<p>🎙️ <strong>The Live Drop – Episode 71: Kit Turner on the Cuban Revolution, Espionage, and Historical Fiction</strong></p><br><p>In this episode, I speak with former intelligence officer and historical fiction author <strong>Kit Turner</strong>, whose latest novel <em>Children of Outer Darkness</em> dives deep into the origins of the <strong>Cuban Revolution</strong>. What begins as a conversation about Kit’s book quickly turns into a gripping exploration of insurgency, propaganda, and the murky world of mid-century espionage.</p><p>Kit shares how his background in counterinsurgency informed his portrayal of Cuba’s revolutionary figures, from <strong>Fidel Castro</strong> and <strong>Che Guevara</strong> to lesser-known but pivotal characters like <strong>Celia Sánchez</strong> and <strong>Vilma Espín</strong>. We discuss the revolution’s unlikely beginnings—a leaky yacht and a ragtag group of rebels—and the shadowy support from the <strong>CIA, GRU, and KGB</strong> during the Cold War chess match in the Caribbean.</p><p>We also explore the blend of fact and fiction in Kit’s work, including his stylistic influences from <strong>Graham Greene, Eric Ambler, and John Buchan</strong>, and why historical fiction can sometimes reveal deeper truths than memoirs—especially when you're still under a CIA publication review.</p><br><p>📚<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Outer-Darkness-Kit-Turner-ebook/dp/B0DMTP7TFB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Children of Outer Darkness</em> </strong></a>is available via Warpath Press and anywhere books are sold. Illustrated with rare photos, it brings the revolution to life in a way that’s both vivid and unexpected.</p><br><p>🔗 Learn more at <a href="http://kitturnerauthor.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">kitturnerauthor.com</a></p><br><p><strong>Check out my Substack piece based on this interview: </strong><a href="https://open.substack.com/pub/markvalley/p/what-the-cuban-revolution-can-teach?r=1d2blf&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=false" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What the Cuban Revolution Can Teach Democrats.</strong></a></p><br><p><strong>More at </strong><a href="https://markvalley.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>https://markvalley.substack.com/</strong></a></p><p><br></p><h3>📚 <strong>Books and Authors Referenced</strong></h3><p><br></p><ol><li><strong><em>Our Man in Havana</em></strong> by <strong>Graham Greene</strong></li></ol><p>A classic British spy novel set in pre-revolutionary Cuba. A strong influence on Kit Turner’s writing style and subject matter.</p><ol><li><strong><em>The 39 Steps</em></strong> by <strong>John Buchan</strong></li></ol><p>A foundational spy thriller featuring fast-paced action and a civilian protagonist pulled into global intrigue. Turner admired its momentum and structure.</p><ol><li><strong><em>A Coffin for Dimitrios</em></strong> by <strong>Eric Ambler</strong></li></ol><p>One of the novels that helped shape the modern espionage thriller genre. Ambler’s morally ambiguous characters and realistic spycraft inspired Turner’s tone.</p><ol><li><strong><em>In the Midst of Wars</em></strong> by <strong>Edward Lansdale</strong></li></ol><p>A memoir by the legendary CIA operative involved in post-WWII counterinsurgency operations, especially in the Philippines and Vietnam. Turner cited this work while discussing how insurgencies are won or lost with people, not just weapons.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

The Live Drop

Mark Valley

Kit Turner & A Ragtag Group of Rebels Hit The Shores of Revolutionary Cuba

MAR 26, 202550 MIN
The Live Drop

Kit Turner & A Ragtag Group of Rebels Hit The Shores of Revolutionary Cuba

MAR 26, 202550 MIN

Description

<p>🎙️ <strong>The Live Drop – Episode 71: Kit Turner on the Cuban Revolution, Espionage, and Historical Fiction</strong></p><br><p>In this episode, I speak with former intelligence officer and historical fiction author <strong>Kit Turner</strong>, whose latest novel <em>Children of Outer Darkness</em> dives deep into the origins of the <strong>Cuban Revolution</strong>. What begins as a conversation about Kit’s book quickly turns into a gripping exploration of insurgency, propaganda, and the murky world of mid-century espionage.</p><p>Kit shares how his background in counterinsurgency informed his portrayal of Cuba’s revolutionary figures, from <strong>Fidel Castro</strong> and <strong>Che Guevara</strong> to lesser-known but pivotal characters like <strong>Celia Sánchez</strong> and <strong>Vilma Espín</strong>. We discuss the revolution’s unlikely beginnings—a leaky yacht and a ragtag group of rebels—and the shadowy support from the <strong>CIA, GRU, and KGB</strong> during the Cold War chess match in the Caribbean.</p><p>We also explore the blend of fact and fiction in Kit’s work, including his stylistic influences from <strong>Graham Greene, Eric Ambler, and John Buchan</strong>, and why historical fiction can sometimes reveal deeper truths than memoirs—especially when you're still under a CIA publication review.</p><br><p>📚<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Children-Outer-Darkness-Kit-Turner-ebook/dp/B0DMTP7TFB" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>Children of Outer Darkness</em> </strong></a>is available via Warpath Press and anywhere books are sold. Illustrated with rare photos, it brings the revolution to life in a way that’s both vivid and unexpected.</p><br><p>🔗 Learn more at <a href="http://kitturnerauthor.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">kitturnerauthor.com</a></p><br><p><strong>Check out my Substack piece based on this interview: </strong><a href="https://open.substack.com/pub/markvalley/p/what-the-cuban-revolution-can-teach?r=1d2blf&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=false" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>What the Cuban Revolution Can Teach Democrats.</strong></a></p><br><p><strong>More at </strong><a href="https://markvalley.substack.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong>https://markvalley.substack.com/</strong></a></p><p><br></p><h3>📚 <strong>Books and Authors Referenced</strong></h3><p><br></p><ol><li><strong><em>Our Man in Havana</em></strong> by <strong>Graham Greene</strong></li></ol><p>A classic British spy novel set in pre-revolutionary Cuba. A strong influence on Kit Turner’s writing style and subject matter.</p><ol><li><strong><em>The 39 Steps</em></strong> by <strong>John Buchan</strong></li></ol><p>A foundational spy thriller featuring fast-paced action and a civilian protagonist pulled into global intrigue. Turner admired its momentum and structure.</p><ol><li><strong><em>A Coffin for Dimitrios</em></strong> by <strong>Eric Ambler</strong></li></ol><p>One of the novels that helped shape the modern espionage thriller genre. Ambler’s morally ambiguous characters and realistic spycraft inspired Turner’s tone.</p><ol><li><strong><em>In the Midst of Wars</em></strong> by <strong>Edward Lansdale</strong></li></ol><p>A memoir by the legendary CIA operative involved in post-WWII counterinsurgency operations, especially in the Philippines and Vietnam. Turner cited this work while discussing how insurgencies are won or lost with people, not just weapons.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>