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Fraser McGowan

@drmcgowan.bsky.social

850 followers 99 following 220 posts

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 🌅

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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

Portrait of the author Martin Amis, photographed in 1977. © Angela Gorgas

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Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 2h

"Let's be more... normal!"

a man wearing a sweater that says rode on the sleeve

ALT: a man wearing a sweater that says rode on the sleeve

media.tenor.com

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 10h

Not sure if you'll be giving the talk in the same venue as in the picture, but that looks like a lovely room to give a talk in!

Reposted by Fraser McGowan

Euan Healey @euanhealey.bsky.social · 1d

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.

www.bbc.co.uk

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Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 1d

A camp classic. Fenella Fielding was only in two of the Carry On films, but she's strongly associated with the series because of this memorable performance. She had a famously tempestuous relationship with Kenneth Williams, too, and I don't think he enjoyed working with her in this film. 📽🎬 #Filmsky

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 2d

If you're a big reader, you'll love it! One of the best second hand bookshops in the world.

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 2d

Have you given Barter Books a try? It's something of an institution in that part of the world!

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 2d

Who could possibly forget your strength of feeling on that particular song? 😅

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 2d

...was it Shotgun?

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 3d

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.

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 3d

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

A copy of Citizens of London: The Americans Who Stood With Britain in its Darkest, Finest Hour, by Lynne Olson (New York: Random House Trade Paperback Edition, 2011).

The cover image is a black and white photograph of (L-R) Winston Churchill, Harry Hopkins, John Gilbert Winant, William Bullitt and A. V. Alexander, photographed on a boat leaving Westminster Pier in the early 1940s.

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 3d

Recommended to me over a decade ago by a relative who is sadly no longer with us. Regret taking so long to get around to reading it because I'd love to discuss it with her.

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 3d

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Reposted by Fraser McGowan

University of Glasgow @uofglasgow.bsky.social · 3d

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

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Reposted by Fraser McGowan

The Society for Intelligence History @socintelhist.bsky.social · 8d

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...

www.tandfonline.com

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Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 10d

Sure will. Thanks for prompting me! 📚

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 10d

Read Paris Trance years ago, but I know it's a good one. Full of sultry charm and humour.

I'm looking forward to the Moronic Inferno. I've only read a handful of Amis's books and I'm still working him out. Didn't love Dead Babies or Success, notwithstanding some screamingly funny sentences.

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Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 10d

Regrettably, I haven't started it yet. Dead Babies and Success took it out of me a little, and I've ended up with a few other excellent books on the go, which has created a bit of a delay. I'll make a start soon, though. What are you reading at the moment? Read any Amis over the summer?

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Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 12d

I reckon that's it for Ruben Amorim now. Something's got to give at Old Trafford now, anyway.

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 12d

Sorry to hear you've had a stressful week. Hopefully it ended peacefully and straightforwardly so that you can start afresh on Monday. Always enjoy reading your opinions on arts and culture. Bon weekend. 🙏

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Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 12d

The present administration in Washington, DC seems determined to go to any lengths to avoid being told inconvenient truths.

Far from being a solution to the (alleged) politicisation of intelligence, this course of action is a recipe for politicisation.

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...

Gabbard Ends Intelligence Report on Future Threats to U.S.

www.nytimes.com

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 13d

Seriously, do it! 😅

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 13d

Is there a competition your followers can enter to win an invitation over to your house for lunch or dinner? 😅

This looks delicious. Feta is one of my favourite ingredients. Thanks for sharing!

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Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 13d

😍😍🍽

Reposted by Fraser McGowan

University of Glasgow @uofglasgow.bsky.social · 13d

'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

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Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 14d

😍

Fraser McGowan @drmcgowan.bsky.social · 15d

"When it comes to science, I don't side with anybody," says Farage.

Says it all. What about siding with the scientists or, at any rate, the scientific method?

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