Time to read, new book releases

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PRESS RELEASE to read! Pen & Sword Books Ltd Emily Robinson, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS Tel: +44 Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Email: emily.robinson@pen-and-sword.co.uk PRESS RELEASE New book releases

The Secret War Against the Arts How MI5 Targeted Left-Wing Writers and Artists, 1936–1956 Author: Richard Knott Pen & Sword Books Ltd Matthew Potts, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS Tel: +44 01226734679 Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Email: editing@pen-and-sword.co.uk

The Secret War Against the Arts How MNO15 Targeted Left-Wing NEW BOOK RELEASE RRP: £25 During the 1930s, the British Intelligence agencies became increasingly concerned about communist influence in the country. They reacted by spying on Highlights The involvement of writers and artists in the Spanish Civil War What happened to those returning from Spain in the ensuing Second World War The methods adopted by MI5 in monitoring the lives of British artists and writers The comparison between the right-wing nature of MI5 and the left-wing views of most PathQnder Pilot The Wartime Memoirs of Wing Commander R A Wellington DSO OBE DFC Writers and Artists, 1936–1956 Author: Richard Knott Highlights • The involvement of writers and artists in the Spanish Civil War • What happened to those returning from Spain in the ensuing Second World War • The methods adopted by MI5 in monitoring the lives of British artists and writers. • The comparison between the right-wing nature of MI5 and the left-wing views of most artists and writers • The Cold War and the decline of communism in Britain, culminating in the events of 1956 in Hungary. ISBN: 9781526770318 240 PAGES · HARDBACK PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 2020 PEN & SWORD HISTORY thousands of ordinary British citizens. Amongst them were many artists and writers who, in tune with ‘the spirit of the times’, had become sympathetic to leftwing causes, most notably the Spanish Civil War. Telephones were bugged, post opened, homes searched and people encouraged to report suspicious behaviour – all reminiscent of the East German Stasi. This book has been written in the light of previously secret files, now available in The National Archives, which indicate the extent of the surveillance and the consequences for those being watched. It focuses on a significant number of writers and artists who were either members of the Communist Party of Great Britain or were suspected of being ‘fellow travellers’. They include George Orwell, Stephen Spender, Olivia Manning, Storm Jameson, W.H. Auden, Sylvia Townsend Warner, J.B. Priestley, Doris Lessing, Julian Trevelyan, Randall Swingler, Paul Hogarth, Clive Branson and James Boswell. About the Author Richard Knott has a degree in History from the University of London. He has worked as an actor (with the Royal Shakespeare Company), teacher and management consultant. artists and writers The Cold War and the decline of communism in Britain, culminating in the events of 1956 in Hungary. During the 1930s, the British Intelligence agencies became increasingly concerned about Communist inXuence in the country. They reacted by spying on thousands of ordinary British citizens. Amongst them were many artists and writers who, in tune with ‘the spirit of the times’, had become sympathetic to left-wing causes, most notably the Spanish Civil War. Telephones were bugged, post opened, homes searched and people encouraged to report suspicious behaviour – all reminiscent of the East German Stasi. This book has been written in the light of previously secret ^les, now available in The National Archives, which indicate the extent of the surveillance and the consequences for those being watched. It focuses on a signi^cant number of writers and artists who were either members of the Communist Party of Great Britain or were suspected of being ‘fellow travellers’. They include: George Orwell, Stephen Spender, Olivia Manning, Storm Jameson, W.H. Auden, Sylvia Townsend Warner, J.B. Priestley, Doris Lessing, Julian Trevelyan, Randall Swingler, Paul Hogarth, Clive Branson and James Boswell. The Secret War Against the Arts is a unique account of a dramatic period of modern history, from the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War to the Hungarian uprising in 1956, revealing how MI5 was systematic, unrelenting and uncompromising in its pursuit of artists and writers throughout the period, while failing to see the much more disturbing treachery of others –Anthony Blunt, Guy Burgess and Kim Philby, for example. About the Author Richard Knott has a degree in History from the University of London. He has worked as an actor (with the Royal Shakespeare Company), teacher and management consultant. His previous books include: Posted in Wartime: Letters Home from Abroad (Pen & Sword, 2017); Black Night for Bomber Command (Pen & Sword, 2007 & 2014); Flying Boats of the Empire (Robert Hale, 2011); The Sketchbook War (The History Press, 2013 & 2014); and The Trio (The History Press, 2015). Previously he has written two books on the teaching of English, a poetry