Stars and Spies

A hugely enjoyable and original history of the interplay between spying and showbiz from Shakespeare to James Bond

A vastly entertaining and unique history of the interaction between spying and showbiz, from the Elizabethan age to the Cold War and beyond.

'A treasure trove of human ingenuity' The Times

Written by two experts in their fields, Stars and Spies is the first history of the extraordinary connections between the intelligence services and show business.

We travel back to the golden age of theatre and intelligence in the reign of Elizabeth I. We meet the writers, actors and entertainers drawn into espionage in the Restoration, the Ancien Regime and Civil War America. And we witness the entry of spying into mainstream popular culture throughout the twentieth century and beyond - from the adventures of James Bond to the thrillers of John le Carre and long-running TV series such as The Americans.

'Thoroughly entertaining' Spectator

'I found it extremely difficult to put this book down' Daily Telegraph