Love and Deception: Philby in Beirut

James Hanning's book Love & Deception tells the extraordinary story of how Eleanor, an able, cultured American living in 1950s Beirut, fell in love with the kindest of men, Kim Philby, who was under suspicion by the British and US intelligence services of having secretly signed up to help the Russians fight fascism in the 1930s. Despite his mysterious past, Eleanor adored and married Philby, but the strength of their love was challenged as the net steadily closed in on him. The book is highly recommended for its extensive research, eye-opening tale of friendship, politics, love, and loyalty, and its cautionary tale about the true costs of male privilege in the higher echelons of the British establishment.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 07 April 2022
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

James Hanning's book, "Love & Deception," is an exceptional work that delves into the enigmatic and captivating life of Kim Philby. The fascination of this book lies in the meticulously detailed account it gives of Philby's strange half-life in Beirut, where he was banished in 1956.

Love & Deception is the extraordinary story of how Eleanor, an able, cultured American living in the espionage hot spot of 1950s Beirut, fell in love with the kindest of men. Unknown to her, that man, Kim Philby, was under suspicion by the British and US intelligence services of having secretly signed up to help the Russians fight fascism in the 1930s, and of remaining in their pay at the height of the Cold War. Despite his mysterious past, Eleanor adored and married Philby, but the strength of their love was challenged as the net steadily closed in on him.

The outline of Philby's story is familiar to many, but "Love & Deception" breaks remarkable new ground. Through extensive research, Hanning produces an eye-opening tale of friendship, politics, love, and loyalty.

Fascinating and superbly researched, "The Times Literary Supplement" (TLS) praised "Love & Deception" as a "fascinating and superbly researched" book. The reviewer noted that Hanning succeeds in putting new flesh on this fascinating period in Philby's double life, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the history of espionage.

Marina Hyde, writing for "The Guardian," also praised the book, stating that it is "fascinating and superbly researched." Hyde noted that the book provides a cautionary tale about the true costs of male privilege in the higher echelons of the British establishment, and that it is a "thoroughly recommended" read for anyone interested in this period of history.

Amanda Foreman, in her review for "The Independent," praised "Love & Deception" as a "cautionary tale about the true costs of male privilege in the higher echelons of the British establishment." Foreman noted that the book is "well-researched and compelling," and that it provides a fresh perspective on Philby's life and career.

In conclusion, "Love & Deception" is an exceptional work that delves into the enigmatic and captivating life of Kim Philby. Through extensive research and a compelling narrative, James Hanning has produced a book that breaks remarkable new ground and provides a fresh perspective on this fascinating period of history. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply interested in the story of a remarkable individual, this book is a must-read.

Weight: 362g
Dimension: 128 x 196 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781472155948