Sir robert cecil biography of donald

A Divided Life: A Biography of Donald MacLean

January 22, 2019
In order to really appreciate A Divided Life, you would have to have some awareness of the spy scandal that rocked the heart of the British establishment in the 1950’s, referred to as the Cambridge Spies, as they all attended Cambridge University. What was so shocking was that those involved with this Soviet spy ring came from privileged elitist backgrounds, from families that were regarded as affluent and influential within society. Considered to be entrenched within the governing class their background did not create the credentials automatically assumed would lead them to be recruited by the Soviet Union. Their decision did not stem from personal difficulties, for example, struggling with poverty, no access to decent education, living in cramp unhealthy environments, competing for poorly paid jobs or poor working conditions in 1920’-30’s Britain. It seemed to be one of conscience, believing that Communism was the true and right ideology. Convinced in their belief that it was their duty to help and promote the spread of communism for the good of society, regardless of the consequences in had on the community they grew up in. They accepted other ideologies such as Capitalism and Fascism was inherently evil, unjust and destructive for ordinary people.

I initially thought that this was going to reveal more insight as to the characters involved because of Robert Cecil’s apparent close connection to one of the spies, Donald McClean. However, having read the book it did not expose any more than what has already been written. The book was more a chronology of Donald’s career within the Foreign Office and national and international information he was exposed to. The impression I received was that the author did not really know Donald McClean on a personal level. Robert merely operated in the same circles as Donald, for example, attending Cambridge but not at the same time, also working in the Foreign Of
  • In this illuminating biography

    • A DIVIDED LIFE, A Biography of Donald Maclean.

    CECIL, Robert;

    London, Published by The Bodley Head, 1988. First edition.8vo. pp.xviii + 212 + black & white photographs including prologue, notes and index. Minor foxing to dust wrapper leaf else very good to fine. Blue cloth hardcover in original pictorial dust wrapper. Item #195348
    ISBN: 0370311299

    "A Divided Life: A Biography of Donald Maclean" by Robert Cecil explores the life of British diplomat and spy Donald Maclean, a key figure in the infamous Cambridge Spy Ring. Cecil, who was a close acquaintance of Maclean, provides an insider’s perspective on Maclean’s motivations, actions, and the impact of his espionage activities during the Cold War. The book delves into Maclean's ideological commitments, his role as a Soviet informant, and the dramatic consequences of his defection to the Soviet Union in 1951.

    Price: $30.00

    Add to CartAsk a QuestionAdd to Wish List

    "A riveting portrait."
    Publishers Weekly

    "A splendidly perceptive life of Donald Maclean... [Cecil] provides, for the first time, a clear and detailed account by a Foreign Office colleague who knew Maclean, came from a similar background, and comprehends the unspoken assumptions of his time and class."
    The Economist

    "[Cecil's] insider's account both of uneasy U.S.-British relations and of the intelligence establishment's equivocal reaction to these scandals is an undercover story in its own right."
    Booklist

    "The portrait of Maclean is convincing and the assessment of the damage done to Anglo-American interests... is knowledgeable and shrewd."
    Financial Times

    "Delivered in a crisp, literate. no-nonsense style, this compact biography offers an agreeably narrow focus on a spy-tangle that often seems dauntingly dense."
    Kirkus Reviews

    "Cecil has the rare benefit of having known most of the key players personally, and his account of the defection of Burgess and Maclean demolishes the idea that either Philby or Sir Roger Hollis conspired to tip them off."
    Sunday Times

    “This is as much the inside story of those momentous events as we are likely to learn, intimate and revealing, told with candour and wit. A far better read than the average spy fiction, it throws light on the dark corners of an amazing career.”
    Manchester Evening News

    “The author confounds all expectations and keeps the narrative bowling along like the most seasoned thriller writer.”
    Geoff Fowler

    “Detailed, authoritative, sympathetic, scholarly biography of British diplomat/Soviet spy Donald Duart Maclean (1913-1983), who defected to the Soviet Union with Guy Burgess in 1951.”
    National Intelligence Book Center

    “Cecil is also a first-rate historian, able to distinguish between what is known and what is conjectured and careful to alert the reader to the distinction. It is this unique combination which makes the book worth reading.”
    Zara Steiner

    "Cecil's book is fascinating on Ma

  • Robert Cecil was created a Companion
  • In this perceptive biography

    • A Divided Life: A Biography of Donald Maclean - Softcover

    Review

    "A riveting portrait."
    Publishers Weekly

    "A splendidly perceptive life of Donald Maclean... [Cecil] provides, for the first time, a clear and detailed account by a Foreign Office colleague who knew Maclean, came from a similar background, and comprehends the unspoken assumptions of his time and class."
    The Economist

    "[Cecil's] insider's account both of uneasy U.S.-British relations and of the intelligence establishment's equivocal reaction to these scandals is an undercover story in its own right."
    Booklist

    "The portrait of Maclean is convincing and the assessment of the damage done to Anglo-American interests... is knowledgeable and shrewd."
    Financial Times

    "Delivered in a crisp, literate. no-nonsense style, this compact biography offers an agreeably narrow focus on a spy-tangle that often seems dauntingly dense."
    Kirkus Reviews

    "Cecil has the rare benefit of having known most of the key players personally, and his account of the defection of Burgess and Maclean demolishes the idea that either Philby or Sir Roger Hollis conspired to tip them off."
    Sunday Times

    “This is as much the inside story of those momentous events as we are likely to learn, intimate and revealing, told with candour and wit.  A far better read than the average spy fiction, it throws light on the dark corners of an amazing career.”
    Manchester Evening News

    “The author confounds all expectations and keeps the narrative bowling along like the most seasoned thriller writer.”
    Geoff Fowler

    “Detailed, authoritative, sympathetic, scholarly biography of British diplomat/Soviet spy Donald Duart Maclean (1913-1983), who defected to the Soviet Union with Guy Burgess in 1951.”
    National Intelligence Book Center

    “Cecil is also a first-rate historian, able to distinguish between what is known and what is conjectured and careful to alert the reader to the distinct