Fraser McGowan
@drmcgowan.bsky.social
Historian • Postdoctoral Researcher • Ph.D. on the early history of the U.S. National Intelligence Council • Interests: intelligence, 19-20thC history & culture, film, theatre and football • Glasgow, UK • Here since Aug '24 🌅
Pinned
Fraser McGowan
@drmcgowan.bsky.social
· Aug 4
Inspired by the excellent @mymartinamis.bsky.social podcast, I'm going to read or reread* (almost) every book by Martin Amis in order of publication. I'm ambivalent about Amis but have been rethinking him recently. I'll post my thoughts about each book here. (1/30)
#Booksky #Amis
📸© Angela Gorgas
#Booksky #Amis
📸© Angela Gorgas
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
Some game that was 🏴
November 18, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Some game that was 🏴
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
I wrote about a relic of George Orwell that has been a lucky charm during the writing of my books.
smallfinds.substack.com/p/small-find...
smallfinds.substack.com/p/small-find...
Small Finds #9
Slate
smallfinds.substack.com
November 14, 2025 at 9:30 AM
I wrote about a relic of George Orwell that has been a lucky charm during the writing of my books.
smallfinds.substack.com/p/small-find...
smallfinds.substack.com/p/small-find...
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
It’s arrived! Thanks Georgetown UP and those who helped make The Intelligence Intellectuals: Social Scientists and the Making of the CIA: @markstout.bsky.social, Don Jacobs, Robert_Patman, @joemaiolo.bsky.social, @ldfreedman.bsky.social, Chris Kinsey, @stephenwalt.bsky.social, Beinecke, and more!
November 13, 2025 at 6:05 AM
It’s arrived! Thanks Georgetown UP and those who helped make The Intelligence Intellectuals: Social Scientists and the Making of the CIA: @markstout.bsky.social, Don Jacobs, Robert_Patman, @joemaiolo.bsky.social, @ldfreedman.bsky.social, Chris Kinsey, @stephenwalt.bsky.social, Beinecke, and more!
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
I received my copy today of "The Intelligence Intellectuals: Social Scientists and the Making of the CIA," the new book by @petercgrace.bsky.social. I read it in the editorial process and it's fun and groundbreaking. Strongly recommend for those interested in the history of the CIA or intel analysis
The Intelligence Intellectuals
press.georgetown.edu
November 8, 2025 at 9:24 PM
I received my copy today of "The Intelligence Intellectuals: Social Scientists and the Making of the CIA," the new book by @petercgrace.bsky.social. I read it in the editorial process and it's fun and groundbreaking. Strongly recommend for those interested in the history of the CIA or intel analysis
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
Zachary Boyd (1585–1653) was a minister, poet & #UniversityofGlasgow academic who lived through one of Scotland’s most turbulent centuries. His rediscovered library offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a man who met kings and wrote plays at a time of revolution.
Read more: gla.ac/4o1qCQc
Read more: gla.ac/4o1qCQc
October 16, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Zachary Boyd (1585–1653) was a minister, poet & #UniversityofGlasgow academic who lived through one of Scotland’s most turbulent centuries. His rediscovered library offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a man who met kings and wrote plays at a time of revolution.
Read more: gla.ac/4o1qCQc
Read more: gla.ac/4o1qCQc
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
What a pleasure it was for me to be at Madingley Hall to celebrate Chris Andrew as the founding figure of intelligence history. He has been my PhD supervisor, mentor and friend for thirty years. His generosity, unwavering commitment to his students and irrepressible enthusiasm are an inspiration.
October 11, 2025 at 11:41 AM
What a pleasure it was for me to be at Madingley Hall to celebrate Chris Andrew as the founding figure of intelligence history. He has been my PhD supervisor, mentor and friend for thirty years. His generosity, unwavering commitment to his students and irrepressible enthusiasm are an inspiration.
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
Thank you so much, @drmcgowan.bsky.social! 🙂
October 10, 2025 at 9:21 AM
Thank you so much, @drmcgowan.bsky.social! 🙂
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
Read this. His life story is genuinely remarkable - born in Uttar Pradesh, an Indian nationalist who served in the war, visited Hiroshima after the bomb under MacArthur, moved to Britain, worked for the BBC.
