During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there were shades of grey and ambiguity.

America has entered one of its periods of historic madness, but this is the worst I can remember.

People who've had very unhappy childhoods are pretty good at inventing themselves. If nobody invents you for yourself, nothing is left but to invent yourself for others.

The world of spying is my genre. My struggle is to demystify, to de-romanticise the spook world, but at the same time harness it as a good story.

During the Cold War, we lived in coded times when it wasn't easy and there were shades of grey and ambiguity.

In every operation there is an above the line and a below the line. Above the line is what you do by the book. Below the line is how you do the job.

I am still making order out of chaos by reinvention.