The CIA Book Club

This book reveals how literature became a powerful tool during the Cold War, detailing the covert operations of the CIA Book Club and its impact on Eastern Europe.

The CIA Book Club unveils the remarkable tale of how ten million books were clandestinely transported across the Iron Curtain during the Cold War. For nearly fifty years after World War II, Europe was split by an impenetrable barrier, the Iron Curtain, which stretched for 4,300 miles from the Arctic to the Black Sea. This fortified division was not just a physical boundary; it represented a psychological battleground where the fight for hearts and minds took precedence over military confrontation.

At the center of this literary espionage was George Minden, who led a covert initiative known as the 'CIA books programme.' His mission was to leverage literature as a weapon against oppression. Operating from Manhattan, Minden's network infiltrated millions of banned books into the Eastern Bloc, featuring works from renowned authors such as Hannah Arendt, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, and George Orwell. These volumes were smuggled in various creative ways, including trucks, yachts, and even balloons, reaching readers who would covertly share them, igniting a spirit of dissent.

Charlie English narrates this incredible story of bravery and ingenuity, focusing on key figures like Miroslaw Chojecki, a Polish publisher who faced severe consequences for his efforts. The CIA Book Club illustrates the transformative power of literature in the fight against tyranny, demonstrating that the written word can be a catalyst for freedom and change in the face of oppression.