Who Paid The Piper?
The CIA And The Cultural Cold War
Frances Stonor Saunders author
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Granta Books
Should be back in stock very soon
This insightful book examines how artists navigated the Cold War, often becoming unwitting instruments of political agendas. Who Paid The Piper? reveals the complexities of cultural influence.
In Who Paid The Piper?, Frances Stonor Saunders explores the intricate relationship between art, politics, and espionage during the Cold War. The book delves into how artists and writers were not only influenced by the political climate of the time but were also often unwittingly co-opted into serving the agendas of powerful entities. Through meticulous research, Saunders reveals the hidden dynamics that shaped cultural production and the ways in which individuals navigated the fine line between artistic freedom and political obligation.
The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of a divided world, where the Soviet Union demanded propaganda that glorified its ideals, while in the West, the concept of free expression was both celebrated and manipulated. Who Paid The Piper? highlights the paradox of artistic liberty in a time when many artists found themselves entangled in a web of espionage, often acting as pawns in a larger geopolitical game. Saunders' insights shed light on the complexities of cultural engagement during a period of intense ideological conflict.
Through a blend of historical analysis and personal stories, the book invites readers to reconsider the role of artists in society and the implications of their work within the broader context of political struggle. Who Paid The Piper? is not just an exploration of the Cold War but a profound reflection on the enduring power of art and the responsibilities that come with it.
Frances Stonor Saunders has almost single-handedly started off a branch of sub-history; the cultural cold war. Who Paid The Piper? is an extraordinarily good book and I do recommend it to anyone who's remotely interested in the period -- Ian McEwan, author of Sweet Tooth * BBC Radio 4 *
This is the fascinating story of the vast post-war Kulturkampf, the Cold War conflict over cultural values and ideologies amid which several literary and cultural generations grew up ... a crucial story about the dangerous, compromising energies and manipulation of an entire and a very recent age -- Malcolm Bradbury * The Times *
A major work of investigative history -- Edward W. Said
Absorbing, distressing and at times uproariously funny * Observer *
Francis Stonor Saunders has written a hammer blow of a book, definitely establishing the facts of the CIA's activities ... Her research is formidable, her tone tenacious, her eye for a titbit vivid, her sense of humour lively. * Spectator *
Stories of high level espionage... disturbing disclosures and a literary style of enviable sharpness and wit are some of the ingredients to be relished in this marvellously readable account -- The Literary Review
Saunders chronicles this entire story with both verve and an astonishing attention to detail ... an interesting and unexpected cultural history of our age * UK Kirkus *
ISBN: 9781862073272
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 34mm
Weight: 400g
544 pages