Blood of Victory
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “[Furst] glides gracefully into an urbane pre–World War II Europe and describes that milieu with superb precision.” —Janet Maslin, The New York Times
In the autumn of 1940, Russian émigré journalist I. A. Serebin is recruited in Istanbul by an agent of the British secret services for a clandestine operation to stop German importation of Romanian oil—a last desperate attempt to block Hitler’s conquest of Europe. Serebin’s race against time begins in Bucharest and leads him to Paris, the Black Sea, Beirut, and, finally, Belgrade; his task is to attack the oil barges that fuel German tanks and airplanes. Blood of Victory is a novel with the heart-pounding suspense, extraordinary historical accuracy, and narrative immediacy we have come to expect from Alan Furst.
Praise for Blood of Victory
“Densely atmospheric and genuinely romantic, the novel is most reminiscent of the Hollywood films of the forties, when moral choices were rendered not in black-and-white but in smoky shades of gray.”—The New Yorker
“Furst’s achievement is a moral one, producing a powerful testament to fiction’s ability to re-create the experience of others, and why it is so deeply important to do so.” —Neil Gordon, The New York Times Book Review
“Richly atmospheric and satisfying.” —Deirdre Donahue, USA Today
Alan Furst
Alan Furst is a renowned American author celebrated for his contributions to the genre of historical espionage fiction, particularly during the 1990s and into the 21st century. His novels are predominantly set in Europe before and during World War II, creating a rich atmosphere that intertwines thrilling plots with historical detail. Furst's writing is characterized by a focus on complex characters, often depicting protagonists who are involved with communism or who navigate the intricacies of ideological struggles in a time of great political upheaval.
Born in 1941 in New York City, Furst’s background includes a solid education in English literature and a significant period living in France, which greatly influenced his literary style and thematic choices. His acclaimed series, beginning with *Night Soldiers* (1988), marked a shift in espionage fiction, emphasizing psychological depth and the moral dilemmas faced by individuals caught in the tumult of war.
Night Soldiers
Night Soldiers consists of fourteen books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
