The Lion and the Jewel (Three Crowns Book)

Book Description

This is one of the best-known plays by Africa's major dramatist, Wole Soyinka. It is set in the Yoruba village of Ilunjinle. The main characters are Sidi (the Jewel), 'a true village belle' and Baroka (the Lion), the crafty and powerful Bale of the village, Lakunle, the young teacher, influenced by western ways, and Sadiku, the eldest of Baroka's wives. How the Lion hunts the Jewel is the theme of this ribald comedy.

Customer Reviews:

old dog.....really?.......2005-04-21

the story is a cleverly written satire. it shows the avarice of the old guard in the country. despite the fact that baroka has everything anyone in the village could ever want, he desires more. he must have the jewel at all cost and employs trickery to get Sidi into his arms. most of Soyinka's plays have a bit of a sting and i imagine it gets the message across to the ones that they are intended to reach.

Yeah, Wole Soyinka makes us proud!.......2004-12-07

I read this book as a compulsory read for all Junior Secondary 3 students way back in Nigeria, and I and my friends had fun with it. You know discussing the plots and characters for tests and exams was fun.

The book centres around a young maiden, Sidi. What is really memorable about the book is that she was trying to act all smart and she got her fingers badly burnt for that. As the other reviews have said, it has tonnes of lessons in it. Excellent read.

Wole Soyinka, the first Nigerian Nobel Prize winner in Literature(or any category I think, for that matter) really shows his worth as a writer and as a traditional and cultural Nigerian. Little wonder that he gets the respect and admiration he receives back at home.

A Great Play.......2004-05-15

When I read this play as part of a World Lit. class in my high school it changed the way I look a literature. To that point I had been mainly interested in history and politics. In the Lion and the Jewel, Soyinka combines his political ideas about colonization, cultures, and gender roles in to this vivid play. He creates multiple conflicts between the very well-defined characters and over the course of the play the conflicts evolve into macrocosmic conflicts that readers and audiences alike can relate too. The themes in this play are very strong and speak loudly when juxtaposed against current world events.

I cannot recommend this play enough!! Check it out.

Excellent Excellent Excellent.......2002-05-17

Thumbs up to the author. He is one of my favorite author. He writes well. The book is perfect.

Excellent Excellent Excellent.......2002-05-17

Thumbs up to the author. He is one of my favorite author. He writes well. The book is perfect.

The Raj Quartet: The Jewel in the Crown/the Day of the Scorpion/the Towers of Silence/a Division of the Spoils

Average customer rating:

Raj Quartet
Masterpiece Literature
An unquestionable masterpiece.
The Art of the Novel
a millennial work

The Raj Quartet: The Jewel in the Crown/the Day of the Scorpion/the Towers of Silence/a Division of the Spoils
Paul Scott
Manufacturer: William Morrow & Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Movie Tie-Ins | Genre Fiction | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Classics | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

British | Short Stories | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Fiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0688042120

Customer Reviews:

Raj Quartet.......2007-04-15

Paul Scott's following is small, but Loyal. He is a fantastic writer. The Raj Quartet by far, is my favourite favourite series of books by him because of its complexity and such extraordinary characters. His charactres are so indepth, so well played out that the reader feels that he or she knows them thouroughly. Its a historical epic, very well written, and its absolutely a must read.

Masterpiece Literature.......2006-12-01

About 25 years ago I got a list of the best 100 books of all time, and found "The Raj Quartet" by Paul Scott listed. I started at the beginning with "The Jewel in the Crown" and got bogged down. Coincidentally, PBS started its Masterpiece Theatre version. I watched a few of the episodes (actually all of them, eventually) and got back to reading. What I discovered was the best set of novels I've ever read, and each one an individual "jewel" as well. A pebble thrown, the towers of silence, and many other images stay with me, as well as the memory of Scott's beautiful writing and well-developed, complex characters, and the scope and importance of the story. If there wasn't so much else to read, I'd reread the whole set--sounds like a good retirement project some day.

