Red Gold

By: Alan Furst

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 9 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times bestselling author Alan Furst pens evocative and urbane novels of World War II espionage. Focusing on the European theater, Furst writes about ordinary people struggling to cope with the chaos of the world around them.

In the autumn of 1941, as German tanks approach Moscow, Stalin issues a desperate order: all secret operatives behind enemy lines must strike no matter the cost. Into this fray comes Jean Casson—once a wealthy Parisian film producer, now penniless and wanted by the Gestapo.

But when the local police finally catch him, instead of handing him over to the brutal Germans, they direct him to an old military friend and a new job in the service of the newly resurrected French intelligence service.

Featuring the same flawed yet noble protagonist as The World at Night, Furst’s Red Gold exposes the raw humanity of men and women in a dark time.

©1999 Alan Furst (P)2005 Recorded Books

Critic reviews

"This innovative and gripping novel eloquently transports us back to a different era and a different world." (Amazon.com review)

another excellent example of the underground

I often hope to hear new elements of the French Underground during WW2 and find Mr Furst has knowledge of operations that are, if entirely made up, then very imaginative, and if they're historical, they show some real research. I like his characters and their attitudes which betray hints of noir and 'very french' indifference.

Guidall is the Richard Burton of readers

Furst writes great spy books. No, not 007, but everyday people who are drawn into a terrible mess. The Germans are here, or coming...
Can not be better than Alan Furst!

May be his best yet in this series.

Great characters, some new some familiar. Wonderful narration. Subtle and smart. Alan Furst captures the complexity of occupied Paris. Brilliant writing founded on impeccable research.

Another exceptional book, replete with both history and excitement

I am excited for the next installment of Jean Casson’s life in WW2 Paris.
As nasty and evil as the Nazis were, they could not have managed such murder and mayhem without the active and enthusiastic complicity of large segments of the populations whose countries they occupied. Because of France’s successful rewriting of WW2’s history, we tend to forget just how extensively the country collaborated with their German masters.
This book provides a window to this shameful episode in French history.

red gold

pretty good, was slow at times, narrator great, not sure of ending though, may try another of this author

WWII intrigue

Exceptional writing and perfect narrator. if you like historical intrigue, this is very believable and holds one's interest.

Not a good choice for one's first Furst

The author continues to do a remarkable job of vividly painting a portrait of war-torn Europe. However the storyline drags oh so slowly. Would not recommend this to the novice Alan Furst reader.

Soooo Depressing

Well, its about Nazi's crushing the human soul. I love George Guidall, but this story was depressing and kept on with a main character that had few redeeming qualities. For me, a very bad choice.

Terrific, as always

A bit hard to follow, several characters, several story lines but Furst is a master of spy-noir and his history is perfect. Guidall is a master. I'd listen to him read a phone book. Accents, voice levels, genders and nationalities are all spot-on.

Better than the last

I am not sure what I think about the main character. In the last book, I wouldn’t have minded if he had died. Which is distinctly different than how I felt about previous main characters. He seems to be a French Willy Loman, of sorts. Not fond of the ending in either this or the previous work. Nevertheless, I will persist with the next in the series.