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.
Please note, the venue for this event has changed from the printed BLF programme.
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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 arts journalist and arts correspondent for the Yorkshire Post. She writes on film, theatre, literature and visual art for national and regional publications. She also chairs events and debates at literature and arts festivals across the North, contributes to BBC local radio discussions on regional arts, and has appeared as a guest critic on BBC Radio 4’s Front Row.
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