An unquestionable masterpiece........2006-02-19

It has been too long since I read this book [probably 15 years ago] for me to offer an erudite and detailed analysis. But I do remember vividly that when I read it that the word "masterpiece" came repeatedly to my mind. In a league with Thackeray's "Vanity Fair" and Naipaul's "A House for Mr. Biswas". Find the time to read it; you won't regret it.

The Art of the Novel.......2003-01-16

The Raj Quartet (comprised of four novels) is in my ultimate top ten of great novels and my favourite work of fiction for the twentieth century. Paul Scott is up there up with Tolstoy and Jane Austen. The Raj Quartet is exquisite to read, every word and every sentence appears to have the perfection that Jane Austen bestowed on her works but on the majestic scale of Tolstoy's War and Peace.

The Raj Quartet is multi-layered, complex, beyond the apparent. Is it about a country? Or is it about two countries? Paul Scott deals with the years of the "great divorce" as it were, but now at the beginning of a new century the continuing implications of the historic British occupation are as fresh as ever, both in India and the UK, one example being the the unforseen post war immigration and lifting of racial barriers between two peoples (I myself am a product of a post war marriage between an Indian father and British mother).

The question of identity is explored. What makes an Indian? (still a relevant question in a subcontinent of such diverse cultures, religions, languages, outlooks, etc). What happens to a group (the Raj British) who are no longer needed in either India or Britain? (I recommend Staying On by Paul Scott which deals with a minor character who does stay on in India.)

Beyond the themes of history, colonialism and imperialism, there is the theme of the universal human experience. Who are we all really? Should we let our nationality and culture define who we are? Or as one character, Sarah Layton, finally have the courage to break free and define our own identity. Sarah at first is apart from "the other", then in one revealing scene (the ride with Ahmed) she subconsciously turns to face "the other" though unsuccessfully and finally in the beautifully written and incredibly sensual scene where she decides to dive into the forbidden (the seduction by Clark, who I see myself as Eros or the Hindu God of Love, Kama) she breaks through into her individuality, her "grace".

a millennial work.......2002-08-17

An outstanding piece of writing and a masterpiece, the Quartet compresses in four novels the essence of individual lives caught in the matrix of history. What is karma and dharma? The novels examine these as best Scott can in trying to articulate his artistic vision of the tragedy of history and of individual lives. History is impersonal and is from a God's-eye view, our own lives are subjective and given differing perspectives and are all that we have to imperfectly cling to. In that personal vantage point is salvation and hell all in one. Check out Scott's "Staying On" as well which is his farewell to the Indian scene and the characters we've come to know. A sliding farewell into oblivion, just as Scott himself fell into his twilight years.

The Raj Quartet: The Jewel in the Crown, the Day of the Scorpion, the Towers of Silence, a Division of Spoils. (Volumes 1 through 4)

Average customer rating:

The Raj Quartet: The Jewel in the Crown, the Day of the Scorpion, the Towers of Silence, a Division of Spoils. (Volumes 1 through 4)
Paul Scott
Manufacturer: Avon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0380699338

Product Description

Four voume set Mass Market Paperbacks in slipcover. Paul Scott's spectacular Raj Quartet captures the culture, the history, and the magic of India. This four-volume epic of English rule in India has won world-wide acclaim - was the foundation for a public television miniseries.

Average customer rating:

Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine
Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine
My Favorite
The Diary of a amazing girl
If you liked this book...

Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine
Kristiana Gregory
Manufacturer: Scholastic Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Royalty | People & Places | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0439164842

Book Description

Fourteen-year-old Eleanor of Aquitaine lives in a castle in Poitier, France, with her father Count William of Aquitaine (son of William the Conqueror), and her 12-year-old sister Petronilla. Their mother died several years earlier, so their grandmother and ladies-in-waiting raise the girls. Eleanor is extremely intelligent and literate, having been carefully educated by royal tutors. Spinning bores her, as does weaving, sewing, and other housewifery skills expected of her. She would rather be a knight and ride off to war. In fact, in 1136, when her father is invited to help invade Normandy,

Customer Reviews:

Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine.......2006-03-17

THIS BOOK, in MY OPINION, was one of the best out of the "Royal Diaries" Series. Eleanor is not a princess, but a Duchess of Aquitaine (Southern France) in the 1100's. This book was well written and contained much information on Eleanor's teen years. Although the reading level is supossed to be ages 9-12, i am 13, almost 14, and enjoyed this book. I think it's good for all ages.

Eleanor: Crown Jewel of Aquitaine.......2006-01-04

Eleanor of Aquitaine has a difficult childhood. Her father, the duke, constantly gets in fights with the pope. As if that's not enough to deal with, her brother died and her father wants her to get married as a political arrangement.A beloved family member goes on a trip, never to return. And finally, she must marry Louis the Younger when she'd much rather be playing with her sister and daydreaming.
This was one of the most exciting books in the Royal Diaries series! It has brave knights in battle,court intrigues,and betrayal...

My Favorite.......2005-11-18

This is the second Royal Diary I read, and I loved it. The story is wonderful. Eleanor is a young girl who goes through all the same things that girls do now, she just was in the 1100s. I think that every young girl will love learning about history while also reading a good story.

The Diary of a amazing girl.......2005-10-31

Eleanor is a young girl but is old enough to get married. Her father Duke William X a very wealthy man, decides to go to war. So her sister and her are left with no father or mother only servants and there grandma. He does come back but a tragedy occurs and she is forced to marry the price soon to be king of France. She has never met him before and she really like Clotaire the strong. Her life is filled with new, terrifying, heart leaping adventures. She also has a younger brother and sister. Her brother dies but, her sister is still alive. Her mother is also gone. So it's not really a big family. Just her younger sister her dad and herself. I really like this book because of different things I get to read about. I think its so cool hearing about what it was like for a girl in medieval times about my age well she was really more of a princess. Her father had even more money then the king. It's really interesting reading about her life. How and where she hides her diary. How she is taken care of. What they ate back then. Where they went to the bathroom with no toilets. Its such a fascinating book with so much drama. And life filled with excitement!

If you liked this book..........2005-09-01

If you liked this book, then try reading "A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver." It tells the story of the rest of Eleanor's life. She was an AMAZING woman who led an enormously fascinating life!!!!

Crown Jewels - The Mauser in Sweden: A Century of Accuracy & Precision

Average customer rating:

Crown Jewels - The Mauser in Sweden: A Century of Accuracy & Precision
Dana Jones , and Blake Stevens (Editor)
Manufacturer: Collector Grade Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0889352836

Yoga Chudamani Upanishad: Crown Jewel of Yoga

Average customer rating:

Yoga Chudamani Upanishad: Crown Jewel of Yoga
Swami Satyadharma Saraswati
Manufacturer: Yoga Publications Trust,Muger,Bihar,India
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Yoga | Exercise & Fitness | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books

Upanishads | Hinduism | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Chakras | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Health Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Religion & Spirituality Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 8186336273

Product Description

Yoga Chudmani Upanishad is a manual of higher sadhana for advanced and initiated aspirants. It delineates the ancient path of kundalini awakening in its original and pure form before the proliferation of modern yogic literature. The text elucidates a unique combination of kundalini yoga and vedantic upasana. It discusses the nadis, prana vayus, chakras and kundalini shakti, and also provides detailed descriptions of ajapa gayatri and pranava, which are older vedic and upanishadic meditative disciplines. The text includes the original Sanskrit verses, along with transliteration, anvay, translation and a comprehensive commentary by Swami Satyadharma Saraswati under the guidance of Swami Niranjanananda Saraswati. For students of Indian philosophy, it provides a valuable study of the compatibility of Yoga and Vedanta, or the tantric and vedic systems of philosophy and practice.

