Description
Join author and journalist, Charlie English, as he reveals the astonishing true story behind CIA Book Club, a secret Cold War operation that used banned books to fight tyranny.
Led by CIA operative, George Minden, the programme smuggled millions of titles behind the Iron Curtain, from Orwell to Solzhenitsyn, aiming to spark dissent and challenge censorship.
English uncovers the daring efforts of underground publishers, operatives, and everyday couriers who risked everything to spread forbidden ideas. This event delves into the gripping tale of espionage, resistance, and the extraordinary power of literature to liberate hearts and minds.
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About the Author
Charlie English
Charlie English is the former head of international news at the Guardian. A fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he is the author of several widely acclaimed histories including The Snow Tourist, The Book Smugglers of Timbuktu, The Gallery of Miracles and Madness, and most recently The CIA Book Club.
About the Chair
Yvette Huddleston
Yvette Huddleston is a freelance journalist specialising in the arts. She has contributed to a wide range of national and regional newspapers and magazines, writing extensively on film, theatre, literature and visual art. She is the arts correspondent for the Yorkshire Post and chairs events and debates for a number of literature and arts festivals around the North.
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