Spy-fi - Revision history

Lquilter: near-future

2007-07-28T17:51:09Z

near-future

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:51, 28 July 2007
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	In the mid-twentieth century, Eric Ambler was a realistic writer and political progressive. Several of his novels became [[film noir]] works, and his work was also parodied by "The Pink Panther". Ambler brought a new perspective and "realism" into the genre, showing ordinary people caught up in political intrigues. Graham Greene, similarly, critiqued the political realities even as he wrote popular (and sometimes humorous) novels. Helen MacInnes' ''Ride a Pale Horse'' and similar novels set the tone for many of today's action-adventure spy-fi films and novels, with their fast facing and complex plots. Probably the best-known writer outside the genre is [[Ian Fleming]], whose [[James Bond]] novels brought in many of the techno-gadgetry elements that are often a hallmark of "secret government agency" spy-fi works.		In the mid-twentieth century, Eric Ambler was a realistic writer and political progressive. Several of his novels became [[film noir]] works, and his work was also parodied by "The Pink Panther". Ambler brought a new perspective and "realism" into the genre, showing ordinary people caught up in political intrigues. Graham Greene, similarly, critiqued the political realities even as he wrote popular (and sometimes humorous) novels. Helen MacInnes' ''Ride a Pale Horse'' and similar novels set the tone for many of today's action-adventure spy-fi films and novels, with their fast facing and complex plots. Probably the best-known writer outside the genre is [[Ian Fleming]], whose [[James Bond]] novels brought in many of the techno-gadgetry elements that are often a hallmark of "secret government agency" spy-fi works.

	In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the genre's popularity is unabated. [[Action-adventure]] crosses continue to grow, and the placement of "terrorism" in popular consciousness has led the genre back to its roots of a hundred years ago. The popular TV series of the 1960s ("I Spy", "[[The Avengers (TV series)\|The Avengers]]", and cult favorite "[[The Prisoner]]") — parodied by the also-popular "Get Smart" — brought the genre to TV. TV spy-fi continues to thrive with "[[Alias (TV series)\|Alias]]", "Spooks", "La Femme Nikita", and "24".		In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the genre's popularity is unabated. [[Action-adventure]] crosses continue to grow, and the placement of "terrorism" in popular consciousness has led the genre back to its roots of a hundred years ago. The popular TV series of the 1960s ("I Spy", "[[The Avengers (TV series)\|The Avengers]]", and cult favorite "[[The Prisoner]]") — parodied by the also-popular "Get Smart" — brought the genre to TV. TV spy-fi continues to thrive with "[[Alias (TV series)\|Alias]]", "Spooks", "La Femme Nikita", and "24". Some of these shows steer further into SF territory than others: "Alias" includes clearly SFnal — even fantastic — devices; "24" spans enough time that later seasons clearly feel like near-future dystopias.

	Spy-fi has inspired numerous parodies, including the TV series "Get Smart" and [[Mabel Maney]]'s "[[Jane Bond series]]".		Spy-fi has inspired numerous parodies, including the TV series "Get Smart" and [[Mabel Maney]]'s "[[Jane Bond series]]".

Lquilter: sfnal

2007-06-30T18:21:37Z

sfnal

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:21, 30 June 2007
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	The genre has been dominated by white male writers and creators. Women writers and writers of color include:		The genre has been dominated by white male writers and creators. Women writers and writers of color include:
	* [[Emmuska Orczy\|Baroness Emmuska Orczy]] (most famous for her "Scarlet Pimpernel" novels, which invented the [[secret identity]] protagonist; she also ~~wrote fairy tales and fantasy works~~)		* [[Emmuska Orczy\|Baroness Emmuska Orczy]] (most famous for her "Scarlet Pimpernel" novels, which invented the [[secret identity]] protagonist; she also did some SFnal work)
	* Helen MacInnes (a librarian, most famous for several novels made into films: "The Venetian Affair", "Above Suspicion"; also ''Ride a Pale Horse'')		* Helen MacInnes (a librarian, most famous for several novels made into films: "The Venetian Affair", "Above Suspicion"; also ''Ride a Pale Horse'')
	* Gayle Lynds (published under various psuedonyms, including G. H. Stone, Gayle stone, Nick Carter, Don Pendleton; she also wrote some of the ''The Three Investigators'' YA mystery novels)		* Gayle Lynds (published under various psuedonyms, including G. H. Stone, Gayle stone, Nick Carter, Don Pendleton; she also wrote some of the ''The Three Investigators'' YA mystery novels)

