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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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A Spy Among Friends summary
Ben Macintyre
Philby and the Great Betrayal
22 mins
Brief summary
A Spy Among Friends by Ben Macintyre tells the thrilling true story of British intelligence officer Kim Philby's double life as a Soviet spy during the Cold War, and how he was betrayed by his own trusted friend.
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A Spy Among Friends
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Kim Philby’s nascent Socialist inclinations were formed at Cambridge and in revolutionary Vienna.
To the Cambridge of 1930, Kim Philby was no outlier. When he went up to the university to read history, he was, like so many other first-year 18-year-olds, distinctly upper class and burning with academic ambition.
However, as his political outlook shifted, his scholastic tendencies were soon overtaken by more controversial occupations. He began moving in a left-wing direction by canvassing for the moderate Labour Party. But a trip to Berlin in 1933 radicalized him. There, he witnessed Nazi thugs demonstrating against Jewish citizens.
By this point, he was personally committed to the Socialist cause, but he was hardly outspoken about it. It’s known that he purchased some of Karl Marx’s works, but there’s no evidence of him ever reading or studying them in any detail, let alone of him preaching Communist ideas.
Though Philby did eventually devote himself to the Socialist cause, he did so far from home, where he was unlikely to be recognized.
Vienna, Austria, 1934. Revolution was in the air. At the time, the country was under the thumb of Engelbert Dollfuss, a right-wing dictator. A Socialist movement had coalesced, and tensions between right and left had reached boiling point.
Within just a few weeks of Philby's arrival in Vienna, Dollfuss began a crackdown. Socialist leaders were arrested, and trade unions banned. A short but violent civil war erupted.
In the ensuing chaos, Philby fell in love with Alice Kohlman, a young Jewish Socialist activist. Kohlman found herself on the proscription list of wanted Socialists. Arrest, if not worse, was imminent. Consequently, Philby married her so that she could flee to Britain and safety. Even though the couple divorced in 1946, it’s thought that Kohlman remained Philby’s only true love.
After this adventure, and once he was back in Britain, Philby's determination to fight for the Socialist cause was fixed.
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What is A Spy Among Friends about?
A Spy Among Friends (2014) details the life of Kim Philby, a highly respected operative who rose through the ranks of the British secret services during World War II and the Cold War. Though a seeming paragon of British values, he actually spent his career working as a double agent for the Russians.
A Spy Among Friends Review
A Spy Among Friends (2014) by Ben Macintyre is a thrilling account of the real-life friendship and betrayal between two intelligence officers during the Cold War. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- It offers an insider's look into the complex world of espionage and the high stakes game of intelligence gathering.
- Based on meticulous research and interviews with key players, the book provides a detailed and accurate portrayal of the events that unfolded.
- The narrative is gripping and suspenseful, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they uncover the truth behind the double agent's motives and actions.
Best quote from A Spy Among Friends
Philby resigned from the Times, and duly reported to a building near MI6 headquarters.
—Ben Macintyre
Who should read A Spy Among Friends?
- Fans of John Le Carré and other spy novelists
- People interested in the history of the Cold War
- Espionage enthusiasts and would-be spies
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A Spy Among Friends FAQs
What is the main message of A Spy Among Friends?
The main message of A Spy Among Friends is the betrayal and deception that can occur among close friends.
How long does it take to read A Spy Among Friends?
The reading time for A Spy Among Friends varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is A Spy Among Friends a good book? Is it worth reading?
A Spy Among Friends is definitely worth reading. It offers a gripping and captivating true story that will keep you hooked from start to finish.
Who is the author of A Spy Among Friends?
The author of A Spy Among Friends is Ben Macintyre.
What to read after A Spy Among Friends?
If you're wondering what to read next after A Spy Among Friends, here are some recommendations we suggest:
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