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Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing, reveals little new information
Review: This book reveals remarkably little information that is unavailable elsewhere concerning the Cambridge Spy Ring, Philby, Burgess, McLean, Blunt and Cairncross. In fact, even the cover page alleging Modin was the controller for all five is misleading, as Modin admits he was never the controller for Philby and McLean, and in fact, only met McLean for a few minutes several years after he defected.This book contains numerous contradictions. Modin states that the KGB files on the Five were destroyed in 1953, after McLean and Burgess defected, yet he mentions he has reviewed those files since the fall of the Soviet Union. He makes a strong point about his predecessor's negligence for meeting the agents in London pubs (lack of privacy, etc...) and claims he never ever met any of his agents in pubs. However, he later in the book mentions that he met Blunt in a pub when the art historian/spy was in the process of retiring from active duty for the KGB. Additionally, Modin and/or his editors repeatedly confuse MI5 and MI6, such that some statements he makes are difficult to comprehend because of the uncertainty of which branch of the British intelligence service is being referenced. Modin discusses remarkably few technical details about his roll as the controller of the spy ring, mentioning only his precautions in going to a meet. He also mentions a few details about his friendships with Burgess and Philby after they defected to Moscow, but essentially, that is all the insider information that he shares. Modin does not reveal even the topics that he or Philby tought as instructors at the KGB academy. I got the very strong impression that either Modin has lost most of his memory, or has remained deliberately vague out of loyalty to the former KGB and Soviet Union. A better set of books on this topic would be KGB: The Inside Story by Andrew and Gordievsky; Mask of Treachery by Costello; The Master Spy by Knightly; and Spycatcher by Wright.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing, reveals little new information
Review: Yuri Modin controlled most of the Cambridge Spies in England during the 50's and he gives his account of their information and personal habits. Modin's account is the only one of its kind, and definitely should be read. Despite the fact that there are so many book on the subject, this one is great and above all others. The way Modin arranged their defection to Russia is incredible. This story is a must or all interested in English and Soveit espionage during the Cold War.
Rating: 
Summary: Inside Story of the Cambridge Ring
Review: Yuri Modin controlled most of the Cambridge Spies in England during the 50's and he gives his account of their information and personal habits. Modin's account is the only one of its kind, and definitely should be read. Despite the fact that there are so many book on the subject, this one is great and above all others. The way Modin arranged their defection to Russia is incredible. This story is a must or all interested in English and Soveit espionage during the Cold War.
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