Lquilter: wikipedia

2007-06-30T18:11:55Z

wikipedia

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:11, 30 June 2007
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	* [http://www.overbooked.org/booklists/crime_fiction/spygirls.html Spy Girls Crime Fiction Booklist] at Overbooked		* [http://www.overbooked.org/booklists/crime_fiction/spygirls.html Spy Girls Crime Fiction Booklist] at Overbooked
	* Paula L. Woods, ''Spooks, Spies and Private Eyes: Black Mystery, Crime and Suspense Fiction'' (1995)		* Paula L. Woods, ''Spooks, Spies and Private Eyes: Black Mystery, Crime and Suspense Fiction'' (1995)
			* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spy_fiction wikipedia]

	[[Category:Genres]]		[[Category:Genres]]

Lquilter: woods

2007-06-30T18:01:39Z

woods

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:01, 30 June 2007
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	* Gayle Lynds (published under various psuedonyms, including G. H. Stone, Gayle stone, Nick Carter, Don Pendleton; she also wrote some of the ''The Three Investigators'' YA mystery novels)		* Gayle Lynds (published under various psuedonyms, including G. H. Stone, Gayle stone, Nick Carter, Don Pendleton; she also wrote some of the ''The Three Investigators'' YA mystery novels)
	* [[Manning Cole]] (a pseudonym for Adelaide Frances Oke Manning and Cyril Henry Coles)		* [[Manning Cole]] (a pseudonym for Adelaide Frances Oke Manning and Cyril Henry Coles)
	* R. J. Hillhouse (pseudonym for Raelynn Hillhouse), author of ''Rift Zone'' (2004, about a female smuggler); "Secret Agent Chick" in ''This Is Chick-Lit''		* R. J. Hillhouse (pseudonym for Raelynn Hillhouse; author of ''Rift Zone'' (2004, about a female smuggler); "Secret Agent Chick" in ''This Is Chick-Lit'')

	==References==		==References==
	* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/spyprograms/spyprograms.htm Spy Programs] by Cynthia W. Walker, at The Museum of Broadcast Communications		* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/spyprograms/spyprograms.htm Spy Programs] by Cynthia W. Walker, at The Museum of Broadcast Communications
	* [http://www.overbooked.org/booklists/crime_fiction/spygirls.html Spy Girls Crime Fiction Booklist] at Overbooked		* [http://www.overbooked.org/booklists/crime_fiction/spygirls.html Spy Girls Crime Fiction Booklist] at Overbooked
			* Paula L. Woods, ''Spooks, Spies and Private Eyes: Black Mystery, Crime and Suspense Fiction'' (1995)

	[[Category:Genres]]		[[Category:Genres]]

Lquilter: excessive linking removed

2007-06-30T17:59:06Z

excessive linking removed

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	The genre, even its [[straight]] form, often teeters or falls right over the brink into [[SF]], through its use of fictional, inventive, and unlikely technologies, which may either be the subject of espionage (as in the inventor of a fusion device) or provide the highly-fabulous tools of the trade (aka, "[[toys for boys]]", as in Batmobiles or James Bond devices). Spy-fi can readily be adapted to [[SF]]nal settings, however.		The genre, even its [[straight]] form, often teeters or falls right over the brink into [[SF]], through its use of fictional, inventive, and unlikely technologies, which may either be the subject of espionage (as in the inventor of a fusion device) or provide the highly-fabulous tools of the trade (aka, "[[toys for boys]]", as in Batmobiles or James Bond devices). Spy-fi can readily be adapted to [[SF]]nal settings, however.

