39 STEPS

Written by John Buchan in 1915, The 39 Steps introduced Richard Hannay, the colonial who combined a pionering resourcefulness with the manners of a gentleman. Composed to amuse the boys in the trenches, Orson Welles characterises it as a "tall and shamelessly exciting spy story". It set the standard by which later spy stories would come to be judged in terms of fast moving action, blood chilling villains and high concept motivation.