Childers' lone masterpiece, published in 1903, was the first modern spy thriller and recognizably the brilliant forerunner of the realism of later famous authors. A story with fine characterization, a richly authentic background of inshore sailing, and a vivid evocation of the late 1890's, combined with an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and intrigue that soon leads to WWI. A classic novel of action and adventure to thrill all readers. Fans of Childers’ classic will be interested in the 1998 “sequel” written by Sam Llewellyn, “Shadow in the Sands”. Paperback.