John Murray Publishers Ltd Abducting a General: The Kreipe Operation and SOE in Crete

This is a bit like the Dirk Bogarde film, interesting but with little tension that would have been far more interesting. If this was a novel it would not be worth more than a couple of stars. As a description of a real life situation, it earns an extra star but the publishers had to fill in. That's not to denigrate the author who was a soldier and adventurer and not a writer.Check out Rick Stein's 'From Venice to Istanbul' book or TV film. He visits Patrick Leigh Fermor's home and office and has Patrick's favourite Moussaka recipé cooked for him by Elpida, Patrick's housekeeper.

PLF's account of his role in the abduction of a German General in Crete, made famous earlier by Billy Moss's account, ill Met by Moonlight.PLF was a famous author in his own right, and I think he was pressurised into writing his side of the abduction, but in facts there is no difference to the Moss account, except PLF places more appreciation on the role of the Cretan Partisan support.

Patrick Leigh Fermor and his SOE colleagues were, without doubt, brave and resourceful men who lived under the continual threat of betrayal and capture. The book reads like a report to his headquarters and in fact the second half is just that, being descriptions of his activities with the Cretan resistance.Only the first half of the book is about the kidnapping of the General. An interesting record of SOE operations but don't expect a "Where Eagles Dare" type of book.

Very interesting and amazing true story. Written as military notes which sonetimes makes it difficult to follow.

This book puts the meat on the bones of a story we have heard for years. It gives you the facts that made the operation work.