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Mitrokhin Archive #1

The Sword and the Shield: The Mitrokhin Archive and the Secret History of the KGB

christopher andrew vasili mitrokhin

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The Sword and the Shield is based on one of the most extraordinary intelligence coups of recent a secret archive of top-level KGB documents smuggled out of the Soviet Union which the FBI has described, after close examination, as the "most complete and extensive intelligence ever received from any source." Its presence in the West represents a catastrophic hemorrhage of the KGB's secrets and reveals for the first time the full extent of its worldwide network. Vasili Mitrokhin, a secret dissident who worked in the KGB archive, smuggled out copies of its most highly classified files every day for twelve years. In 1992, a U.S. ally succeeded in exfiltrating the KGB officer and his entire archive out of Moscow. The archive covers the entire period from the Bolshevik Revolution to the 1980s and includes revelations concerning almost every country in the world. But the KGB's main target, of course, was the United States. Though there is top-secret material on almost every country in the world, the United States is at the top of the list. As well as containing many fascinating revelations, this is a major contribution to the secret history of the twentieth century. Among the topics and revelations explored The KGB's covert operations in the United States and throughout the West, some of which remain dangerous today. KGB files on Oswald and the JFK assassination that Boris Yeltsin almost certainly has no intention of showing President Clinton. The KGB's attempts to discredit civil rights leader in the 1960s, including its infiltration of the inner circle of a key leader. The KGB's use of radio intercept posts in New York and Washington, D.C., in the 1970s to intercept high-level U.S. government communications. The KGB's attempts to steal technological secrets from major U.S. aerospace and technology corporations. KGB covert operations against former President Ronald Reagan, which began five years before he became president. KGB spies who successfully posed as U.S. citizens under a series of ingenious disguises, including several who attained access to the upper echelons of New York society.

736 pages, Paperback

First published January 1,1985
Series
Mitrokhin Archive

This edition

Format
736 pages, Paperback
Published
September 5, 1999 by Basic Books
ISBN
9780465003129
ASIN
0465003125
Language
English

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About the author

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christopher andrew

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Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
39(39%)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
Sorasan
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This is a comprehensive and in-depth review of Soviet espionage, sourced from the detailed archive of a defector.

It covers a wide range of aspects, starting from the infamous Cambridge Five to the atomic spies, which were also initiated in Britain. The elaborate web of espionage activities reveals that the USSR had managed to deeply penetrate Western organizations. However, due to the conspiracy-minded Stalin and his adherents, they failed to gain a truly comprehensive understanding.

The information and details presented here are post-Stalin and include figures like Aldrich Ames and many other less well-known spies. This review provides a fascinating glimpse into the complex world of Soviet espionage and its far-reaching implications.

It showcases the extent to which the Soviet Union was involved in spying activities and the challenges they faced in making sense of the information they obtained.

Overall, it is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of espionage and the Cold War.
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Katkenkay
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Rather eye-opening, this experience has truly broadened my perspective.

I was exposed to a whole new world of ideas and possibilities that I had never considered before.

The things I saw and learned made me realize how much more there is to discover and explore.

It was like a light bulb went off in my head, and suddenly everything seemed clearer.

This eye-opening experience has inspired me to be more curious and open-minded in the future.

I am now eager to seek out new opportunities and challenges that will continue to expand my knowledge and understanding.

I believe that by remaining open to new experiences, I will be able to grow and develop as a person.

Overall, this has been an incredibly valuable and life-changing experience that I will never forget.

It has taught me that there is always more to learn and discover, and that the world is full of amazing things waiting to be explored.
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ssvb
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Not being an expert on the world of Soviet spying, this is a slow read.

It is exhaustive and complex, with a wealth of details that can be overwhelming at times.

However, embedded within the story are truly riveting moments that showcase the humanity and imperfection of the individuals involved.

The authors take the reader on a journey through history, seen through the unique lens of intelligence and counterintelligence.

From the Russian Revolution to the White Russian Guard, from Stalin's rise to power to the Great Terror, and through Hitler's invasion of Russia and beyond, this narrative provides an inside look at events that shaped the course of history.

Some moments are absolutely breathtaking, while others inspire further exploration in other books.

For example, when reading about the Great Terror, I felt compelled to seek out a more comprehensive account.

In the end, I spent over two months reading this tome, and the experience was an extremely mixed bag.

On the one hand, it is extraordinary to read the history of the Soviet Union through the stories of its intelligence agencies.

It reveals a history of deception, cunning, subterfuge, murder, sabotage, and the destruction of countless lives.

I was shocked to learn about the extent of Soviet spying in the West, from the Magnificent Five in British intelligence to extensive networks within European socialist and communist parties.

The book details these successes by name, providing a fascinating look at the inner workings of the KGB.

It is also an extraordinary story of one man's bravery and sacrifice.

