Stuart is off grid this week so Eamonn is joined by producer and commentator Paddy Duffy to chat over some of the week’s media stories.

Please note this show was recording pre Autumn Statement.

At the end of the show a question from Kay Springham

Recomendations:

Eamonn

Spymaster book by Helen Fry

The dramatic story of a man who stood at the centre of British intelligence operations, the ultimate spymaster of World War II: Thomas Kendrick

“A remarkable piece of historical detective work. . . . Now, thanks to this groundbreaking book, the result of years of meticulous research and expert analysis, Kendrick’s role as one of the great spymasters of the twentieth century can be revealed.”—Saul David, Daily Telegraph

Thomas Kendrick (1881–1972) was central to the British Secret Service from its beginnings through to the Second World War. Under the guise of “British Passport Officer,” he ran spy networks across Europe, facilitated the escape of Austrian Jews, and later went on to set up the “M Room,” a listening operation which elicited information of the same significance and scope as Bletchley Park. Yet the work of Kendrick, and its full significance, remained largely unknown.

Helen Fry draws on extensive original research to tell the story of this remarkable British intelligence officer. Kendrick’s life sheds light on the development of MI6 itself—he was one of the few men to serve Britain across three wars, two of which while working for the British Secret Service. Fry explores the private and public sides of Kendrick, revealing him to be the epitome of the “English gent”—easily able to charm those around him and scrupulously secretive.

https://www.waterstones.com/book/spymaster/helen-fry/9780300266979 

Paddy

Documentaries by Norma Percy

Israel and the Arabs 

Award-winning film-maker Norma Percy looks back on her acclaimed 1998 documentary series The Fifty Years War: Israel and the Arabs. 

Through interviews and analysis from key players of the time, the series forensically detailed the conflict’s origins and key moments, and here Norma shares how the programme came to life, how she gained the trust of some of the most significant figures of the day and what the lessons from history might be.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001sfvq/the-fifty-years-war-israel-and-the-arabs-eyewitness-to-history-norma-percy-on-the-fifty-years-war 

The Elusive Peace - Monday 27th Nov BBC4 22.00

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001swsb