In an era not unlike our own, in which menacing acts have become commonplace, Russian spymaster Vladimir seeks to undermine England's "sentimental regard for liberty." His challenge is how to rouse the indignation of a population that has sunk into existential indifference under the weight of material comfort, physical security, emotional routine, and intellectual conformity. In The Secret Agent, Conrad explores the confused motives of political terrorists through penetrating psychological insights, building suspense from page to page in a brilliant precursor to modern thrillers.