Why, after his unspeakable rampage in Cairo, was Donald Maclean appointed to the American Desk at the FO? Why, after he ran amok in Tangiers and blew the cover of SIS agents right and left, was Burgess sent to such an important diplomatic post as Washington–even if only as third secretary (If Whitehall wanted to get rid of him, surely they could have sent him to some insignificant post with a nasty climate.)? Why did Burgess move in with Philby (for that matter, why did Philby let him? [I find the usual excuses for this odd behavior unconvincing.])? Why did Burgess proceed to embarrass Philby to such an extent that both were declared PNG and sent home ASAP? Could it be that Burgess, who once supposedly contemplated putting a hit on another pal (G.R.), had been turned by SIS/MI5 and promised an unimpeded escape to Moscow if he brought his friend Philby down (which he certainly did)?

There are no answers to these questions, and because of secrecy, coverups, gaps in the evidence, and other hidden agendas, even more wild speculations than the one I just posited, will continue to flourish.

I grew up in London, England, and during my National Service in the
1951 I met a well read chap who introduced me to ‘ the Seven Pillers of Wisdom. ‘ From there I progressed to collecting any books that were writen by Lawrence or about him.
I am staggered to hear about his secret life as a British Agent. I must get this book. Some where I read of a black car being seen in the area where Lawrence was killed on his motor bike, makes you wonder! Yours Thomas Buchan .