$Cordina's Royal Family: Bennett & Camilla: The Playboy Prince\Cordina's Crown Jewel$
Average customer rating:

Royal Kingdom of Dreams
hopless romantics will love it.
Where's the Juice?
Not her best novel, probably, but I still couldn't put the book down...
Two Stars-Spoilers follow

Cordina's Royal Family: Bennett & Camilla: The Playboy Prince\Cordina's Crown Jewel
Nora Roberts
Manufacturer: Silhouette
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Romance Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

General | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

$Cordina's Royal Family: Gabriella & Alexander: Affaire Royale\Command Performance$ Cordina's Royal Family: Gabriella & Alexander: Affaire Royale\Command Performance
$The MacGregors: Alan & Grant: All The Possibilities\One Man's Art (STP - Mira)$ The MacGregors: Alan & Grant: All The Possibilities\One Man's Art (STP - Mira)
$The MacGregors: Serena ~ Caine: Playing The Odds\Tempting Fate (Macgregors)$ The MacGregors: Serena ~ Caine: Playing The Odds\Tempting Fate (Macgregors)
$The MacKade Brothers: Devin And Shane: The Heart of Devin MacKade\The Fall Of Shane MacKade$ The MacKade Brothers: Devin And Shane: The Heart of Devin MacKade\The Fall Of Shane MacKade
$The MacKade Brothers: Rafe And Jared: The Return Of Rafe MacKade\The Pride Of Jared MacKade$ The MacKade Brothers: Rafe And Jared: The Return Of Rafe MacKade\The Pride Of Jared MacKade

ASIN: 0373285329

Book Description

The Playboy Prince
When it came to women, Prince Bennett could never refuse a challenge -- and after meeting quiet, lovely Lady Hannah Rothchild, the dashing playboy couldn't rest until he broke through her careful reserve. Love had always been a game to Bennett, but with this elusive, mysterious woman he found his heart was on the line, and he was playing for keeps . . .

Cordina's Crown Jewel
For a few blessed weeks, Her Royal Highness Camilla de Cordina could be just plain Camilla MacGee. And working in rural Vermont for archaeologist Delaney Caine -- devastatingly handsome, utterly cantankerous -- offered the perfect refuge. But as her irritation became fascination, then desire, the royal runaway knew she'd have to confess. Would Del see her as a woman to be loved, or dismiss her as a royal pain?

Customer Reviews:

Royal Kingdom of Dreams.......2007-08-14

To me, Cordina's Royal Family is the best of Nora Robert's series. I have read other of her series, but none have the magic that I found in the Royal Cordina Family. I loved each character: Bennett, Camilla, Alex, Eve, Gabriella, Hannah and Reeves. Somehow this series stirs the fairy tale mystery that exists in all of us. I really wish Ms. Roberts would continue with the Cordina family series. As a talented and skillful author, she should be able to find a way! What about Bennet and Hannah"s wedding? To me, that would be wonderful to read! I want more of that wonderful family!

hopless romantics will love it........2006-08-16

If you are a hopeless romantic, like stories about princes and princesses and love a classic ending. Then you will enjoy this book. I really like the fact that Hannah was a heroine but Bennett also took some credit. Very entertaining.

Where's the Juice?.......2006-08-06

Based on the recent recommendation by a Stephen King article in Entertainment Weekly, I purchased this book expecting to read some really good romance writing. The writing lack depth, dimension, and offered zero emotional skill, and after struggling through the first 100 pages, I threw the book away. So much for Stephen King's opinion - although he's written so really good things, he's also put out a lot of mediorce work too. If you want some juicy romance as well as good storytelling, read Susan Carroll's "The Dark Queen", The Courtesan" and "The Silver Rose"
Trilogy. Once I read these I went back and purchased Carroll's earlier works, all with underserved tacky covers I might add, but the writing is fun and her heroes are "broad shouldered with powerful thighs and sensuous mouths" etc. Diane Galbaldon (could be incorrect spelling) writes well with very interesting characters and story lines but too sexually violent for my taste.

