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Bestseller
BestsellerE-book
Author Smith, James, 1981-

Title British writers and MI5 surveillance, 1930-1960 / James Smith.

Publication Info. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2012.

Item Status

Description 1 online resource
Physical Medium polychrome
Description text file
Summary "The book explores records that MI5, Britain's domestic intelligence agency, maintained on influential left-wing writers from 1930 to 1960"-- Provided by publisher.
"Britain's domestic intelligence agencies maintained secret records on many left-wing writers after the First World War. Drawing on recently declassified material from 1930 to 1960, this revealing study examines how leading figures in Britain's literary scene fell under MI5 and Special Branch surveillance, and the surprising extent to which writers became willing participants in the world of covert intelligence and propaganda. Chapters devoted to W.H. Auden and his associates, theatre pioneers Ewan MacColl and Joan Littlewood, George Orwell, and others describe methods used by MI5 to gather information through and about the cultural world. The book also investigates how these covert agencies assessed the political influence of such writers, providing scholars and students of twentieth-century British literature an unprecedented account of clandestine operations in popular culture"-- Provided by publisher.
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents Preface -- 1. Intellectual and intelligence contexts, 1930-60 -- 2. The Auden circle -- 3. Ewan MacColl, Joan Littlewood, and Theatre Workshop -- 4. Arthur Koestler and George Orwell -- Epilogue -- Notes.
Local Note eBooks on EBSCOhost EBSCO eBook Subscription Academic Collection - North America
Subject Great Britain. MI5 -- History -- 20th century.
Great Britain. MI5.
History.
Chronological Term 20th century
Subject English literature -- 20th century -- History and criticism.
English literature.
Politics and literature -- Great Britain -- History -- 20th century.
Politics and literature.
Great Britain.
Intelligence service in literature.
Intelligence service in literature.
Espionage, British -- History -- 20th century.
Espionage, British.
Right and left (Political science) in literature.
Right and left (Political science) in literature.
Chronological Term 1900-1999
Genre/Form Electronic books.
Criticism, interpretation, etc.
History.
Other Form: Print version: Smith, James, 1981- British writers and MI5 surveillance, 1930-1960. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2012 9781107030824 (DLC) 2012023428 (OCoLC)796001956
ISBN 9781139840583 (electronic book)
1139840584 (electronic book)
1283812568
9781283812566
9781139344357 (electronic book)
1139344358 (electronic book)
9781139845311 (e-book)
1139845314 (e-book)
9781107030824
110703082X