Review by Nick Anning: An extraordinary and fascinating account of the operations of the German Cruiser and the crew of the Emden. From the beginning of World War I this book covers not only events leading to the sinking by H.M.S. Sydney but also the exploits of Lt. Von Mucke and the Cocos cable station landing party and Captain Lauterbach and the Singapore mutiny. The book is divided into three sections, the first covering in great detail the operations of the Emden until its demise during which time she had sunk seventeen British ships, a Russian cruiser and a French destroyer as well as bombarding Madras and attacking the Cable station at Cocos Island. Part 2 deals with Lt. Von Mucke and his landing party which the Emden was forced to leave behind, their adventures sailing across the Indian Ocean and their overland trek through Arabia finally managing to return to Germany. Shades of Captain Bligh! Finally the exploits of the larger than life Captain Lauterbach now a prisoner of war in Singapore, the ensuing mutiny by an Indian regiment guarding him and his escape back to Germany via the Pacific and the United States. “Triple Odyssey” deals with all these aspects in great detail with information supplied by descendants of the original Emden crew and German Archives to name but a few. Profusely illustrated with real photos including important characters in this account, maps of routes taken with detailed recreations of the engagement between the Emden and H.M.S. Sydney, crew lists right down to how many Chinese laundrymen were on board, ships cargo details, personal logs, accounts and letters, newspaper reports etc. The culmination of ten years research by Ted Proud has given us a detailed factual account with the feel of a great fictional adventure story, but its true, Five Stars! [While not philatelic, this book will be of interest to Cocos and military collectors and anyone who remembers “Boys Own Annual”]

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