with the main event being centred around the European theatre namely Dublin, London & latterly Belgium. The story taking us through to Easter 1916 & well, we all know what happened then.

It’s a story that covers many angles of the war, much of the earlier ones related likely unknown to many readers & for that it holds strong interest, if not always relevance to the main plot. There is a lot to like about this book, the research of the history very good I would say, the characters are stronger than the opener for sure. A potential downside is that it does meander a bit & parts of it did jus wash over me (although at this time us Brits are somewhat distracted by current events) some nights….. but overall a solid enough read & I’ll be finishing the series.

3.5 stars rounded to a 3

[Cold War Conversations Podcast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thrilling World War 1 espionage story.

David Downing continues on from “Jack of Spies” with Jack McColl, an agent for His Majesty's Secret Service, and his ex-lover Caitlin Hanley, an American journalist and suffragette against the background of the threat of a Rising in Dublin.

The book uses the proven formula of his “Berlin Station” series with a strong male and female role this novel stands quite well on its own despite being the sequel to “Jack of Spies.”

If you have enjoyed David Downing’s previous books you know what to expect. Great attention to historical detail, encompassed within a plausible and exciting storyline.

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Nooilforpacifists · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this, the second book of his WWI series, Downing reprises two genuinely likable characters from the first book. And, because of each's flaws, they're better together than they are apart. But, during this book, they're together perhaps two percent of the time. I object both to all the switching back and forth as well the lost plot opportunities were they together.

[Liviu]

quickly lost interest after a so-so volume 1; big time missing the The John Russell - Effi Koenen series which was so good...

[Jim Hunter]

Politically correct socialist cant cast in a century old story smells worse than an academic in August run over in July

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

One Man's Flag 4 stars

This book had a little of all things I enjoy in story- Some history, people with deep emotional connections(which the author does not have to prove by vivid sex scenes-thankfully), some espionage and a pretty good story.

This happens to be the second book in a series, which I did not realize until the 3rd or 4th chapter. It was not any problem though to catch on and figure out what had happened previously.

The era is WWI, the setting: switching between England, India, Ireland and France. Jack McColl is a spy for his Majesty's service/ Catlin Hanely an American journalist. The have a history from the previous novel, which puts them at odds with each other as the story continues in this book. Jack is stalking Germans across the globe, while Catlin comes to grips with her brothers execution for treason. Each burying their feelings for each other so they can get on with the important work they do.

I enjoyed this book, an excellent vacation read!

[Ross Barnett · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was like a book of two halves. The first half was slow and tiring made worst by two different story lines which seemed to be going nowhere. The second half however, when the storylines of the two main characters came together lifted this book out of the doldrums. Good story, well researched but could have been better structured in my opinion.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

"One man's flag is another man's shroud."

A WWI spy story that explores the horror and insanity of war. And there's a little sex too.

[Andrew · Rating 2 out of 5]

David Downing's premises in One Man's Flag were excellent. The weaving together of the Great War; women's suffrage; and revolutionary action (at various stages and levels of success) in Ireland, Russia, and India through spies and reporters should have been a grand slam, but the novel often fell flat. It just didn't come together enough for me to be consistently interested.

Some aspects of the time period seemed forced, at the expense of the plot development, such as a character's viewing of The Birth of a Nation.

There were pieces, however, that transcended the mediocrity, especially some passages of dialogue and descriptions of the horrors of war. To be fair, although One Man's Flag works as a standalone story, it is a sequel, so maybe I was supposed to be more interested in the protagonist than I was.

***I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways.***

[Tony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in this series introduced auto salesman Jack McColl as an amateur spy for the British government, and paired him up with an Irish-American suffragette journalist as his love interest. This next in the series opens with them separated by both thousands of miles (he's in India, she's in New York) and the small matter that his investigation of Irish nationalists led to her brother getting captured and sentenced to death.

Indeed, the first two-thirds of the book has them apart from each other. McColl is working to uncover a German shipment of guns to Indian nationalists, while she's covering World War I, as well the intersection of women's rights with socialist movements. Naturally, their paths cross eventually, as McColl's boss thinks he can somehow pry some information about Irish nationalist plans out of her.

In theory, this should all be fascinating and thrilling stuff, but it's actually a little tedious. The pacing is off in some way, and while there are glimpses of interesting development (in particular, McColl's apparent growing disillusion for hunting down people who are legitimately fighting for freedom), the romance comes across as pro forma, and there aren't a lot of twists in the tale. There are cameos from Ghandi and members of the Easter Rising that add little to the tale, and an entire side adventure in Belgium that feels like padding.

There's definitely no reason to pick this up if you haven't read the first, and while I suppose I will go ahead and pick up the third in the series, I can't say that I'm in any rush to.

[Sebastian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of a cery good WW1 espionage tale, coupled with a romance between English Agent Jack McColl and radical US journalist Caitlin Hanley.

