The Spy and the Traitor by Ben Macintyre was Jonathan Blitzer’s third recommendation.
Below is what my research turned up and why it is now in line to read.
This is arguably one of the greatest true-life spy stories ever told. It reads so much like a high-stakes thriller that it’s easy to forget it is a work of non-fiction.
🌟 Reason to Read
You should read The Spy and the Traitor because it provides a chilling and realistic look at the Cold War that movies often get wrong. It focuses on the psychological toll of living a double life and the sheer bravery required to betray a superpower from within. If you enjoy “chess-match” style tension—where one small mistake means certain death—this book will keep you on the edge of your seat. It is the perfect companion for a long, quiet wait in nature because the tension builds slowly and masterfully.
- Ben Macintyre
- Non-Fiction
- Rich
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The book tells the incredible true story of Oleg Gordievsky, a top-ranking KGB officer who became one of the most important double agents in history for the British MI6.
While the world was teetering on the edge of nuclear war in the 1980s, Gordievsky was funneling secrets to the West that helped world leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan understand the paranoid mindset of the Kremlin. The narrative culminates in one of the most daring and ingenious escape missions ever attempted: “Operation PIMLICO,” the plan to smuggle Gordievsky out of Moscow right under the noses of his own KGB colleagues once they began to suspect his betrayal.⭐ Reviews
John le Carré (Master of the spy novel):
“The best true spy story I have ever read. Macintyre writes with the pacing of a thriller and the meticulousness of a historian. Truly extraordinary.”
The Wall Street Journal:
“A masterpiece of investigative reporting. Macintyre has managed to capture the atmosphere of the Cold War with such vividness that you can almost feel the Moscow chill. It is an absolute page-turner.”🎙️ Audible Note
The The Spy and the Traitor audiobook is narrated by the author, Ben Macintyre.
Macintyre is a veteran journalist and a “delightful” narrator. He has a very clear, engaging British voice and a dry wit that perfectly suits the absurdities of the Soviet era. His storytelling ability is top-tier; he knows exactly how to pace the technical details of spycraft so they never become dry, making it an excellent choice for a long listen during your photography sessions.