The Billion Dollar Spy
A True Story of Cold War Espionage and Betrayal
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The Billion Dollar Spy
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Narrated by:
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John Moraitis
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By:
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David E. Hoffman
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, LtdWhat listeners say about The Billion Dollar Spy
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 14-06-2025
Incredible true story of Cold War espionage
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Dave Purse
- 04-09-2021
History
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.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Josh Ladgrove
- 12-01-2023
Fantastic story and solid narration
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.
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Overall1 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story3 out of 5 stars
- Frédéric Dard
- 30-12-2022
poor performance
The delivery of this book is disappointing. it is difficult to appreciate if the story is logical or well written
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