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The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

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Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

He took his first posting for Russian intelligence in 1968 and eventually became the Soviet Union’s top man in London, but from 1973 on he was secretly working for MI6. For nearly a decade, as the Cold War reached its twilight, Gordievsky helped the West turn the tables on the KGB, exposing Russian spies and helping to foil countless intelligence plots, as the Soviet leadership grew increasingly paranoid at the United States’s nuclear first-strike capabilities and brought the world closer to the brink of war. Desperate to keep the circle of trust close, MI6 never revealed Gordievsky’s name to its counterparts in the CIA, which in turn grew obsessed with figuring out the identity of Britain’s obviously top-level source. Their obsession ultimately doomed Gordievsky: the CIA officer assigned to identify him was none other than Aldrich Ames, the man who would become infamous for secretly spying for the Soviets.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crown
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 6, 2019
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ Reprint
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 384 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1101904216
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1101904213
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.18 x 0.83 x 7.97 inches

Description

The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

The Spy and the Traitor is a riveting account of Oleg Gordievsky, a high-ranking KGB officer who became a double agent for Britain during the Cold War. Ben Macintyre chronicles Gordievsky’s journey from a loyal Soviet intelligence officer to a key asset for MI6, providing invaluable insights into Soviet operations and helping to avert potential nuclear conflicts. The narrative delves into Gordievsky’s motivations, the complexities of espionage, and the intricate web of deception that characterized Cold War intelligence activities.

Ideological Disillusionment: Gordievsky’s shift from a dedicated communist to a vehement critic of the Soviet regime underscores the personal convictions that can drive individuals to betray their own country for what they perceive as a greater moral cause.

Espionage Tactics: The book offers an in-depth look at the methods and risks involved in espionage, highlighting the meticulous planning and psychological resilience required to navigate the world of intelligence.

Geopolitical Impact: Gordievsky’s intelligence work significantly influenced Western strategies during the Cold War, providing critical information that shaped diplomatic decisions and intelligence operations.

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