	Early spy-fi novels in the nineteenth and early twentieth century involved the European political games of the day. Swashbuckling stories such as ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' by [[Baroness Orczy]] suggested the undercover agent, with secret adventures, and foreign intrigues. [[James Fenimore Cooper]]'s ''The Spy'' (1821) was a national agent. [[Joseph Conrad]]'s ''[[The Secret Agent]]'' (1907), developed out of the anxiety of the day about revolutionaries, assassinations, and terrorism, and its influence can be seen in many [[heist and caper stories]] and spyfi novels. [[Gaston Leroux]]'s ''[[Rouletabille Chez Krupp]]'' was another early popular spy-fi, bringing in the detective element in its Detective Roueltabille. ''Ashenden, Or, The British Agent'' by [[Somerset Maugham]] was another early spy-fi, showing domestic intrigues in England.		Early spy-fi novels in the nineteenth and early twentieth century involved the European political games of the day. Swashbuckling stories such as ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' by [[Baroness Orczy]] suggested the undercover agent, with secret adventures, and foreign intrigues. [[James Fenimore Cooper]]'s ''The Spy'' (1821) was a national agent. [[Joseph Conrad]]'s ''[[The Secret Agent]]'' (1907), developed out of the anxiety of the day about revolutionaries, assassinations, and terrorism, and its influence can be seen in many [[heist and caper stories]] and spyfi novels. [[Gaston Leroux]]'s ''Rouletabille Chez Krupp'' was another early popular spy-fi, bringing in the detective element in its Detective Roueltabille. ''Ashenden, Or, The British Agent'' by [[Somerset Maugham]] was another early spy-fi, showing domestic intrigues in England.

	In the mid-twentieth century, Eric Ambler was a realistic writer and political progressive. Several of his novels became [[film noir]] works, and his work was also parodied by "The Pink Panther". Ambler brought a new perspective and "realism" into the genre, showing ordinary people caught up in political intrigues. Graham Greene, similarly, critiqued the political realities even as he wrote popular (and sometimes humorous) novels. Helen MacInnes' ''Ride a Pale Horse'' and similar novels set the tone for many of today's action-adventure spy-fi films and novels, with their fast facing and complex plots. Probably the best-known writer outside the genre is [[Ian Fleming]], whose [[James Bond]] novels brought in many of the techno-gadgetry elements that are often a hallmark of "secret government agency" spy-fi works.		In the mid-twentieth century, Eric Ambler was a realistic writer and political progressive. Several of his novels became [[film noir]] works, and his work was also parodied by "The Pink Panther". Ambler brought a new perspective and "realism" into the genre, showing ordinary people caught up in political intrigues. Graham Greene, similarly, critiqued the political realities even as he wrote popular (and sometimes humorous) novels. Helen MacInnes' ''Ride a Pale Horse'' and similar novels set the tone for many of today's action-adventure spy-fi films and novels, with their fast facing and complex plots. Probably the best-known writer outside the genre is [[Ian Fleming]], whose [[James Bond]] novels brought in many of the techno-gadgetry elements that are often a hallmark of "secret government agency" spy-fi works.

Lquilter: toys for boys phrase

2007-06-30T17:50:18Z

toys for boys phrase

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:50, 30 June 2007
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	The '''spy-fi''' genre (also called "spy fi", spy fiction, spy thriller; related to [[political thriller]], [[action-adventure]], and [[mystery]], [[heists and caper stories]]) is a popular genre that focuses on the adventures and intrigues of espionage, assassination, politics, and deadly peril of the characters and often various innocents. The genre is defined by elements of plot (adventure, intrigue, mystery), and character and setting ([[spies]], people involved in government or power, criminal elements, law enforcement).		The '''spy-fi''' genre (also called "spy fi", spy fiction, spy thriller; related to [[political thriller]], [[action-adventure]], and [[mystery]], [[heists and caper stories]]) is a popular genre that focuses on the adventures and intrigues of espionage, assassination, politics, and deadly peril of the characters and often various innocents. The genre is defined by elements of plot (adventure, intrigue, mystery), and character and setting ([[spies]], people involved in government or power, criminal elements, law enforcement).

