Frightening and real: this is a harbinger of the Putin era. It details the history and a string of successes enjoyed by the KGB and its ancestors, such as the Cheka and the NKVD, et al.

Mitrochkin had to relocate the secret files of the KGB from its location in Llubyanka to a new ring road library. He copied the files in a tiny script and removed them from the building in his socks, subsequently hiding them in his dacha. In 1991, he sought and received asylum from the Brits and then published this remarkable and chilling account of just how screwed we have always been by the Reds.

I listened to it on a CD and despaired of our comparatively crappy CIA and FBI efforts. They were doomed to destruction by Senator Frank Church (D. Utah) in 1975. His misguided search for headlines did almost as much damage as Aldrich Ames.

In 1995, Jamie Gorelik wrote into law the walling off of the CIA and FBI, forbidding intelligence sharing. This was to prevent them from connecting the dots as the Slickster sold space weaponry guidance secrets to the Chinese colonels for $600,000.00.

(In Russia, there would be a quick execution for Jamie!) Here she is put on the 9/11 commission to blame Bush for the very intel disasters she helped to cause!

This volume (1999) not only continues but also substantially recapitulates Andrew's previous work 'KGB' (1991). Similar to the former, Andrew had consultations with a former KGB agent. This time, it was with one who had long-term access to the KGB archives.

Both books are historical accounts that commence with the overthrow of the Czar in 1917. The former extends up to Gorbachev, while the latter goes up to Yeltsin. Additionally, both also discuss the allied intelligence agencies of the Warsaw Pact countries. When reading one right after the other, I discovered that the repetition was beneficial in navigating and remembering a significant amount of the detail.

Currently, there is a great deal of talk about the Russians attempting to influence the recent presidential elections. It is worth noting two points: Firstly, the U.S.A. has interfered with the internal politics of other countries as a matter of routine. Secondly, the U.S.S.R. also had the habit of interfering with presidential elections in the U.S.A. However, while the U.S.A. has often achieved success (consider post-war France and Italy), the efforts of the U.S.S.R. were largely limited to providing financial support to the Communist Party of America's campaigns, none of which had a significant impact. If indeed our domestic intelligence agencies are accurate regarding the recent Trump vs. Clinton contest, this could potentially be the first instance in which the Russians have exerted some real influence.

Inside the KGB during the Cold War,

there was a bizarre and troubling account of the intense fight between the West and the East.

For all the fear that pervaded, it was rather ironic that the Soviet government's inability to function properly appeared to be the very cause of the Soviet Union's collapse.

The West might have seemed better, but in reality, the margin was not that great.

Perhaps it was just a matter of us surviving a little longer.

And thus, the Cold War came to an end, leaving behind a complex legacy and a world that had been forever changed by this ideological struggle.

It serves as a reminder of the power dynamics and the consequences of geopolitical rivalries, and how even the mightiest of nations can face challenges that lead to their downfall.

The story of the KGB during this era is a fascinating and often overlooked aspect of history that offers valuable insights into the inner workings of the Cold War and its ultimate outcome.

I'll admit that I simply couldn't endure sitting through all 40 hours of this mammoth. There is an abundance of repetition that is truly necessary. However, for anyone who is attempting to gain an understanding of Russia in 2018, they would be well advised to watch The Americans.

This show offers a unique perspective and valuable insights into the complex relationship between the United States and Russia during that time period.

After watching the series, it might also be beneficial to read its source material. This would provide a more in-depth exploration of the themes and events depicted in the show.

By doing so, one can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the historical context and the forces at play.

Overall, The Americans and its source material can serve as excellent resources for those seeking to understand Russia in 2018.

We come for you now.

This powerful statement, spoken in a Russian voice, holds a sense of determination and purpose.

It implies that there is a group or force that is on a mission, specifically to seek out and reach a particular person or group.

The use of the Russian language adds an extra layer of mystery and perhaps a touch of intimidation.

One can't help but wonder who exactly is being addressed and what the nature of this coming is.

Is it a rescue mission? A pursuit? Or something else entirely?

The simple yet impactful words leave the listener or reader with a sense of anticipation and curiosity.

It makes them want to know more about the context and the events that will unfold as a result of this proclamation.

We come for you now.

These words have the potential to set in motion a chain of events that could change the course of many lives.

If you have a keen interest in the Cold War and the significant role played by the KGB, then this is an outstanding resource book for you.

It offers a wealth of knowledge and insights that are truly enlightening.

The Cold War was a period of intense geopolitical tension, and the KGB was at the center of many of the events and strategies.

This book delves deep into the inner workings of the KGB, exploring its operations, methods, and influence.

It provides a detailed account of how the KGB operated during this era, shedding light on its activities both domestically and internationally.

Whether you are a history buff or simply curious about this fascinating period, this resource book is a must-read.

It will expand your understanding of the Cold War and the role of the KGB, and leave you with a newfound appreciation for the complexity and significance of this era.

This is a book that I have had for an extremely long time. In fact, it dates back to my college days.

It offers an interesting perspective on Soviet history and the significant role that the Checka/NVKD/KGB/FSB played within it.

Having delved into Russian history, much of the content wasn't entirely new to me. However, in most accounts of the Soviet Union, the years between Khrushchev and Gorbachev often get overlooked or briefly mentioned.

