Spies and Traitors

Kim Philby's life and career has inspired an entire literary genre: the spy novel of betrayal. He was one of the leaders of the British counter-intelligence efforts, first against the Nazis, then against the Soviet Union. He was also the KGB's most valuable double-agent, so highly regarded that today his image is on the postage stamps of the Russian Federation.

Philby was the mentor of James Jesus Angleton, one of the central figures in the early years of the CIA who became the long-serving chief of the counter-intelligence staff of the Agency.

James Angleton and Kim Philby were friends for six years, or so Angleton thought. They were then enemies for the rest of their lives. This is the story of their intertwined careers and a betrayal that would have dramatic and irrevocable effects on the Cold War and US-Soviet relations. Featuring vivid locations in London, Washington DC, Rome and Istanbul, SPIES AND TRAITORS anatomises one of the most important and flawed personal relationships in modern history.

“A fascinating story, well told, of how one idealistic master spy and double agent caused serious damage to the strategic interests of the West and how another, taught by the first and vehemently anti-Communist, tried to prevent such a betrayal from ever happening again-- Saul David , SUNDAY TELEGRAPH”

A fascinating story, well told, of how one idealistic master spy and double agent caused serious damage to the strategic interests of the West and how another, taught by the first and vehemently anti-Communist, tried to prevent such a betrayal from ever happening again -- Saul David SUNDAY TELEGRAPH
Michael Holzman's new book demonstrates it's still possible to take an original approach to the story of Philby and his betrayal...a refreshing take...by taking a much more personal approach to the two [Holzman] is able to examine a familiar story from a different perspective ALL ABOUT HISTORY
This dual biography of James Jesus Angleton and Kim Philby is a window onto the Cold War spycraft of the CIA, MI6 and the KGB Wall Street Journal
A comprehensive chronicle of the relationship between British double agent Kim Philby and CIA counterintelligence chief James Angleton Publishers Weekly

Michael Holzman was born in Brookings, South Dakota. He is the author of James Jesus Angleton, the CIA and the Craft of Intelligence, a biography of Guy Burgess, and one of Donald and Melinda Maclean, as well as a novel about similar matters, PAX 1934-41. He lives in Briarcliff Manor, New York.

Kim Philby's life and career has inspired an entire literary genre: the spy novel of betrayal. He was one of the leaders of the British counter-intelligence efforts, first against the Nazis, then against the Soviet Union. He was also the KGB's most valuable double-agent, so highly regarded that today his image is on the postage stamps of the Russian Federation.Philby was the mentor of James Jesus Angleton, one of the central figures in the early years of the CIA who became the long-serving chief of the counter-intelligence staff of the Agency.James Angleton and Kim Philby were friends for six years, or so Angleton thought. They were then enemies for the rest of their lives. This is the story of their intertwined careers and a betrayal that would have dramatic and irrevocable effects on the Cold War and US-Soviet relations. Featuring vivid locations in London, Washington DC, Rome and Istanbul, SPIES AND TRAITORS anatomises one of the most important and flawed personal relationships in modern history.

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