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  • Published: 14 October 2021
  • ISBN: 9781473558281
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 512

Stars and Spies

The story of Intelligence Operations…




A hugely enjoyable and original history of the interplay between spying and showbiz from Shakespeare to James Bond

A vastly entertaining and unique history of the interaction between spying and showbiz, from the Elizabethan age to the Cold War and beyond.

'A treasure trove of human ingenuity' The Times

Written by two experts in their fields, Stars and Spies is the first history of the extraordinary connections between the intelligence services and show business.

We travel back to the golden age of theatre and intelligence in the reign of Elizabeth I. We meet the writers, actors and entertainers drawn into espionage in the Restoration, the Ancien Régime and Civil War America. And we witness the entry of spying into mainstream popular culture throughout the twentieth century and beyond - from the adventures of James Bond to the thrillers of John le Carré and long-running TV series such as The Americans.

'Thoroughly entertaining' Spectator
'I found it extremely difficult to put this book down' Daily Telegraph

  • Published: 14 October 2021
  • ISBN: 9781473558281
  • Imprint: Vintage Digital
  • Format: EBook
  • Pages: 512

About the authors

Chris Andrew

Christopher Andrew is Professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Cambridge University, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, in-house historian for MI5, former Visiting Professor of National Security at Harvard University, and guest lecturer at numerous universities. With Oleg Gordievsky, he published KGB – The Inside Story, the book that revealed the identity of the fifth man. He is also the author of The Defence of the Realm: The Authorized Official History of MI5. Professor Andrew is also a frequent presenter of BBC TV and radio programmes on history and world affairs.

Julius Green

Julius Green received an MA in history from Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he studied under Professor Christopher Andrew. He went on to become one of the UK’s most prolific theatre producers, and has served on the Board of Management of the Society of London Theatre and the Board of Directors of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society. He is a Fellow of the Birkbeck Centre for Contemporary Theatre, University of London, and has taught on MA Courses in producing at Birkbeck, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and the National Film and Television School. He is the author of two books, How to Produce a West End Show and Agatha Christie; A Life in Theatre.

Praise for Stars and Spies

A treasure trove of human ingenuity, and testament to our need to tell and believe stories, it deserves a front-row seat at any budding Bond's bedside

James Owen, The Times

Andrew and Green have carried out a huge amount of impeccable research, which they relay with infectious gusto... I found it extremely difficult to put this book down

Jake Kerridge, Daily Telegraph

Anyone who loves a good spy story will find and enjoy hundreds of them here

Economist

[An] enjoyable and well-informed survey...stars and spies will forever be inextricably linked

Alan Judd, Oldie

Perfect...read as you settle into James Bond on Christmas afternoon.

Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph, *Books of the Year*

A thoroughly entertaining read

Simon Ings, Spectator