Τα παιδιά της δόξας

by Gerald Seymour, Ερρίκος Μπαρτζινόπουλος (Translator)

THE TARGET: Israel's leading nuclear scientist, giving a lecture in London.
THE ASSASSIN: A Palestinian terrorist, the lone survivor of a three-man hit squad ambushed by Israeli Intelligence in France while on their way to London.
THE MERCENARY: Ciaran McCoy, formerly of the IRA, and The Assassin's only contact in London.
THE MAVERICK: Jimmy, an alcoholic, over-the-hill MI5 agent assigned to protect the Israeli scientist. Jimmy is arguably the most dangerous of the lot, but only when sober. Will he be able to prevent a brutal killing?

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Espionage, Novels

343 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 2, 1976

About the author

Gerald Seymour (born 25 November 1941 in Guildford, Surrey) is a British writer.

The son of two literary figures, he was educated at Kelly College at Tavistock in Devon and took a BA Hons degree in Modern History at University College London. Initially a journalist, he joined ITN in 1963, covering such topics as the Great Train Robbery, Vietnam, Ireland, the Munich Olympics massacre, Germany's Red Army, Italy's Red Brigades and Palestinian militant groups. His first book, Harry's Game, was published in 1975, and Seymour then became a full-time novelist, living in the West Country. In 1999, he featured in the Oscar-winning television film, One Day in September, which portrayed the Munich Olympics massacre.
Television adaptations have been made of his books Harry's Game, The Glory Boys, The Contract, Red Fox, Field Of Blood, A Line In The Sand and The Waiting Time.

Reviews

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was just okay for me; it's a bit before my time, so, a lot of it was lost on me.

[Nik Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gerald Seymour’s The Glory Boys, published in 1976, was his second novel and is sadly still topical today. The Palestine Liberation Organisation has despatched three men to London to kill David Sokarev, an Israeli nuclear scientist who is visiting to give a lecture. The PLO’s purpose is to make a statement and instil fear. Two of the men are intercepted by Israeli Intelligence; only one, Abd-El-Famy, escapes.

Famy is untried but determined to continue with the assassination attempt: ‘... his enemy, tired now, outdated, unable to compete in the new and modern world that he was seeking, unable to comprehend the hitting power of the Palestinian movement, unable to defend itself against the new philosophy of revolution and attack’ (p67).

As planned, Famy obtains the assistance of McCoy, a Provisional IRA killer, who is to supply the weapons.

Alerted that there was a third PLO man hell-bent on assassination, the Security Service attempts to locate the Arab before he can fulfil his mission, and surprisingly they use an old drunk, Jimmy, as the trigger-man; indeed, he may like his tipple too much, but he was a damned good shot and a cold-blooded experienced killer.

A tense man-hunt is under way, involving several innocent women as well.

Even though the world has moved on since this book was written, becoming more hi-tech, there’s no denying the narrative power of Seymour’s story. As ever, he gets into the skin of the protagonists and it reads like it really happened and it still grips the reader.

[Nigel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent thriller. It had a simple, clear plot with a small group of key characters, which enables the reader to become immersed in the chase rather than having to constantly re-assess a long list of characters /intricate plot lines.
Three Arab terrorist set out with the intention of assassinating an Israeli nuclear scientist when he is on a visit to England to give a lecture. The Arab's are to be assisted with logistic support when in England by the IRA in return for access to weapons. The story is told from alternating points of view, that of the terrorists and the security service who are intent to stop the plan.
The story shows clearly why it is difficult to always stop terror attacks, the authorities know the basics of the plot but no real details of exactly when and where and even when furnished with descriptions it's still a big ask for all the forces of law enforcement to find specific individuals within a large city, especially when the individuals are keep a low profile. Who will come out on top?

[George K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Τα παιδιά της δόξας", εκδόσεις Καρρέ.

