Stalin's Englishman: the lives of Guy Burgess

Part of the 32nd University of Cambridge Alumni Festival.
Festival programme: www.alumni.cam.ac.uk/festival
Through interviews with over 100 people who knew Burgess personally and the discovery of hitherto secret files on the Cambridge Spies, Andrew Lownie, a former President of the Cambridge Union, reveals a completely new and intriguing picture of Guy Burgess, the most important, complex and fascinating of 'The Cambridge Spies'
Drawing on research in archives around the world and files released under Freedom of Information requests, Andrew Lownie recounts the full story of the treachery of the Cambridge Spy. He reveals how he was recruited at Cambridge as a damage limitation exercise but was soon regarded as the most important of the network by the Russians penetrating the BBC, the Foreign Office and both MI5 and MI6. He also provides new information on Burgess's flight to Russia and his work for the Russians there. With a cast of characters ranging from Winston Churchill and Kim Philby to EM Forster and George Orwell, this promises to be an enthralling talk.
Dr Andrew Lownie
Andrew Lownie was educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge, where he was Dunster History Prizeman and President of the Union, before taking his Masters and doctorate at Edinburgh University. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he later returned to Cambridge as a visiting fellow at Churchill College. He has been a bookseller, publisher, journalist, writing for the Times, Telegraph, Wall Street Journal, Spectator and Guardian, and since 1988 has run his own literary agency specialising in history and biography. He is President of the Biographers Club, sits on the board of Biographers International Organisation and is a Trustee of the Campaign for Freedom of Information.

[@peyiots]

A society that created misfits who then took their revenge as a proof of their maladjustment, and of course condemned for being maladjusted. A perfect example of societal schizophrenia. But well done to the author for bringing it out and his impeccable research.

[@yellowgreen5229]

They were heros.

[@annthomas984]

What an amazing lecture. First class in every way

[@psr0459]

I know St John the Evangelist church, West Meon, and of course Burgess' grave. It's his mother's association.. It 's a lovely setting. Thank you for posting this. It was very interesting.

[@miklmiklmtrcycl6009]

English upper society is incredible: l only looked up Nicholson in wiki and his wife’s (completely open bisexual duo marriage!) mum was the Prince of Wales’ mistress. 😮 it’s going to be fun to look up the rest

[@ods1123]

I'm in the US, and I found: "Stalin's Englishman : Guy Burgess, the Cold War, and the Cambridge spy ring" by the same author. Is it the same book?

[@salomonrodrigocumsillelabb8487]

Yes, sir; he is the historian Andrew Lownie, who wrote the book.

[@Dovewhite60]

He's awesome

[@1234cheerful]

sometimes UK books are titled differently in the US.

[@BlueInk912]

Check his YT channel. "scandal Mongers". Excellent guests they manage to gather for us.!

[@user-br3bw7wr2l]

No applause ? Disgraceful.

[@pulmon66]

Fantastic. Not a single error.

[@anirudhpandey4784]

His Articulation in The Mitrokhin Archives is effectively apt.

[@MrDaiseymay]

WAS THERE NO APPLAUSE ? I WAS EXHAUSTED LISTENING TO HIM. WHAT A FANTASTIC RESERCHER AND ORATOR HE IS, i'VE ONLY JUST DISCOVERED HIM , VIA HIS BOOK ABOUT 'THE TRAITOR KING'.

[@BlueInk912]

Check his YT podcast here on YT. Scandal Mongers. Interesting stuff.

[@TheVaga9]

Cambridge, the house of spies!!

[@AB-rx6no]

Amazing