I am quite fond of the saying that "truth is stranger than fiction." As those of us who read spy fact (and those fiction works which blur the boundaries between the two) know, it is often the case. The film The Good Shepherd, directed by Robert De Niro and released by Universal Pictures in 2006, would seem to be such an example on the surface. It is true that the film had the tagline … [Read more...] about Review Of The Good Shepherd (2006)
Spybrary Blog
Coming up on the Spybrary Spy Podcast – July/August 2018
Coming up in the next few weeks on the Spybrary Spy Podcast We celebrate Episode 50 with the man who kicked it all off on Episode 1 - Rob Mallows from Deighton Dossier. (Brief episode where we talk about the Berlin meet up and read a special message sent to us by Len Deighton.) Episode 51 - Interview with … [Read more...] about Coming up on the Spybrary Spy Podcast – July/August 2018
Review Of The Little Drummer Girl
Transmission received from Spybrarian Matthew Kresal: Review of The Little Drummer Girl by John le Carre. One of the familiar tropes of the spy genre is an intelligence agency recruiting a civilian into an operation. In fact, one might even say it's become a cliche at this point. So perhaps it comes as something of a surprise that widely acknowledged master of the genre John le Carré wrote such … [Read more...] about Review Of The Little Drummer Girl
50: Deighton Day 2018 – Meet Up in Berlin
Follow in the steps of Bernard Samson - Len Deighton Meetup - Berlin Update: Listen to a special message that Len Deighton has sent us on Episode 50 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast! Rob Mallows from the Deighton Dossier returns to the show to talk with Spybrary Spy Podcast host Shane Whaley. We talk through our schedule for the day walking in the footsteps of Bernard Samson from the classic … [Read more...] about 50: Deighton Day 2018 – Meet Up in Berlin
Cold War Spies & Time Travel: ars Paradoxica
Chances are, if you're reading this blog post, you're a podcast listener. Non-fiction podcasts such as Spybrary aren't the only things out there though. The rise of the podcast has also led to a renaissance in audio drama, the medium of sound and story formerly seen as being on the brink of extinction. One of the more intriguing pieces to come out of that has a distinctive spy fiction flavor to … [Read more...] about Cold War Spies & Time Travel: ars Paradoxica
“Broadsword Calling Danny Boy!”: Where Eagles Dare At 50
Some films seem to stand the test of time. Not only are they popular on release but they find new audiences throughout the decades that follow. Where Eagles Dare, first released fifty years ago this year, is one such example. Starring the perhaps unlikely mix of Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood, this mix of spy thriller and war movie remains as entertaining now as it was … [Read more...] about “Broadsword Calling Danny Boy!”: Where Eagles Dare At 50
Not every hero dies in uniform
Today is Memorial Day in America. Most of us will take a moment to think about those who lost their lives fighting for our freedom. Memorial Day got me thinking though, what about our brave men and women in the clandestine services? Shouldn't we spare a moment to think about them as well? Spying has always been about the shadows, the secrecy, the silent world. No fanfare, no fuss. … [Read more...] about Not every hero dies in uniform
