Our review of : The Spy and the Traitor

The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

Written by : Ben Macintyre

Release date : 09-18-18

5 out of 5 - Based on 8,338

Retail price : $31.95

Category:

In The Spy and the Traitor, Ben Macintyre tells the incredible story of one of history’s most notorious traitors, Oleg Gordievsky, and the MI6 officer who risked everything to save him. Gordievsky was a senior KGB official who fed British intelligence vital information about Russia’s plans for world domination during the height of the Cold War. In 1982 he was betrayed by his own people and arrested by the Russians. Had Gordievsky been caught, he would have been executed or spent thirty years in Soviet prison camps – but thanks to MI6 agent Christopher Steele, he escaped with his life.Macintyre offers a uniquely personal account of this fascinating espionage story from both sides ofthe cold war divide.”The Spy and the Traitor is a terrific book – intelligent, informative, suspenseful, and full.

For who is this book for ?

This book is for readers who are interested in espionage, the Cold War, and history. It tells the story of a high-ranking KGB official who became a spy for British intelligence and provides an insider’s view of both sides of the conflict.

Pros :

  • The author has a unique personal perspective of the story as he is British and wrote it from that side of the cold war divide.
  • The book is full of interesting information about both Russian and British intelligence during the Cold War.
  • The suspenseful story kept me engaged throughout.”

Cons :

  • The Spy and the Traitor may be too dense for some readers.
  • The book does not have a lot of photographs or illustrations to help visual learners.
  • The book lacks maps that could orient readers geographically.

Learn more about the author

Ben Macintyre is a journalist and author who has worked for The Times, The Sunday Times, andThe New York Times. In 2008 he was awarded the Somerset Maugham Prize for his book Operation Mincemeat.

Reader Reviews

“an absolutely fantastic book – a true spy thriller and great historical read… If you are at all interested in espionage, Cold War history, or just an excellent story, then this is the book for you.”

“A riveting account of the KGB’s most successful double agent.”

“This book tells the story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB agent who became a double-agent for MI6. Ben Macintyre does an excellent job of describing both the Cold War and the complex web of relationships between intelligence agencies.”

“The best book I have read in years. A masterpiece.”

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