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A Spy Named Orphan

Audiobook
Nonfiction: Biography, History
Unabridged   15.5 hour(s)
Publication date: 06/12/2018

A Spy Named Orphan

The Enigma of Donald Maclean

Available from major retailers or BUY FROM AMAZON
Audio CD ISBN:9781684412945
Digital Download ISBN:9781684412952

Summary

A Spy Named Orphan is the first full biography of one of the most intriguing and important spies of the twentieth century.

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Product Description

Donald Maclean was one of the most treacherous spies of the Cold War era, a member of the infamous "Cambridge Five" spy ring. Yet little is known of this shrewd, secretive man. The full extent of his betrayal has never been documented—until now. Drawing on the recent release of previously classified files, A Spy Named Orphan meticulously documents the extraordinary story of a man leading a chilling double life until his exposure and defection to the USSR. Roland Philipps describes a man prone to alcoholic rages, who rose through the ranks of the British Foreign Office while secretly transmitting through his Soviet handlers reams of diplomatic and military secrets detailing intelligence on the making of the atom bomb and the division of power in postwar Europe. His story has inspired an entire genre of spy movies and novels, but no one so far has written the definitive story of the man code-named "Orphan."

Reviews/Praise

"This new biography of Donald Maclean, the least colorful and, until now, less interesting spy in the group, brings new clarity, detail, and perspective to the larger story, qualities enhanced by Jonathan Cowley's effective narration." -AudioFile

“The definitive account of the life of a 'gifted’ traitor....By drawing on a wealth of previously classified material, Philipps weaves a gripping tale of misplaced loyalty, intrigue and betrayal that is unlikely to be bettered.” -Daily Express

“Philipps sets a great example by being punchy and hard-nosed in his handling of facts, but pliant, imaginative and humane in his understanding of motives and emotions.” -Richard Davenport-Hines, The Guardian

“Fresh and thought-provoking throughout.” -Giles Udy, The Times (UK)

Author Bio

Roland Philipps is the grandson of Roger Makins, the last man from the Foreign Office to see Maclean say goodbye before fleeing to the Soviet Union. Philipps was managing and publishing director of Hodder & Stoughton and Macmillan London. He lives in London.