ROGER HERMISTON is a journalist and was assistant editor on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme from 1998-2010. It was there that he first encountered George Blake, when editing an interview with the former spy in 1999. His first book, Clough and Revie, was an acclaimed dual biography of two of English football's most famous and controversial managers.
‘A gripping portrait of one of the Cold War’s most devastating
double agents. A real page-turner.’
'One of the most argued-over spy stories of the 20th century is
brought thrillingly to life by Roger Hermiston, who avoids the trap
of painting his anti-hero only in black and white. Blake was a
traitor but also a diligent soldier; he received a 42-year sentence
in a trial whose evidence could not be reported. His escape from
prison - in a way that would be farcical in any other context -
created a kind of legend. At every turn the gripping writing
reminds you of a world of spies and betrayal that was so much a
part of life in post-war Europe. It makes for a brilliant read:
Roger is a brilliant researcher and writer of this painful,
colourful chapter in our history; and writes in a way so objective
and unslanted that the reader is challenged to decide what to make
of his subject. Superb from start to finish.'
‘Eastern Europe was riddled with spies throughout the 1950s, but no
one on either side amassed such a wealth of information to pass on
to the KGB as the double agent, Blake. For decades, Blake had run
rings round Britain’s Secret Intelligence Service. How did he get
away with it; and for so long? The Greatest Traitor and Britain’s
mostly closely guarded criminal very nearly had to serve the
longest prison sentence (42 years) ever awarded. George Blake’s
audacious plan to escape to freedom behind the Iron Curtain by
scaling the walls of Wormwood Scrubs came within an ace of
discovery. His escape from Wormwood Scrubs in 1966 is thrillingly
related by Roger Hermiston.'
‘ A gripping portrait of one of the Cold War’ s most devastating
double agents. A real page-turner.’ ‘ Eastern Europe was riddled
with spies throughout the 1950s, but no one on either side amassed
such a wealth of information to pass on to the KGB as the double
agent, Blake. For decades, Blake had run rings round Britain’ s
Secret Intelligence Service. How did he get away with it; and for
so long? The Greatest Traitor and Britain’ s mostly closely guarded
criminal very nearly had to serve the longest prison sentence (42
years) ever awarded. George Blake’ s audacious plan to escape to
freedom behind the Iron Curtain by scaling the walls of Wormwood
Scrubs came within an ace of discovery. His escape from Wormwood
Scrubs in 1966 is thrillingly related by Roger Hermiston.' 'An
enjoyable romp through the life of George Blake, MI6’ s deadliest
traitor. Roger Hermiston has produced an enjoyable account of
the life and works of a creepily amoral man who still betrays an
astonishing ability to duck the consequences of his crimes.’ ‘ Hats
off to Roger Hermiston for bringing to life the exploits of this
Second World War resistance fighter turned Soviet agent. Hermiston
spins a yarn of high adventure, of a life ennobled by wartime
valour only to be laid low by the twisted belief in the means
justifying the end, even if this meant betrayal of one’ s own
country.’ ‘ The story of Blake’ s arrest, confession, sentencing,
imprisonment and escape suggests that Roger Hermiston should be
writing spy novels. It is gripping in its detail. Even more
appealing is Hermiston’ s reluctance to sit in judgement on Blake.
As he points out, Blake was not brought up in this country and
genuinely saw parallels between his own religious beliefs and
Communism. As Blake himself pointed out: “ The real spies are those
who are not paid and do it for conviction” .’ 'Hermiston’ s account
is unlikely to be bettered... He makes good use of hitherto
undisclosed material and seeks not only to describe but to
understand, surely the biographical holy grail.' ‘ Hermiston’ s
book tells Blake’ s backstory in fascinating detail.’ 'One of the
most argued-over spy stories of the 20th century is brought
thrillingly to life by Roger Hermiston, who avoids the trap of
painting his anti-hero only in black and white. Blake was a traitor
but also a diligent soldier; he received a 42-year sentence in a
trial whose evidence could not be reported. His escape from prison
- in a way that would be farcical in any other context - created a
kind of legend. At every turn the gripping writing reminds you of a
world of spies and betrayal that was so much a part of life in
post-war Europe. It makes for a brilliant read: Roger is a
brilliant researcher and writer of this painful, colourful chapter
in our history; and writes in a way so objective and unslanted that
the reader is challenged to decide what to make of his subject.
Superb from start to finish.' 'The bones of Blake’ s story are well
known. Hermiston’ s account, however, adds well-researched details
which bring it to life. The result is a book as riveting and
tightly written as a John le Carré novel.' 'An excellent book that
reads more like a spy thriller than a biography' ***** ‘ Hermiston
offers a fascinating account of a life in which communism was
the only constant. The jailbreak episode is a masterpiece of
narrative tension.’ 'Thrillingly described'
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