Not her best novel, probably, but I still couldn't put the book down..........2006-07-17

I read all four stories over four days and I will agree that these are not her best, but still I laugh and I cried and I gasped out loud and was generally entertained. From the moment I started reading I could not put the book down and I found myself transported to royal Cordina were a family loves one another and finds love and passion while fighting terriorists. Still liked it a lot.

Two Stars-Spoilers follow.......2006-06-24

After being disappointed in reading Gabriella & Alexander, I still tried Bennett & Camilla and was still disappointed. Once again there was a lot of things happen but it felt like they were trying to destract you from the charactors. I didn't like Bennett at all. Starting with his name and it went down from there. His treatment of Hannah after learning her true idenity comented my hate. I wished Hannah would have stabbed him with a knife. I did however enjoy Hannah thoroughly all of her working with the terrorities in order to bring them down was very exciting. It would have been fun to see series on Hannah's work. Now on to Camilla. Camilla was not a very exciting charactor she was very dull. Her beau Delaney was all right until he got all hung up on her lying about being a princess when he was lying about his own title. Its calling the kettle black and makes me lose all respect and like for the charactor.

Attacking The Crown Jewels: How To Protect Your Business Strategy Against Competitive Threats

Average customer rating:

Exceptional Business Strategy Playbook
A gem--"Attacking the Crown Jewels"

Attacking The Crown Jewels: How To Protect Your Business Strategy Against Competitive Threats
Phil Bookman
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

Systems & Planning | Management & Leadership | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make Competition Irrelevant

ASIN: 1419625926
Release Date: 2007-02-27

Book Description

Protect your crown jewels. Attack theirs. How do companies like Microsoft, Google and IBM protect themselves against strategic competitive threats and grow their revenue and profit at the same time? In this groundbreaking book, Silicon Valley veteran Phil Bookman reveals the strategy they use to divert their competitor's resources away from the product that threatens them. This book introduces the Strategic Competitive Defense Planning Process. Step-by-step instructions walk you through assessing competitive threats, selecting the ones to focus on strategically, and planning defenses against them. Worksheets and a case study help guide you through the process. Highlights include: The three key factors that determine which competitive threats are truly strategic. How to defend your strategy and build a new growth line of business. How to get another company to defend your strategy. How to protect your strategy with almost no investment. The eleven steps to assuring attack success.

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional Business Strategy Playbook.......2007-08-02

Exceptionally useful and insightful framework to craft corporate strategy and defend against competitive threats. A must-read and implement for every CEO and management team faced with competitive issues.

A gem--"Attacking the Crown Jewels".......2007-04-28

"Attacking the Crown Jewels" can help large or small businesses conduct a comprehensive examination and prepare a competitive business strategy to survive and thrive in today's complex environment. Phil Bookman's broad executive experience is refined, honed and shared so that an organization can rationally plan to effectively compete now and in the years to come. Using his approach a business will be prepared to compete and succeed without being surprised by a competitor's business plan.

Average customer rating:

Cheap Imitation
very disappointed
A struggle to read...
What Happened?
Good read - 2 nights!!!!

Crown Jewel: A Novel
Fern Michaels
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Contemporary | Romance | Subjects | Books

General | Romance | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0743457803
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Book Description

New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels spins an emotionally charged and surprising tale of two very different brothers and the one woman who loved them both and holds the key to a legacy of family secrets.

Ricky Lam had it all -- a thriving film career, the adoration of countless fans, incredible wealth, and a cocaine and alcohol problem that was about to destroy him. Luckily, he also had a business manager -- his straight-arrow older brother Philip -- who strong-armed him into an addiction clinic.

