Allen Lane) 1031 pages (£30.00) Review for The Tablet submitted 16/11/2010 I approached this authorised history of the British secret service MI5 with a degree of scepticism. Is one dealing here with history researched by an independent historian or an apologia for a government organisation whose hundred years of existence has drawn its lifeblood from secrecy and varying economies of truth? Christopher Andrew is a refreshingly unstuffy professor of Modern and Contemporary History at Cambridge, whose insights into the complex world of espionage and ability to convey them in comprehensible …
Chasing Diego – again by Jimmy Burns
An abridged version of this article appeared in the Dutch magazine Hard Gras in April 2010 Buenos Aires, January 2010, the start of World Cup Year. Superficially Maradona is a man transformed, his latest act of irresponsible behaviour-a foul-mouthed rant against some journalists when Argentina quialified- led to a dip in his poll ratings but is turning into a mere blip on a road to redemption in his role as coach of the national team. In the final preparatory stage for the Cup, Argentina beat Germany in a friendly! His …
Papa Spy paperback published on May 3rd 2010
The critics praised the book as one of the best books ever published on fathers & sons, the spy world, and wartime Spain. It is now published by Bloomsbury to usher in its 2010 Spring list.
New edition of Hand of God
Updated paperback edition of Jimmy Burns’s international best-selling biography of the greatest player in the history of football, Maradona: The Hand of God is being published by Bloomsbury in the run-up to this summer’s World Cup in South Africa where the controversial Diego returns as Argentina’s national coach.
A vote for the Common Good
What I would like to see in the UK after May 6 Some priorities… A redistribution of wealth to alleviate poverty and ensure a programme of improvement in essential services Vigorous action to avoid exposing this and future generations to the environmental ravages of climate change Increased but well managed investment in the NHS to ensure equal access and quality care Addressing inequalities includes making care of the elderly a key priority. Winter fuel payments, free bus passes, TV licences, and pension credits must be acknowledged as significant achievements …
Mourinho’s Black Magic
Mourinho’s Black Magic I can’ say that I can remember many moments of football that have made me feel physically sick before inducing a prolongued bout of black dog (depression) but few have provoked both reactions as much as the site of Jose Mourinho scampering across the turf of the Camp Nou, and striking his defiant pose af the end of last night’s match. If ever there was a moment of profound profanity it was this one. Bobby Robson’s one-time transalator, since elevated to the status of ‘special one’ by a culture …
It Rains in Spain
It Rains in Spain Tapas and wine in London’s Iberica restaurant last night with a group of young thrusting Spanish professionals who are living and working in London. We contrast and compare UK and Spanish politics- a welcome respite from the domestic campaign trail. “The common problem with both countries is the disconnect the suffering masses have with the discredited political class”, kicked off one attendee. Subsequent discussion showed the majority of those present –myself among them-genuinely impressed by the capacity of UK political parties to renew themselves, and the …
Thanks, Jack
Thanks, Jack My warmest congratulations go out today to my fellow Catholic Jack Valero who had the good sense to see through all the media hype surrounding the Foreign Office ‘gaffe’ over the Papal visit. “ I think it is a joke that has gone wrong…(Catholics) will think about it today and then forget about it. In the Catholic Church we are used to forgiveness. It’s part of our culture,” he was quoted in the Guardian. Valero has shown guts at a time when intemperate Catholic voices of a theologically …
Where Clegg nay be taking us
Where Clegg may be taking us Yesterday I managed to squeeze in a public meeting with local parliamentary candidates(Battersea) before running back home and watching the TV debate of the three party leaders. The first part showed local politics at its best. Each candidate submitting himself (Labour’s Martin Linton and the Green’s Guy Evans) and herself ( Tory Jane Ellison and the Lib Dem’s Layla Moran) to questions from ordinary constituents which showed a keen sensitivity to local issues and a refreshing ability not to sound simply as party …
Lost in Translation
Barca is translated So Mourinho has done it again. Having studiously followed the strengths and weaknesses of the opposing side, the arch tactician brought out the best in his own players and managed to make Pep Guardiola’s passing game, on the night, look not just ineffectual but tedious. This was a memorable game, but for the wrong reasons: a couple of poor referee decisions (one of which should have been a Barca penalty),Ibra-yet again-undeserving of his price tag- a dysfunctional defence, and worst of all, a Messi lacking all …
