The Red Eagles

by David Downing

Russian spies are sent to the U.S. in 1944 to obtain information about the atomic bomb for Stalin

Genres: Historical Fiction, Thriller, Fiction, Russia, Germany, Espionage, World War II

230 pages, Hardcover

First published October 13, 2014

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

[Peter Kavanagh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like so many others who have commented here I found this book disappointing after the Station series. Having said that, I thought it had its moments and was strongest when it emphasised the characters essential powerlessness when facing situations controlled by larger historical forces. In the end though it was let down by weak character development, rushed and at times implausible plotting and a really quite bad ending. I'm rounding it up to a three

[Mara Lucy · Rating 2 out of 5]

A really exciting premise for a spy novel, but fell a bit flat for me in execution. Was really fast paced out of nowhere, then slowed to a crawl for chapters. Like the idea and world though, could make an excellent tv show with some adjustments!

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever thriller with unexpected twists and turns set in 1944. The Soviet Union's spies in America no about the work to build an atomic bomb and whilst their scientists are confident they can do it, they need to get their hands on Uranium 236. How to do that without the US realising it was Russia and how few bombs they would actually have.
At the start of the book there are 5 or so strands which can be a bit confusing, especially with the Russian names, but the author really cleverly brings them all together and bringing the reader on this journey of outlandish espionage.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know, this book is better than many think, at least to me. I think it could stand being lengthened, as there are some backstory and plot developments that could use more, well, development. And, there are a few scenes with, um, historical figures that could be cut and the story would still stand.

[Mary Warnement · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Downing's station books, set for the most part in Berlin in the 1930s and 1940s, very much. This too was a good read. He's studied his history and creates a believable world set in real places with characters as complicated, flawed, brave, etc. as people you know. His afterword made it seem he first published this in the 1980s. I'll have to look into that.

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

Accidentally purchased this audiobook looking for a different book under the same name. Mildly interesting.

[Ken B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 STARS

[MaryAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An earlier, standalone novel by this favorite author. Perhaps not as well-written or polished as his later ones, but I still liked it.

[Joe Farley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t finish. Kind of hard to stay engaged so put it down.

[Danilo DiPietro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting premise but meanders. The historically significant notes are, as always, useful and insightful.

[Meg]

I was put off by the WWII setting but I was promised a train heist and the totality satisfied.

[Steve Dempsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant concept thriller and very plausible but it does depend on a few coincidences.

[Austin Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was pretty slow and the plot wasn’t very interesting. Also, there are some obscene parts that didn’t need to be in it.

[Margaret Goodlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointed. Downing is one of my favorite authors, because I loved the Station series. This book was a real let-down. Not at all like the Station series. Wish he would go back to those.....

[Gloria Feit · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Red Eagles was David Downing’s first “real” novel and showed the talent and interest in spies and World War II that later became the popular Station series. While the characters in the series, which took place over more than two decades, were fully developed, those in the earlier effort were more wooden, more like symbols of what they were representing. Nevertheless, here it is, reprinted after having made its first appearance almost three decades ago. And now the author has turned his attention to World War I.

Needless to say, despite the initial criticism, the novel is extremely interesting, based on an imponderable supposition: Stalin demanding development of an atomic bomb, despite the Soviets’ inability to develop one for a decade or more, to place it on a par with the United States in a post-war era; and development of a deceitful plot to steal purified U-235 from the United States to make the weapon while implicating the Nazis as the culprits. Of course, this action takes place in 1944, long before the Rosenbergs betrayed the United States by turning over atomic secrets to the Reds.

The plot is well-developed, and the activities of the German and Soviet agents are described in great detail. The tale is inventive and the story is worthy of a writer who has the talent to, and did, develop into a first-rate novelist. On its own, it should be read, especially to see the beginnings of what was to become a more polished effort, and is therefore recommended.

[Judi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never knew where this was going...good story

[Trilby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read all of Downaing's "Station" books and liked them very much. This book, involving Soviet chicanery in trying to steal weapons grade Plutonium from the US, was carefully plotted and moved quickly (after a slow start).
The main characters lack full background development and clear motivation. At first it seemed that Jack Kusnetsky was going to be the protagonist a la John Russell. However, as the story evolved, there was less and less to admire or even sympathize with about him. How Jack became a hard-boiled NKVD killer was not fully explained. Ditto for the other Soviet agent, Amy Brandon. Why was she still involved with Richard, a dullard and jerk? Apparently for reasons of plotting. I didn't understand why both Amy and Jack were so devoted to Russia that they'd do anything to anyone to execute (pun intended) their orders. The German agent Doesburg was such a careless doofus that it was amazing that he hadn't been caught by the beginning of the story. The scenes from the points of view of Stalin and Hitler should have been cut. Those two are such incarnations of evil that any internal characterization of them beggars belief.
A minor complaint: Jack passes through "the Minnesota plains" on his train trip past his hometown of St.Cloud. Sorry, but the plains end at the state's western border. The southern half of Minnesota is mostly prairie.

