Graham Greene (1904-1991) was one of the most-accomplished British writers of the 20th Century, during which he wrote novels, essays, drama, short stories, travel journals, screenplays, and "entertainments"; "Confidential Agent" is one of the latter, and one of his best stories. The protagonist is a middle-aged literature professor now a depressed and exhausted civil servant of a government involved in civil war; he is sent to Britain to purchase coal; his mission turns into a personal defense of his physical safety. A likeable character, a compelling story. Source of the 1945 movie with Charles Boyer and Lauren Bacall (and Peter Lorre). THIS COPY IS HARDCOVER, NOT paperback despite PBS' label.

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A classic!

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Graham Greene (1904-1991) was one of the most-accomplished British writers of the 20th Century, during which he wrote novels, essays, drama, short stories, travel journals, screenplays, and "entertainments"; "Confidential Agent" is one of the latter, and one of his best stories. The protagonist is a middle-aged literature professor now a depressed and exhausted civil servant of a government involved in civil war; he is sent to Britain to purchase coal; his mission turns into a personal defense of his physical safety. A likeable character, a compelling story. Source of the 1945 movie with Charles Boyer and Lauren Bacall (and Peter Lorre). This copy is hardcover.

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