Comments on: Understanding Spies — Kim Philby and His Friends

By: JLM

JLM — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 14:23:00 +0000

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The recruitment of spies today is a science that begins very early. I have some knowledge of this having been to a school that supplies quite a few to the CIA. Today, you have to “not be disqualified” rather than be qualified.

Once upon a time, a Princeton degree was enough to get in. No longer.

In those days — Philby being the poster child — it was all about your “people” and this is why the Philby, Maclean, Burgess, Blunt, Caingross crowd was such a fiasco.

These guys stole every secret for decades and gave them to the Russians wholesale.

BRC
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By: Avi Deitcher

Avi Deitcher — Fri, 09 Jan 2015 14:15:00 +0000

I will get the book now. Thank you. I have often wondered how much data-driven or at least data-informed approach they use in vetting people. Are there patterns that predict with some statistical significant the probability of someone being a good bet or a risk of betrayal?

By: JLM

JLM — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 15:31:00 +0000

The Kim Philby story is a fascinating story of betrayal. Nobody has ever really been able to answer WHY?

This book breaks no fresh sod but it does put it into the context of his relationships and friendships which is very useful.

http://themusingsofthebigredcar.com/understanding-spies-kim-philby-and-his-friends/

BRC
http://www.themusingsofthebigredcar.com