Passage of Arms

Rating:
Summary: An outstanding human drama.
Review: A humble but enterprising Indian clerk with the dream of owning a bus company accidentally finds out about an abandoned terrorist weapons cache. He carefully and painstakingly sets up their sale through a businessman in Singapore. In the sale process, an American couple on vacation get drawn into the affair, and end up on the firing line between Sumatran factions.

Ambler's characters are all beautifully drawn. They are presented, too, with a finely honed sense of humor, and deep understanding of human nature. The carefully constructed plot never ceases to turn, and each new episode is a fresh surprize and delight.

I particularly enjoyed the character of Girija Krishnan, who so loved the buses. And General Iskaq, with his pondering of just how to best shock and annoy the British and American consuls. And the Tan family politics. Etc., etc., etc.

This book was great fun, and beautifully well written.

Rating:
Summary: Eric Ambler-A Master of Time and Context
Review: Eric Ambler made his reputation writing thrillers set in the years immediately before and after the Second World War. He understood the true nature of facism and communism and Ambler placed his stories right in the center of the struggle between good and evil. Fortunately for us, Eric Ambler was able to move beyond the Second World War. During the 1950's, Ambler turned his gaze and considerable talents to the topic of decolonization. Through his stories, Ambler was able to keep current with the big stories and issues of the day.

A Passage of Arms was first published in 1959. Southesast Asia was going through difficult times. The French had been kicked out of Indochina and the Americans were just coming in. In Indonesia, tensions were growing between the Communists and Muslem nationalists. The English had just beaten back a Communist insurgency in Malaysia. This is the turbulent world encountered by two would-be American arms dealers who take a break from their cruise around the world.

At its essence, 'A Passage of Arms' is a business tale. We follow the passage of a cache of weapons as they travel from the jungles of Malaysia to the port city of Singapore. There are numerous side trips to Hong Kong, Manila and Indonesia. This novel offers great insights into the murky world of arms dealing.

Although, while not as sexy as some of his World War Two thrillers, in a 'Passage to Arms', Eric Ambler is at the top of his game. There is a reason why a novel written in 1959 is being reissued in 2004.

Rating:
Summary: Another Great Story from Eric Ambler
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed Passage of Arms. This is the fifth entertaining novel that I have read by Eric Ambler and I now understand why Len Deighton, Graham Greene, and John LeCarre give so much credit to Ambler for creating the modern espionage novel.

The plots are interesting and unpredictable. The settings are authentic, exotic, and vaguely threatening. But what I actually recall most about each story is a unique character, not always the protagonist, but occasionally someone in a lesser role.

In the first three chapters of A Coffin for Dimitrios the enigmatic Colonel Haki dominates the story, serves his role as a critical catalyst for the plot, and then quietly retires into the background. We again meet Colonel Haki briefly in Journey into Fear, but this time it is the lead character, Mr. Graham, a naval ordnance engineer, that is memorable, not for heroics, but for his ineffective and amateurish efforts to escape German agents intent on his assassination.

Arthur Abdel Simpson, as the protagonist in The Light of Day, is disagreeable, dishonest, and disreputable. He blames others for his failings, he cheats his clients, and he has served a short sentence for distributing pornographic material. Somehow, as Arthur becomes snared by one of his own schemes, I found myself concerned and sympathetic for his plight.

Possibly Eric Ambler's most complex character is Michael Howell in The Levanter. He is a wily businessman intent on sheltering his family's third generation business in Syria from ongoing nationalization efforts by the Baathist Party. Much of the story is told in a first person narrative by Howell. The reader must decide how much of Howell's account is trustworthy.

Colonel Haki, Mr. Graham, Arthur Abdel Simpson, and Michael Howell are now joined by a delightfully clever and ambitious Indian clerk, Girija Krishnan. Passage of Arms begins in the port city Kuala Pangkalan in Malaya, moves to Singapore, and then to Sumatra. It is the late 1950s and arms smuggling is a dangerous, high risk business, especially when amateurs become involved.

Like Colonel Haki, Girija Krishnan is not the lead character, but he is nonetheless absolutely essential to the story. His obsessive desire to purchase a passenger bus results in unpredictable, explosive events. The plot is intriguing and the Southeast Asia setting in the 1950s is exotic. But mainly, I cannot imagine ever forgetting the entrepreneurial Girija Krishnan.

If you are new to Eric Ambler, Passage of Arms is a great way to become acquainted with this master of espionage and suspense.

Rating:
Summary: Creating Wealth under Colonialism
Review: This is set in post-war colonial Malaysia. A band of terrorists were ambushed and killed near a rubber plantation. The tin mine nearby was long closed. The clerk Krishnan is looking to go into business as a bus owner; but he will need thousands of pounds in capital. Could he find a hidden treasure and profit from this experience? Chapter I tells what happened. Chapter II introduces Mr. Tan, owner of a shipping company, trucks and boats. He knows people and has connections. We meet the American front man in Chapter III, and his wife. Chapter IV tells how to securely handle a business deal: give a postdated check and a receipt for the goods, and receive a promissory note for the amount of the check. This should prevent a double-cross.

Chapter V describes tourist life in Singapore. A journalist wants to interview Greg Nilsen, and takes him to lunch. Chapter VI tells of the trip to Indonesia oil country, and a secret meeting. A problem arises. Greg & Dorothy interface with the Indonesian Government in Chapter VII. A raid on the prison occurs in Chapter VIII; Greg and Dorothy are freed as hostages are exchanged. Greg asks advice from Colonel Soames in Chapter IX, and Greg's deal is finalized. Chapter X has a somewhat happy ending for the principals. A new public transport company is started, and Krishnan is the partner-manager.

This novel weaves historical facts into an amusing and entertaining story. The moral is that tourists on vacation should not meddle in another country's business or politics.