Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction

Alan Burton

The Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction is a detailed overview of the rich history and achievements of the British espionage story in literature, cinema and television. It provides detailed yet accessible information on numerous individual authors, novels, films, filmmakers, television dramas and significant themes within the broader field of the British spy story. It contains a wealth of facts, insights and perspectives, and represents the best single source for the study and appreciation of British spy fiction. British spy fiction is widely regarded as the most significant and accomplished in the world and this book is the first attempt to bring together an informed survey of the achievements in the British spy story in literature, cinema and television.

The Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 200 cross-referenced entries on individual authors, stories, films, filmmakers, television shows and the various sub-genres of the British spy story. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about British spy fiction.

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 532 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4422-5586-9 • Hardback • April 2016 • $170.00 • (£131.00)

978-1-4422-5587-6 • eBook • April 2016 • $161.50 • (£125.00)

Series: Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts

Subjects: Performing Arts / Film / History & Criticism, Reference / Dictionaries

Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction

Hardback

eBook

Summary

The Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction is a detailed overview of the rich history and achievements of the British espionage story in literature, cinema and television. It provides detailed yet accessible information on numerous individual authors, novels, films, filmmakers, television dramas and significant themes within the broader field of the British spy story. It contains a wealth of facts, insights and perspectives, and represents the best single source for the study and appreciation of British spy fiction. British spy fiction is widely regarded as the most significant and accomplished in the world and this book is the first attempt to bring together an informed survey of the achievements in the British spy story in literature, cinema and television.

The Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 200 cross-referenced entries on individual authors, stories, films, filmmakers, television shows and the various sub-genres of the British spy story. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about British spy fiction.

Details

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Pages: 532 • Trim: 6¼ x 9½

978-1-4422-5586-9 • Hardback • April 2016 • $170.00 • (£131.00)

978-1-4422-5587-6 • eBook • April 2016 • $161.50 • (£125.00)

Series: Historical Dictionaries of Literature and the Arts

Subjects: Performing Arts / Film / History & Criticism, Reference / Dictionaries

Author

Alan Burton is an experienced teacher of film and cultural history. He has taught in universities in Great Britain and Austria, and published widely on British cinema and television. He is the co-author of Historical Dictionary of British Cinema.

Table of Contents

Editor’s Foreword (Jon Woronoff)
Preface
Reader’s Note
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Chronology
Introduction
THE DICTIONARY
Appendix I: Critical and Biographical Introductions and Commentaries to Works of Spy Fiction and History
Appendix II: ‘The Greatest Spy Stories’
Appendix III: The Spy as Novelist
Bibliography
About the Authors

Reviews

Spy fiction continues to be one of the most popular literature genres, and Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction is a worthy addition to the shelf. Written by prolific independent film scholar Burton, it provides a comprehensive overview of the spy story in literature, cinema, and television, focusing solely on the British contribution to this genre. It begins with an annotated chronology, and a scholarly introduction follows, which discusses various aspects of the genre as well as past and emerging trends. This introduction contextualizes the 200-plus entries that follow. Each substantive entry discusses a writer, character, novel, film/television dramatization, or genre trope (e.g., brainwashing) and includes useful cross-references. The book finishes with a lengthy bibliography organized into themed categories prefaced by a table of contents, making it a useful finding tool. . . .[T]his source is more handbook than dictionary, providing an entrée into scholarly exploration of this genre for students, researchers, and general readers. Summing Up:Highly recommended. All libraries/levels.
— Choice Reviews

This book provides extensive information on the contribution of Great Britain to the genre of spy fiction.... The introduction is one of the best, concise explanations of the history of the British spy novel both as a literary and film genre that I know of. This book is an important addition to any public or academic library's reference shelf.
— American Reference Books Annual

[T]his dictionary will appeal to libraries serving the general reading public and those providing reference materials for students, lecturers and scholars. Alan Burton is a well-informed expert guide to the field…. For the money, then, the librarian is bound to reflect on what one gets here: in word, you pay a lot but get a lot. Already it is clear to see that this work contains many spy stories that will or may have passed the general reader by and also contains many references and sources the expert will be pleased to see…. [T]his is a value-for-money product, capturing the moment in a genre that is continually evolving…. This work builds on a wealth of reference material that appeared some time back and so it is welcome.
— Reference Reviews

Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction

Alan Burton

Historical Dictionary of British Spy Fiction

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