anthology (Wordlife, Nelson, 1988), and a book of cricket quotations (Cricket: Wit, Wickets and Wisdom, Running Press, 1996). He lives near Bristol. NEW BOOK RELEASE RRP: £25 ISBN: 9781526770318 240 PAGES · HARDBACK PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 2020 PEN & SWORD HISTORY Author: Sandra Wellington HighlightsSuperb (rst hand account of a Lancaster Bomber captain. The author completed his full quota of 60 missions over occupied Europe. Describes numerous hair-raising escapes Served under Guy Gibson before being selected as an elite Path(nder. On completion of his quota sent to North and South America on lecture tours During the Second World War, 55,573 RAF Bomber Command aircrew were killed, a shocking 44.4% death rate. A further 8,500 were wounded and 9,800 became prisoners of war. The author of this thrilling memoir deQed the odds becoming one of the few Lancaster Captains to survive his quota of sixty bombing missions. ‘Wimpy’ Wellington’s skills must have been exceptional. After serving in 106 Squadron under the legendary Guy Gibson, he and his crew moved to the elite 83 PathQnder Squadron. As readers will discover, they nightly diced with death surviving enemy Qghters, intense `ak and mechanical problems. On completion of `ying duties Wellington was sent to the USA and South America to bolster support for the Allied cause. The prolonged strain of constant mortal danger, night-time sorties to distant targets such as Milan and the steady loss of comrades must have been immense. Yet the tone of this vivid `ying memoir remains positive and modestly understated. His numerous decorations and achievements speak volumes and it is a huge privilege to publish PathQnder Pilot. About the Author R A (Wimpy) Wellington left his farm in Brazil on the outbreak of the Second World War to join the Royal Air Force. After bomber pilot training, he joined 106 Squadron `ying Lancasters before moving to 83 PathQnder Squadron. On completion of his quota of sixty missions he carried out ‘`ag `ying’ lecture tours in North and South America before becoming Air Attache in wartime Lisbon. All these experiences are well recorded in this NEW BOOK RELEASE RRP: £19.99 ISBN: 9781526779700 176 PAGES · HARDBACK PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 2020 PEN & SWORD AVIATION Author photographs can be made available upon request.

During the Second World War, 55,573 RAF Bomber Command aircrew were killed, a shocking 44.4% death rate. A further 8,500 were wounded and 9,800 3. Churchill and Eden Partners Through War and Peace Author: David Charlwood became prisoners of war. The author of Highlihts this thrilling memoir deQed the odds becoming one of the few Lancaster • A original and fresh perspective Captains to survive his quota of sixty on two enigmatic and popular bombing missions. ‘Wimpy’ Wellington’s historical figures. skills must have been exceptional. After serving in 106 Squadron under • An engaging, easy-to-read the legendary Guy Gibson, he and his narrative that looks at the key crew moved to the elite 83 Pathfinder historical events of the twentieth Squadron. As readers will discover, they century, including the Cold War, nightly diced with death surviving enemy the end of the British Empire and fighters, intense flak and mechanical the Suez Crisis. problems. On completion of `ying • Churchill and Eden tells the story duties Wellington was sent of two men, whose friendship to read! to the USA and South America to bolster support for the Allied cause. The prolonged strain of constant mortal danger, night-time sorties to distant targets such as Milan and the steady loss of comrades must have been immense. Yet the tone of this vivid flying memoir remains positive and modestly understated. His numerous decorations became a political rivalry which let to one of the greatest foreign policy disasters of the twentieth century. Friends and rivals for more than two decades, for more than two decades, Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden worked closely together. But while one is revered as a great leader and national icon, the other is remembered as the architect of Britain's worst foreign policy failure. and achievements speak Churchill and Eden tells the story of volumes and it is a huge the relationship between two men PRESS RELEASE privilege to publish Pathfinder Pilot. PRESS RELEASE who led Britain through war and peace. The narrative ranges from the 2. Pathfinder Pilot The Wartime Memoirs of Wings Pen & Sword Books Ltd Emily Robinson, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS Tel: +44 Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Email: emily.robinson@pen-and-sword.co.uk sunny south of France to the deserts of Africa and the jungles of Vietnam, covering the eras of the Second World War, the decline of Britain's Empire and the coming of the Cold Pen & Sword Books Ltd Emily Robinson, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS Tel: +44 Website: www.pen-and-sword.co.uk Email: emily.robinson@pen-and-sword.co.uk Churchill and Eden Commnader R A Wellington DSO OBE DFC Autor: Sandra Wellington Churchill and Eden Partners Through War and Peace Partners Through War and Peace Author: David Charlwood War – and reveals