Eastern Approaches
Eastern Approaches by Fitzroy Maclean, published by National Geographic Books on September 22, 2009, is a reissue that spans 576 pages in English. This book presents Maclean’s experiences as a young diplomat in Moscow before World War II, detailing his extensive travels in the Soviet Union, which was largely inaccessible to foreigners at the time. It chronicles his role as a founding member of the SAS during the war, highlighting his daring commando raids and his mission as Winston Churchill’s representative in German-occupied Yugoslavia.
Readers will find a vivid account of Maclean’s adventures, blending elements of biography and historical narrative. The book explores themes of military operations, political intrigue, and the challenges faced during World War II, particularly in the context of special forces and conflicts. Maclean’s unique perspective offers insights into both the diplomatic and military landscapes of the era, making it a significant contribution to the literature on military history and personal memoirs.
Official synopsis Publisher
70th Anniversary Edition with a New Foreword by Sunday Times Bestselling Author Simon Sebag Montefiore
‘A classic’ Observer | ‘A legend’ Washington Post | ‘The best book you will read this year’ Colonel Tim Collins
Posted to Moscow as a young diplomat before the Second World War, Fitzroy Maclean travelled widely, with or without permission, in some of the wildest and remotest parts of the Soviet Union, then virtually closed to foreigners. In 1942 he fought as a founder member of the SAS in North Africa. There Maclean specialised in hair-raising commando raids behind enemy lines, including the daring and outrageous kidnapping of the German Consul in Axis-controlled Iraq. In 1943 he parachuted into German-occupied Yugoslavia as Winston Churchill’s personal representative to Josip Broz Tito and remained there until 1945, all enemy attempts to capture him proving unsuccessful.
Eastern Approaches is Maclean’s classic, gripping account of the sybaritic delights of diplomatic life, the thrill of remote travel in the then-forbidden zones of Central Asia, and the violence and adventure of world-changing tours in North Africa and Yugoslavia. Maclean is the original British action hero and this is blistering reading.
‘This book literally changed my life’ Simon Sebag Montefiore
‘A man of daring character’ Winston Churchill
‘An absorbing mixture of military adventure, political judgement, urbane wit, cool humour and surprising incident’ Financial Times
‘One of the bravest men in the British army, and one of the funniest’ Ben Macintyre
‘Entertaining, important, the model for James Bond’ New York Times
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