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The Spy and the Traitor

The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War

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The Spy and the Traitor

By: Ben Macintyre
Narrated by: Ben Macintyre
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

THE NO.1 SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

An exciting Cold War story about a KGB double agent, by one of Britain's greatest historians and the ultimate gift for anyone who loves a good spy thriller!

On a warm July evening in 1985, a middle-aged man stood on the pavement of a busy avenue in the heart of Moscow, holding a plastic carrier bag. In his grey suit and tie, he looked like any other Soviet citizen. The bag alone was mildly conspicuous, printed with the red logo of Safeway, the British supermarket.

The man was a spy. A senior KGB officer, for more than a decade he had supplied his British spymasters with a stream of priceless secrets from deep within the Soviet intelligence machine. No spy had done more to damage the KGB. The Safeway bag was a signal: to activate his escape plan to be smuggled out of Soviet Russia. So began one of the boldest and most extraordinary episodes in the history of spying.

Ben Macintyre reveals a tale of espionage, betrayal and raw courage that changed the course of the Cold War forever . . .

'The best true spy story I have ever read' John le Carré

'The world's most important spy since the Second World War. Mercilessly gripping' Sunday Times

'Extraordinary. His best book yet' John Preston, Evening Standard

'A remarkable story of one man's courage' The Times, Book of the Week

© Ben MacIntyre 2018 (P) Penguin Audio 2018

20th Century Freedom & Security Military Modern Politicians Politics & Activism Politics & Government Russia Russian & Soviet World Espionage War Soviet Union Cold War Thought-Provoking Imperialism

Critic Reviews

An incredible true life spy story...Every word ramps up the tension as you're drawn deeper into the danger

If any spy writer were to put it in a novel, it would not be believed. But, blow by blow, trick by trick, it is all in Macintyre's book (Fredrick Forsyth)
He writes like a novelist. One of the last chapters is as tense as any thriller. No wonder le Carré liked it
Meticulously researched, splendidly told, immensely entertaining and often very moving (John le Carré on 'Agent Zigzag')
Impeccably researched, superbly told - by far the best book on the SAS in World War II (Antony Beevor on 'SAS')
Thrilling. Ben Macintyre is the ideal narrator
Thorough and highly entertaining. It would be nigh on impossible to praise it too highly
All stars
Most relevant
I dimly remember a news story about this man but I won't relate it - no spoilers in this review! Suffice it to say, this is a tale of conviction, persistence, incredible courage, patience and determination. The author narrates his story brilliantly, and has pieced it together without access to any official documentation, presumably relying on the memories of main characters and bit players alike. Those of us who lived through the 80s owe the subject an enormous debt of gratitude, for keeping his head when all around were losing theirs, intent on dangerous oneupmanship in the nuclear stakes. Thank you.

Another cracking spy yarn, and this one is true!

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Absolutely loved it. One of the most fascinating non fiction books I've ever read.
Everyone is fascinated by spies and here is the best!

Riveting

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What a ride .
an excellent and true spy story with ramifications still felt today .
well written and well told by its author

thrilling true spy story

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Had Le Carre made this up it would have been riveting. That it’s all true makes it more so.
MacIntyre is a great storyteller and does a terrific read of his own yarn.
An extraordinary story of subterfuge & bravery.

Gripping read

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Fabulous story, even more so being true. Written well with much suspense & intrigue. Narrator was very good.

Outstanding

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