The author, an English journalist, an employee of the London Sunday Times newspaper F. Knightley, writes objectively about the Soviet intelligence officer Kim Philby. The book describes critical moments in the intelligence activities of Philby, who consciously, based on his convictions, agreed to cooperate with the Soviet intelligence. Philby's ability to find optimal solutions in difficult, life-threatening situations is shown. Many pages are devoted to Philby’s personal life; the memories of his colleagues at work at the headquarters of SIS and the CIA, and at the British intelligence station in Istanbul and Beirut are interesting.