[Rob Prince · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the David Downing tradition of 20th century historical novels...this one about a bizarre (but credible) Nazi-Soviet attempt to steal uranium-235 to be able to build atomic bombs, ...it is really a study of political fanaticism, what people are willing to do (or not) for "a cause"...(ei, kill with impunity, treacherous relations with everyone). As usual, Downing mixes fact with fiction. Klaus Fuchs, the nuclear scientist who passed nuclear secrets to the USSR, is a genuine historical character, as are the cameo roles of Stalin, Roosevelt, Zhdanov and several others. They mix with the main characters, fictional I believe. What I am curious about and don't know, is whether or not there was an actual attempt to steal American produced purified uranium at the end of WW2. Possible but I have never heard of such an incident. Ultimately, this is a story of people pitted against each other during wartime with their different ideological orientations who can - or cannot - rediscover some basic humanity that ideology - whether it be, in this case, Communism or Fascism, - has repressed. Good till the last drop...or is it page?...but not as good as Downing's WW2 series which starts with "Zoo Station"...

[Nick Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a surprisingly short WW2 thriller and the first I have read by the author. Mr Downing has a good reputation for his “Station” series, so I was looking forward to getting a taste of the author.

Set towards the end of the second world war, both Russia and Germany want the secrets of the atom bomb. One to protect itself in the future and one as a last gasp attempt to win the war. This story is mainly about the agents of both countries and an audacious to steel atomic material and those involved are just pawns in the bigger picture.

It’s not often I say this, but the book was 100 pages short, more time could have been spent developing the characters and putting more tension into the story. You don’t really feel for the characters nor become immersed in their story. Over all I have gone for three stars but only just, I was underwhelmed and now unlikely to pick up any more of his books.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has had some unfavourable/mediocre reviews, but I loved it. I've read several of DD's Station series and though clearly the character development in a one off novel can never compare to what can be achieved in a really well done series, I just really liked the plotting here. It may seem like madness but the obsessions of dictators always make for fertile ground in a spy thriller and this one just leans to the right side of credible in the race for atomic weapons.

[David Lowther · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early David Downing before he hit the jackpot with the 'station' series, Red Eagles is a Second World War story about goodish Germans and a US defector to the Soviet Union combing to steal uranium en route to Los Alamos.
It's entertaining enough and well written, a charming love story and are two very good action sequences.

David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil (thebluepencil.co.uk) and
Liberating Belsen (1 May 2015)

[Judie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early book by David Downing - without the great character development that followed in his station series. But The Red Eagles is a good thriller, with plenty of suspense and a terrific ending. Reading this book, among his first, shows how much Mr. Downing has progressed through the years and I look forward to the continuation of his WWI series.

[Frances L · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting spy thriller. Russian spy-masters devise a daring plot. They send two spies (a man and a woman) to the U.S. to steal the key to producing the atomic bomb and they make it look like the Germans are responsible. Are the two of tem capable of carrying out this assignment? It's a page turner till the very end.

[Jean Kolinofsky · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a fan of Downing's station series, I looked forward to reading this earlier work. I found the beginning somewhat slow, but once all of the characters are identified and in place the story does pick up and then races to its conclusion. Overall, a quick read and entertaining.

[Melissa Acuna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author of the "station" series ventures into new territory with a thriller set in the United States during WWII. He doesn't disappoint in this tale of Soviet espionage, double dealing and the theft of Plutonium to make an atom bomb.

[Ray Melville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent read from David Downing, a tale of intrigue and suspense.

[Jacqueline · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disappointing, story wasn't as compelling as I had hoped it would be

[Stacie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I skipped the middle of this book. The story was a bit dull and the action was hard to find. The characters had a good standing.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short spy story by one of my favourite authors with a little twist of two characters starting a new life in NZ. How many are out there in this country of ours.

[Michael Gregorio · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed it! Fuller review to follow...