1947 Green Mantle - John Buchan(Hodder & Stoughton)

Cream boards with red writing to spine. Map inside front endpapers good for year. 

Greenmantle is a novel written by John Buchan, first published in 1916. It is the second of Buchan’s five novels featuring Richard Hannay, a resourceful British spy and soldier. This book, like the others in the series, is a classic of adventure fiction and espionage.

Plot Summary:

Set during World War I, Greenmantle follows Richard Hannay on a dangerous mission behind enemy lines. The British government recruits him for a top-secret task: to investigate and prevent a rumored holy war, a jihad, that Germany and the Ottoman Empire are plotting to stir up among the Muslim population in the Middle East to destabilize the Allies.

Hannay is joined by three companions:

• Sandy Arbuthnot – a British aristocrat with deep knowledge of the Arab world and fluent in several languages.

• John Scantlebury Blenkiron – an American with a talent for business and espionage.

• Peter Pienaar – a South African scout and adventurer.

Their mission takes them across Europe, through Germany and the Ottoman Empire, as they try to uncover the mysterious figure called “Greenmantle,” who is said to be a religious leader capable of inspiring rebellion.

Themes:

• Espionage and Adventure: Like The Thirty-Nine Steps, the novel is filled with high-stakes adventures, including espionage, disguises, and thrilling escapes.

• Cultural and Political Intrigue: The novel touches on themes of colonialism, nationalism, and religious fervor. Buchan portrays the complex politics of the Middle East during World War I, mixing real history with fictional intrigue.

• Clash of Civilizations: The plot revolves around the possibility of a major conflict between the West and the Muslim world, with Germany trying to exploit this tension for its own gain.

Reception:

Greenmantle was well received at the time and remains one of Buchan’s most popular works. Although its portrayal of non-Western cultures reflects the attitudes of its era (with some views now considered outdated), it is praised for its fast-paced narrative and its depiction of the tension and uncertainty of wartime espionage.

If you liked The Thirty-Nine Steps, you’ll likely enjoy Greenmantle as it continues Richard Hannay’s journey in an even more complex and international arena.