The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War
Paperback Published on: 30/05/2019
Price: £11.99
Synopsis
Winner of the CWA Gold Dagger for Non-Fiction Award 2019
Shortlisted for the Pushkin House Russian Book Prize 2019
Shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford Prize 2018
A thrilling Cold War story about a KGB double agent, by one of Britain's greatest historians
On a warm July evening in 1985, a middle-aged man stood on the pavement of a busy avenue in the heart of Moscow, holding a plastic carrier bag. In his grey suit and tie, he looked like any other Soviet citizen. The bag alone was mildly conspicuous, printed with the red logo of Safeway, the British supermarket.
The man was a spy for MI6. A senior KGB officer, for more than a decade he had supplied his British spymasters with a stream of priceless secrets from deep within the Soviet intelligence machine. No spy had done more to damage the KGB.
The Safeway bag was a signal: to activate his escape plan to be smuggled out of Soviet Russia. So began one of the boldest and most extraordinary episodes in the history of espionage.
In The Spy and the Traitor Ben Macintyre reveals a tale of betrayal, duplicity and raw courage that changed the course of the Cold War forever.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
- ISBN: 9780241972137
- Number of pages: 384
- Dimensions: 197 x 129 x 27 mm
- Weight: 116g
- Languages: English
Customer Reviews
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Brilliant
I have previously read books by Ben MacIntyre (Operation Mincemeat, Agent Zig Zag etc) which were excellent reads. This is his latest book and is every bi... READ MORE
A fantatsic read
Ben Macintyre never fails to deliver, and he has done it again. This reads as a fast-pace thriller, except the story is true and not a work of fiction. Onc... READ MORE
Brilliant
This must rate as one of the best books that I have read in a long while. Brilliantly researched and wonderfully written - pure Ben MacIntyre.
Very stron... READ MORE
A very good, meticulously researched read
Well paced, well constructed, occasionally reflective, and surprisingly exciting, given that we know the outcome from the beginning..
The ultimate cold war spy thriller
John le Carre is right to praise Ben Macintyre's gripping account of how Oleg Gordievsky, disillusioned with the corruption, philistinism and brutality of ... READ MORE
SUPERSPY
A captivating read. Gripping from cover to cover. - Ben Macintyre at his very best.
The life of Oleg Gordevsky is complex. What drives a person who was so... READ MORE
John Le Carré was right
On the dust sheet of my copy there is an endorsement from one of the absolute best writers when it comes to portraying the resolve, the dysfunction and the... READ MORE
Absolutely gripping
I bought this book after hearing snippets on Radio 4's book of the week. It is beautifully written and cleverly structured, incredibly exciting and leaves ... READ MORE
Utterly Compelling
A middle aged man in a grey suit stands outside a baker's shop in Moscow one evening in 1985. In his hand he holds a plastic carrier bag with the bright re... READ MORE
Have a stiff drink handy.
I read this in a couple of days which, for me, means being glued to this story.
The narrative for each of the major players is moved along at just the rig... READ MORE
Didn't want the book to end
A true story written like as a story. Fantastic accurate and the best book I've read in the last year.
"Will he get caught?"
I really enjoyed this book. It is a well written and researched account of Oleg Gordievsky and the world of KGB and M16, but also of his significance in i... READ MORE
Stevie
A really superb book about the the secret world of espionage on both sides of the iron curtain. Also a remarkable story of the bravery and emotions of one ... READ MORE
Gripping
Such great detail from the writer which really gets you engulfed in the story, which is a truly mesmerizing one
So good, I read it twice
So well written by Ben Macintyre. Had to read it twice, it's so good, and just as gripping the second time of reading.
Brilliant
What a brilliant story, full of amazing insights into the world of espionage. His escape from Russia alone is an exciting and somewhat amusing story. A mus... READ MORE
The Spy and the Traitor
Excellent. Reads like a spy novel. i shall seek out more of ben Macintyre's books.
Superb!
Nail biting story of 80’s espionage. A fascinating window into recent history- couldn’t put it down!
Extraordinary story of a real KGB agent
A marvellously tense story of a Russian working for MI5. The great thing is that it is true. Delightful expose of the measures that the British Security S... READ MORE
Outstanding
Another superb offering by this excellent author. I read it through over a couple of days.
The story of Oleg Gordievsky and his career as a double agent,... READ MORE
Great Read.
I love a good spy novel but this is a true story and an engrossing read. Set in and around 1985, Margaret Thatcher is Prime Minister and a middle aged man ... READ MORE
Fabulous piece of history writing
My daughter read this as she's studying A level history which involves the Cold War.she found it an excellent read and gave her a different perspective on... READ MORE
Excellent
Really exciting and enjoyable book. I found it amazing. It was even more interesting than the fictional work of John le Carre. A real page turner.
True Spy Thriller
One of the best books I have read over lockdown and ever! A great human story. In true James Bond fashion the hero wins out at the end and it’s true. I lov... READ MORE
You couldn't make this up!
Brilliant book - as good as anything from Le Carre or Forsyth with the bonus of it all being true!
Fast paced thriller
Not read this author before but from page 1 this true story was riveting . I grew up against the background to this but had no insight into the way the Rus... READ MORE
An extraordinary story
This book really was an incredibly interesting read, and gave a surreal insight into the soviet and western political climate at the time. What a story. On... READ MORE
Too Far-Fetched to be Fiction
The story of Oleg Gordievsky has always fascinated me but nobody, bar the man himself, has put it into writing better than Ben McIntyre in this book. The d... READ MORE
Simply superb
Comprehensive & gripping. Macintyre delivers detail research in a page turning drama you won’t want to put down. A must read!
Brilliant
Must read and super engaging
Spy & the traitor
Excellent reading with good background research - a riveting read.
Riveting!
I've already read this once. Unfortunately, I gave my copy away. Man am I gonna read this again! It's frightening and revealing. Read it!
Completely wild
One of the best stories I’ve ever read.
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