Incredible story of a man whose life is a story of how modern Britain was made.
Incredible story of a man whose life is a story of how modern Britain was made.
VJ Day: The WW2 veteran who moved Queen Camilla to tears
Yavar Abbas reflects on his experiences on the front line - and the wars engulfing the world today.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 8, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Read this. His life story is genuinely remarkable - born in Uttar Pradesh, an Indian nationalist who served in the war, visited Hiroshima after the bomb under MacArthur, moved to Britain, worked for the BBC.
Incredible story of a man whose life is a story of how modern Britain was made.
Incredible story of a man whose life is a story of how modern Britain was made.
I'm reading, and thoroughly enjoying, this book. Rich in detail but beautifully written nonetheless.
It's more important than ever for historians, and scholars in general, to be able to write like this. Good writing makes for accessible research.
It's more important than ever for historians, and scholars in general, to be able to write like this. Good writing makes for accessible research.
One of the best works of non-fiction I've ever read. Dense with detail but the prose flows beautifully. A modern classic, all about the role John Gilbert Winant (US amassador), Edward R. Murrow (broadcaster) and Averell Harriman (industrialist) played in bringing the US into WW2.
💙📚 #Booksky
💙📚 #Booksky
October 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM
I'm reading, and thoroughly enjoying, this book. Rich in detail but beautifully written nonetheless.
It's more important than ever for historians, and scholars in general, to be able to write like this. Good writing makes for accessible research.
It's more important than ever for historians, and scholars in general, to be able to write like this. Good writing makes for accessible research.
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
A warm welcome to our new Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield.
Prof Schofield shares a message for the UofG community.
Here’s to this next chapter 💙
#TeamUofG #UofG #Glasgow #University #GlasgowUni #UniversityofGlasgow #GlasgowUniversity #scotland
Prof Schofield shares a message for the UofG community.
Here’s to this next chapter 💙
#TeamUofG #UofG #Glasgow #University #GlasgowUni #UniversityofGlasgow #GlasgowUniversity #scotland
October 6, 2025 at 12:09 PM
A warm welcome to our new Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Schofield.
Prof Schofield shares a message for the UofG community.
Here’s to this next chapter 💙
#TeamUofG #UofG #Glasgow #University #GlasgowUni #UniversityofGlasgow #GlasgowUniversity #scotland
Prof Schofield shares a message for the UofG community.
Here’s to this next chapter 💙
#TeamUofG #UofG #Glasgow #University #GlasgowUni #UniversityofGlasgow #GlasgowUniversity #scotland
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
A super new read from @dvanp.bsky.social and @intnatsecjournal.bsky.social , just out today:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Public-private collaboration and the digital transformation of intelligence
This article explores the vital collaboration between government intelligence agencies and the private technology sector in fostering innovation to address evolving technological needs. Traditional...
www.tandfonline.com
October 1, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A super new read from @dvanp.bsky.social and @intnatsecjournal.bsky.social , just out today:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
'Over the last 16 years, it’s really been the greatest privilege to lead this remarkable institution.’
UofG Principal @uofgvc.bsky.social shares a message ahead of his retirement next week.
Anton reflects on his time at UofG and thanks the community for all their hard work and support.
UofG Principal @uofgvc.bsky.social shares a message ahead of his retirement next week.
Anton reflects on his time at UofG and thanks the community for all their hard work and support.
Prof Sir Anton Muscatelli's message for the UofG community
YouTube video by University of Glasgow
youtu.be
September 26, 2025 at 9:13 AM
'Over the last 16 years, it’s really been the greatest privilege to lead this remarkable institution.’
UofG Principal @uofgvc.bsky.social shares a message ahead of his retirement next week.
Anton reflects on his time at UofG and thanks the community for all their hard work and support.
UofG Principal @uofgvc.bsky.social shares a message ahead of his retirement next week.
Anton reflects on his time at UofG and thanks the community for all their hard work and support.
