The Florist Of East Berlin
By Ray Drayton
The Florist of East Berlin gives the reader a real feeling of being there at the time the cold war was happening in Germany. Between all the participants in that war and also the aftermath involving the secret agents who were part of it. A well written book and really worth reading. Highly recommend.
Synopsis:
‘Whether you like it or not.
History is on our side.
We will bury you.’
Speech of Cold War Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
November 1956.
Losses of Agents East of the Wall warns MI6 and CIA a deadly Spy is unleashed in East Berlin.
His code name is ‘Black Iris’, a brilliant chemist brainwashed by the Stasi to become the most lethal spy encountered by the West. His method of execution is terrifying. ‘Black Iris’ displays fierce narcissism with loyalties only to himself.
This vile monster living in shadows under the streets of Berlin must be exterminated – quickly…
‘There he is again, like a rogue asteroid orbiting the Earth in ever decreasing circles. In astronomical terms it would be deemed an event of disastrous consequences.
I switch my attention to maintain a watchful eye over other passengers filling the departure lounge. This is Schoenfeld Airport, East Berlin in the summer of 1980. The Cold War has been hovering over Central Europe for nearly four decades with an ever present threat of Nuclear Armageddon. Life, as humans know it could end with a flick of a switch anytime, anywhere.
It is up to people like me to ensure that doesn’t happen. I study the back of the ‘Asteroid’ bypassing me for the sixth time. Who is he?? Is he one of ours or one of theirs? There is a chance he is neither, merely an innocent traveller indulging in light exercise. Somehow I don’t think so. If he is another ‘Spook’- what is he doing here precisely the same time I am?
One is now certain, he is not one of ours…’
‘The Berlin Game produces no winners at the final whistle.
We could end up dead in some rat infested tunnel nobody knew existed under the streets of Berlin. I feel a flush of anger at the very prospect.
A message to the politicians shaking hands with false smiles and false ideals. I will take my chances, but don’t tell me this is all for ‘King and Country’. We are here tracking down a madman to kill like a wild animal. Perhaps we are all madmen??
If so, what does that make our politicians who created us in the first place? We will go about our task because that is what we do as gatekeepers of State secrets – your secrets.
This is the moment – the most important moment in Cold War history. This is the moment to join the killing frenzy of men dying in the dark below the streets of East Berlin. We will listen for the final whistle signifying the end of The Berlin Game – those of us who will still be alive to hear it…’
History is on our side.
We will bury you.’
Speech of Cold War Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
November 1956.
Losses of Agents East of the Wall warns MI6 and CIA a deadly Spy is unleashed in East Berlin.
His code name is ‘Black Iris’, a brilliant chemist brainwashed by the Stasi to become the most lethal spy encountered by the West. His method of execution is terrifying. ‘Black Iris’ displays fierce narcissism with loyalties only to himself.
This vile monster living in shadows under the streets of Berlin must be exterminated – quickly…
‘There he is again, like a rogue asteroid orbiting the Earth in ever decreasing circles. In astronomical terms it would be deemed an event of disastrous consequences.
I switch my attention to maintain a watchful eye over other passengers filling the departure lounge. This is Schoenfeld Airport, East Berlin in the summer of 1980. The Cold War has been hovering over Central Europe for nearly four decades with an ever present threat of Nuclear Armageddon. Life, as humans know it could end with a flick of a switch anytime, anywhere.
It is up to people like me to ensure that doesn’t happen. I study the back of the ‘Asteroid’ bypassing me for the sixth time. Who is he?? Is he one of ours or one of theirs? There is a chance he is neither, merely an innocent traveller indulging in light exercise. Somehow I don’t think so. If he is another ‘Spook’- what is he doing here precisely the same time I am?
One is now certain, he is not one of ours…’
‘The Berlin Game produces no winners at the final whistle.
We could end up dead in some rat infested tunnel nobody knew existed under the streets of Berlin. I feel a flush of anger at the very prospect.
A message to the politicians shaking hands with false smiles and false ideals. I will take my chances, but don’t tell me this is all for ‘King and Country’. We are here tracking down a madman to kill like a wild animal. Perhaps we are all madmen??
If so, what does that make our politicians who created us in the first place? We will go about our task because that is what we do as gatekeepers of State secrets – your secrets.
This is the moment – the most important moment in Cold War history. This is the moment to join the killing frenzy of men dying in the dark below the streets of East Berlin. We will listen for the final whistle signifying the end of The Berlin Game – those of us who will still be alive to hear it…’