Mitrokhin, a KGB bureaucrat, secretly documented the history of KGB deception from 1917 to 1985 and smuggled his notes out of the country.

His actions have made a significant contribution to our understanding of Soviet intelligence.

On the other hand, the prose is often atrocious.

It is overly complex, filled with confusing acronyms, and assumes a knowledge of terminology that the general reader may not possess.

The book sprawls, making it both good and bad.

While it is good to see the many connections being made, it can be difficult to hold an entire world in your brain at one time.

Despite these flaws, there are some remarkable anecdotes here that make the book worth reading.

I was particularly fascinated by the story of Ramon Mercader's stalking of Leon Trotsky in Mexico and the daring escape of Soviet spy George Blake from prison in England.

The book also contains many stories of homosexual entrapment, which provide a snapshot of an earlier time.

Overall, this book is filled with dramatic stories that offer a unique perspective on Soviet history.

While it may require some effort to wade through, it is an investment that has paid off for me.
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Azuab17
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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Not sure how he did it, but Andrew managed to write the most boring treatment of the decades-long history of Soviet spy agencies.

It's truly astonishing. One would think that a topic as fascinating as the history of Soviet spy agencies would be a goldmine for an engaging and captivating read. However, Andrew seems to have total contempt for the subject.

His writing lacks any sort of enthusiasm or passion. It feels like he was forced to write this under duress, perhaps against his will. The result is a text that is dry, dull, and completely uninteresting.

It's a real shame, as this could have been a great opportunity to shed light on an important and often overlooked aspect of history. Instead, we are left with a lackluster and forgettable piece of work.

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Psyxwar
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The greatest political philosophy about-face took place following the announcement of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact in 1939.

CP members around the globe shifted from proclaiming "Hitler is evil" to declaring "Hitler's our friend" within less than 48 hours. They endorsed and maintained this position until he invaded Russia in Operation Barbarossa in 1941. After the invasion, the CPs reverted to their original stance.

Today, we witness almost the same behavior. Democrats, inexplicably, who had previously described Republican concerns over the USSR/Russian Federation, suddenly view Putin as the embodiment of all evil. Republicans, on the other hand, have gone through the same 180-degree turn, but in the opposite direction.

The CP behavior in the 1940s and the American behavior today rival each other in blind tribalism. Apparently, our commitment to our ideology is based entirely on the political convenience of the moment.

Andrew's analysis of the Mitrokhin archive serves as a reminder to any serious student of the rivalry that it has been a contest since the October Revolution. The behavior of the NKVD/KGB/FSB, as detailed in these archives, presents all the compelling evidence one would need to objectively assess the rivalry.

Although this work is lengthy, it is well worth the investment of time as it pays off in detail. Better, more succinct narratives can be found either from Conquest (Reflections on a Ravaged Century) or Gaddis (We Now Know). All three are worthy reads.
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JueVioleSeon
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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"Victims of their own deception"

In life, there are times when people become the victims of their own deception.

They may create false narratives in their minds, convincing themselves of things that are not true.

This self-deception can lead to a variety of consequences.

It might cause them to make poor decisions based on the false beliefs they hold.

For example, someone might deceive themselves into thinking they are more talented than they actually are, and as a result, take on tasks that are beyond their capabilities.

This can lead to failure and disappointment.

Alternatively, people may deceive themselves about the nature of a relationship, believing that it is more fulfilling or stable than it really is.

This can prevent them from addressing underlying issues and can ultimately lead to the breakdown of the relationship.

It is important for people to be aware of their own tendencies towards self-deception and to strive for self-awareness and honesty.

By facing the truth, they can make more informed decisions and avoid becoming the victims of their own false beliefs.
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EllinorSwe
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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The original article seems to have plenty of interesting information.

However, it is presented in a cluttered and unstructured manner.

This lack of organization makes it quickly become tiring and boring for the reader.

Despite having the potential to be captivating, the current state of the article fails to engage the audience.

To improve it, the information could be reorganized into a more logical structure.

Perhaps dividing it into sections with clear headings would make it easier to follow.

Adding some transitional phrases and sentences would also help to connect the different ideas and make the flow more smooth.

By taking these steps, the article could fulfill its potential and become a truly captivating piece of writing.
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Marinn7
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 14,2025
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This article is indeed very informative as it presents a wealth of interesting facts.

However, it has a couple of drawbacks. Firstly, it can come across as a bit dry, lacking the engaging and lively tone that might make it more captivating for the readers.

Secondly, the Russian names mentioned can be quite tough to pronounce and remember for those who are not familiar with the Russian language.

Despite these shortcomings, the content itself is valuable and offers useful insights. It would be beneficial if the author could find a way to make the article more engaging, perhaps by adding some anecdotes or examples to illustrate the facts.

Also, providing some phonetic guides or explanations for the Russian names could help the readers better understand and retain the information.

Overall, with a few improvements, this article has the potential to be a great source of knowledge and entertainment.
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