	The genre, even its [[straight]] form, often teeters or falls right over the brink into [[SF]], through its use of fictional, inventive, and unlikely technologies, which may either be the subject of espionage (as in the inventor of a fusion device) or provide the highly-fabulous tools of the trade (as in Batmobiles or James Bond devices). Spy-fi can readily be adapted to [[SF]]nal settings, however.		The genre, even its [[straight]] form, often teeters or falls right over the brink into [[SF]], through its use of fictional, inventive, and unlikely technologies, which may either be the subject of espionage (as in the inventor of a fusion device) or provide the highly-fabulous tools of the trade (aka, "[[toys for boys]]", as in Batmobiles or James Bond devices). Spy-fi can readily be adapted to [[SF]]nal settings, however.

	Early spy-fi novels in the nineteenth and early twentieth century involved the European political games of the day. Swashbuckling stories such as ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' by [[Baroness Orczy]] suggested the undercover agent, with secret adventures, and foreign intrigues. [[James Fenimore Cooper]]'s ''The Spy'' (1821) was a national agent. [[Joseph Conrad]]'s ''[[The Secret Agent]]'' (1907), developed out of the anxiety of the day about revolutionaries, assassinations, and terrorism, and its influence can be seen in many [[heist and caper stories]] and spyfi novels. [[Gaston Leroux]]'s ''[[Rouletabille Chez Krupp]]'' was another early popular spy-fi, bringing in the detective element in its Detective Roueltabille. ''Ashenden, Or, The British Agent'' by [[Somerset Maugham]] was another early spy-fi, showing domestic intrigues in England.		Early spy-fi novels in the nineteenth and early twentieth century involved the European political games of the day. Swashbuckling stories such as ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' by [[Baroness Orczy]] suggested the undercover agent, with secret adventures, and foreign intrigues. [[James Fenimore Cooper]]'s ''The Spy'' (1821) was a national agent. [[Joseph Conrad]]'s ''[[The Secret Agent]]'' (1907), developed out of the anxiety of the day about revolutionaries, assassinations, and terrorism, and its influence can be seen in many [[heist and caper stories]] and spyfi novels. [[Gaston Leroux]]'s ''[[Rouletabille Chez Krupp]]'' was another early popular spy-fi, bringing in the detective element in its Detective Roueltabille. ''Ashenden, Or, The British Agent'' by [[Somerset Maugham]] was another early spy-fi, showing domestic intrigues in England.

Lquilter: overbooked bibliography

2007-06-30T17:48:54Z

overbooked bibliography

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:48, 30 June 2007
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	The genre, even its [[straight]] form, often teeters or falls right over the brink into [[SF]], through its use of fictional, inventive, and unlikely technologies, which may either be the subject of espionage (as in the inventor of a fusion device) or provide the highly-fabulous tools of the trade (as in Batmobiles or James Bond devices). Spy-fi can readily be adapted to [[SF]]nal settings, however.		The genre, even its [[straight]] form, often teeters or falls right over the brink into [[SF]], through its use of fictional, inventive, and unlikely technologies, which may either be the subject of espionage (as in the inventor of a fusion device) or provide the highly-fabulous tools of the trade (as in Batmobiles or James Bond devices). Spy-fi can readily be adapted to [[SF]]nal settings, however.

