"Perhaps the topic indicated in the book's title really is the 'best-kept secret of the Cold War,' as the sensational subtitle claims. If so, it was so well-kept that it wouldn't have filled a book of nearly 300 pages. One can certainly get that impression. There is repeated mention of CIA operations to smuggle forbidden literature into the countries of the so-called Eastern Bloc until 1991. But for long stretches, this book is a history of Poland in the last decade of communist rule.
This, especially when written as it is here, is certainly interesting. But all those who wish to gain deep insights into the book business of the American intelligence service will put the book down with decidedly mixed feelings. In this respect, the work could be described as something that intelligence services are also good at: an operation under a false flag. Even in the early stages of the Cold War, the Americans founded and/or supported numerous organizations in Europe that had set themselves the goal of overcoming communist rule in the countries beyond the "Iron Curtain." Among these, especially in the early days, were partisan units that waged a suicidal and ultimately hopeless struggle against the governments supported by the Soviet Union.
But from the beginning, cultural institutions were also part of this effort. Since the Second World War and its immediate aftermath had driven many citizens of Central and Eastern European countries into exile in the West, the Americans quickly found willing supporters. The distribution of literature was initially accomplished with the help of balloons, which, given favorable wind conditions, were launched from Bavaria. All of this was organized by the "Free Europe Committee," an officially private organization that also operated Radio Free Europe. In reality, the committee, like the radio station, was financed by the CIA from the very beginning.
In this way, for example,..." In 1955, 260,000 copies of George Orwell's book "Animal Farm" were smuggled across the Iron Curtain – printed on thin paper to save weight. "Shipping" by balloon quickly proved inefficient, so the Americans switched to direct mail. They obtained the addresses of their recipients from official telephone directories in the target countries. In addition, books were smuggled across the border in secret compartments of trucks, for example. Individual travelers also smuggled literary contraband to the East until the end of communist rule.
The book program in Paris was headed by George Minden, a Romanian exile. He rejected crude political propaganda, such as leaflets, and instead promoted something akin to intellectual care packages. His motto: Truth is contagious. They sent not only overtly political works like "Animal Farm," but also sought-after magazines. By 1962, a system had developed that even allowed for specific orders to be placed. Among the satisfied customers of the secret book service was the Polish Cardinal Wojtyla, the future Pope John Paul II. According to the author, Wojtyla probably didn't know exactly who was behind the book club, but he politely thanked them for the literature with a postcard. The book focuses on Poland, where the regime had already run into difficulties in 1976 due to workers' unrest. Although these protests were suppressed, the situation escalated in 1980. The announcement of price increases for many everyday necessities led to a widespread strike movement that the regime could no longer easily crush. It was ultimately forced to even allow the independent trade union "Solidarity," an unprecedented event in the Eastern Bloc.
The author sensitively portrays life under communism. Miroslav Chojecki emerges as something of the "title character" of the book. He published publications for "Solidarity." In the summer and fall of 1981, the union's position in Poland seemed almost unassailable. In October, Chojecki and others traveled to the Frankfurt Book Fair, where they networked with exile publishers and discussed joint projects. The author writes that the Poles were well aware that their counterparts were being financed by official American sources. However, they had no problem with this, because their ultimate goal was the overthrow of their domestic regime.
After the book fair, Chojecki traveled on to the United States, so he was, fortunately for him and the organizers of the literature distribution outside of Poland, outside the country when General Jaruzelski brought the political "spring" to an abrupt end in December 1981 by declaring martial law. From then on, the CIA intensified its efforts to establish an alternative media sphere in Poland. For this purpose, not only books but also equipment for producing underground magazines and newspapers were smuggled into Poland.
This went on for several years. And although the shipments became increasingly professional, the regime did not seem to be in danger. The opposition movement reached an emotional low point in 1987. But the economic crisis worsened. And in the course of 1988, new strikes broke out. "Solidarity" re-emerged.
Poland became the first country in the Eastern Bloc where conditions gradually changed.
The underground publications, which were made possible thanks to the active support of the American intelligence services, played a major role in this.
Charlie English: The CIA Book Club. The Best Kept Secret of the Cold War.
Harper Collins, London 2025.
384 pages, £25.” [1]
1. Intellektuelle Care-Pakete von der CIA. Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung; Frankfurt. 11 Oct 2025: L20.
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