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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An outstanding human drama.,
This review is from: Passage of Arms (Paperback)
A humble but enterprising Indian clerk with the dream of owning a bus company accidentally finds out about an abandoned terrorist weapons cache. He carefully and painstakingly sets up their sale through a businessman in Singapore. In the sale process, an American couple on vacation get drawn into the affair, and end up on the firing line between Sumatran factions. Ambler's characters are all beautifully drawn. They are presented, too, with a finely honed sense of humor, and deep understanding of human nature. The carefully constructed plot never ceases to turn, and each new episode is a fresh surprize and delight. I particularly enjoyed the character of Girija Krishnan, who so loved the buses. And General Iskaq, with his pondering of just how to best shock and annoy the British and American consuls. And the Tan family politics. Etc., etc., etc. This book was great fun, and beautifully well written.
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eric Ambler-A Master of Time and Context,
By
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This review is from: Passage of Arms (Paperback)
Eric Ambler made his reputation writing thrillers set in the years immediately before and after the Second World War. He understood the true nature of facism and communism and Ambler placed his stories right in the center of the struggle between good and evil. Fortunately for us, Eric Ambler was able to move beyond the Second World War. During the 1950's, Ambler turned his gaze and considerable talents to the topic of decolonization. Through his stories, Ambler was able to keep current with the big stories and issues of the day.
A Passage of Arms was first published in 1959. Southesast Asia was going through difficult times. The French had been kicked out of Indochina and the Americans were just coming in. In Indonesia, tensions were growing between the Communists and Muslem nationalists. The English had just beaten back a Communist insurgency in Malaysia. This is the turbulent world encountered by two would-be American arms dealers who take a break from their cruise around the world. At its essence, 'A Passage of Arms' is a business tale. We follow the passage of a cache of weapons as they travel from the jungles of Malaysia to the port city of Singapore. There are numerous side trips to Hong Kong, Manila and Indonesia. This novel offers great insights into the murky world of arms dealing. Although, while not as sexy as some of his World War Two thrillers, in a 'Passage to Arms', Eric Ambler is at the top of his game. There is a reason why a novel written in 1959 is being reissued in 2004.
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Or to take arms against a sea of troubles,
By Leonard Fleisig "Len" (Washington, D.C.) - See all my reviews (VINE VOICE) (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
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This review is from: Passage of Arms (Paperback)
And by opposing end them.
In many respects, Eric Ambler was to the modern British suspense novel what Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett were to the American detective novel. Ambler transformed the suspense novel from a simplistic black and white world of perfect good guys versus nefarious bad guys into a far more realistic world where sometimes the difference between good and evil is not all that great. In a series of books written before World War II Ambler would typically take an unassuming, unsuspecting civilian and immerse him in a world of mystery and intrigue in pre-war Europe. In those books the `hero' would find himself facing danger at the hands of the German or Italian villains. Once the war ended Ambler's plots reflected a change in the world's political situation. The typical Ambler protagonist now found themselves at odd with other totalitarian forces such as the Soviet bloc such as in his "Judgment at Deltchev". In addition, Ambler broadened his geographic horizons and set some of his books in post-war Asia. In these instances the plot usually found itself centered on the intrigue that settled around the newly emerging nations of Asia as the old Europe ended its lingering colonial presence. "Passage at Arms" takes the reader on a "mystery tour" of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Written in 1959, "Passage at Arms" is a fine example of Ambler's work. The unassuming naif in this case is Greg Nilsen. Greg is a quintessential American tourist circa 1960. He is a solidly middle class businessman, the owner of a small manufacturing concern, who has managed to save up enough time and money to go on a lengthy cruise (on a cargo ship) with his wife Dorothy. Through a curious series of events, set up admirably by Ambler, Greg volunteers to act as a front man for the transportation and sale of a shipment of arms from Malaysia to Indonesia via the free trade zone of Singapore. As one expects in any Ambler book things do not quite go according to plan. The book can be broken down into three distinct parts. In the opening third of the book, Ambler sets the scene. He introduces us to most of the characters (apart from the Nilsen's), introduces the reader to the book's locales, and traces the provenance of the arms that form the basis of the plot. In the second third, we see how Greg Nilsen is baited into taking part in the transaction. Finally, the last third of the book takes Nilsen to a rebel camp in Indonesia where he hopes to receive his payment. It is here that the plot boils over and events race to a typically (for Ambler) provocative conclusion. Two of Ambler's strong points are his ability to set a scene and the strength of his characterizations. For example, Ambler's portrayal of the Indian plantation clerk, Girija Krishnan, living in Malaysia is excellent. Krishnan is the person who `finds' the arms in question. For Krishnan, the ability to sell the arms will facilitate his dream of buying a bus and starting a transport company. Ambler's character portrayals all `rang true' to me. I have now read and reviewed ten (10) of Ambler's books so it was no surprise to me that I enjoyed Passage at Arms. Ambler's work has held up remarkably well in my opinion and the story lines still seem fresh even though these books were all written between 50 and 70 years ago. I have very much enjoyed reading Ambler and have no hesitation in recommending Passage at Arms to any reader. Fans of Deighton, Furst, or LeCarre would, I think, be delighted with his books. L. Fleisig
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