Given the power that Andropov held, first as the head of the KGB and then as the Soviet Premier, it's not unexpected that the KGB had a prominent part in political actions. Through their activities, one can gain an understanding of what was transpiring in the Soviet Union during this period of decline.

The truly alarming aspect is just how effective the Soviet Intelligence Service was in the 1940s and 1950s. McCarthy might have been a rather unpleasant character, but there was indeed a high level of infiltration by the KGB.

The most significant infiltration occurred in the UK with the "Magnificent 5," who provided Stalin with almost all the information available about the US and the UK. Nevertheless, even this wealth of intelligence was not fully utilized, further emphasizing the fact that intelligence is only as valuable as the individuals who act upon it.

Although this book is a long read, it is highly informative and offers valuable insights into Soviet history.

The book I read was an astonishing 1864 pages long and was freely available on archiv.org. It is extremely well organized, which makes it a pleasure to read.

Christopher M. Andrew has done a truly remarkable job. He has managed to assemble the smuggled and voluminous notes made by the former KGB archivist Vasili Mitrokhin from official top secret KGB files. Mitrokhin took a huge risk with his life to obtain these notes, which pertain to the period from approximately 1918 to 1992. The KGB changed its name several times during this period. It's important to note that Mitrokhin did not have direct access to GRU (military intelligence) files.

Any professional intelligence operative who fails to read this book is being derelict in their duty. It should also be of great interest to any alert United States citizen.

Today, Russia is employing active techniques that have been proven successful over many decades. Their aim is to disrupt any sense of comity in the world that might potentially constrain the increase of its (and its potentates') power and influence. Despite the limitations arising from the institutional paranoia and top-down doctrinaire bureaucracy that have historically plagued their intelligence services, they are very good at what they do. We must credit them with maintaining a doomed and brutal government in power for 70 years.

Andrew helpfully supplies the KGB code names of many of its assets and agents in parentheses. This allows for convenient cross-reference to those that were decrypted in the Venona project. The Venona project was a U.S. counterintelligence program run by the Army Signal Intelligence Service and then the National Security Agency from 1943 until 1980. It covertly intercepted over 3,000 NKVD, KGB, and GRU coded messages. In these messages, true names were further encoded and then, to some extent, identified from context and other sources. Many Venona texts remain undeciphered today, and many true names are not yet known. We eagerly await the next momentous defection.

The Mitrokhin files largely confirm some accounts, previously of disputed accuracy, of defecting U.S. Communist party spies such as Elizabeth T Bentley and Whittaker Chambers in their books "Out of Bondage" and "Witness". Mention should also be made of John D. Barron's account of the remarkable U.S. double agent Morris H. Childs in "Operation Solo: The FBI's Man in the Kremlin". "Witness" is rightfully on many Top Books lists.

Histories of the 20th century, and even of the cold war, generally have not addressed the magnitude of influence of Soviet intelligence activity as proved by these archives. This has resulted in a somewhat lamentable perspective in these days (2019).

Many secrets were revealed,

yet there are doubts regarding its faithfulness.

The disclosure of these secrets has brought about a flurry of speculation and uncertainty.

People wonder if what has been revealed is truly an accurate representation of the truth.

Could there be hidden motives or inaccuracies within the disclosed information?

The doubts linger, casting a shadow over the supposed revelations.

Perhaps further investigation is needed to determine the authenticity and reliability of these secrets.

Until then, the question of their faithfulness remains unanswered, leaving us in a state of anticipation and skepticism.

Only time will tell if the secrets that have been revealed are indeed trustworthy and hold true.

This is clearly an important work,

yet it is also a definite slog to read. I persevered until about 415 pages,

but then I gave up. Nevertheless, I am certain that I have grasped the essence of what the KGB did.

Mr. Mitrokhin is a truly brave individual,

and I offer my salute to him for the remarkable work he has accomplished.

Mr. Andrew, on the other hand, is an excellent writer.

His prose is engaging and his research is thorough.

I look forward with great anticipation to reading other works by him.

Although I did not finish this particular book,

I have no doubt that it contains a wealth of valuable information.

Perhaps one day I will return to it and complete the reading.

Until then, I will continue to explore the works of these two talented individuals.

The current article contains a wealth of compelling information.

However, it is presented in a rather disorganized manner, as a continuous stream of places, names, and codes.

This makes it a bit overwhelming for the reader and difficult to fully absorb the details.

With some proper shaping and restructuring, this article has the potential to be a much shorter and more engaging read.

By carefully selecting and highlighting the most important points, and presenting them in a more logical and coherent way, the reader's attention can be better captured.

Perhaps dividing the information into sections with clear headings, or using bullet points or numbered lists to break up the text, would make it more accessible.

Overall, with a little effort, this article could be transformed into a more effective and enjoyable piece of writing.

OMG. What a tome!

It is truly an extensive and weighty work. And yet, it is also deeply fascinating. The text is dry and extremely detailed, almost to the point of being overwhelming. However, for some reason, it has managed to keep me hooked, turning the pages with great interest.

The topics explored in this book, such as the setting, the tension, the politics, the paranoia, and the tactics employed, seem surprisingly relevant to our current era. It is quite interesting to discover that there was indeed some actual basis for the red scare. The top-level penetration of the US government with the collaboration of the CPUSA is a fact that, although not entirely unexpected, was absent from my education.

I will really miss reading a couple of pages before sleep every night for the past few months. This book has become a part of my bedtime routine, and now that I have finished it, I feel a sense of loss.