Aristocratic Brits perform feats of derring-do in a small Continental kingdom! And all for the fun and sport of it! Well, that's not quite all of it. Regardless, a good read to take one's mind briefly off a global pandemic. ( )

I did not enjoy this novel for I found it much too convoluted. In the story, the Republican Government of Evallonia is facing challenges from the old monarchists and a youth movement called the Juventus. Our hero, John Gault and his mentor, Dickson McCunn, characters with which the reader of earlier Buchan novels will be familiar, reluctantly become involved in this political nightmare.

Eventually they help all decide the monarchy under King John is the best form of government. Remember that the novel was written by a Brit shortly after WW I.

An interesting side note is Buchan mentions Hitler and his ideas on government. Later he has characters expand on how youth will not allow the old guard to mess up the world and especially Europe again. ( )

The final adventure of Dickson McCunn and the Gorbal Die-Hards.....an easy fun read....especially since i just completed the previous book in this series prior to reading this......something i would highly recommend, since there are steady references to the 2 prior books with little context that would have left me somewhat lost had i not had those fresh in my mind. Buchan's books are full of very unrealistic coincidences from start to finish, but i got over it pretty quickly and still enjoyed the ride. This book chronicles the methodology of a bloodless patriotic coup that might be helpful today around the world! ( )