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The Billion Dollar Spy

A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal

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The Billion Dollar Spy

By: David E. Hoffman
Narrated by: John Moraitis
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About this listen

January 1977. While the chief of the CIA’s Moscow station fills his gas tank, a stranger drops a note into the car.

In the years that follow, that stranger, Adolf Tolkachev, becomes one of the West’s most valuable spies. At enormous risk Tolkachev and his handlers conduct clandestine meetings across Moscow, using spy cameras, props, and private codes to elude the KGB in its own backyard - until a shocking betrayal puts them all at risk.

Drawing on previously classified CIA documents and interviews with firsthand participants, The Billion Dollar Spy is a brilliant feat of reporting and a riveting true story from the final years of the Cold War.

©2017 David E. Hoffman (P)2019 Audible, Ltd Freedom & Security Politics & Government Espionage Russia Cold War
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There’s no doubting this is the story of 1980s Cold War espionage in terms of the shear size of classified information stolen from the former USSR. In an era when everybody on both sides could not be trusted it’s amazing how long it succeeded. The bravery of those involved was commendable in particular the Russian spy working on behalf of the CIA. Utterly fascinating.
The only criticism for me was the way the story was delivered. As an avid reader of Ben Macintyre I missed his unique way of blending facts with drama and felt the book did not fully depict the jeopardy, risk and emotional toll of those involved.

Incredible true story of Cold War espionage

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So much information of a part of history I lived through but never knew. If not for that brave Russian spy Kolkachev (spelling?) I wonder where we in the west would be today. I am stunned by his achievements, his stubbornness and bravery and the bravery of CIA case handlers. This was my husband’s book but I very much enjoyed it and what I learned. Well read as this is not a fictional novel and I was kept interested throughout the whole book.

History

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Gripping true story of Cold War espionage. Narrator has a fantastic voice but his cadence is very jerky sometimes. "Research... and Development projects". It's a small thing, so 4* there. Well worth a listen.

Fantastic story and solid narration

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The delivery of this book is disappointing. it is difficult to appreciate if the story is logical or well written

poor performance

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