Always Take Notes

#214: Ben Macintyre, journalist and author

Jun 10, 2025
Ben Macintyre, a journalist at The Times and bestselling author, delves into fascinating tales of espionage and military operations. He discusses his latest book on the Iranian embassy hostage crisis, sharing insights on balancing fact and fiction. Macintyre reveals the challenges of sourcing historical dialogue and the evolution of his citation practices. He also reflects on crafting narratives around wartime events, detailing how declassified archives have shaped his storytelling. Listeners will appreciate his views on the writing process and the impact of AI on literature.
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ANECDOTE

Authorised SAS History Access

  • Ben Macintyre wrote an authorised history of the wartime SAS which opened up secret archives to him.
  • This access led to his interest and eventual writing of "The Siege" about the Iranian embassy hostage crisis.
INSIGHT

SAS Secrecy vs Public Fame

  • The Ministry of Defence authorised surviving SAS members to speak, breaking tradition and allowing full storytelling.
  • This was cathartic for those involved given the SAS's famous yet secretive nature.
INSIGHT

Hostage Negotiation Complexities

  • The Iranian embassy siege's negotiation involved delicate psychological tactics and a lack of actual concessions to captors.
  • Margaret Thatcher's firm stance limited negotiators, increasing tension and leading to the raid.
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