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
Delighted to share the Future of Books and Reading paper, which combines research insights, professional expertise, and readers' voices to highlight the enjoyable, engaging, empowering and enriching effects of reading across the lifespan. Access here: blogs.ed.ac.uk/literacylab/
September 22, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Delighted to share the Future of Books and Reading paper, which combines research insights, professional expertise, and readers' voices to highlight the enjoyable, engaging, empowering and enriching effects of reading across the lifespan. Access here: blogs.ed.ac.uk/literacylab/
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
This review is well worth reading. It touches on so many issues I've been thinking about on pre-Christian belief, modern pagans, and our connection to ancient places.
Many of these themes came up on our tour of the Hill of Tara with Muiris yesterday...
Many of these themes came up on our tour of the Hill of Tara with Muiris yesterday...
Over on 'All Old Strange Things' I've written a new free-to-read post reflecting on @peteralanross.bsky.social's thought-provoking book 'Upon A White Horse': substack.com/home/post/p-...
September 22, 2025 at 7:11 PM
This review is well worth reading. It touches on so many issues I've been thinking about on pre-Christian belief, modern pagans, and our connection to ancient places.
Many of these themes came up on our tour of the Hill of Tara with Muiris yesterday...
Many of these themes came up on our tour of the Hill of Tara with Muiris yesterday...
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
This year's Oxford Intelligence Conference Program on Oct 6-7 looks superb. You can find information and the link for tickets here: www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/our-research...
September 19, 2025 at 6:59 PM
This year's Oxford Intelligence Conference Program on Oct 6-7 looks superb. You can find information and the link for tickets here: www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/our-research...
Although I hope and believe that literacy will resurge in the coming decades, this post explains what is at stake as literacy rates decline.
If we lose the ability to read properly, we also lose the ability to reason, to argue, to investigate, to invent, to challenge, and to resist.
#Reading
If we lose the ability to read properly, we also lose the ability to reason, to argue, to investigate, to invent, to challenge, and to resist.
#Reading
In the eighteenth century the rise of literacy precipitated the greatest transfer of knowledge into the hands of ordinary men and women in history and helped to destroy the old feudal order in Europe.
As literacy recedes a neo-feudal future looms.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
As literacy recedes a neo-feudal future looms.
substack.com/home/post/p-...
The dawn of the post-literate society
And the end of civilisation
substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 4:12 PM
Although I hope and believe that literacy will resurge in the coming decades, this post explains what is at stake as literacy rates decline.
If we lose the ability to read properly, we also lose the ability to reason, to argue, to investigate, to invent, to challenge, and to resist.
#Reading
If we lose the ability to read properly, we also lose the ability to reason, to argue, to investigate, to invent, to challenge, and to resist.
#Reading
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
@rorycormac.bsky.social @markstout.bsky.social @dvanp.bsky.social
@jgmaber.bsky.social @paulmcgarr.bsky.social @dianabolsinger.bsky.social
It arrived!
Super excited about our edited volume on #covertaction! And extremely grateful to our contributors and reviewers for their hard work and support!
@jgmaber.bsky.social @paulmcgarr.bsky.social @dianabolsinger.bsky.social
It arrived!
Super excited about our edited volume on #covertaction! And extremely grateful to our contributors and reviewers for their hard work and support!
September 9, 2025 at 7:13 PM
@rorycormac.bsky.social @markstout.bsky.social @dvanp.bsky.social
@jgmaber.bsky.social @paulmcgarr.bsky.social @dianabolsinger.bsky.social
It arrived!
Super excited about our edited volume on #covertaction! And extremely grateful to our contributors and reviewers for their hard work and support!
@jgmaber.bsky.social @paulmcgarr.bsky.social @dianabolsinger.bsky.social
It arrived!
Super excited about our edited volume on #covertaction! And extremely grateful to our contributors and reviewers for their hard work and support!
