An undercover mission beyond the Iron Curtain to recover a defected scientist goes disastrously wrong – a classic early Cold War thriller from the acclaimed master of action and suspense. Michael Reynolds was going insane … slowly but inevitably insane. And the most terrible part of it was that he knew it. Since the last forced injection, there had been nothing he could do about the relentless … relentless onset of this madness. The more he struggled to ignore the symptoms, the more acutely he became aware of them, the deeper into his mind dug those fiendish chemical claws that were tearing his mind apart…
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This is not so much a review of The Last Frontier as a review of the author, Alistair Maclean. As with all authors, some of his books were great and some not so great, but overall his books were interesting and entertaining and well worth taking a look at even today (2018). When Maclean was writing his books were anticipated much the same as those …
A long winded story and not exactly a page turner, unlike the rest of his stories
An early novel by Alissair MacLean that showcases his ability to create engaging characters and plausible plot lines while ratcheting up the tension until the final page.
Coming from a huge fan of Alistair McClean, this was not a great book. I couldn’t even finish it since it was plodding, boring, too wordy, and failed to keep my interest.
A very interesting look at how things were back in 1959. Especially compared to now.
Another good read from Alister McClean. He never disappoints.
Awful
One of his best. A true master of the craft
I’ve always loved his books but this one was so slow paced couldn’t get going with it
This is the book that turned me on to Alistair MacLean, all of whose books I own and love. His characters are very real and the stories are well researched and action packed!
Very Slow
Aside from the outright antisemitism expressed by the author, the rest of the book was sometimes exciting, mostly predictable. If you have seen the movies based on McClean’s books you will realize this book follows his usual formula; captured, rescued, captured, rescued, etc., etc., etc., etc. What amazed me was his blatant antisemitic …
Great characters and story. Makes a person examine their beliefs
Too much philosophy of author’s politics. Feel his own political beliefs were being promulgated rather than making it a action spy novel.
This book is not what I have come to expect from this author. Believe people who are expecting a book like many of his thrillers I have read will be disappointed.
Very slow moving and dense
Alistair MacLean fan, have them all in hardcover but boxed and stored. Found the Kindle version and decided to re-read after 40 years. Still an enjoyable read even though somewhat dated.
This is a great story from one of the fathers of geopolitical thrillers. Set in the early days of the Cold War, it walks the reader right into what it was like behind the Iron Curtain and the tensions between East and West.
Good book but author drifts off story into political commentary.
Classic fifties spy novel.