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 🌅
This 1952 memo from the Pentagon UFO files is superb There is no point preparing for aliens ‘because no one of consequence is going to take this rubbish seriously unless it happens. At that point, our policy will be determined in the traditional manner of grand panic.’ 🤣 www.war.gov/medialink/uf...
Upon A White Horse: Journeys in Ancient Britain and Ireland is out in paperback now.
Who wants to hear about the polymath Clemence Dane and how her essays for Good Housekeeping in the 20s & 30s helped newly enfranchised women meet the responsibilities of citizenship? I spoke about Dane and interwar women's periodical culture for the TLS Podcast: www.the-tls.com/regular-feat...
Revolutionary Roads
The extraordinary stories of two pioneering women: Francesca Wade on Rhoda Power and Sarah Lonsdale on Clemence Dane
the-tls.com
Looking forward to talking at the Cambridge Intelligence Seminar in a fortnight. www.cfg.cam.ac.uk/events/dr-pe...
Dr Peter Grace, ‘Uncertain Futures. The Crisis at CIA from 1947-1950 and the Arrival of the Intelligence Intellectuals’ - Centre for Geopolitics
cfg.cam.ac.uk
On Sun 8 March BBC Radio 4 will broadcast The Alpenpost: A Girl's Guide to Fighting Hitler and Stalin - a documentary based on my research! It traces how I uncovered the lost archive of an anti-Nazi resistance organiser in a wind-rattled villa on the Galician coast. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
I'm delighted to announce that the paperback of Upon A White Horse: Journeys In Ancient Britain and Ireland will be published on April 23 by @headlinebooks.bsky.social. Just in time, I hope, for better weather that will allow people to visit some of the beautiful old places I write about.
Intelligence history is American history! Honored to be a finalist for such a prestigious prize and on America’s 250th, too! @cphatsmu.bsky.social @socintelhist.bsky.social
Just got my copy of @dvanp.bsky.social's new book, "The DGSE: A Concise History of France's Foreign Intelligence Service," from Georgetown UP. I was involved on the editorial side of this book and it's a huge contribution. Available for pre-order today! press.georgetown.edu/Book/The-DGSE
The DGSE
press.georgetown.edu
“If ye wish her grateful’ pray’r Gie her a haggis!” Happy #BurnsNight from UofG! 🏴 Professor Pauline MacKay, Director of our Centre for Robert Burns Studies, reads from 'To a Haggis'. #TeamUofG #ScotlandIsNow @glasgowburns.bsky.social
I can't think of another profession, craft or post where even the leading practitioners, craftspeople or employees have to repeatedly apply for additonal money in order to carry out the basic tasks associated with the work. In that regard, academe stands (almost) completely alone. Could do better.
As we wait for news on whether Maduro is alive, I wonder whether @edinburghup.bsky.social would consider a second, updated edition of my book.
Luca Trenta@lucatrenta.bsky.social · 7mo agoThe liberal international order. www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
THREAD: As each year ends, I look back at the books I’ve read, re-read, or listened to across 12 months. Now, I share them in categories (by author, alphabetically, within each). Deep thanks to every author on this list for making my year better! 1/19
a cartoon of a boy reading a book in front of a stack of books .
ALT: a cartoon of a boy reading a book in front of a stack of books .
media.tenor.com
🎄 It’s that time of the year when the buzz of work quiets down and we get the time to rest before ringing in the new year — and pick up a book or two. 🥳 If you find yourself in need of last-minute holiday gift ideas, look no further than our KCSI-approved book guide!
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...
Small Finds #9
Slate
smallfinds.substack.com
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!
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
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
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.
Thank you so much, @drmcgowan.bsky.social! 🙂
Fraser McGowan@drmcgowan.bsky.social · 11mo agoGood morning. I'm reading this elegaic novel about a man determined to find out the truth about his late father, a man who seems both strange and familiar to him. It's so beautifully written that, before you know it, you're halfway through it. 💙📚 #Booksky #Reading
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.
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.
bbc.co.uk
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
A super new read from @dvanp.bsky.social and @intnatsecjournal.bsky.social , just out today: 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...
tandfonline.com
'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.
Prof Sir Anton Muscatelli's message for the UofG community
YouTube video by University of Glasgow
youtu.be
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/
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...
Dr Francis Young@drfrancisyoung.bsky.social · 11mo agoOver 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-...
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...