a new perspective on the lives and decision-making of two of the most well known political 176 PAGES · HARDBACK PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER PEN & SWORD AVIATION Author photographs can be made available upon request. Highlihts • Superb first hand account of a Lancaster Bomber Captain. • The author complete his full quota of 60 mission over occupied Europe. • Describe numerous hair-raising escapes. • Served under Guy Gibson before being selected as an elite Pathfinder. • On completion of his quota sent to North and South America on lecture tour. About the Author R A (Wimpy) Wellington left his farm in Brazil on the outbreak of the Second World War to join the Royal Air Force. After bomber pilot training, he joined 106 Squadron flying Lancasters before moving to 83 Pathfinder Squadron. On completion of his quota of sixty missions he carried out 'flag flying’ lecture tours in North and South America before becoming Air Attache in wartime Lisbon. All these experiences are well recorded in this memoir. figures of the Twentieth Century. About the Author David Charlwood obtained a First Class Honours Degree in history from Royal Holloway, University of London, and has worked as an international journalist and in publishing. His historical research has been published in the British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, he has written for BBC History Magazine and also been a contributing historian for BBC radio. He is the author of four popular history books, including the acclaimed 1920: A Year of Global Turmoil. Author: David Charlwood HighlightsA original and fresh perspective on two enigmatic and popular historical 6gures. An engaging, easy-to-read narrative that looks at key historical events of the twentieth century, including the Cold War, the end of the British Empire and the Suez Crisis. Churchill and Eden tells the story of two men, whose friendship became a political rivalry which led to one of the greatest foreign policy disasters of the twentieth century. Friends, rivals, conPdants: for more than two decades, Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden worked closely together. But while one is revered as a great leader and national icon, the other is remembered as the architect of Britain's worst foreign policy failure. Churchill and Eden tells the story of the relationship between two men who led Britain through war and peace. The narrative ranges from the sunny south of France to the deserts of Africa and the jungles of Vietnam, covering the eras of the Second World War, the decline of Britain's Empire and the coming of the Cold War – and reveals a new perspective on the lives and decision-making of two of the most well known political Pgures of the Twentieth Century. About the Author DAVID CHARLWOOD obtained a First Class Honours Degree in history from Royal Holloway, University of London, and has worked as an international journalist and in publishing. His historical research has been published in the British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, he has written for BBC History Magazine and also been a contributing historian for BBC radio. He is the author of four popular history books, including the acclaimed 1920: A Year of Global Turmoil. NEW BOOK RELEASE RRP: £25 ISBN: 9781526744890 296 PAGES · HARDBACK PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 2020 PEN & SWORD HISTORY Highlights A original and fresh perspective on two enigmatic and popular historical 6gures. An engaging, easy-to-read narrative that looks at key historical events of the twentieth century, including the Cold War, the end of the British Empire and the Suez Crisis. Churchill and Eden tells the story of two men, whose friendship became a political rivalry which led to one of the greatest foreign policy disasters of the twentieth century. Friends, rivals, conPdants: for more than two decades, Winston Churchill and Anthony Eden worked closely together. But while one is revered as a great leader and national icon, the other is remembered as the architect of Britain's worst foreign policy failure. Churchill and Eden tells the story of the relationship between two men who led Britain through war and peace. The narrative ranges from the sunny south of France to the deserts of Africa and the jungles of Vietnam, covering the eras of the Second World War, the decline of Britain's Empire and the coming of the Cold War – and reveals a new perspective on the lives and decision-making of two of the most well known political Pgures of the Twentieth Century. About the Author DAVID CHARLWOOD obtained a First Class Honours Degree in history from Royal Holloway, University of London, and has worked as an international journalist and in publishing. His historical research has been published in the British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, he has written for BBC History Magazine and also been a contributing historian for BBC radio. He is the author of four popular history books, including the acclaimed 1920: A Year of Global Turmoil. NEW BOOK RELEASE RRP: £25 ISBN: 9781526744890 296 PAGES · HARDBACK PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 2020 PEN & SWORD HISTORY www.pen-and-sword.co.uk