The 39 Steps

Written more than a hundred years ago, the suspenseful plot, the language, and the rapid sequence of events make of this wonderful novel a seminal in the man-on-the-run genre. There's plotting, there's spying, murders, secret organizations, and big evil schemes. The First of Richard Hannay's adventures places this gentleman in a big messy situation he did not ask for. The whole thing can be read as the growing tension prior to the first World War, but can also give some insight on human behavior under strenuous circumstances. To read for fun is really fun! But to let such bits of very interesting data go to waste without making use of them is a little frustrating. Therefore, let us do both with Mr. Hannay's tale and read fiction as if it wasn't just fiction. In that case what could the novel teach us?1. Do the right things.. Only you know and determine what they are. 2. Be brave but not reckless. 3. Never despair; there's always hope. 4. Don't trust yourself with other people. (I am not saying they are bad or less able than yourself, but you have a brain of your own! use it, and seek your own advice!)