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Summary: A gripping plot, an interesting array of diverse characters
Review: The author wrote the book in such a way that even though it is known that Churchill saw the end of the war without being kidnapped by the Germans, the readers can be caught up in the development and forget that. Even right to the very end, the possibility that the Germans could have succeeded in real life was hinted without stretching credibility.The introduction of characters were done in a very orderly and logical manner, unlike other books which pop them out of the blues before tying the characters into the plot together. What is more remarkable is the recognition that regardless of nationalities, everyone is human (except for Steiner who's almost perfect). Not everyone from the Allies is good, nor is every German or Irish bad.
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Summary: Diversity of characters make an interesting story
Review: Unlike some other books, this one presented the characters in a logical order, not cluttering up their backgrounds or popping them out of the blue before tying them to the story. The tale is credible, the characters likable, including the Germans, the Irish, and even Preston could be too if more work had been put into it. It may be hard to accept traditional enemies as being humans and even honourable but that is how life is. As practically everyone knows that Churchill lived to see the end of the war, it was not a real issue whether the Germans succeeded but the Higgins wove the tale in such an absorbing way that the reader actually forgets that and think it really could have been pulled off. In fact, the last part of the book hinted that it could have as easily really happened, that the team succeeded.
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Summary: Higgins' Moral Agenda Rotten to the Core
Review: Spending the vast majority of my reading time pouring over ancient scholarly texts, I read very few novels. This one was around and I happened to pick it up. What Higgins either doesn't understand, or perhaps intentionally chooses to ignore is the fact that Nazis were monsters. Those in the SS and other branches of Hitler's service who murdered innocent people with their hands require no further elaboration for one to draw this conclusion. But the fact is, those in the Wermacht were not much better. Any sane and moral German during WWII had the absolute obligation to refuse to fight at Hitler's bidding. Even those who claimed ignorance of the death camps, were most certainly familiar with the six years of blatant anti-Semitic decrees that began in 1933 and with the fact that all their Jewish neighbors were being arrested and hauled away without any cause. No Mr. Higgins, it is stupid and blasphemous to portray Nazis who would carry out such a specifically Nazi covert mission (to murder the righteous Churchill) yet at the same time to sympathize with the Jews who were being persecuted by the same Hitler, whom Churchill was avid to destroy. Higgins blatantly advances his agenda by portraying the cutthroat Irish terrorist of similarly romantic character. I would imagine Mr. Higgins is of Irish extraction and thus sympathizes with the scum of Ulster who blow up women and children. Surely Higgins took pleasure in deigning to a plot that would snuff out the life of the English Prime Minister. And even though at the last moment the Nazi desists, Higgins intentions of making the reader sympathize with the Nazi has succeeded. Take a cue from Clancy (I don't know his background) in Patriot Games (which happens to be a lousy book) whose hero is of Irish extraction, yet treats a spade as a spade when it come to the detestable IRA.
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Summary: Makes the Bad guys look Good!
Review: How many writers do you know who can do that? Throughout the story, I was on the side of the Germans. Not exactly Germans, but this particular German team. Marvellous. I also recommend Thunderpoint by this author.
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Summary: This Eagle Takes Flight
Review: 'The Eagle Has Landed' is Jack Higgins' first novel and it's easily one of the best WWII novels I've ever read. Higgins' masterwork is the daring tale of a German plot to kidnap Winston Churchill from a coastal English town. The story is fast paced and the characters are well drawn. Paticularly facinating is Higgins' depiction of Heinrich Himmler. A wonderful story in the tradition of 'The Day of the Jackal."
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Summary: The Eagle has Landed
Review: One of the most original plots ever written. The story twists and turns like a roller coaster, grabbing you from the first instant and not letting go until long after the last page has been closed. It is not often that a book has the reader rooting for the bad guys, espaicially when you consider what the aim of the mission is, but the main lead in the book, Kurt Steiner has a certain devil may care attitude to authority, but also a deep sense of loyalty and fair play, no matter what is thrown at him and the men he controls. Rather than love this man one gains a remarkable sense of respect for him. He is offset perfectly by his able and uncontrolable ally, IRA gun for hire, Leam Devlin. A gun toting, Shakespeare quoting rogue with an irrepresible charm that has we mere mortals closing our eyes and, just for one moment picturing ourselves in the book. If you only read one Jack Higgins book, it should be this one.
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Summary: I enjoy Clancy, Crichton, Cornwell, etc. and this was GREAT
Review: I've had a tough time finding fiction of this period that I like and this DEFINITELY fit the bill. READ THIS BOOK!
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Summary: Classic WW2 suspense novel
Review: The Eagle Has Landed is probably Jack Higgins best work. For almost fifteen years prior to this novels publication in 75 he had been turning out potboilers that took place among the London mob, the IRA, the Sicilian mafia, ex-Nazis hiding in South America. His books were solid, enertaining, and rather forgettable. But with Eagle Higgins found his stride. It's a classic WW2 suspense novel which takes all the cliches and combines them to make a rather fresh and exciting work. You actually find yourself hoping the German commandos pull it off. The book raised a few eyebrows when it came out because it was written predominately from the German point of view and the Germans were - for the most part - portrayed positively. I've read the book several times over the past sixteen years and have viewed the movie - also well done - several times as well. It moves quickly and is very engrossing. Unfortunly Eagle was Higgins high point - one which he has been working hard to recover ever since. His following books have been allright reading but he's never approached the quality of The Eagle Has Landed. If you're new to his work start off with Eagle and then try Storm Warning. After those two you're on your own. Eagle is excellent though.
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Summary: The best book I've read in years
Review: This was a thrilling book of espionage and secrecy. The way the book is written page by page is masterful. Jack Higgins is an awesome writer with his new book the FLIGHT OF EAGLES. The book was a great book. I couldnt put it down. I loved this book from Cover to the last page and I believe u will to.
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Summary: Without a doubt! The Best War Story Ever Written!
Review: "The Eagle Has Landed" represents Jack Higgins at the zenith of his writing career. It is the best book he ever wrote. The characters are real and what is particularly refreshing is that this is one of few novels that showed that not all German soldiers were morally vacuous Nazis. One of the characters, Kurt Steiner, is the larger than life, man of honor that is written convincingly. What is surprising is that the sequel ("The Eagle Has Flown")to this novel is also a success. I am not a fan of war novels, but this tale transcends the genre. Give it a try! You wont be disappointed.
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