John le Carré described Ben Macintyre's fact based novel, The Spy and The Traitor, as "the best true spy story I have ever read". It was about Kim Philby's Russian counterpart, a KGB Colonel named Oleg Gordievsky, codename Sunbeam. In 1974 Gordievsky became a double agent working for MI6 in Copenhagen which was when Bill Fairclough aka Edward Burlington unwittingly launched his career as a secret agent for MI6. Fairclough and le Carré knew of each other: le Carré had even rejected Fairclough's suggestion in 2014 that they collaborate on a book. As le Carré said at the time, "Why should I? I've got by so far without collaboration so why bother now?" A realistic response from a famous master of fiction in his eighties! Gordievsky never met Fairclough, but he did know Fairclough's handler, Colonel Alan McKenzie aka Colonel Alan Pemberton. It is little wonder therefore that in Beyond Enkription, the first fact based novel in The Burlington Files espionage series, genuine double agents, disinformation and deception weave wondrously within the relentless twists and turns of evolving events. Beyond Enkription is set in 1974 in London, Nassau, Port au Prince and the Americas. Edward Burlington, a far from boring accountant, unwittingly started working for Alan McKenzie in MI6 and later worked eyes wide open for the CIA. What happens is so exhilarating and bone chilling it makes one wonder what the point of reading espionage fiction when facts are so much more breathtaking. Len Deighton and Mick Herron could be forgiven for thinking they co-wrote the raw noir anti-Bond narrative, Beyond Enkription. Atmospherically it's reminiscent of Ted Lewis' Get Carter of Michael Caine fame. If anyone ever makes a film based on Beyond Enkription they'll only have themselves to blame if it doesn't go down in history as a classic espionage thriller.
I don't have time to watch the whole video, but I just read the book, and it was excellent. The second half reads like a thriller. The only criticism I'd offer was that in several places towards the end, Macintyre gives away how the story will turn out, which was a disappointment to me, since I had no idea. (Spoiler alert:) Macintyre describes a scene where Gordievsky knows he's under surveillance, and during a long interview with KGB guys he's offered food and drinks, which he gladly accepts. I guess Russia's practice of making "strong" (read "deadly") drinks hadn't become a familiar tactic yet, or wasn't widely known, because NO ONE in their right mind would touch a drink offered by.a Russian, in those circumstances.
Finished the book and came here looking for more. Fantastic author.
Just finished the book. It’s so interesting. Ben is a brilliant writer.
Brilliant talk! Wish we could hear the Q and A!
TITLE of book, PLS !!!!!!!
John le Carré described Ben Macintyre's fact based novel, The Spy and The Traitor, as "the best true spy story I have ever read". It was about Kim Philby's Russian counterpart, a KGB Colonel named Oleg Gordievsky, codename Sunbeam. In 1974 Gordievsky became a double agent working for MI6 in Copenhagen which was when Bill Fairclough aka Edward Burlington unwittingly launched his career as a secret agent for MI6. Fairclough and le Carré knew of each other: le Carré had even rejected Fairclough's suggestion in 2014 that they collaborate on a book. As le Carré said at the time, "Why should I? I've got by so far without collaboration so why bother now?" A realistic response from a famous master of fiction in his eighties!
Gordievsky never met Fairclough, but he did know Fairclough's handler, Colonel Alan McKenzie aka Colonel Alan Pemberton. It is little wonder therefore that in Beyond Enkription, the first fact based novel in The Burlington Files espionage series, genuine double agents, disinformation and deception weave wondrously within the relentless twists and turns of evolving events. Beyond Enkription is set in 1974 in London, Nassau, Port au Prince and the Americas. Edward Burlington, a far from boring accountant, unwittingly started working for Alan McKenzie in MI6 and later worked eyes wide open for the CIA. What happens is so exhilarating and bone chilling it makes one wonder what the point of reading espionage fiction when facts are so much more breathtaking.
Len Deighton and Mick Herron could be forgiven for thinking they co-wrote the raw noir anti-Bond narrative, Beyond Enkription. Atmospherically it's reminiscent of Ted Lewis' Get Carter of Michael Caine fame. If anyone ever makes a film based on Beyond Enkription they'll only have themselves to blame if it doesn't go down in history as a classic espionage thriller.
Interesting, but a rather abrupt ending? Is there a 'Part 2'?
Wouldn't mind spying on Michelle
I like were your head is at...Up her ass, lol!
I don't have time to watch the whole video, but I just read the book, and it was excellent. The second half reads like a thriller. The only criticism I'd offer was that in several places towards the end, Macintyre gives away how the story will turn out, which was a disappointment to me, since I had no idea.
(Spoiler alert:) Macintyre describes a scene where Gordievsky knows he's under surveillance, and during a long interview with KGB guys he's offered food and drinks, which he gladly accepts. I guess Russia's practice of making "strong" (read "deadly") drinks hadn't become a familiar tactic yet, or wasn't widely known, because NO ONE in their right mind would touch a drink offered by.a Russian, in those circumstances.
I live in where there are Russiansand they seem as you describe in your book
3:44...Gordievsky wasn't a double agent. He was an agent for the British!