	Early spy-fi novels in the nineteenth and early twentieth century involved the European political games of the day. Swashbuckling stories such as ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' by [[Baroness Orczy]] suggested the undercover agent, with secret adventures, and foreign intrigues. James Fenimore Cooper's ''The Spy'' (1821) was a national agent. [[Joseph Conrad]]'s ''[[The Secret Agent]]'' (1907), developed out of the anxiety of the day about revolutionaries, assassinations, and terrorism, and its influence can be seen in many [[heist and caper stories]] and spyfi novels. [[Gaston Leroux]]'s ''[[Rouletabille Chez Krupp]]'' was another early popular spy-fi, bringing in the detective element in its Detective Roueltabille. ''Ashenden, Or, The British Agent'' by [[Somerset Maugham]] was another early spy-fi, showing domestic intrigues in England.		Early spy-fi novels in the nineteenth and early twentieth century involved the European political games of the day. Swashbuckling stories such as ''[[The Scarlet Pimpernel]]'' by [[Baroness Orczy]] suggested the undercover agent, with secret adventures, and foreign intrigues. [[James Fenimore Cooper]]'s ''The Spy'' (1821) was a national agent. [[Joseph Conrad]]'s ''[[The Secret Agent]]'' (1907), developed out of the anxiety of the day about revolutionaries, assassinations, and terrorism, and its influence can be seen in many [[heist and caper stories]] and spyfi novels. [[Gaston Leroux]]'s ''[[Rouletabille Chez Krupp]]'' was another early popular spy-fi, bringing in the detective element in its Detective Roueltabille. ''Ashenden, Or, The British Agent'' by [[Somerset Maugham]] was another early spy-fi, showing domestic intrigues in England.

	In the mid-twentieth century, Eric Ambler was a realistic writer and political progressive. Several of his novels became [[film noir]] works, and his work was also parodied by "The Pink Panther". Ambler brought a new perspective and "realism" into the genre, showing ordinary people caught up in political intrigues. Graham Greene, similarly, critiqued the political realities even as he wrote popular (and sometimes humorous) novels. Helen MacInnes' ''Ride a Pale Horse'' and similar novels set the tone for many of today's action-adventure spy-fi films and novels, with their fast facing and complex plots. Probably the best-known writer outside the genre is [[Ian Fleming]], whose [[James Bond]] novels brought in many of the techno-gadgetry elements that are often a hallmark of "secret government agency" spy-fi works.		In the mid-twentieth century, Eric Ambler was a realistic writer and political progressive. Several of his novels became [[film noir]] works, and his work was also parodied by "The Pink Panther". Ambler brought a new perspective and "realism" into the genre, showing ordinary people caught up in political intrigues. Graham Greene, similarly, critiqued the political realities even as he wrote popular (and sometimes humorous) novels. Helen MacInnes' ''Ride a Pale Horse'' and similar novels set the tone for many of today's action-adventure spy-fi films and novels, with their fast facing and complex plots. Probably the best-known writer outside the genre is [[Ian Fleming]], whose [[James Bond]] novels brought in many of the techno-gadgetry elements that are often a hallmark of "secret government agency" spy-fi works.
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	==References==		==References==
	* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/spyprograms/spyprograms.htm Spy Programs] by Cynthia W. Walker, at The Museum of Broadcast Communications		* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/spyprograms/spyprograms.htm Spy Programs] by Cynthia W. Walker, at The Museum of Broadcast Communications
			* [http://www.overbooked.org/booklists/crime_fiction/spygirls.html Spy Girls Crime Fiction Booklist] at Overbooked

	[[Category:Genres]]		[[Category:Genres]]

