In this interview, I had the pleasure of speaking with a Cold War expert--Shawnna Morris--about her fascinating book on the Cambridge Five spy ring. We talked about how her book has been received both in the UK and the US, and she shared some insights into the cultural attitudes around this famous espionage group. Shauna guided me through the recruitment storyline, explaining how Philby, McLean, Burgess, Blunt, and Cairncross became Soviet spies, and the social dynamics that let them operate undetected for so long. We explored the complicated personalities of each member—especially Philby’s evolution from idealist to, uhm, sociopath, and the betrayals that marked their personal lives. We also discussed how the legacy of the Cambridge Five continues to influence not just intelligence services, but also the way the story is told in books, films, and archives over time. Shauna reflected on the moral ambiguity at the heart of their actions and how new information continues to shift the narrative. Finally, she shared her excitement about her next project: a book focusing on extraordinary women in Cold War history. 

Websites:

https://coldwarhistoryblog.com/

https://coldwarbookreviews.wordpress.com/

https://shawnnamorris.com/

Here are her socials:

https://www.facebook.com/CambridgeSpyRing/

https://www.facebook.com/coldwarhistoryblog/

https://www.facebook.com/ShawnnaMorrisAuthor/

https://www.instagram.com/thecambridgespyring/

https://www.instagram.com/coldwarhistoryblog/

https://www.instagram.com/shawnnamorrisauthor/

https://x.com/CambridgeSpies

The book is available at Pen and Sword https://www.penandswordbooks.com/9781036108687/the-cambridge-spy-ring/

and all major online retailers like Amazon, Barnes and Noble, etc.

References:

Films about the Cambridge Five across the decades...

Philby, Burgess, and MacLean (1977)

Blunt (1983)

An Englishman Abroad (1987)

A Spy Among Friends (2022)

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