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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

Informative but incredibly dry. This description often fits certain types of writing that are full of facts and details but lack the engaging elements that would make the reader eager to continue.

Such writing can be found in textbooks, technical manuals, and some academic papers. While the information presented is valuable and necessary, the lack of vivid language, interesting anecdotes, or a captivating writing style can make it a chore to read.

However, it is important to note that not all writing needs to be entertaining. In some cases, the primary goal is to convey information accurately and efficiently. But for those who want to make their writing more engaging, it is essential to find a balance between being informative and being interesting. This can involve using descriptive language, telling stories, or adding a personal touch to the writing. By doing so, the reader is more likely to stay engaged and retain the information presented.

A truly fascinating book, it offers remarkable accounts of KGB operations both within and outside the Soviet Union. Spanning from before the Second World War right up to the early 1990s, it provides a comprehensive look into this secretive organization. I was especially intrigued by the sections on the Cambridge 5, having recently finished reading John Banville's The Untouchable. However, there were numerous other really interesting parts as well. For instance, the descriptions of the KGB's attempts to infiltrate the US and the stories about its charismatic "Great Illegals."

Nevertheless, there was one slight issue I had with the book, and that was Christopher Andrew's voice. He seemed determined to portray the KGB hierarchy as a group of ignorant, incompetent, and conspiracy-obsessed dolts. While this might have been true for some, perhaps even most, I did grow somewhat weary of reading the same pejoratives repeatedly. Moreover, his attempt to imply that the weaknesses of the Soviet intelligence hierarchy were inherent to the one-party system and, therefore, the same in all one-party systems simply didn't hold up. His argument that the intelligence organizations of all one-party systems must have the same inherent problems was merely stated without any proper explanation. This is poor social science.

Despite these flaws, Andrew did an excellent job of constructing a detailed history of the KGB based on Mitrokhin's exfiltrated notes. I would have preferred to read less of his own assessments and opinions, which became repetitive and were sometimes poorly argued. Overall, though, the book was still great.

If you are interested in secret services, this book about the KGB is a must-read.

The KGB, or the Committee for State Security, was the main security agency of the Soviet Union. It had a long and complex history, playing a significant role in the country's politics, economy, and international relations.

This book delves into the inner workings of the KGB, exploring its structure, operations, and methods. It reveals the agency's successes and failures, as well as its impact on the Soviet Union and the world.

Whether you are a history buff, a spy enthusiast, or simply curious about the world of secret services, this book offers a fascinating and informative look at one of the most powerful and mysterious organizations of the 20th century.

An interesting topic but the writing is too dull to complete. It felt like reading a spreadsheet of events.

This statement highlights an important aspect of writing. While the topic may have the potential to engage the reader, the way it is presented can make all the difference.

A dull writing style can make the text seem dry and unappealing, causing the reader to lose interest quickly. It is essential to use vivid language, engaging descriptions, and a clear narrative structure to bring the topic to life.

For example, instead of simply listing events in a spreadsheet-like manner, one could describe the events in more detail, using sensory language to create a more immersive experience for the reader. This could involve painting a picture of the setting, describing the emotions of the characters, or adding dialogue to make the story more engaging.

By paying attention to the writing style and using techniques to make the text more interesting, one can transform a potentially dull topic into a captivating piece of writing.