Ben Macintyre

The Iranian Embassy siege that unfolded in the UK in 1980 was a huge world event at the time, although perhaps lost in the fog of history today. Prolific British author Ben Macintyre brings it back into focus in his latest book, The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama and he joins us to discuss his writerly beginnings, turning real-world espionage into captivating reads and how he balances the personal and factual details in his stories. 00:00 Welcome 00:48 The power of constraints in writing 11:30 Writing tip: The iceberg theory 13:52 WIN!: Torn by Nicole Madigan 15:26 Word of the week: ‘Nonpareil’ 16:11 Writer in residence: Ben Macintyre 17:05 Ben gives an overview of The Siege 21:00 His personal experience with the events 25:43 Ben’s background in writing 28:33 Exploring the SAS archive 32:05 The TV series Rogue Heroes 33:20 Character depth and authenticity 35:20 Challenges of taking an oral history 37:40 Pacing and structuring the book 40:15 Real life being stranger than fiction 42:18 Research and writing process 45:27 From book to screen 51:05 Advice for aspiring writers 54:22 Balancing sensory and factual details 57:12 Ben’s upcoming project 58:13 Final thoughts Read the show notes Connect with Valerie and listeners in the podcast community on Facebook Visit WritersCentre.com.au | ValerieKhoo.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Macintyre captivates readers with true stories. He expertly unravels complex historical events, explaining sharp subplots and side characters while artfully deploying dry humour to make the true stories he tells digestible. His most recent non-fiction work is The Siege – a story of how in April 1980, six men stormed the Iranian embassy in London and took 26 hostages they held for six days. Macintyre told Jack Tame he was 17 when the situation took place, and since that point he’d always wanted to write about it. “It was the most dramatic thing I’d ever seen on television,” he said. “It was one of those stories that entered mythology very quickly – it became a sort of story of, sort of SAS daring do, and kind of you know, fighting against the odds, and you know, the story itself is much more complicated than that.” “I've really enjoyed writing this one.” Macintyre is coming to New Zealand for the Auckland Writer’s Festival, delving into his work at three different events across the festival. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CONVERSATION SERIES: Ben Macintyre Join Peter as he speaks with Mr. Ben Macintyre, a renowned historian and bestselling author of Operation Mincemeat and Agent Zigzag. The two discuss Ben's latest release, The Siege. https://www.patreon.com/c/HistoryShortsPodcast CONNECT @ X Facebook YouTube Find us at www.historyshortspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 30th April 1980 six armed Kuzhestanis burst into the Iranian Embassy at no.16 Prince’s Gate, in the smart London neighbourhood of Kensington. So began a six day siege that ended in dramatic scenes, broadcast on live TV, as members of the SAS smashed their way into the British consciousness, and the building, bringing to an end the terrorist attack in a ruthlessly executed operation. Joining me is bestselling author Ben Macintyre as we discuss Operation Nimrod, the SAS, the hostages and the significance of the event to Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Episode Links The Siege with Ben Macintyre Aspects of History Links Latest Issue out - Annual Subscription to Aspects of History Magazine only $9.99/£9.99 Ollie on X Aspects of History on Instagram Get in touch: history@aspectsofhistory.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To coincide with the release of 'The Siege', Matt had a conversation with Ben MacIntyre covering his work with particular focus on Colditz and previewing his latest work on the events in London back in 1981. This episode is paired up with our review of 'The Siege' that shold also be showing up on your feed. Get involved in the conversation @SteveKPhillips and @WhingeingPom AudioBookClub.net AudioBookShow on Instagram Audiobook details: The Siege - The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama A: Ben Macintyre N: Ben Macintyre L: 14 hrs and 27 mins R: 12-09-24 P: Penguin Audio

Steve Phillips and Matthew Layton present #AudioBookClub - the podcast that reviews and recommends audiobooks. This episode sees Matt and Steve go back to 1980, dredging up their memories as sub-10 year olds of the Iranian Embassy siege in London. Ben MacIntryre is back with another epic movie-like recounting of the story from those who were there, taking us from the domestic to the global, with lots of snooker thrown in. What would you like to see him tackle next? Plus - your comfort audiobook suggestions please! Get involved in the conversation @SteveKPhillips and @WhingeingPom AudioBookClub.net AudioBookShow on Instagram Audiobook details: The Siege - The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama A: Ben Macintyre N: Ben Macintyre L: 14 hrs and 27 mins R: 12-09-24 P: Penguin Audio

