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The Spy and the Traitor

The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War
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( 75,623 ratings, 6,533 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre tells the riveting true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a top KGB officer who secretly worked for MI6. The book delves into international espionage, highlighting the intense and dangerous world of intelligence during the Cold War. It covers Gordievsky's recruitment, espionage activities, and the high-stakes effort to extract him from the Soviet Union.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by Cold War espionage, tales of double agents, and real-life thrillers filled with suspense and intrigue. It offers a gripping narrative that explores the complex world of intelligence and betrayal.

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The Spy and the Traitor

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre is a spellbinding Cold War thriller that unravels the true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB double agent who risked everything to aid the British in the battle against Soviet oppression. In meticulously researched detail, Macintyre paints a vivid portrait of espionage, double-crossing, and unparalleled bravery, giving readers a riveting glimpse into a clandestine world where deception is the norm and the stakes are sky-high.

On a warm July evening in 1985, a conspicuous figure stood on the pavement of a bustling Moscow street, clutching a plastic carrier bag emblazoned with the red logo of Safeway, a British supermarket. Despite his otherwise nondescript appearance—grey suit and tie—this man was anything but ordinary. He was Oleg Gordievsky, a high-ranking KGB officer who had spent over a decade covertly supplying his British handlers with some of the most sensitive and damaging intelligence about the Soviet Union.

The Safeway bag was no random accessory; it was a signal, a desperate cry for help to initiate his escape from Soviet clutches. What followed was a high-stakes, nerve-wracking extraction plan that aimed to smuggle Gordievsky out of Russia, an operation laden with danger and ripe for catastrophe.

Macintyre's narrative masterfully interlaces Gordievsky's undercover activities with the broader geopolitical context of the Cold War, creating a tapestry rich in detail and pulsating with tension. He brings to life the shadowy figures of the espionage world, from the resolute British intelligence agents to the relentless Soviet operatives, all bound in a timeless dance of wits and wills.

The Spy and the Traitor is not just a tale of audacious espionage but a deeply human story of betrayal, loyalty, and courage. Gordievsky's actions not only inflicted unprecedented damage on the KGB but also tilted the scales in the global power struggle, influencing the course of history.

Readers of this stunning work will find themselves immersed in an incredible saga that reveals the true costs of espionage and the extraordinary bravery required to confront an oppressive regime from within. Ben Macintyre delivers a gripping, heart-pounding account that captures the perilous allure of spy craft and the indomitable spirit of those who dare to challenge the most formidable adversaries.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre is praised as an incredible true-life spy story that builds tension with every word. It is described as unbelievably detailed and skilful, with writing as engaging as a novel. The book's final chapters are particularly noted for their thrilling narrative.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241972137

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 May 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 316g

Pages: 384

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About the Author

Ben Macintyre is the multimillion-copy bestselling author of books including Colditz, Agent Sonya, SAS- Rogue Heroes, The Spy and the Traitor, Agent Zigzag, Operation Mincemeat and A Spy Among Friends. He is a columnist and Associate Editor at The Times, and has worked as the newspaper's correspondent in New York, Paris and Washington. Several of his books have been made into films and television series, including Operation Mincemeat, A Spy Among Friends and SAS- Rogue Heroes.

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