Stephen Vogel Digs Into Cold War Berlin and Taps Into British Spy George Blake

Author and journalist Stephen Vogel’s written a definitive and engaging book about the Cold War’s most audacious espionage operation – Betrayal in Berlin - about a clandestine tunnel as long as the Empire State Building into the Soviet sector of Berlin in the mid 50s.  The operation collected years of telephone and wire communications from the Soviet forces long after it was revealed to have been compromised in 1956 by British spy George Blake.  We refer to the film The Innocent, a 1992 John Schlesinger movie starring Anthony Hopkins as a brash CIA chief based on a larger than life Bill Harvey. The film was historical fiction but essentially re-enacted the tunnel operation capturing the mood and textures of the time.  It was also your host's first acting job. The son of a CIA officer, Stephen Vogel shares his connection the subject matter, the time and the place.  For more information on the author check out  Stevevogelsite.comTransmission 030If you've enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more, please consider signing up as a contributing patron and join the community for exclusive commentary, and content.  A $10 a month donation will really keep us going ---> https://www.patreon.com/thelivedropAlternatively, if you would like to help make Season Three operational you could offer a one time donation of any amount right here ---> https://www.paypal.me/thelivedropThank you for listening and your support,Mark ValleyCreator/Host  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.