If you’re looking for a thrilling read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, look no further than Ben Macintyre’s latest book. “The Spy and the Traitor” is the true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a Russian double agent whose secret work helped hasten the end of the Cold War. This book has been hailed as “the best true spy story I have ever read” by none other than John le Carré himself, so you know you’re in for a treat.
Gordievsky was the son of two KGB agents and grew up in the best Soviet institutions, but eventually came to see communism as both criminal and philistine. He began working for Russian intelligence in 1968 and eventually became the Soviet Union’s top man in London. However, from 1973 on, he was secretly working for MI6, helping the West turn the tables on the KGB and exposing Russian spies while foiling countless intelligence plots. As the Soviet leadership grew increasingly paranoid about the United States’s nuclear first-strike capabilities and brought the world closer to the brink of war, Gordievsky was instrumental in preventing disaster.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this story is the three-way gamesmanship between America, Britain, and the Soviet Union. MI6 never revealed Gordievsky’s identity to the CIA, and the CIA became obsessed with figuring out who he was. In a twist of tragic irony, the CIA officer assigned to identify Gordievsky was Aldrich Ames, who would later become infamous for secretly spying for the Soviets.
Macintyre does an excellent job of bringing this covert world to life, and the book reads like a novel. The tension builds throughout the book, and the climax is nothing short of nail-biting. Gordievsky’s escape from Moscow in 1985 is an absolute thriller, and Macintyre masterfully recreates the drama and danger of the situation. This book is an excellent example of narrative nonfiction, and Macintyre’s writing is clear, concise, and engaging.
Overall, “The Spy and the Traitor” is an excellent book, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys spy stories, true crime, or history. Macintyre has done an excellent job of researching and telling this story, and it’s clear that he has a deep passion for the subject matter. This book is a page-turner, and you’ll find yourself rooting for Gordievsky as he risks everything to bring down the KGB and help end the Cold War. If you’re looking for a fun and exciting read, “The Spy and the Traitor” is the book for you.
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(as of Mar 27,2023 13:22:39 UTC – Details)
