They have shaped what has become a hugely popular genre, weaving intricate
plots, clandestine operations and intense suspense into their novels.
Successful film and television franchises have been built around spies, while spy novels sell in great numbers. Lying behind recurring plots based on the successful negotiation of risk and betrayal is an altogether bleaker world, based on violence and incessant surveillance by state actors to benefit state activities.
Spymasters explores the interlocking world of public and private, state and individual and combines analysis of the biographies of the writers and their work, together with an examination of the geopolitical settings in which they operate.
EPISODE 1: RUDYARD KIPLING TO GRAHAM GREENERUDYARD KIPLING TO GRAHAM GREENE
Episode 1 explores the world of spies and spymasters, authors ranging from Rudyard Kipling to John Buchan. Film extracts include The Ipcress File and Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.
EPISODE 2: ALISTAIR MACLEAN TO JOHN LE CARRE
Episode 2 shows the Cold War and includes the work of Frederick Forsyth, Alistair MacLean and John le Carre. Film extracts include The Third Man and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold.
EPISODE 3: IAN FLEMING TO JAMES BOND
Episode 3 explores Ian Fleming’s remarkable life, James Bond’s effect on literature and film, and Bond’s influence on actual intelligence. Film extracts include No Time to Die.
EPISODE 4: THE WAR ON TERROR TO BLACK DOVES
Episode 4 covers recent intelligence history - from the defection of Oleg Gordievsky to the killing of Osama bin Laden. Film extracts include Bridge of Spies and Zero Dark 30.
A series follow up to Wonderland: Lewis Carroll to JRR Tolkien, Wonderland: Gothic & Wonderland: Science Fiction in an Atomic Age.