“Brilliant as this book is as a novel, and a piece of brilliant literature, it is probably most valuable as an interpretation of the Moscow "confessions" by someone with an inner knowledge of totalitarian methods. *What was frightening about these trials was not the fact that they happened-for obviously such things are necessary in a totalitarian society but the eagerness of Western intellectuals to justify them”* -George Orwell Book Recommendation: *Tortured For Christ*

(21.30) Just reading Koestler's autobiography 2nd part (The Invisible Writing) in which he states that the title of Darkness at Noon had been suggested by Milton's "Oh dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon" to him by Daphne Hardy.

Good talk. Worth the time to listen to it.

In German the novel's title is in fact "Sonnenfinsternis" which literally means solar eclipse. And considering the fact that the original manuscript was written in German, this might be of some significance. Therefore I wonder why John Fleming was at a loss of answering the question about the title of the book.

I've read the book and understood the message of Mr. Koestler, and I did the impression that he was a true believer or he would not have eagerly accepted his demise. I appreciate your confirming that conclusion. I also appreciate your giving the history of the author. His being influence by western communism is fascinating. The Frankfurt School has influenced American Communism, would Mr. Kessler have the same opinion of the Frankfurt School as he did of Bolshevism or would he have accepted it as gospel?

He did NOT coerce his wife into suicide. He was ill with parkinsons desease and knew that shortly his life wuold be insufferable. Cynthia simply had no life to speak of apart from Arthur, and although I know of at least one of her old friends offered her a home in a big comfortable house completely free for as long as she lived, she chose to kill herself rather than live without the man she had loved since she was his secretary.

A contemporary of George Orwell who barely hid this Soviet Union story of the 1930 purges. Some brief dark humor included such as a guard calling his rag a "mop" to clean his prison cell. I did indeed read it about 25 years ago.

I need e-books(kindle) of Aurther koestler's. Someone help me please. Thank you.

Darkness at the break of noon, shadows even the silver spoon.......the hand blade made, the child’s balloon. To eclipse both and moon........etc etc

To the question of whether Darkness at Noon was ever read in the Soviet Union: its first German translation in 1946 was banned Germany -- by the Americans, who didn't want to annoy their new ally, Joseph Stalin. (At the same time, Koestler's application to migrate to the US was rejected because of his communist past.)

Could the title “Darkness at noon” refer to a dark morality from communism despite the brightness of humanity? It reminds me of Nietzsche’s man running in to the town square at midday with a candle crying “where is God? God is dead and we have killed Him”.

People seriously cant work out what 'darkness at noon' means?

Don't listen to blah blah guys like this dude. Read Koestler's Autobiography.

not a good lecture but a good subject. he is too loose with facts, too cavailer with truth.thats the odor i picked up anyways. 33mins and i turned it off. Hillsdale C is great though..

I like cake.

For god's sake, it's pronounced....KIRSTler, (as in thirst), not KESSler (as in less).

Interesting subject, boring speaker.