https://pjmedia.com/richardfernandez/2012/07/26/what-lies-behind/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 01:26:45 -0400<![CDATA[The protagonist in many of Eric Ambler&#8217;s books is often a person who accidentally wanders outside the confines of ordinary life and discovers a world of horrors under the surface of the normal. The real world, Ambler never tires of reminding his readers, is one of hidden violence, power plays and intrigue inhabited by cynical and powerful men. At some point in the book these villains inevitably taunt the naive hero for clinging to sentimental beliefs like law, liberty or God. &#8216;Those things&#8217;, the cynic tells the protagonist while watching him beaten by his henchmen before a table at which he eats his gourmet breakfast, &#8216;do not exist&#8217;. All that exists is power. To make this reality palatable to the public it is sugar-coated with illusion.]]>Thu, 26 Jul 2012 11:58:33 -0400<![CDATA[Richard Fernandez]]>https://pjmedia.com/richard-fernandez/2012/07/26/what-lies-behind-n191859