History Daily 1291: Saturday Matinee: True Life Spy Stories
Jan 10, 2026
Dive into the thrilling world of espionage as we unravel the gripping tale of Chris Boyce and Andrew Dalton Lee, whose privileged lives took a wild turn. From their shared passion for falconry to their shocking journeys into the depths of the CIA and KGB, their story is anything but ordinary. Explore Chris's disillusionment that led to selling secrets and Dalton's reckless meetings in Mexico City. Witness their arrests, trials, and the fallout of their actions while questioning how history remembers their remarkable impact.
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Privileged Youths United By Falconry
- Christopher Boyce grew up in a patriotic, Catholic household and became a certified master falconer by age 14.
- Andrew Dalton Lee was adopted, struggled socially, and bonded with Boyce over birds of prey at St. John Fisher Church.
Societal Upheaval Fueled Disillusionment
- The 1970s' social upheavals eroded trust in institutions even among affluent youths in Palos Verdes.
- Chris's trips to Mexico and Watergate-era revelations sparked deep disillusionment with US policy.
Inside The Black Vault At TRW
- Chris secured a TRW job through his father's aerospace contacts and quickly impressed supervisors.
- He then began work in the Black Vault handling encrypted teletype codes and sensitive satellite messages.
