Stalin's Englishman

An abundance of vivid detail from many different voices, viewpoints and nationalities...Stalin's Englishman is a matchless and splendidly exciting read. The Times This exhaustively researched and absorbing book, the first full biographical study and likely to remain the definitive life. New Statesman A meticulously researched biography...an astonishing piece of research. Sunday Times Complicated, revelatory: a superb biography more riveting than a spy novel. Sunday Telegraph As one of this country's foremost literary agents, Andrew Lownie certainly knows what makes a good book, and in Stalin's Englishman he has delivered one of his own - many times over. Independent Not every question has been answered, but most have, and those that remain probably never will be. Independent on Sunday In this meticulous biography of the most colourful of the quintet, espionage expert Lownie argues convincingly that Burgess - often seen as a clownish buffoon - was the key member of the ring, and his treachery the most damaging. Observer A magnificent biography...Burgess has all the right ingredients for an engrossing story and Lownie, who has spent 30 years researching this biography, makes the most of it... a narrative as gripping as a thriller. Daily Express Scrupulous and comprehensive. The Week Is there anything significant left to say about members of the Cambridge spy ring, Moscow's 'magnificent five'? The answer, judging by this book, is a resounding yes. Guardian A masterly biography. Mail on Sunday The most comprehensive, readable and faultlessly researched account of one of Britain's most notorious (but colorful) traitors. Now we know just about all there is to know about this wretched man who betrayed friends, family, country... the lot! Nigel West, author of The Secret War For The Falklands One of the most important intelligence books in many years. Eye Spy Magazine A fascinating story, racily recounted. The Oldie Andrew Lownie demonstrates that there is plenty still to be learned about Burgess...an enjoyable and convincing biography. Literary Review This deeply researched new biography...Lownie has unearthed much fascinating material...well worth reading. Evening Standard Exhaustive research, elegant construction, psychological acuity, wit and the necessary sympathy. Lownie shows that Burgess's treason was far more significant than had been thought. Spectator Andrew Lownie's biography of Guy Burgess, Stalin's Englishman ... shrewd, thorough, revelatory. -- William Boyd Guardian In the sad and funny Stalin's Englishman, [Lownie] manages to convey the charm as well as the turpitude. -- Craig Brown Guardian The first full biography of Burgess is fascinating on both his methods and his motivation - and proves a more compelling page-turner than any spy thriller. Mail on Sunday Awful human beings make for splendid biographies, and the traitor Guy Burgess was a terrible specimen of humanity...This terrible man is brought back to vivid life by this well-researched, finely written book. Times Best Biographies of Year 2015 ... a rich combination of spy story, cultural history, social outrage and character portrait. Several recent biographies with an espionage angle have seemed to me despicable in their sensationalism and gullibility but Lownie writes with scepticism, decency and a sharp regard for truth. Richard Davenport-Hines, BBC History 'Books of the Year' A biography that reads as compellingly as a fine novel. Church Times There's world-class gossip here. The Spectator This superb biography captures the ambiguity Burgess always inspires. Daily Mail Lownie's research is complete and impeccable. He has unearthed more facts on this case than anyone else writing in the field. Brilliant! Intelligencer: Journal of US Intelligence Studies A comprehensive biography, which convincingly revealed quite how important Burgess was for his KGB handlers. Country Life Lownie's book successfully rescues Burgess from the image he is sometimes given, as little more than a drunken buffoon...a meticulous account of Burgess's life and makes a useful contribution to Cold War intelligence history. TLS An impeccably researched biography, but also as an in-depth cultural study and a spy thriller of genuine, knuckle-gnawing tension. The Independent An astonishing, unique story. Sarah Bradford, The Tablet A remarkable and definitive portrait of the truly ghastly spy and traitor Guy Burgess who should surely never have been permitted to do us so much damage. And a portrait of the snobbery and laxity that permitted an Old Etonian who had changed sides to get away with it for so long. Frederick Forsyth Stalin's Englishman tells the outrageous story of a master manipulator and trickster, and evaluates his treason with a vigour that made it one of the great biographies of 2015. The Times A hugely entertaining read about one of the most notorious spies ever. Eric Ambler couldn't have provided a more fascinating story. Philip Kerr This is a must-read for anyone at all interested in espionage. The definitive and revelatory biography of one of the greatest traitors of the Cold War. -- Jeremy Duns author of the Paul Dark spy series and Codename:Hero: The True Story of Oleg Penkovsky and the Cold War's Most Dangerous Operation ...a masterly and penetrating study of this strange man, the rich well-connected brilliant Cambridge scholar, who was a seriously dangerous agent for the Soviet Union from the 1930s until he fled with Maclean in 1951. -- Michael Hartland author Seven Steps to Treason Above all, this is a gripping study of a most unusual personality, written with compassion but without sentimentality. It is detailed, and impeccably sourced...Reminiscent of early John le Carre, this is a book to be relished with a glass of whisky at one's side - or should that be vodka? Highly recommended. Marius Gabriel Almost from the moment he skipped the country Guy Burgess has been the subject of biographers, from early journalists' hastily assembled clippings, via the academic study, to 'Stalin's Englishman' - the first 'life' that captures the man fully ... the decadent, the drunkard, the outrageous sex bandit ... and above the all the first life to reveal the full extent of Burgess's treason. Andrew Lownie's book will be definitive for years to come. -- John Lawton author of the Inspector Troy series I loved it. Beautifully written and riveting from start to finish. Also very funny. -- Piers Brendon author of Ike: His Life and Times and The Dark Valley: A Panorama of the 1930s Stalin's Englishman comes as close to touching the tortured and tempestuous soul of Guy Burgess as anything I have read. It's superbly researched and written with an extraordinary elegance that takes you by the hand and guides you along the pathways of outrageous treachery. Truly exceptional. Michael Dobbs A superb biography... full of detail, meticulously sifted by the author, and it's also engrossing and exciting. We are transported into the past with real skill... Brilliantly told. Evening Standard Lownie brilliantly chronicles the life of the man at the centre of the Cambridge spy ring. Guardian