Twentieth-Century Spies

Abstract

The deadly world of high-level espionage is on full display in this heart-pumping exposé on the world's most glamorous and dangerous jobs A unique investigation of the most important cases of the twentieth century, this exploration of the world's most thrilling, high-profile, and undercover jobs—including information newly released under the Freedom of Information Act—is enthralling to the last page. Among others, it includes the dark secrets of: Sidney Reilly, considered by many to be the greatest spy of the century and an inspiration for Ian Fleming's James Bond; the "Atom Bomb" spy Klaus Fuchs, who gave the Russians atomic capability; George Blake, who betrayed more than 40 British agents, and is still alive in Moscow; and the Cambridge Spies, the double agents who did more damage to British intelligence in the 20th century than any other group. Focusing on the personalities of these enigmatic figures, this insightful book discusses their motivations and influences, and asks whether they were heroes, traitors, or just plain scapegoats.