Love and Deception: Philby in Beirut

‘James Hanning’s book is excellent … The fascination of Love & Deception lies in the meticulously detailed account it gives of Philby’s strange half-life in Beirut, where he was banished in 1956’ Guardian

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’ TLS

‘I am always gripped by the Philby story and James Hanning succeeds in putting new flesh on this fascinating period in his double life … I thoroughly recommend it’ Marina Hyde