Στόχος: Ένας κορυφαίος Ισραηλινός πυρηνικός επιστήμονας που θα δώσει μια διάλεξη σε συνέδριο στο Λονδίνο. Εκτελεστής: Ένας νεαρός Παλαιστίνιος, εκπαιδευμένος αλλά αδοκίμαστος στο παιχνίδι της διεθνούς τρομοκρατίας. Μισθοφόρος: Ένας νεαρός αλλά εξαιρετικά έμπειρος μαχητής του IRA, που θα βοηθήσει τον Παλαιστίνιο για να εξασφαλίσει ένα φορτίο όπλων για την οργάνωσή του. Διώκτης: Ένας αδυσώπητος πράκτορας της Βρετανικής Αντικατασκοπίας, με πρόβλημα αλκοολισμού. Όταν είναι νηφάλιος, δεν έχει αντίπαλο. Τι θα γίνει τελικά; Ο Ισραηλινός επιστήμονας, παιχνίδι στα χέρια των επίδοξων δολοφόνων του αλλά και αυτών που τάχα θέλουν την ασφάλειά του, θα καταφέρει στο τέλος να επιζήσει; Αυτό είναι το δεύτερο βιβλίο του Σέιμουρ που διαβάζω, μετά το πολύ καλό "Το συμβόλαιο" που διάβασα τον Αύγουστο του 2015, και πρόκειται για ένα πολύ καλογραμμένο και οξυδερκές περιπετειώδες θρίλερ, με γρήγορους ρυθμούς, κάμποση δράση, αμείωτη ένταση και ένα αρκετά κυνικό φινάλε, που αναδεικνύει τον κόσμο της διεθνούς τρομοκρατίας και των υπηρεσιών ασφαλείας σε όλη τους την ασχήμια. Πρόκειται για ένα θρίλερ με συγκεκριμένη και ξεκάθαρη πλοκή, χωρίς φιοριτούρες και άχρηστες λεπτομέρειες, με λειτουργικούς χαρακτήρες που έχουν διακριτά κίνητρα, με εξαιρετική ατμόσφαιρα που διαθέτει νεύρο. Μιλάμε για ένα προϊόν της δεκαετίας του '70, που όμως διαβάζεται εξαιρετικά ευχάριστα και με ενδιαφέρον ακόμα και σήμερα, με όλα αυτά τα καταιγιστικά και εν πολλοίς μη ρεαλιστικά θρίλερ που μας έχουν κατακλύσει. Ο Τζέραλντ Σέιμουρ έχει γράψει πάνω από τριάντα πέντε μυθιστορήματα (το πλέον γνωστό του είναι το κλασικό στο είδος του "Harry's Game"), αλλά δυστυχώς μόλις τρία έχουν μεταφραστεί στα ελληνικά. Και λέω δυστυχώς, γιατί πρόκειται για μια πολύ καλή και ιδιαίτερη περίπτωση στον χώρο των πολιτικών και κατασκοπευτικών περιπετειών. Στα αδιάβαστα έχω άλλο ένα του βιβλίο, το "Η κόκκινη αλεπού". Και μετά πάπαλα. Αλλά τι να κάνεις;

[Jonathan Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seymour’s second book dials up the volume on the Arab-Israeli conflict and one man’s search for redemption. Actually make that two - Famy the Arab and Jimmy No Surname. Strong ending and the final chapter with its furnace bright eyes stands out with the ironic final twist and the conveyor belt of terrorism. Enjoyed it.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal & believable tale of The Troubles. Seymour's characters are precise, committed to their environs and beliefs. The story is told with intelligence, experience and compassion. Don't miss this author!

[Caroline Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rip roaring book about a plot to kill an Israeli scientist. Was also made into a miniseries starring Anthony Perkins and Rod Steiger. Did not stop from beginning to end. Will definitely read this author again.

[Busyknitter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pedestrian thriller, written in 1976, shows its age.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1978. Satisfying thriller.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gerald Seymour has a strong writing style that is appealing but this novel really needed some kind of subplot. The story is quite straight forward and predictable.

[Bent Andreassen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in Norwegian (title: Operasjon hat)
3 til 3 1/2 stjerne

[Jim Greene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated but still exciting thriller about a terrorist sent to assassinate an Israeli nuclear scientist. Poor title, great book.

[Craig Schlossin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, a little dated, kept my interest.

[Keith Barraclough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow starter but really enjoyed the fast paced second half great thriller.

[C.A. A. Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Good fast-paced thriller set in the UK. A PLO terrorist is sent on a mission to kill an Israeli scientist who is going to give a lecture in London. The PLO member is to liaise with an IRA terrorist who will aid him in the execution of his mission. MI5 and Mossad know of the plot and must work together to eliminate the culprits before they can assassinate the Israeli target. If you enjoy fast-paced 1980s style espionage then is worth reading.

[Lynette Barfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really do like this author. Even though this was an old book, it dealt with events that are still current. The characters were realistic and believable. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Christian Rodska. He very easily slipped from arab accents to British to excellent Irish accents. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys thrillers.

[Barry Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-one sets a scene better than Gerald Seymour. You can feel the tension, the adrenalin, the emotions of the players. Things have moved on since this was written, security is tighter, procedures written. But this is how it was in 1976. A master thriller writer at the beginning of his game!

[James F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

One more novel from my library that I devoted time for a second read.

The pivotal characters of the story created in my mind a vision of James Bond taken off steroids. The events created by the author seemed credible and very much in the realm of possibility.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this author. This one, a terrorist plot....dedicated on both sides of the issue.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Glory Boys by Gerald Seymour. RDC-M V 1 1977, 2/78.

[Victor Borgeest]

did not read this book was taken in by the synopsis its a very old book that in this day and age 2017 is outdated

[Jack Heath]

Synopsis: an Israeli scientist in London is targeted by Palestinian terrorists. An alcoholic, past-his-prime, MI5 agent gets the assignment.