The Spy and the Traitor

 

The Spy and the Traitor: The Greatest Espionage Story of the Cold War by Ben Macintyre
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love spy novels and this was one of the best, especially since it was true. I can't imagine the courage and intelligence of Oleg Gordievsky. I also admired the diligence and thoroughness of Veronica Price, who helped orchestrate his escape, but to do so was required to run the plan for years, even when he wasn't in the country. It struck me the reasons Oleg turned traitor to his country and the reasons many of the spies for Britain and America turned--he did it for truth's sake, they did it for money or power. The women married to these spies are the unsung heroes--they didn't choose this life, but had to deal with the consequences and sometimes apparently had to play a crucial part. Changing diapers was never more fortuitous and monumental! Great book!

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