FROM AMAZON: Who was Kim Philby? Those closest to him—like his fellow MI6 officer and best friend since childhood, Nicholas Elliot, and the CIA’s head of counterintelligence, James Jesus Angleton—knew him as a loyal confidant and an unshakeable patriot. Philby was a brilliant and charming man who rose to head Britain’s counterintelligence against the Soviet Union. Together with Elliott and Angleton he stood on the front lines of the Cold War, holding Communism at bay. But he was secretly betraying them both: He was working for the Russians the entire time.
Every word uttered in confidence to Philby made its way to Moscow, sinking almost every important Anglo-American spy operation for twenty years and costing hundreds of lives. So how was this cunning double-agent finally exposed? In A Spy Among Friends, Ben Macintyre expertly weaves the heart-pounding tale of how Philby almost got away with it all—and what happened when he was finally unmasked.
Based on personal papers and never-before-seen British intelligence files and told with heart-pounding suspense and keen psychological insight, A Spy Among Friends is a fascinating portrait of a Cold War spy and the countrymen who remained willfully blind to his treachery.
Unmasking the Great Betrayal: A Spy Among Friends by Ben Macintyre
In the shadowy world of Cold War espionage, trust was a rare commodity, and loyalties were often put to the ultimate test. “A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal” by Ben Macintyre is a riveting exploration of one of the most shocking betrayals in the history of intelligence operations. This true story unravels the intricate relationship between British intelligence officers Kim Philby and Nicholas Elliott, revealing the shocking revelation that Philby led a double life as a Soviet spy.
“[A Spy Among Friends] reads like a story by Graham Greene, Ian Fleming, or John le Carré, leavened with a dollop of P. G. Wodehouse.”
Walter Isaacson, New York Times Book Review
Macintyre’s narrative reads like a spy thriller, complete with suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists. The book peels back the layers of secrecy, offering readers a glimpse into the high-stakes world of espionage during the Cold War. What makes this story even more captivating is that it’s based on real events and real people who walked the precarious line between trust and betrayal.
The author’s meticulous research and storytelling skills bring this world of espionage to life. Readers are transported into the tense atmosphere of the era, where every word and action could have far-reaching consequences. Macintyre not only provides a comprehensive account of the events but also delves into the personal and moral dilemmas faced by those involved.
ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, Shelf Awareness
AMAZON
This book is a must-read for anyone intrigued by real-life spy stories and the enigmatic world of intelligence operations. It serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of trust, loyalty, and betrayal in the world of espionage. “A Spy Among Friends” keeps you on the edge of your seat, turning each page with anticipation as the layers of deception are slowly peeled away, revealing the shocking truth of one of the most significant betrayals in history.
A Spy Among Friends is now an MGM+ series starring Damian Lewis, Guy Pearce, and Anna Maxwell Martin.
My Goodreads Review:
A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal by Ben MacintyreMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
The book is a tale of Cold War espionage. The book unravels the complex relationship between British intelligence officers Kim Philby and Nicholas Elliott, revealing Philby’s double life as a Soviet spy. Macintyre’s research and storytelling bring the world of espionage to life, highlighting the constant tests of trust and loyalty. It’s a must-read for those intrigued by real-life spy stories and the shadowy world of intelligence operations.
View all my reviews
2 comments