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Churchill's Gold
In 1941, before America entered the war, the last of Britain's dwindling gold reserves are held in South Africa. It has to be moved to America to pay Roosevelt's `cash and carry' bills. The German High Command learn of British shipping plans and resolve to stop it or capture it.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
James Follett
49 books39 followersJames Follett (not "Follet") was an author and screenwriter, born in 1939 in Tolworth, England.
Follett became a full-time fiction writer in 1976, after resigning from contract work as a technical writer for the British Ministry of Defence. He has wrote over 20 novels, several television scripts (including episodes of the BBC's Blake's 7), and many radio dramas. Follett was one of the 400 most popular British authors, measured by the numbers of books borrowed from public libraries in the UK, having spent 11 years in the public lending right's top two bands of authors.
Follett became a full-time fiction writer in 1976, after resigning from contract work as a technical writer for the British Ministry of Defence. He has wrote over 20 novels, several television scripts (including episodes of the BBC's Blake's 7), and many radio dramas. Follett was one of the 400 most popular British authors, measured by the numbers of books borrowed from public libraries in the UK, having spent 11 years in the public lending right's top two bands of authors.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
June 16, 2019
Dreadful novel.
High-school quality writing, full of hundreds of typos, hackneyed phrasing, and shallow characters. Amazon should know better than promote this trash!!
High-school quality writing, full of hundreds of typos, hackneyed phrasing, and shallow characters. Amazon should know better than promote this trash!!
March 20, 2025
America are not yet involved in the war, Lend Lease is yet to be enacted and Britain needs to find a way to pay for arms and good supplied as part of the Cash n’ Carry bill. Gold is running out – if Britain cannot pay, the war will be over, and the Nazis will rule Europe unchallenged.
The last of Britain’s gold reserves are in South Africa, but they are needed half a world away. Robert Garrard is the captain of Tulsar, a modern whaler. It’s availability and speed makes it the perfect ship and Garrard is recruited by Ralph Holden, a Treasury Secretary with plenty of money, to move the gold. However, the German High Command get wind of the plan to move the gold. Realising how desperately Britain needs the gold, plans are put in place to ensure it does not arrive…
This is an excellent, short adventure, largely set at sea. Jo Britten, a young American woman keen to get home arguably steals the show from Garrard, Holden and the crew of the Tulsar. There are a few twists and turns (somewhat expected tbh), but it is a fun read.
I would say the formatting is terrible – the paragraphs and sentences start and end wherever they feel happy. Quite a lot of spelling mistakes too, which I assume are autocorrect/upload errors. I have not taken a star off, but it is a bit annoying.
The last of Britain’s gold reserves are in South Africa, but they are needed half a world away. Robert Garrard is the captain of Tulsar, a modern whaler. It’s availability and speed makes it the perfect ship and Garrard is recruited by Ralph Holden, a Treasury Secretary with plenty of money, to move the gold. However, the German High Command get wind of the plan to move the gold. Realising how desperately Britain needs the gold, plans are put in place to ensure it does not arrive…
This is an excellent, short adventure, largely set at sea. Jo Britten, a young American woman keen to get home arguably steals the show from Garrard, Holden and the crew of the Tulsar. There are a few twists and turns (somewhat expected tbh), but it is a fun read.
I would say the formatting is terrible – the paragraphs and sentences start and end wherever they feel happy. Quite a lot of spelling mistakes too, which I assume are autocorrect/upload errors. I have not taken a star off, but it is a bit annoying.
March 2, 2020
Intense Suspense Builds
From the very beginning this book grabbed by interest. It engaged my curiously and never let go. The intensity continued to build throughout the book. Characters required redefining as the plot developed. This is an intense book with challenging characters. I think it would make an excellent movie.
From the very beginning this book grabbed by interest. It engaged my curiously and never let go. The intensity continued to build throughout the book. Characters required redefining as the plot developed. This is an intense book with challenging characters. I think it would make an excellent movie.
July 2, 2020
Whaling on the High Seas at end of WWII
I've always enjoyed stories by James Follett. The story takes place on the high seas toward the end of "whale hunters" allowed before endangered species became something to care for. I only took away 1 star because of the multitude of characters that were hard to keep track of such as names, jobs, are they good guys or bad guys.
I've always enjoyed stories by James Follett. The story takes place on the high seas toward the end of "whale hunters" allowed before endangered species became something to care for. I only took away 1 star because of the multitude of characters that were hard to keep track of such as names, jobs, are they good guys or bad guys.
February 22, 2018
Excellent derring-do WWll novel.
Holds your interest with excellent suspense. Ending was completely surprising. Adds to Folletts extensive bibliography of good reads.
Wholeheartedly reccommend it to others.
Holds your interest with excellent suspense. Ending was completely surprising. Adds to Folletts extensive bibliography of good reads.
Wholeheartedly reccommend it to others.
June 6, 2019
Intriguing World War II spy story.
Historical fiction. Suspenseful, fast paced story. Surprise ending. Would recommend to anyone who wants an additional thread of how our victory over the Germans unfolded
Historical fiction. Suspenseful, fast paced story. Surprise ending. Would recommend to anyone who wants an additional thread of how our victory over the Germans unfolded
June 23, 2019
I love Ken Follett. I love ww2 books and this is no
All his books are easy to read and filled with adventure and deception . This black book has all the adventure and deception along with a highly believable story line. I love. ww2 stories and this is excellent
All his books are easy to read and filled with adventure and deception . This black book has all the adventure and deception along with a highly believable story line. I love. ww2 stories and this is excellent
July 11, 2019
An intriguing war story with all the elements of double crossing,secret agents and lengthy battles. There is even a hint of romance and the lure of gold. Is this the real story behind the sinking of the Bismark? You decide.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2020
Chuchill's Gold
What a book! Never what you anticipate. Twists and turns every chapter. I was thoroughly impressed with James Follett's Churchill's Gold. Mr. Follett knows how to tell a story. Anyone would enjoy thus book!