But not even the passage of fifteen years, Ricky's rehabilitation, and undreamed-of worldly success for both men can mend the rift that erupted between the brothers during those dark days. Now all that remains is a business relationship, although Ricky yearns for more.

When tragedy strikes, erasing Ricky's dreams of winning Philip's forgiveness, Ricky resets his priorities. He turns his back on Hollywood, invites his two illegitimate sons into his life, hoping to become a real father to them, and dedicates himself to his brother's dream -- the construction of a unique resort in South Carolina called the Crown Jewel. But when Ricky steps into his brother's shoes he encounters unsettling surprises and contradictions, as well as an amazing woman, his sister-in-law Roxy Lam, who leads him to the mystery at the center of his brother's life and into a love affair far richer and more challenging than any he has experienced before.

As Ricky attempts to discover the brother he loved but never truly knew, he must settle a grave injustice committed decades ago, even if it means risking his fame, his fortune, and his life.

In a dazzling story that holds readers engrossed until the final page is turned, Fern Michaels explores the complex emotional bonds that exist between brothers, parents and children, and lovers. Written with the keen insight, grace, and humor that have made Fern Michaels one of the world's best-loved storytellers, here is a novel that shows us the importance of forgiveness, the possibility of new beginnings, and the incalculable value of familial love.

Customer Reviews:

Cheap Imitation .......2007-03-22

I've barely started this book and am already disgusted. I see several reviewers agree. I don't know why I keep reading this author, she knows more about dogs than she does people. Someone would strip out of her Armani clothes to wrap up puppies? and run around in her underwear?
The dialog between the 23 yr old half brothers and their father 20 years older is juvenile at best. Do middle age males really pump their fists in the air and say yessss. You get the idea. Pass this jewel by.

very disappointed.......2006-05-16

This book was a disappointment. The story was OK but it was written poorly. Way too many tired chiches, the characters were undeveloped and came across as dimwits. The dialoge was hard to follow and didn't have near enough breaks to let the reader know where they were or where they were going.
I was very surprised that this book was published in the sorry state that it was in.

A struggle to read..........2005-04-25

I agree with an earlier reviewer that this book is very poorly written. I picked it up to read because of previous experience with this author. This book did not deliver an enjoyable experience. Characters were not developed, dialogue was impossible to follow.

What Happened?.......2005-02-08

Fern Michaels used to be an excellent writer! But Crown Jewel is the dialogue from hell! It's difficult to follow, and makes little sense! Even if you CAn follow the story, the dialogue of the main characters goes in too many different directions, all within the same paragraph!

The story line/plot is excellent, but Michaels didn't develop it well. It could have been such a wonderful story!

I'm hoping Fern Michaels comes back to us, and this is just an example of "ghostwriting", and nothing permanent. I've read many of her earlier works, but these last two have been horrible!

Good read - 2 nights!!!!.......2005-01-27

A movie star is given an ultimation to go into rehab or be out of his brother / manages life.
Ricky (the star) then tragically loses his brother many years later to an accident and as time unfolds along with a strange will Ricky finds his brothers life was not as it would seem. He sets out on a quest to find out who the real Phily really was. Along the way his own life unfolds and in all it's a good page turning read.

The Crown Jewels: The British Secrets at the Heart of the KGB Archives

Average customer rating:

Well worth reading.
Great read, but let the reader beware

The Crown Jewels: The British Secrets at the Heart of the KGB Archives
Nigel West , and Oleg Tsarev
Manufacturer: Yale University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Egypt | Middle East | History | Subjects | Books

Intelligence & Espionage | Military | History | Subjects | Books

Russia | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

Look Inside History Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0300078064

Amazon.com

In the early 1920s, the newly founded Soviet Union established intelligence-gathering networks in several Western European capitals. Initially charged with spying on White Russians and other enemies of the Bolsheviks, these enclaves soon turned to collecting information on all kinds of political and economic activities in their host countries--and also to recruiting foreign nationals to serve the Soviet regime. The Soviets, write British historian Nigel West and retired Russian intelligence officer Oleg Tsarev, were especially successful in Britain, where they were able to make use of a band of disaffected university-based intellectuals who went into government service and who, in time, turned from coffeehouse revolutionaries to active traitors: John Cairncross, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, Donald Maclean, and, perhaps most infamous of them all, Kim Philby.

From the late 1930s to the 1950s, they operated a spy ring in England that gave to the Soviet Union secret information ranging from Allied troop strength in North Africa in World War II to British atomic-weapons development in the early years of the cold war. West and Tsarev reproduce numerous dispatches from these spies, contextualizing them in a detailed narrative that vividly describes the day-to-day hardships involved in forging a career in espionage. For instance, when the East German "atom spy" Klaus Fuchs had to reckon with postwar gas rationing as a factor in arranging rendezvous points with his agents, he had to confine them to London and close to the watchful British counterintelligence service. The story takes as many turns as a John Le Carré thriller, and students of the cold war will find it of much interest. --Gregory McNamee

Book Description

This lively account of Soviet intelligence activity in Great Britain from the close of World War I to the late 1950s is based on newly released documents from KGB archives-documents so highly valued they were dubbed the "crown jewels." Adding richly to our understanding of Soviet intelligence, this book offers new insights into the activities of infamous British pro-Soviet spies as well as lesser-known spymasters and recruiters.

Customer Reviews:

Well worth reading........2005-02-24

This book is worth reading if only for the chapters on the Great Illegals; Blunt and Burgess; The Vegetarian (John Cairncross); Atom Secrets; and the Philby Reports--excerpts from the KGB files. Many of these present hard intelligence. However, Philby's detailed report on wild goings-on in London clubs (including The Nuthouse) and their frequenters (including Happy Harbottle, Snooty Parker, and Buffles Milbanke) must surely have been a colossal joke at the expense of the KGB, which was always pestering Philby to answer the same tiresome questions over and over. West's chapters on the early history of the Soviet Secret Service, which seem to be well documented, are more of interest to the scholar than the lay person. But I must say that I found the book absorbing as a whole.

Great read, but let the reader beware.......1999-06-09

This is the most sensational volume to appear so far in Yale University Press's rapidly growing library on Soviet espionage during the 1930s and 40s. The authors-espionage journalist Nigel West (pseudonym of Rupert Allason, a Conservative ex-MP) and Oleg Tsarev, a former KGB operative posted to London-accessed Moscow Center files to confirm, disconfirm, or extend what has long been known, believed, or suspected about the Cambridge Five (Kim Philby, Donald Maclean, Guy Burgess, Anthony Blunt, and John Cairncross) as well as a host of lesser but highly effective agents. Richly detailed and slickly written, The Crown Jewels is a riveting read and a potential supplement to Allen Weinstein and Alexander Vassilev's The Haunted Wood and another Yale volume Venona: Decoding Soviet Espionage in America by John Earl Haynes and Harvey Klehr. But let the reader beware: West does not play entirely straight with the reader. Wrapping up a long and important chapter on Cairncross, he asserts that after exposure in 1979, the first atomic spy "fled to France and completed his memoirs shortly before his death in 1995." In fact, Cairncross lived in Italy for well over a decade after The London Times named him and a half-dozen "mole journalists" (including West) began detailing his activities, often with Cairncross's limited and self-serving cooperation. But-most interestingly-during Cairncross's last months, spent not in France but in the Cotswolds (with the permission of H.M. Government), West himself ghost-wrote, packaged, and marketed the first version of the verbally incapacitated Fifth Man's "recollections", The Enigma Spy. Based on Cairncross's fragmentary notes and his second wife's recollections of his table talk, that book, published in 1997, is now widely discredited. Why the mis- (and dis-) information? Why the coverup of West's intimate connection with Cairncross? Could this book contain other such "problems"? Persuasive as The Crown Jewels may be, it must be read with a gimlet eye.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books