They are separated when McColl captures Caitlin's brother Colm as he is about to engage in an act of sabotage against England on behalf of Irish Republicans. Caitlin can't forgive Jack, as the arrest leads to Colm's execution.

Jack is sent to India, where he foils a plan by Indian rebels to smuggle arms. He narrowly escapes with his life.

He is then sent to Dublin to find out what Caitlin knows about a planned nationalist rebellion. She deceives Jack, working for the Nationalists, telling him it's not on. He is captured by the nationalists and narrowly escapes death again.

Next, he is sent to help the Belgian resistance, another dangerous mission. Meanwhile, Caitlin's media articles about Ireland are published in the US, raising sympathy for the nationalists. Then the Easter Rebellion breaks out, and Jack rushes to Dublin to get her out, almost being executed again in the process.

He delivers Caitlin safely to the US embassy after they spend a blissful few days together in Windermere before parting.

"One man's flag' is part of the saying 'one man's flag is another man's shroud'. Downing has Jack frequently feeling sceptical at the sacrifices of rebels in India and Ireland, and of English suppression of them. And against the war itself.

[Bernie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second Jack McColl novel’ by David Downing, which continues his spying, adventures this time inside enemy lines on the continent. Europe engulfed in the war to end all wars. There is continuation from the first novel, Jack of Spies, but enough to read this on its own. Since the first yarn, McColl has now become a spy being formally part of the fledgling British secret service. Previously he may more accurately described as an amateur spy. He has and troubled relationship with Caitlin a journalist from the US who is sympathetic to the Irish republican cause. She comes from a strong Irish-American family.
The story explores the war on the western front as well as issues on the home front in the United Kingdom. This becomes entwined with the 1915 uprising in Dublin where there was an attempt to overthrow the British. The plot moves between the Irish uprising and McColl’s troubles behind enemy lines in Western Europe. The background to the Irish uprising is interesting as are the escapades of Caitlin and Jack.
I really enjoyed David Downing’s Station novels, which I felt were more immersive than the McColl series. That has not to say I do not like them but enjoyed the Station novels more. It could be that the period that the McColl novels are set does not hold the same appeal. There are another two to come and I will definitely be reading

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book, the second book in a series, about a British spy.

The era is WWI, the setting switches between England, India, Ireland, Norway, and Belgium. Jack McColl is a spy for his Majesty's service and Catlin Hanely an American journalist. They have a history from the “Jack of Spies” novel, which puts them at odds with each other as the story continues in this book. Jack is stalking Germans across the globe, while Catlin comes to grips with her brothers execution for treason. Each burying their feelings for each other so they can get on with the important work they do.

David Downing has done a great job weaving history into a novel about to star crossed lovers and has included a lot of information that most Americans will not be aware of about this era. Looking back, the world was truly in remarkable turmoil with Indian’s fighting for their freedom from Britain, the Irish fighting for their freedom, and Britain fighting for survival against an expansionist Germany. The stories reflect the vast difference between the politics of each countries leaders and the fight for day to day survival of everyone else. War is clearly hell and those who send boys into battle have no idea what they are doing.

[JournalsTLY]

This is a spy novel set in the early years of World War 1. The pace of the book is appropriately slow, after all it is about trains, river boats and horse carts threading across the vast Empire - but it does speed up at the later chapters of railway sabotage, bombing of bridges, escape under electric fences and a failed uprising against English rule.

From Ireland to India - the voices of the conquered.
Perhaps a reflection of our present day and having taken for granted the gains won by change-makers , I learnt a new word "suffragette' . The novel introduced me to an old world where pioneers had to struggle to establish their convictions.

From India to Ireland - the yearnings of those in love.
It tells of the many layers of intrigue in the cruel war, the futility and idiocy as well as the forgotten heroes - resistance fighters, mothers and the dead.

A line to ponder over , "The landlords had the law on their side, the tenants only justice ( page 241) " - describing the situation when women, mothers and suffragettes protested against the rise in rent in Glasgow.

[Mary Warnement · Rating 4 out of 5]

Downing's research allows him to recreate 1915-1916 as a believable setting for his main characters Jack McColl and Caitlin Hanley. Can a Scot working for British secret service and an Irish American reporter who supports women's rights, socialism, and Irish independence love each other? I'm not sure that's the main question. I appreciate the reasonable and objective views of both main characters. Are they realistic? Of all the anachronisms in historical fiction, characters whose views accord with my own moderate attitude are at the top of the list. Downing knows history and I think his journalistic background must inform his journalist characters. I think his effort to write from a woman's perspective is fair and believable.
I found his descriptions of the Belgian resistance especially interesting.
The first in this series didn't grab me when I read it, but this one has me ready to open immediately the next, but I know I'd likely regret that. I'll read something else befre diving in.

[Eli Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set within a really interesting context, uprisings in countries of the British Empire - Ireland and India - during World War 1, this book shines a light upon a history that receives an under appreciated amount of attention.

