The Last Cambridge Spy cover art

The Last Cambridge Spy

John Cairncross, Bletchley Codebreaker and Soviet Double Agent

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The Last Cambridge Spy

By: Chris Smith
Narrated by: Jot Davies
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About this listen

John Cairncross was among the most damaging spies of the 20th century. A member of the infamous Cambridge spy ring, he leaked highly sensitive documents from Bletchley Park, MI6, and the Treasury to the Soviet Union - including the first Atomic secrets and raw decrypts from Enigma and Tunny that influenced the outcome of the Battle of Kursk. Based on newly released archival materials, this biography will be the first to cover the life and espionage of this singularly important spy. In 2014 Cairncross appeared as a secondary, though key, character in the biopic of Alan Turing's life, The Imitation Game. The result was considerable negative reaction within the national press. Despite this clear interest, the function filled by Cairncross remains an untold story. Where all of the other members of the Cambridge spy ring have been the subject of extensive biographical study, Cairncross has largely been omitted by both academic and popular writers, and no biography has yet been penned of his life.

©2019 The History Press (P)2019 The History Press Military Politicians Politics & Activism Professionals & Academics Science & Technology Espionage War Imperialism Biography Soviet Union Socialism Latin American Interwar Period

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Cairncross wasn't like the other Cambridge spies who were from privileged backgrounds but he was arguably the cleverest. He continually denied his involvement in spying publicly but the evidence was overwhelming and he eventually admitted everything under interrogation, yet he was never prosecuted. The book gives a fascinating insight into the incompetence, hypocrisy and politics of the security services and sheds light on the other Cambridge spies. It's clear that there were more than five of them but the press likes neat little bundles so 'five' it is. If you're into this stuff it's fascinating.
Narrator OK but I tend to listen to Audibles at 1.1 or 1.2 speed then you won't notice the narrator.



Fascinating

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Unless you are familiar with the story of the Cambridge spies this book has little interest. The narration is sleep inducing.

Not very interesting

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Welll researched and informative, depicting the cesspit of the privileged and their self indulgent attitudes to the security of the realm. I don't know what is more nauseous, the traitors or the people who defend them.

Another traitor

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This is a fascinating exposition of the lesser known “fifth man”. As such it may have limited appeal. The narration was excellent being at an easy pace which allowed the information to “sink in”. Even though I have heard a great deal of mitigation, the fact remains that Cairncross was a traitor. Had he been exposed during the Second World War I guess he would have been shot.
After the war his attempts at vindication seem naive and perfunctory, his stories changing as he wished.
Nevertheless, I found the book interesting, especially the information on Anthony Blunt.

Towser T

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