Ben Macintyre joins us again to discuss his brilliant new book 'The Siege' Simon and Matt chat to him about the incredible research and interviews he undertook to write the account of this incredible historic event. They delve into who carried out The Siege and what the people wanted, and how Ben managed to get so much access to the first hand accounts. Here's a little more on the book: On April 30, 1980, six heavily armed gunmen burst into the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate, overlooking Hyde Park in London. There they took 26 hostages, including embassy staff, visitors, and three British citizens. A tense six-day siege ensued as millions gathered around screens across the country to witness the longest news flash in British television history, in which police negotiators and psychiatrists sought a bloodless end to the standoff, while the SAS – hitherto an organisation shrouded in secrecy – laid plans for a daring rescue mission: Operation Nimrod. Drawing on unpublished source material, exclusive interviews with the SAS, and testimony from witnesses including hostages, negotiators, intelligence officers and the on-site psychiatrist, bestselling historian Ben Macintyre takes readers on a gripping journey from the years and weeks of build-up on both sides, to the minute-by-minute account of the siege and rescue. Recreating the dramatic conversations between negotiators and hostages, the cutting-edge intelligence work happening behind-the-scenes, and the media frenzy around this moment of international significance, The Siege is the remarkable story of what really happened on those fateful six days, and the first full account of a moment that forever changed the way the nation thought about the SAS – and itself.

Listen to this audiobook in full for free on https://epod.space Title: Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama Author: Ben Macintyre Narrator: Ben Macintyre Format: Unabridged Length: 14:27:33 Language: English Release date: 09-12-2024 Publisher: PGRH UK Genres: History, Europe, Military, Global Politics Summary: Brought to you by Penguin. From the author of Sunday Times #1 bestsellers COLDITZ, SAS: ROGUE HEROES and THE SPY AND THE TRAITOR . . . On April 30, 1980, six heavily armed gunmen burst into the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate, overlooking Hyde Park in London. There they took 26 hostages, including embassy staff, visitors, and three British citizens. A tense six-day siege ensued as millions gathered around screens across the country to witness the longest news flash in British television history, in which police negotiators and psychiatrists sought a bloodless end to the standoff, while the SAS – hitherto an organisation shrouded in secrecy – laid plans for a daring rescue mission: Operation Nimrod. Drawing on unpublished source material, exclusive interviews with the SAS, and testimony from witnesses including hostages, negotiators, intelligence officers and the on-site psychiatrist, bestselling historian Ben Macintyre takes readers on a gripping journey from the years and weeks of build-up on both sides, to the minute-by-minute account of the siege and rescue. Recreating the dramatic conversations between negotiators and hostages, the cutting-edge intelligence work happening behind-the-scenes, and the media frenzy around this moment of international significance, The Siege is the remarkable story of what really happened on those fateful six days, and the first full account of a moment that forever changed the way the nation thought about the SAS – and itself. ‘Macintyre does true-life espionage better than anyone else’ John Preston © Ben Macintyre 2024 (P) Penguin Audio 2024

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/771509 to listen full audiobooks. Title: The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama Author: Ben Macintyre Narrator: Ben Macintyre Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 14 hours 27 minutes Release date: September 12, 2024 Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4 of Total 1 Genres: Military Publisher's Summary: Brought to you by Penguin. From the author of Sunday Times #1 bestsellers COLDITZ, SAS: ROGUE HEROES and THE SPY AND THE TRAITOR . . . On April 30, 1980, six heavily armed gunmen burst into the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate, overlooking Hyde Park in London. There they took 26 hostages, including embassy staff, visitors, and three British citizens. A tense six-day siege ensued as millions gathered around screens across the country to witness the longest news flash in British television history, in which police negotiators and psychiatrists sought a bloodless end to the standoff, while the SAS – hitherto an organisation shrouded in secrecy – laid plans for a daring rescue mission: Operation Nimrod. Drawing on unpublished source material, exclusive interviews with the SAS, and testimony from witnesses including hostages, negotiators, intelligence officers and the on-site psychiatrist, bestselling historian Ben Macintyre takes readers on a gripping journey from the years and weeks of build-up on both sides, to the minute-by-minute account of the siege and rescue. Recreating the dramatic conversations between negotiators and hostages, the cutting-edge intelligence work happening behind-the-scenes, and the media frenzy around this moment of international significance, The Siege is the remarkable story of what really happened on those fateful six days, and the first full account of a moment that forever changed the way the nation thought about the SAS – and itself. ‘Macintyre does true-life espionage better than anyone else’ John Preston 'The pre-eminent historian of the secret world . . . His books have set the gold standard for accurate historical reporting, but read like heart-pounding thrillers' Mick Herron 'Masterly . . . it has never been recounted so pleasurably as it has been here' New York Times © Ben Macintyre 2024 (P) Penguin Audio 2024

