This is John Batchelor, conversation with the author Peter Stansky, his book The Socialist Patriot, George Orwell, and War.

Peter describes the decision by Orwell to come home from being a policeman for the empire in the Far East and become a writer, the risk of this.

And also the assumption that Orwell, whose real name was Blair, Orwell came home because he was

against the empire.

Peter challenges that.

Here's Peter Stansky, the socialist patriot, George Orwell and War.

More of this later tonight.

Yes, yes, I think it is.

I think what's exaggerated,

some people write that all'El returned from Burma,

convince anti-imperialist.

I think he had doubts.

Orwell's transitions are more gradual, I think, than people frequently you say.

He became increasingly anti-imperialist.

He came back having doubts about the empire, but I think much to his father's disapproval,

his decision to resign from the police force was partially driven by his doubts about imperialism,

but I think more important was he decided I want to be a writer.

I don't want to do this.

I want to have a different career.

And I think that was the major reason that he resigned from the service.

Forfeiting a future pension and an assured income.

With a very uncertain income, he never really made money, made much money.

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