It was only at the end of the nineteenth century that espionage began to be important. It was shortly before World War 1 that countries established intelligence agencies and began to use spies in their attempts to increase their power. This gave an impetus to the genre of espionage novels. Most of the books written during this time featured plots by the Germans against the British Navy. One of the best spy thrillers of the time was a novel by John Buchan called The Thirty Nine Steps.
These first books reflected a simplistic division between good and evil which changed after World War 1. Authors became increasingly cynical about war and the role of the governments and their agencies. The spies in their books were often conflicted and solitary men. Graham Greene reflected this cynicism in his books.
Another man who was writing espionage thrillers of a very different nature at the same time was Ian Fleming. He gave us the ultimate fictional hero in the form of James Bond. His plots were far-fetched and depended heavily on fantastic gadgets and amazing escapes. Good and evil characters, flag-waving nationalism and cosmopolitan glamor were all part of the appeal. Of course the movies based on these novels have made James Bond a legendary figure.
During the years of the Cold War, espionage fiction became extremely popular. The backdrop provided by the Cold War was perfect for this genre. Many of the popular writers of this time actually had experience of espionage themselves which made their novels very realistic. They explored the mindset of people living in this world of secrets more deeply, bringing to light the moral conflicts suffered by those involved.
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John Le Carre was one of the most famous. It deals with intrigue between British and east German agents in Cold War Berlin. He brings to light the way international espionage really works. This is a story about a British agent who longs to end his career but is directed to undertake one final assignment.
Espionage novels only really entered the mainstream in the 1960s and 1970s. When Frederick Forsyth wrote The Day of the Jackal he had no idea he was writing a best seller. He created such a realistic world that many were convinced they were reading a work of non-fiction. He took us inside the head of The Jackal, a cold blooded assassin with a contract to kill President Charles de Gaulle.
In the early days of this genre, British novelists dominated but the Americans came into the picture with some best selling novels, such as those written by Robert Ludlum. One of the secret agents in his books, Jason Bourne, has become a household name, as movies based on these novels have proved very popular. Bourne has to find out who he is, why he is a trained assassin and why he is the number one target of his own government.
Just as the political world has changed considerably over the past century, so espionage novels have changed too. The issues which were important no longer matter and other issues have come to take their place. Terrorism is on the increase throughout the world in all its forms. This is reflected in the novels being written. The best spy thrillers offer political intrigue, complex plots and suspense and as long as this combination is offered, they will be appreciated by devotees of this genre.
These first books reflected a simplistic division between good and evil which changed after World War 1. Authors became increasingly cynical about war and the role of the governments and their agencies. The spies in their books were often conflicted and solitary men. Graham Greene reflected this cynicism in his books.
Another man who was writing espionage thrillers of a very different nature at the same time was Ian Fleming. He gave us the ultimate fictional hero in the form of James Bond. His plots were far-fetched and depended heavily on fantastic gadgets and amazing escapes. Good and evil characters, flag-waving nationalism and cosmopolitan glamor were all part of the appeal. Of course the movies based on these novels have made James Bond a legendary figure.
During the years of the Cold War, espionage fiction became extremely popular. The backdrop provided by the Cold War was perfect for this genre. Many of the popular writers of this time actually had experience of espionage themselves which made their novels very realistic. They explored the mindset of people living in this world of secrets more deeply, bringing to light the moral conflicts suffered by those involved.
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John Le Carre was one of the most famous. It deals with intrigue between British and east German agents in Cold War Berlin. He brings to light the way international espionage really works. This is a story about a British agent who longs to end his career but is directed to undertake one final assignment.
Espionage novels only really entered the mainstream in the 1960s and 1970s. When Frederick Forsyth wrote The Day of the Jackal he had no idea he was writing a best seller. He created such a realistic world that many were convinced they were reading a work of non-fiction. He took us inside the head of The Jackal, a cold blooded assassin with a contract to kill President Charles de Gaulle.
In the early days of this genre, British novelists dominated but the Americans came into the picture with some best selling novels, such as those written by Robert Ludlum. One of the secret agents in his books, Jason Bourne, has become a household name, as movies based on these novels have proved very popular. Bourne has to find out who he is, why he is a trained assassin and why he is the number one target of his own government.
Just as the political world has changed considerably over the past century, so espionage novels have changed too. The issues which were important no longer matter and other issues have come to take their place. Terrorism is on the increase throughout the world in all its forms. This is reflected in the novels being written. The best spy thrillers offer political intrigue, complex plots and suspense and as long as this combination is offered, they will be appreciated by devotees of this genre.
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