{"product_id":"ashenden-9798897181629","title":"Ashenden","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAshenden: Or the British Agent\u003c\/em\u003e (1928) is a \u003cstrong\u003espy novel\u003c\/strong\u003e by \u003cstrong\u003eW. Somerset Maugham\u003c\/strong\u003e that is often considered one of the first works of modern spy fiction. It's a semi-autobiographical account of Maugham's experiences as a British intelligence officer during \u003cstrong\u003eWorld War I\u003c\/strong\u003e. The book is a collection of loosely connected short stories, each focused on a different assignment or aspect of espionage, with the central character, \u003cstrong\u003eAshenden\u003c\/strong\u003e, serving as a stand-in for the author.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe novel follows \u003cstrong\u003eAshenden\u003c\/strong\u003e, a writer who is recruited by the British intelligence service (often called \"the Secret Service\" in the story) to serve as an undercover agent during World War I. His tasks take him across Europe, where he engages in espionage, sabotage, and deception. Ashenden is portrayed as a rather \u003cstrong\u003edetached\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003ecynical\u003c\/strong\u003e character, not particularly suited for the emotional turmoil or heroism of espionage, but rather a professional who carries out his orders with a sense of \u003cstrong\u003epragmatic duty\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe stories in \u003cem\u003eAshenden\u003c\/em\u003e explore the moral ambiguities of espionage, the nature of loyalty and betrayal, and the psychological toll that working in intelligence can have on an individual. Unlike many spy novels, Maugham's treatment is more \u003cstrong\u003ereflective\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003erealistic\u003c\/strong\u003e, emphasizing the complex, often mundane aspects of being a secret agent.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAshenden\u003c\/em\u003e is often cited as a significant precursor to later spy fiction and influenced writers such as \u003cstrong\u003eJohn le Carré\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eIan Fleming\u003c\/strong\u003e. Maugham's more nuanced, \u003cstrong\u003ehumanist approach\u003c\/strong\u003e to the genre set it apart from more conventional tales of espionage. The novel was also adapted into several films and a radio series.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Lushena Books\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 02\/03\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798897181629\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 216\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.07lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.75d","brand":"W Somerset Maugham","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51280835510453,"sku":"9798897181629","price":37.36,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_20a1f2d4-2b86-4dec-ba01-28d2803548ef.jpg?v=1751469303","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/ashenden-9798897181629","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}