Cold War novels were basically spy novels. They started to be written after the Second World War and focused primarily on the American-Soviet conflict. Ian Fleming, who brought us James Bond, is a popular spy novelist, as are Kingsley Amis, Sebastian Faulks and William Boyd. John Le Carre is another well known Cold War author.
The Cold War was a conflict between the United States Of America and the USSR. It started in the late nineteen forties and lasted until 1991, when the USSR was formally broken up. It got it's name because the two enemies never actually engaged in direct military conflict. Both possessed nuclear weapons and so a military conflict would have resulted in mutual annihilation. Instead they fought proxy wars and engaged in psychological warfare.
Many spy writers at the time were creating heroic characters, James Bond is probably the most famous of these, with his suave manner and womanizing. Other writers though, decided to look at the ethical and moral conflicts that were a part of government espionage. Graham Greene was known for this, addressing the issue in books such as The Heart Of The Matter. Greene had worked for British intelligence services.
Kingsley Amis came to be connected with the James Bond character when he wrote The James Bond Dossier. In it, Amis analyses the Bond novels and actually finds them to be substantial fictional works. Amis said that those who criticized the books were merely being pretentious. It is believed that Amis later wrote three more Bond books although he used a pseudonym.
Le Carre had worked as an intelligence agent before he started writing. He was known for creating anti-heroes like George Smiley. His characters often battle with inner demons because they knew that their work was sometimes immoral. The Spy Who Cam In From The Cold, Le Carre's third book, made him into major novelist. It was adapted for the big screen with Richard Burton playing the main protagonist.
George Smiley is the central character in many of Le Carre's novels and a minor character in others. Smiley was seen as a more realistic creation when compared to James Bond. Smiley is not an action hero at all but a master of shadowy espionage work. Even though he is aware of the unethical aspects of his work, he is dedicated to it and loyal to his country.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is probably the most famous of Le Carre's works featuring Smiley. In it, Smiley investigates the possibility that a Soviet spy may have infiltrated British intelligence services. The book was turned into a popular TV show with Alec Guinness in the lead role. In 2011, a film version was released with Gary Oldman playing George Smiley.
Spy novels continued to be written after the Soviet-American conflict ended. They tended to focus on counter-terrorist operatives. Major terrorist attacks in the West reignited an interest in espionage work. Many spy older writers produced work during this era, even if they had been seen previously as a Cold War author.
The Cold War was a conflict between the United States Of America and the USSR. It started in the late nineteen forties and lasted until 1991, when the USSR was formally broken up. It got it's name because the two enemies never actually engaged in direct military conflict. Both possessed nuclear weapons and so a military conflict would have resulted in mutual annihilation. Instead they fought proxy wars and engaged in psychological warfare.
Many spy writers at the time were creating heroic characters, James Bond is probably the most famous of these, with his suave manner and womanizing. Other writers though, decided to look at the ethical and moral conflicts that were a part of government espionage. Graham Greene was known for this, addressing the issue in books such as The Heart Of The Matter. Greene had worked for British intelligence services.
Kingsley Amis came to be connected with the James Bond character when he wrote The James Bond Dossier. In it, Amis analyses the Bond novels and actually finds them to be substantial fictional works. Amis said that those who criticized the books were merely being pretentious. It is believed that Amis later wrote three more Bond books although he used a pseudonym.
Le Carre had worked as an intelligence agent before he started writing. He was known for creating anti-heroes like George Smiley. His characters often battle with inner demons because they knew that their work was sometimes immoral. The Spy Who Cam In From The Cold, Le Carre's third book, made him into major novelist. It was adapted for the big screen with Richard Burton playing the main protagonist.
George Smiley is the central character in many of Le Carre's novels and a minor character in others. Smiley was seen as a more realistic creation when compared to James Bond. Smiley is not an action hero at all but a master of shadowy espionage work. Even though he is aware of the unethical aspects of his work, he is dedicated to it and loyal to his country.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is probably the most famous of Le Carre's works featuring Smiley. In it, Smiley investigates the possibility that a Soviet spy may have infiltrated British intelligence services. The book was turned into a popular TV show with Alec Guinness in the lead role. In 2011, a film version was released with Gary Oldman playing George Smiley.
Spy novels continued to be written after the Soviet-American conflict ended. They tended to focus on counter-terrorist operatives. Major terrorist attacks in the West reignited an interest in espionage work. Many spy older writers produced work during this era, even if they had been seen previously as a Cold War author.
About the Author:
You can visit the website www.war-author.com for more helpful information about Let A Cold War Author Tell You A Great Story
No comments:
Post a Comment