The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

Written by:
Ben Macintyre
Narrated by:
Ben Macintyre

Unabridged Audiobook

We’re sorry, this book is not available in your country.
Ratings
Book
87
Narrator
25
Release Date
September 2018
Duration
14 hours 33 minutes
Summary
Brought to you by Penguin.

*The No.1 Sunday Times Bestseller*
*Shortlisted for the 2018 Baillie Gifford Prize*
*Bill Gates' Top 5 Books for 2020*

'THE BEST TRUE SPY STORY I HAVE EVER READ' JOHN LE CARRÉ

A thrilling Cold War story about a KGB double agent, by one of Britain's greatest historians - now with a new afterword

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. 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 spying. Ben Macintyre reveals a tale of espionage, betrayal and raw courage that changed the course of the Cold War forever...

BEN MACINTYRE'S NEXT BOOK AGENT SONYA IS AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER NOW

© Ben MacIntyre 2018 (P) Penguin Audio 2018
Reviews
Profile Avatar
AndyM

Fabulous insight into a period of history that I lived through and hard to believe that a handful of individuals were responsible for making the world a safer place - yet again, politicians take the credit for something they were only told about at the very last moment. Highly recommend read.

Profile Avatar
Barrie D.

Very interesting; I can recall some of the news items; puts them into context.

Profile Avatar
Karen M.

I'm not one for spy stories finding them rather unbelievable and farcical. I had to read this for book club and so pleased I did. I can't believe that the reality is even more unbelievable and farcical than fiction! Absolutely fascinating story. Amazing, genuinely brave and patriotic people. So much to admire, beyond their obvious intelligence, but what a hideous way to live your life. Constantly questioning everybody and everything you hear. Constant fear of being discovered. The convoluted instructions you have to follow to avoid that discovery - amazing feats of memory required. And reliant on a shambolic bureaucracy. An emotional rollercoaster and a new found respect for our spymasters. A brilliant listen

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

So fantastically written reads like a story, behaves like a movie, factual because it’s real! Awesome

Profile Avatar
Niall Roper

Fascinating and insightful. It gives a deep view of the Cold War, the interplay between Russia, the U.K. and the USA, spy craft and risks, and of the lives and motivations of the spies. I found it compelling from beginning to end.

Profile Avatar
Chris

A truly amazing tale of espionage worthy of le Carre, but better because it’s fact.

Profile Avatar
Anonymous

It took about 2/3 of the book to become interesting, and then rushed through the last bit. Disappointed that it’s time I won’t get back.

Profile Avatar
Miles S.

Gripping - amazing story. True life James Bond stuff

Profile Avatar
Mike T.

Absolutely terrific - better than any fiction

Profile Avatar
Justin M.

Wow! what an amazing true story. Loved every minute of it.

Profile Avatar
Helge M.

Very interesting - insight of the shadow world..

1 book added to cart
Subtotal
$0.00
View Cart