[originally published on Patreon Oct 12, 2021]

Today's all about novels as spycraft. I introduce the premise, the different classifications, and then briefly discuss Ian Fleming, George Viereck, Robert Ludlum, John le Carré, George Orwell, Anthony Burgess, and then Aldous Huxley.

First I talk about Thomas Henry Huxley, Aldous's grandfather, the X Club, the rise of Darwinism and Social Darwinism, its connections to Rhodes, Milner, and the Fabians, and HG Wells.

Then, I go through Aldous Huxley's life, his time in Hollywood, his friends and circle, and how he set up networks in the US to promote drug culture. 

songs:

• snippets of Musica Ricercata by György Ligeti (Eyes Wide Shut)

• Henry the Eighth by Herman’s Hermits

• Brave New World by Motorhead