No Other Choice: An Autobiography

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Summary: The story of a traitor and his reasons for defecting.
Review: I read this book out of an interest for why someone would throw a promising career away for ideological reasons. Obviously this book was written after the Soviet Union fell apart, and Blake's reasons for defecting have been swept into the dustbin of history. George Blake was born of a naturalized Englishman and a Dutch mother. However, he turned against his adapted country because he believed in Communism. This despite a harsh life in prison during the Korean War when his embassy was overrun by the North Koreans.
Blake's reason for spying don't ring true. He tells of taking photos of all documents that came his way. This undoubtably led to the death of many agents in the East Bloc. He says he had a agreement with the Soviets that nobody would be killed because of his unmasking of British agents in the Soviet Bloc. Gimme a break. Several British agents were killed because of his spying. Then he complains of his "harsh" sentence of 42 years, Come on, a spy causes the death of several British spys, and then complains of his hard penalty. If he was on the other side, the Soviets would have placed him in front of a firing squad. Blake is just trying to justify his most reprehensible behavior in betraying a country that gave him everything.
This book gives a very personal history of a traitor. This is an adequate read for someone interested in the spy wars of the Cold War.

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Summary: A disgusting book
Review: The incredible story of George Blake now comes directly from him. After being involved in Dutch underground resistance against the Germans, Blake joined MI6 and was sent to Korea where hs was imprisoned and attempted escape. After divulging information to the USSR about the Berlin Tunnel, Blake was eventually found out and sent to Wormwood Scrubs Prison. Gaining companions in jail, Blake began serving a 42 year prison sentence. After completing one of the greatest escapes in history, Blake travled to Moscow where he lives now. This story is incredible if you enjoy reading about espionage and the Cold War, pick this up, unfourtunately this book is out of print so you'll have to look at a used book store, but it's worth it