Tag Archives: espionage

Where in the world is the Republiko of Zendia

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Brian D. Butler

How do you find a republic that never existed ? During the 1950s Cold War, U.S Army cryptologist Lambros D. Callimahos created the mythical  “Republiko of Zendia” to use in wargaming for U.S. military intelligence codebreakers simulating the invasion of … Continue reading →

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Modern Classics Revived

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Brian D. Butler

I was happily surprised to learn that Penguin Modern Classics has revived its crime and espionage series with titles by the likes of Josephine Tey,  John le Carré, Len Deighton and Chester Himes, published with an updated version of their … Continue reading →

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All the Frequent Troubles of Our Days

Posted on February 26, 2022 by Brian D. Butler

I have been an avid student of World War II history all of my life. Over the years, I have read dozens of books on the period, but I only recently learned of the amazing story of the American citizen … Continue reading →

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Call For The Dead

Posted on May 25, 2021 by Brian D. Butler

Last week, Viking announced that this year—which happens to be the 60th anniversary of the publication of John le Carré’s first novel, Call for the Dead—they will publish the late writer’s twenty-sixth, and likely last, novel, Silverview. Silverview will be … Continue reading →

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Hide the Microfilm

Posted on January 3, 2021 by Brian D. Butler
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Smiley’s People

Posted on February 10, 2020 by Brian D. Butler

I’m a huge fan of John le Carré and have read everything that he’s written. No matter how one may feel about his politics, he’s the undisputed master of the espionage novel. Artist Matt Taylor  has illustrated a quite number … Continue reading →

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Smiley’s People

Posted on September 26, 2017 by Brian D. Butler

h/t Tom Gauld

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