On this episode of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, John Koenig sends in a brush pass review of two spy novels written in the early 80s. Chess Player and Button Zone. Brush Pass - a quick review from Spybrary listeners on the books they love (and hate!) What is a Brush Pass review exactly? These are first impression reviews sent in by Spybrary listeners and give us their first … [Read more...] about Button Zone and Chess Player Spy book Review (69)
Spy Book reviews
Berlin: Uprising by Paul Grant – Review
Review by John Koenig. Post-war Berlin is the epicenter of Paul Grant’s third entry in his fine trilogy, Berlin: Uprising. Change is happening in Germany, even after the relentless upsets of World War II and the Russian “liberation” and occupation of Berlin and much of the country. Berlin: Uprising stands on it’s own, but getting your hands on the self-published Berlin: Caught in the … [Read more...] about Berlin: Uprising by Paul Grant – Review
The Kresal Dossier – The Russian Engima
One of the joys of listening to and being involved with the community around the Spybrary podcast has been discovering books I might never have heard of otherwise. Clive Egleton's The Russian Enigma (aka Pandora's Box) is just such an example of that, having been posted about by C.G. Faulkner whom I had the pleasure of meeting (alongside other Spybrarians) at last spring's Spy-Con. Though it took … [Read more...] about The Kresal Dossier – The Russian Engima
The Kresal Dossier: Doctor Who – Endgame
Philby. Burgess. Maclean. If you're a student of Cold War spies (and if you're at Spybrary there's a decent chance you are), those names will be very familiar. The latter pair's 1951 defection helped to make public the most famous spy scandal of the era. In the decades since, they've also inspired countless works of fiction on page and screen. One of the more unusual comes from the realm of … [Read more...] about The Kresal Dossier: Doctor Who – Endgame
The Spy and The Traitor – Ben Macintyre Review
Spybrarian John Koenig is back from his expedition visiting almost every used book store from Michigan to Washington State. When he wasn't scaling ladders (why are the good spy books always on the top shelf?) or scouring dark nooks and crannies he penned several review of recent spy reads. Here is his latest - The Spy and The Traitor by Ben Macintyre. Spybrary's John Koenig reviews The Spy and … [Read more...] about The Spy and The Traitor – Ben Macintyre Review
‘Broadsword Calling Danny Boy’ Spybrary Briefing (Ep 61)
On Episode 61 of the Spybrary Spy Podcast, Shane and Karl talk about the recently released book from Geoff Dyer titled 'Broadsword Calling Danny Boy' on Where Eagles Dare. In this no holds barred discussion two well read spy fans give you their assessment of the book. In the interest of being balanced please do check out Mike Ripley's latest column 'Getting Away With Murder' where he writes … [Read more...] about ‘Broadsword Calling Danny Boy’ Spybrary Briefing (Ep 61)