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/1/audiobook/771509 to listen full audiobooks. Title: The Siege: The Remarkable Story of the Greatest SAS Hostage Drama Author: Ben Macintyre Narrator: Ben Macintyre Format: Unabridged Audiobook Length: 14 hours 27 minutes Release date: September 12, 2024 Ratings: Ratings of Book: 4 of Total 1 Genres: Europe Publisher's Summary: Brought to you by Penguin. From the author of Sunday Times #1 bestsellers COLDITZ, SAS: ROGUE HEROES and THE SPY AND THE TRAITOR . . . On April 30, 1980, six heavily armed gunmen burst into the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate, overlooking Hyde Park in London. There they took 26 hostages, including embassy staff, visitors, and three British citizens. A tense six-day siege ensued as millions gathered around screens across the country to witness the longest news flash in British television history, in which police negotiators and psychiatrists sought a bloodless end to the standoff, while the SAS – hitherto an organisation shrouded in secrecy – laid plans for a daring rescue mission: Operation Nimrod. Drawing on unpublished source material, exclusive interviews with the SAS, and testimony from witnesses including hostages, negotiators, intelligence officers and the on-site psychiatrist, bestselling historian Ben Macintyre takes readers on a gripping journey from the years and weeks of build-up on both sides, to the minute-by-minute account of the siege and rescue. Recreating the dramatic conversations between negotiators and hostages, the cutting-edge intelligence work happening behind-the-scenes, and the media frenzy around this moment of international significance, The Siege is the remarkable story of what really happened on those fateful six days, and the first full account of a moment that forever changed the way the nation thought about the SAS – and itself. ‘Macintyre does true-life espionage better than anyone else’ John Preston 'The pre-eminent historian of the secret world . . . His books have set the gold standard for accurate historical reporting, but read like heart-pounding thrillers' Mick Herron 'Masterly . . . it has never been recounted so pleasurably as it has been here' New York Times © Ben Macintyre 2024 (P) Penguin Audio 2024

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/27280 to listen full audiobooks. Title: The Siege Author: Ben Macintyre Narrator: Ben Macintyre Format: mp3 Length: 14 hrs and 27 mins Release date: 09-12-24 Ratings: 5 out of 5 stars, 16 ratings Genres: Europe Publisher's Summary: On April 30, 1980, six heavily armed gunmen burst into the Iranian embassy on Princes Gate, overlooking Hyde Park in London. There they took 26 hostages, including embassy staff, visitors, and three British citizens. A tense six-day siege ensued as millions gathered around screens across the country to witness the longest news flash in British television history, in which police negotiators and psychiatrists sought a bloodless end to the standoff, while the SAS – hitherto an organisation shrouded in secrecy – laid plans for a daring rescue mission: Operation Nimrod.

Please visit https://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/28136 to listen full audiobooks. Title: Operation Mincemeat Author: Ben Macintyre Narrator: Ben Macintyre Format: mp3 Length: 13 hrs and 48 mins Release date: 06-06-24 Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 2 ratings Genres: Military Publisher's Summary: One April morning in 1943, a sardine fisherman spotted the corpse of a British soldier floating in the sea off the coast of Spain and set in train a course of events that would change the course of the Second World War. Ben Macintyre, bestselling author of Agent Zigzag, weaves together private documents, memories, letters and diaries, as well as newly released material from the intelligence files of MI5 and Naval Intelligence, to tell for the first time the full story of Operation Mincemeat.