The Passionate Spies

Book excerpt: The modern Middle East was shaped in conflict between local tribes and Western powers that had crushing, mechanized armies and entitled, obtuse leaders. Against this dense wall of real-politik, three British spies threw the power of their idealism and their belief in the humanity of Arabs. They succeeded in some ways, yet paid a price: two took their own lives. The third raised a son who became a notorious double agent: Kim Philby.