KGB

Great condition!

I have received your book in a perfect condition. Very interested one.

Extremely comprehensive and detailed. Provides excellent perspective on the off-the-hook paranoia of Stalin, in-depth first-hand knowledge of the more notorious Russian spies, the Rosenbergs, Hiss, the wanton murders based on mere suspicion of Russian spies who were doing their jobs, and other excesses of the USSR. Revealed the extent of penetration of the US establishment, including the pre-CIA OSS and Roosevelt's inner circle. Gordievsky provides witness to history and in particular the obsession of the USSR with the USA. Worth every penny.

Excellent book for those interested in the historical background of the NKVD or KGB in America. The authors are extremely credible in this field and have decades of research invested in the VENONA decryption, Comintern files, and the newer information from the 1990's from the KGB archives.A must have for historians studying the Cold War!

I agree with the other reviewers here as this book is not perfect. It was written before the Venona Transcripts or the Mitrokhin Files became known, and, for this reason, is not as complete a work as something like the Sword and the Shield would be. Regardless, it is an extraordinary primary source testament concerning one of the most secretive, nefarious, and befuddling organizations in history. I got the impression that Mr. Andrew wrote this account based on notes he obtained from Mr. Gordievsky. The result is a somewhat lumbering, and often repetitive, narration. A few of the same sentences are repeated at different points in the book which could potentially irritate many a reader. I did like the chapter outline, however, as it was sequenced chronologically which is helpful considering the varying scenarios within the foreign directorate discussed. We're very lucky in the west that men like Gordievsky had the courage to defect because, if they didn't, there would have been little chance of obtaining information about the Soviet Union at all.

Great book about the history of the KGB

As it is a large book, I started reading in the Cold War section, to coincide with my life's experience during the Cold War. I am thoroughly enjoying it so far. It is very detailed and well documented.

Its not Paranoia, even if others say it is. The Soviet Union used spying as Sun Tzu would have used them even if their philosophies some times misled them. Senator McCarty may have been a jerk but he was on to the truth about the infiltration of the U.S. Government.