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
'The ‘C’s’ between 1909 and 2024 fall into two distinct groups; former Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) Chair Sir Percy Cradock talked of ‘sword men’ and ‘gown men’, reflecting the increasing civilianisation of SIS from the 1950s onwards' www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
A, B, or C? The Foreign Office and the Politics of Choosing the Chief of SIS
This article explores the process whereby the Chief (‘C’) of Britain’s foreign intelligence agency, the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS or MI6) has been appointed, and the inter-departmental polit...
www.tandfonline.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:18 AM
'The ‘C’s’ between 1909 and 2024 fall into two distinct groups; former Joint Intelligence Committee (JIC) Chair Sir Percy Cradock talked of ‘sword men’ and ‘gown men’, reflecting the increasing civilianisation of SIS from the 1950s onwards' www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
Proud to have contributed to this comprehensive and kaleidoscopic book, alongside a host of brilliant thinkers, writers, organisers and educators. There is a lot of really vital writing in here on ethics, decolonial praxis, grief, politics and community.
August 20, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Proud to have contributed to this comprehensive and kaleidoscopic book, alongside a host of brilliant thinkers, writers, organisers and educators. There is a lot of really vital writing in here on ethics, decolonial praxis, grief, politics and community.
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
One of the things Zelenskyy and his European posse should insist on before they get into substantive discussions at White House is proof of any claimed Russian concessions, including those now reported by Witkoff on security guarantees. Supposed past concessions have been wishful thinking.
August 17, 2025 at 3:11 PM
One of the things Zelenskyy and his European posse should insist on before they get into substantive discussions at White House is proof of any claimed Russian concessions, including those now reported by Witkoff on security guarantees. Supposed past concessions have been wishful thinking.
I listened to this podcast on my morning walk and, despite the scale of the challenge, it left me feeling more optimistic about the future of literacy.
Democracy depends upon people being able to read attentively and critically.
💙📚 #Booksky #Reading
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Democracy depends upon people being able to read attentively and critically.
💙📚 #Booksky #Reading
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Radical with Amol Rajan - Books v Screens: Why Every School Needs a Library (Katherine Rundell) - BBC Sounds
Children’s author Katherine Rundell on the crisis of reading amongst kids.
www.bbc.co.uk
August 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
I listened to this podcast on my morning walk and, despite the scale of the challenge, it left me feeling more optimistic about the future of literacy.
Democracy depends upon people being able to read attentively and critically.
💙📚 #Booksky #Reading
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Democracy depends upon people being able to read attentively and critically.
💙📚 #Booksky #Reading
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
I've just finished reading this great book written by one of my @uofglasgow.bsky.social contemporaries, Dr. Craig Gill.
It's a thoughtful read that meets and then confounds expectations. Written with a love for the game of golf and a wish to tell some of its untold stories.
💙📚 #Booksky #History
It's a thoughtful read that meets and then confounds expectations. Written with a love for the game of golf and a wish to tell some of its untold stories.
💙📚 #Booksky #History
August 14, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I've just finished reading this great book written by one of my @uofglasgow.bsky.social contemporaries, Dr. Craig Gill.
It's a thoughtful read that meets and then confounds expectations. Written with a love for the game of golf and a wish to tell some of its untold stories.
💙📚 #Booksky #History
It's a thoughtful read that meets and then confounds expectations. Written with a love for the game of golf and a wish to tell some of its untold stories.
💙📚 #Booksky #History
The first tranche of onions from my garden. Eighteen of them. Not bad going. 🧅
#Gardening #GardeningSky
#Gardening #GardeningSky
August 12, 2025 at 12:01 PM
The first tranche of onions from my garden. Eighteen of them. Not bad going. 🧅
#Gardening #GardeningSky
#Gardening #GardeningSky
Reposted by Fraser McGowan
If you missed, it, @melaniebrand.bsky.social also wrote a super partner piece last January:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
The media and ‘Mrs Petrov’: press representations of Australia’s most famous spy
Evdokia Petrova is undoubtedly the most famous female spy in Australia’s Cold War history. She was thrust into the spotlight during the 1954 Petrov Affair, when she instantly captured the attention...
www.tandfonline.com
August 11, 2025 at 4:09 PM
If you missed, it, @melaniebrand.bsky.social also wrote a super partner piece last January:
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....