Lquilter: more

2007-06-30T17:48:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:48, 30 June 2007
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	In the mid-twentieth century, Eric Ambler was a realistic writer and political progressive. Several of his novels became [[film noir]] works, and his work was also parodied by "The Pink Panther". Ambler brought a new perspective and "realism" into the genre, showing ordinary people caught up in political intrigues. Graham Greene, similarly, critiqued the political realities even as he wrote popular (and sometimes humorous) novels. Helen MacInnes' ''Ride a Pale Horse'' and similar novels set the tone for many of today's action-adventure spy-fi films and novels, with their fast facing and complex plots. Probably the best-known writer outside the genre is [[Ian Fleming]], whose [[James Bond]] novels brought in many of the techno-gadgetry elements that are often a hallmark of "secret government agency" spy-fi works.		In the mid-twentieth century, Eric Ambler was a realistic writer and political progressive. Several of his novels became [[film noir]] works, and his work was also parodied by "The Pink Panther". Ambler brought a new perspective and "realism" into the genre, showing ordinary people caught up in political intrigues. Graham Greene, similarly, critiqued the political realities even as he wrote popular (and sometimes humorous) novels. Helen MacInnes' ''Ride a Pale Horse'' and similar novels set the tone for many of today's action-adventure spy-fi films and novels, with their fast facing and complex plots. Probably the best-known writer outside the genre is [[Ian Fleming]], whose [[James Bond]] novels brought in many of the techno-gadgetry elements that are often a hallmark of "secret government agency" spy-fi works.

	In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the genre's popularity is unabated. [[Action-adventure]] crosses continue to grow, and the placement of "terrorism" in popular consciousness has led the genre back to its roots of a hundred years ago. The popular TV series "I Spy" ~~and~~ "[[The Avengers (TV series)\|The Avengers]]" — parodied by the also-popular "Get Smart" — brought the genre to TV~~; today, it~~ continues to thrive with "[[Alias (TV series)\|Alias]]", "Spooks", "La Femme Nikita", and "24".		In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the genre's popularity is unabated. [[Action-adventure]] crosses continue to grow, and the placement of "terrorism" in popular consciousness has led the genre back to its roots of a hundred years ago. The popular TV series of the 1960s ("I Spy", "[[The Avengers (TV series)\|The Avengers]]", and cult favorite "[[The Prisoner]]") — parodied by the also-popular "Get Smart" — brought the genre to TV. TV spy-fi continues to thrive with "[[Alias (TV series)\|Alias]]", "Spooks", "La Femme Nikita", and "24".

	Spy-fi has inspired numerous parodies, including the TV series "Get Smart" and [[Mabel Maney]]'s "[[Jane Bond series]]".		Spy-fi has inspired numerous parodies, including the TV series "Get Smart" and [[Mabel Maney]]'s "[[Jane Bond series]]".
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	==Gender, politics and spy-fi==		==Gender, politics and spy-fi==
	The genre's emphasis on undercover agents, surprise characterizations, etc., has created a fruitful field for interesting female characters. The genre uses many [[damsel-in-distress]] conventions, but even in early spy-fi women often cropped up as villains, or as secondary under-spies ([[Mata Hari]]-type figures); often, ambiguous of intent. In recent spy-fi, the male protagonist has given way to greater recognition of female protagonists. On TV, for instance, "[[The Avengers (TV series)\|The Avengers]]", "The Scarecrow and Mrs. King", "La Femme Nikita", "[[Alias (TV series)\|Alias]]" offered female leads.		The genre's emphasis on undercover agents, surprise characterizations, etc., has created a fruitful field for interesting female characters. The genre uses many [[damsel-in-distress]] conventions, but even in early spy-fi women often cropped up as villains, or as secondary under-spies ([[Mata Hari]]-type figures); often, ambiguous of intent — "Bond girls" exemplify many of these traits. In recent spy-fi, the male protagonist has given way to greater recognition of female protagonists. On TV, for instance, "[[The Avengers (TV series)\|The Avengers]]", "The Scarecrow and Mrs. King", "La Femme Nikita", "[[Alias (TV series)\|Alias]]", "[[The Six Million Dollar Woman]]", and "The Girl from U.N.C.L.E." offered female leads in spy-fi or action-adventure stories with spy-fi type themes.

