MI6, counterintelligence during the Cold War, and double agents – all wrapped up in the unbelievable account of Kim Philby’s career. Through his friends– fellow MI6 agent Nicholas Elliot and head of CIA counterintelligence James Jesus Angleton – Philby was able to derail an unbelievable amount of Anglo-American spy operations. Carried through department inquiries and moments of suspicion by being vouched for because of his background and education, Philby’s career is a cautionary tale about who can really be trusted.
Having previously read Macintyre’s book The Spy and the Traitor, I had a decent sense of what I would be getting into. Macintyre’s brilliant storytelling aside, I was not prepared for the stark reality of this book. I often forget that the CIA and MI6 are made up of real and flawed individuals, thinking that their elite skills put them in a tier above the rest. After reading this book, I will not be making the same mistake again. Macintyre, through diligent research and powerful writing, shows just how human these agents really are and how they’re just as vulnerable to blind-spots as the next person.
For those interested in spy networks and counterintelligence during the Cold War, this is definitely the book for you. For anyone who wants to read about the brutal reality of the blindness of “old boys clubs”, this is also for you. It is a fascinating account of friendships and betrayals that shaped history.
2% Rating: 8/10
Recommend? Yes
Re-Read? Potentially
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