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liamhmahoney's review
adventurous
informative
tense
medium-paced
3.75
The Spy and the Traitor tells the stories of Oleg Gordievsky and Aldrich Ames, the first a Russian-born KGB agent who aligns himself as a MI6 undercover agent and the second the American turncoat who, purportedly, motivated by greed and stifled by career stagnation, reveals Oleg’s identity to the KGB, thereby endangering him and his family. It is at its best when it describes Oleg’s disillusionment with and subsequent defection from the Soviet Union, when it details the subtle intricacies of living a concealed double-life, and when it outlines the roadmap for Oleg’s escape.
market_not_pennymarket's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
4.5
kmkasiner's review
4.0
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I don't have any particular interest in the Cold War, but chose this book to fulfill the "Espionage" category on a genre book challenge. I'm glad I read it, because the story is fascinating and I really came to admire the spy, Oleg Gordievsky. Certain parts were very suspenseful and I had to keep myself from looking up the history on Wikipedia and spoiling myself!
mightyfrenchbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
4.0
I'm not used to read non fiction. This one did not feel like one. Some elements were so incredible I thought they had to be invented #PIMLICO. it was very informative and I learned a ton.
Only con is the amount or accronyms and name were confusing at times. I could have used more vulgarization on some elements.
Only con is the amount or accronyms and name were confusing at times. I could have used more vulgarization on some elements.