However the story itself left a lot to be desired. Early on the book develops two very interesting intertwined subplots, betrayed lovers on the opposite sides of the world finding their place in WW1. The story rushes through with limited character development beyond the two main protagonists, and eventually forces a reunion that seemed rather far-fetched compared to many more realistic elements of the book.

Highlights of the book was its high quality description of terrorism in India, the first uprising in Ireland, and the War in Europe behind enemy lines.

If the actual narrative itself lived up to the context in which it was set, this could’ve been an excellent book. Still an easy read, and very interesting, it just didn’t fulfil its potential.

[David C Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The further adventures of Jack and Caitlin in the first years of WWI to the Easter rising of 1916. Split between India, where Jack is running down a German attempt to arm the nationalists, and Europe, where Caitlin has resumed newspaper work, until they reconnect when it becomes about Ireland. This series isn’t is good as the one in WWII era berlin because the Caitlin sections are too preachy and didactic about progressive politics. It also has her meeting too many famous people (Lenin etc) which is a cliche of the historical novel. As in the Berlin novels, the political tone is ‘a plague on all your houses.’

[Steve B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summer fiction...but not a 'beach read'! 'One Man's Flag' is a mystery/spy adventure set against the backdrop of WWI and the Irish rising of 1915. The two protagonists, Jack McColl - British spy and Caitlin Colm - American journalist,suffregette, Irish independence sympathizer,and women's rights activist, bring so much life to this novel...not to mention their romantic past and past political entanglement. The characters are well developed. The setting moves from the Indian sub continent to behind the enemy lines in Germany and Belgium to the protest torn streets of Dublin. An adventure worth the read!

[TheIron Paw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a fast paced thriller, but a thoroughly enjoyable espionage story highlighting both side of the anti-colonial attitudes and actions in India and Ireland during WW I. Excellent character development showing the protagonists' conflicting feelings about Britain as a colonial power, and their attitudes towards each other. This is the second in the series - it is important to have read the first in order to fully appreciate this story line. Overall, an excellent historical description contained within an intriguing plot.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

As David Downing continues with the adventures of his British spy, Jack McColl, and his lover Caitlin, I am continuing to be impressed by the way the author explains historical events, such as the Easter Uprising in Ireland. The timeline and fast sequence of events can get a little bit confusing, and how many times can Jack miss a bullet by inches or minutes? Nevertheless it is another good read from a master of the genre.

[Araych · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jack McColl #2, best read in order. The story follows McColl's adventures in India (for the most part) in 1915 dealing with Indian separatists and German spies and ex-girlfriend Caitlin Hanley's adventures as a female journalist and Irish patriot at the same time. McColl's portion is interesting and very exciting. Hanley's part is interesting as Irish history but not very exciting. 3 stars rating for the book as a whole.

[Charles Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second volume (of four) of the Jack McColl books. I gave the first book "Jack of Spies" four stars but this second book goes to another level. McColl is a British agent who is dealing with varies potential uprisings in the Empire during World War 1. The first book actually take place just before the war but anticipates the horrific hostitlities. This is also good history; I learned a lot about the period that I was never taught in school.

[Phillip Lloyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Downing's books are always very easy to read and on the whole a page turner, however I'm not getting the same feelings with McColl that I was with John Russell and the Station series.
Will I continue with this series? Maybe but not for a while. I'm pleased to hear of John Russell's 0 recently out and so when I'm back to Downing's works will go with that one. He might end up saving McColl.

[Martin Keller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A globetrotting book focusing on plots to over throw or at least raise havoc within existing governments in India, Ireland and other places and Jack Mcoll’s role as a government agent/ spy agitator . I can appreciate the struggles and beliefs of the causes and the government’s reasons for trying to foil them but overall found the book less engaging than other works by this author.

[David Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this second entry in the series to be slower-paced, but with many of the same qualities as "Jack of Spies"; engaging characters, illuminating historical settings and perspectives, and believable action. The love story is truly the "heart" of this narrative, and my overall interest waxed and waned in accordance with its development. Looking forward to the next entry.

[Thomas Stoner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as much for the different settings and the glimpse into a different time in history as I did the story. But, I did enjoy the spy story as well with all the different adventures too.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m enjoy this series because of the weaving of history during the WW1-a part of history not discussed in America because of the lack of participation in the war. It is very interesting to learn about different parts of European activities.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Downing's writing style and this was a pretty good bit of historical fiction. I think the romantic subplot was well crafted although I know the female readers are always a better judge of that sort of thing.

[Kay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed with Jack of Spies, especially after the excellent Station series. This was even more of a letdown. Admittedly that is partly due to my lack of knowledge around WW1, which is nowhere near as rounded as my WW2 awareness, but I just found this lacklustre.

Ray Smillie

[Martha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted more plot and a lot less world politics and philosophy. Of course it all played into the historical events, but not what I was wanting. The Irish couple of chapters were the most detailed, as well as India.