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A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the…
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A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal (edition 2014)

by Ben Macintyre

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1,48113012,206 (4.11)171
History. True Crime. Nonfiction. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The true story of Kim Philby, the Cold War's most infamous spy, from the master espionage writer and author of The Spy and the Traitor.

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 by his colleagues in the West made its way to Moscow, leading countless missions to their doom and subverting American and British attempts to subdue the Soviet...
… (more)
Member:cabegley
Title:A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal
Authors:Ben Macintyre
Info:Crown (2014), Hardcover, 384 pages
Collections:Your library, Read but unowned, Top Books 2015
Rating:
Tags:nonfiction, history, spies, read, returned

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A Spy Among Friends: Kim Philby and the Great Betrayal by Ben Macintyre

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» See also 171 mentions

Showing 1-5 of 129 (next | show all)
Dastardly! Philby was masterful in his manipulation of both friends and foes. It all seems a bit pointless in the aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. (Although maybe not, in light of Putins tactics) Hard to believe Philby got away with it. ( )
  BBrookes | Nov 22, 2023 |
This is a terrific non-fiction book about Kim Philby, master/monstrous spy within Britain's MI6 (Secret Intelligence Service) for more than 20 years. The old-boy system of recruitment & belief against all evidence in the fidelity of upper class members is disclosed ruthlessly. The remarkable career of Philby is detailed; a fascinating story of murderous betrayal. ( )
  RickGeissal | Aug 16, 2023 |
Great story from angle of friendship between Philby and fellow spy Nick Elliott who defended Philby until he finally realized Philby really was a traitor and had used him. Further adds to portrait of James J. Angleton of CIA and how thoroughly he screwed up. He trusted Philby and thereby contributed to people getting killed; then after Philby defected, he later became untrusting of everyone and got people killed. Any good Angleton did can't balance the ledger.

Name dropping aspect is fun in this book. Fellow British spies included Tim Milne, A. E. Milne's nephew, and Jona "Klop" Ustinov, Peter Ustinov's father. (The real surprise is that the description of Klop sounds exactly like the son: a roly-poly, multilingual, and very funny raconteur, but a spy instead of an actor.)

The tragic part played by British class prejudice in the whole affair is pointed up. Especially the fact that the middle & working class guys were quick to see Philby as a traitor while the upper-class guys couldn't see it because Philby was "one of us." I keep thinking of the little spy-gnome in the movie "Russia House" who says, "Doesn't know because doesn't want to know." ( )
  MilesFowler | Jul 16, 2023 |
This is a real-life story that reads better than many spy novels. The focus is on the very close relationships among Philby and his associates. It stresses, perhaps too often, the role that class, money, school, connections etc played in ensuring certain people were promoted and trusted with any questions of actual ability being almost ignored. There seemed to be an incredible amount of alcohol involved which must have clouded judgement. This is an absolutely gripping book from a master writer. ( )
  rosiezbanks | Mar 23, 2023 |
This book provides an entralling look at the world of espionage. It is focused on Kim Philby and his friend, and colleague, Nicholas Elliott, working for British Intelligence (MI6). Ben Macintyre uses the lens of friendship to examine Philby’s actions, and how he betrayed both his country and his closest friends. It will appeal to those who enjoy narrative non-fiction about double agents, how they operate, and specifically about one of the most notorious defections in history. Philby used his charm and knack for making social connections. He got away with many transgressions due to his privileged class background and connections who could not believe he was capable of betraying his country. Basically, they were deep into denial and defended him even in the face of much circumstantial (and some real) evidence. I found it fascinating. ( )
  Castlelass | Feb 8, 2023 |
Showing 1-5 of 129 (next | show all)
When devouring this thriller about Kim Philby, the high-level British spymaster who turned out to be a Russian mole, I had to keep reminding myself that it was not a novel. It reads like a story by Graham Greene, Ian Fleming or John le Carré
 

» Add other authors (1 possible)

Author nameRoleType of authorWork?Status
Ben Macintyreprimary authorall editionscalculated
Barnes, Michael TudorNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Haggar, DarrenCover designersecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Le Carré, JohnAfterwordsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
Lee, JohnNarratorsecondary authorsome editionsconfirmed
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Epigraph
Friends: noun, general slang for members of an intelligence service; specifically British slang for members of the Secret Intelligence Service [or MI6] -International Spy Museum

If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friends, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country. Such a choice may scandalize the modern reader, and he may stretch out his patriotic hand to the telephone at once and ring up the police. It would not have shocked Dante, though. Dante places Brutus and Cassius in the lowest circle of Hell because they had chosen to betray their friend Julius Caesar rather than their country Rome. -E.M. Forster, 1938
Dedication
In memory of Rick Beeston
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Two middle-aged spies are sitting in an apartment in the Christian Quarter, sipping tea and lying courteously to each other, as evening approaches.
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(Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)
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History. True Crime. Nonfiction. HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The true story of Kim Philby, the Cold War's most infamous spy, from the master espionage writer and author of The Spy and the Traitor.

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 by his colleagues in the West made its way to Moscow, leading countless missions to their doom and subverting American and British attempts to subdue the Soviet...

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Book description
Haiku summary
Kim's a mole, hiding
In plain sight at MI6. 
Such a charming rat!
(pickupsticks)
Number one traitor
The 'third man' in Brit's spy ring
Too bad he escapes.
(pickupsticks)

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