The New York Times insists that it is "the most brilliant novelistic study of terrorism". The Pequod called the book “one of Joseph Conrad's best books,” and rated the book a 9.5 out of 10.0.” In a 2016 review, The National Review said the book “may be the first great novel of global terrorism.” Influence on Ted KaczynskiThe Secret Agent influenced the Unabomber—Ted Kaczynski; he was a great fan and as an adolescent kept a copy at his bedside. He identified strongly with the character of "The Professor" and advised his family to read The Secret Agent to understand the character with whom he felt such an affinity. David Foster, the literary attributionist who assisted the FBI, said that Kaczynski "seem[ed] to have felt that his family could not understand him without reading Conrad". Kaczynski's idolisation of the character was due to the traits that they shared: disaffection, hostility toward the world, and being an aspiring anarchist. However, it did not stop at mere idolisation. Kaczynski used "The Professor" as a source of inspiration, and "fabricated sixteen exploding packages that detonated in various locations". After his capture, Kaczynski revealed to FBI agents that he had read the novel a dozen times, and had sometimes used "Conrad" as an alias. It was discovered that Kaczynski had used various formulations of Conrad's name – Conrad, Konrad, and Korzeniowski, Conrad's original surname – to sign himself into several hotels in Sacramento. As in his youth, Kaczynski retained a copy of The Secret Agent, and kept it with him while living as a recluse in a hut in Montana. Adaptations Film 1936, UK, retitled Sabotage, directed by Alfred Hitchcock, starring Oscar Homolka, Sylvia Sidney and John Loder. This version departs considerably from the novel. 1996, UK film starring Bob Hoskins, Patricia Arquette, Gérard Depardieu, Robin Williams and Christian Bale. Television 1957, Canada, part of the Folio anthology series. 1957, UK, part of the ITV Play of the Week anthology series. 1959, Canada, part of the Ford Startime anthology series. 1967, UK BBC, in two episodes.IMDb: The Secret Agent (1967)BBC Genome: The Secret Agent, Part 2: The Explosion (1967) 1975, UK BBC.BBC Genome: The Secret Agent (1975) 1981, France, L'agent secret, part of Le roman du samedi (The Saturday Novel) anthology series. 1992, UK BBC miniseries in three episodes, starring David Suchet and Peter Capaldi.BBC Genome: The Secret Agent (1992) 2001, UK 50-minute adaptation aired