	* See [[List of female spies]]		* See [[List of female spies]]

Lquilter: female leads

2007-06-30T17:43:59Z

female leads

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:43, 30 June 2007
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	==Gender, politics and spy-fi==		==Gender, politics and spy-fi==
	The genre's emphasis on undercover agents, surprise characterizations, etc., has created a fruitful field for interesting female characters. The genre uses many [[damsel-in-distress]] conventions, but even in early spy-fi women often cropped up as villains, or as secondary under-spies ([[Mata Hari]]-type figures); often, ambiguous of intent. In recent spy-fi, the male protagonist has given way to greater recognition of female protagonists.		The genre's emphasis on undercover agents, surprise characterizations, etc., has created a fruitful field for interesting female characters. The genre uses many [[damsel-in-distress]] conventions, but even in early spy-fi women often cropped up as villains, or as secondary under-spies ([[Mata Hari]]-type figures); often, ambiguous of intent. In recent spy-fi, the male protagonist has given way to greater recognition of female protagonists. On TV, for instance, "[[The Avengers (TV series)\|The Avengers]]", "The Scarecrow and Mrs. King", "La Femme Nikita", "[[Alias (TV series)\|Alias]]" offered female leads.

	* See [[List of female spies]]		* See [[List of female spies]]

Lquilter: POC, refs

2007-06-30T17:42:32Z

POC, refs

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:42, 30 June 2007
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	The genre has long been a stable bastion of conservative opinion, although writers like Eric Ambler, Graham Greene, and Jan Guillou demonstrate that the genre can flirt with leftist views too. However, the basic premises of the genre — violent service on behalf of a government, an ends-justify-the-means philosophy deployed on behalf of some national government or other — fits easily into rightwing and [[nationalism\|nationalist]] rhetoric.		The genre has long been a stable bastion of conservative opinion, although writers like Eric Ambler, Graham Greene, and Jan Guillou demonstrate that the genre can flirt with leftist views too. However, the basic premises of the genre — violent service on behalf of a government, an ends-justify-the-means philosophy deployed on behalf of some national government or other — fits easily into rightwing and [[nationalism\|nationalist]] rhetoric.

	As a genre firmly embedded in Western nationalism, its [[colonialism\|colonialist]] and imperialist views often shade into [[racism]]. This is explicit in early works, in which "swarthiness" was code for sinister, and "exotic beauties" often turned out to be deadly and treacherous (see [[dragon lady stereotype]]). Unfortunately, even modern incarnations of the genre are not immune to the lure of racial stereotypes, although they often use race in more ambiguous ways, or even attempt to deconstruct racial stereotypes, even as they rely on them.		As a genre firmly embedded in Western nationalism, its [[colonialism\|colonialist]] and imperialist views often shade into [[racism]]. This is explicit in early works, in which "swarthiness" was code for sinister, and "exotic beauties" often turned out to be deadly and treacherous (see [[dragon lady stereotype]]). Unfortunately, even modern incarnations of the genre are not immune to the lure of racial stereotypes, although they often use race in more ambiguous ways, or even attempt to deconstruct racial stereotypes, even as they rely on them. ("I Spy" was one of the few TV shows at the time to feature an African-American lead, an early role for Bill Cosby.)

	The genre has been dominated by white male writers and creators. Women writers and writers of color include:		The genre has been dominated by white male writers and creators. Women writers and writers of color include:
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	* [[Manning Cole]] (a pseudonym for Adelaide Frances Oke Manning and Cyril Henry Coles)		* [[Manning Cole]] (a pseudonym for Adelaide Frances Oke Manning and Cyril Henry Coles)
	* R. J. Hillhouse (pseudonym for Raelynn Hillhouse), author of ''Rift Zone'' (2004, about a female smuggler); "Secret Agent Chick" in ''This Is Chick-Lit''		* R. J. Hillhouse (pseudonym for Raelynn Hillhouse), author of ''Rift Zone'' (2004, about a female smuggler); "Secret Agent Chick" in ''This Is Chick-Lit''

			==References==
			* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/S/htmlS/spyprograms/spyprograms.htm Spy Programs] by Cynthia W. Walker, at The Museum of Broadcast Communications

	[[Category:Genres]]		[[Category:Genres]]