What a book! Never what you anticipate. Twists and turns every chapter. I was thoroughly impressed with James Follett's Churchill's Gold. Mr. Follett knows how to tell a story. Anyone would enjoy thus book!
August 1, 2022
Classic James, although all-the-more so after his death of course. A giant of a man, this was one of only 3 of his books I have yet to read
Vintage WWII stuff here, with a lot of naval work and considerably less character detail than I'd come to expect. Still very much enjoyed.
Vintage WWII stuff here, with a lot of naval work and considerably less character detail than I'd come to expect. Still very much enjoyed.
March 23, 2018
Excellent WWII action based on a supposedly true story (that almost sounded to incredible to be believed). Reminded me a bit of Brian Freemantle, a master of this type of action/caper story.
June 21, 2019
Another great read from the master.
Another great read from from my favorite author. All his books are so different yet great to read. All involve actual facts..
Another great read from from my favorite author. All his books are so different yet great to read. All involve actual facts..
July 7, 2019
Brilliant
Supposedly fiction but possibly based on fact.
An enthralling read with that element of tension that keeps you gripped right to the very end.
Supposedly fiction but possibly based on fact.
An enthralling read with that element of tension that keeps you gripped right to the very end.
July 10, 2019
A really gripping story...
...with a twist at the end. My first experience of James Follett, and I've just started on another! Thoroughly recommended.
...with a twist at the end. My first experience of James Follett, and I've just started on another! Thoroughly recommended.
September 2, 2019
A Golden Mystery
An excellent read. I thought this mystery was well constructed and kept me guessing until the very end. It was fast moving and not boring.
An excellent read. I thought this mystery was well constructed and kept me guessing until the very end. It was fast moving and not boring.
November 18, 2019
This was a page turner but
There were a couple of things that stretched credibility if you stop to think about it. Good read if you can ignore the plausibilities.
There were a couple of things that stretched credibility if you stop to think about it. Good read if you can ignore the plausibilities.
March 3, 2020
Good Read
I really enjoyed reading this book. Was home sick wanted something easy to read and adventurous too. Was everything I expected.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Was home sick wanted something easy to read and adventurous too. Was everything I expected.
March 12, 2020
Really Good Story- Poor Editing
Misspelled words. Omitted words. Crappy type. Despite the preface bragging on the editing, it was as piss poor as I’ve seen
Misspelled words. Omitted words. Crappy type. Despite the preface bragging on the editing, it was as piss poor as I’ve seen
March 14, 2020
A Good Sea Yarn
Good characters, plot twists, and suspenseful action will keep you turning the pages in this entertaining story of sailors and spies.
Good characters, plot twists, and suspenseful action will keep you turning the pages in this entertaining story of sailors and spies.
March 19, 2020
Good book, interesante
Keeps you reading, for about tree days it was my best time between meals and naps, my last session till about 2am.
Keeps you reading, for about tree days it was my best time between meals and naps, my last session till about 2am.
March 31, 2020
Sort of a pot boiler, but fun to read. If you want something distracting and easy to pick up this is the book for you. Twisting and turning plot, rather shallow characters, bu still fun.
April 15, 2020
Captivating
Interesting and imaginative. The plot draws you in and was hard to put down. I would definitely recommend this book.
Interesting and imaginative. The plot draws you in and was hard to put down. I would definitely recommend this book.
April 24, 2020
Did not finish. Disturbing story - great first half but lost me in the second half. Creepy.
August 12, 2020
saw the plot, missed the no romance
January 28, 2022
Loved this one!
Fast moving WWII tale I truly enjoyed. Kept me engaged with lots of twists and turns. I loved this tale.
Fast moving WWII tale I truly enjoyed. Kept me engaged with lots of twists and turns. I loved this tale.
March 9, 2023
This is an older book but well worth reading.
This is a book that takes place during World War II.
There is a great plot twist, a love interest and action throughout.
This is a book that takes place during World War II.
There is a great plot twist, a love interest and action throughout.
August 2, 2023
3.5* actually
June 22, 2019
Short and Sweet
A quick read that might be a good fit for someone exploring historical fiction.
A quick read that might be a good fit for someone exploring historical fiction.
May 6, 2020
This was disappointing. Where in the heck was the editor on this one? Full of typos and sophomoric writing, like he just kind of tossed it off. Characters were shallow, plot was obvious, and way too much technical jargon.
March 28, 2016
Don't really know the relationship between Ken and James, both with the surname Follett. However, this one by James is a cracker of a story, fast paced and full of suspense. It could match the finest run and chase fiction by the other Follett. The story revolves around gold and two chief protagonists, Gerrard and Milland, one time colleagues and now rivals. The chase is by the infamous U-boat and it is in hot pursuit of a re-fitted Whaler Ship that is supposedly carrying passengers and "Churchill's gold" that could make or break the British during the trying period of the Second World when Britain was confronting the might of the Germans single-handedly. The book keeps you riveted till it reaches climax in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean as the journey is marked by murders and deceit. The suspense doesn't get revealed even when the battle is won. It gets revealed much later.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews