Comrade J: Secrets of Russia's Master Spy in America after the End of the Cold War

Of particular interest from the US point of view, the book reveals that for three years before his defection in October 2000 Tretyakov worked for the FBI, providing details of residency operations and personnel. Ten months before his defection, the FBI encouraged him to leave but could not tell him the reason: it was hunting a mole who might learn about him. When Tretyakov's defection became public on 30 January 2001 and Robert Hanssen was arrested on 18 February 2001, the press presumed Tretyakov was the one who gave him up. The FBI assured Earley that this was not the case.

Finally, as with all unsourced defector memoirs, one must deal with the question of accuracy. In this case, the narrative contains two technical errors worth noting: (1) reference to Tretyakov as a double agent is incorrect, and (2) the statement that the CIA calls its employees'agents is wrong. Recognizing that independent assessment of Tretyakov's story is desirable, Earley includes a chapter with comments from a high-ranking US intelligence official that addresses the kinds of material Tretyakov provided and affirms that it included names and saved American lives. Further detail is attributed to other intelligence sources, as, for example, the fact that the bug planted in the State Department conference room in the late 1990s had a miniature battery recharged with a laser beam. If correct, someone would have had to have line-of-sight access to the battery, but no comment is made on this point.

In the end, although Earley has provided another well told espionage case study, he leaves the curious hoping for a second volume containing more details of Tretyakov&'s work for US intelligence.

It seems that I always have a few constants going on in my life. One, I can usually be found in a few well-known places – my apartment, work, church, or somewhere in between. Two, I usually have a book or audio book somewhere near my person. So is true right now.

For the past couple of weeks, I have been listening to Comrade J: Secrets of a Russian Master Spy (Pete Earley) and it is brilliant. If you like James Bond, cloak-and-dagger stuff, but in reality-not Hollywood’s version, then you will love this book. I personally have been listening to it and the author pulls you in with the stories of how our intelligence business (domestic and foreign) operate. Anyone can be a spy. Some assets that Russia turned barely new they were spying for them. The book brings you inside the bowels of Russian KGB during the Cold War and then shows you how certain parties took power in Russia and utilized their trusted contacts to gain intel on the US, Canada, and many other nations. The deals that were struck between Iraq and Russia and the millions (if not billions) of dollars diverted for personal gain. In the end, it was Master Spy who defected and turned Russian intelligence on its head.

If you are looking for a great read, look no further than Comrade J.

A very interesting and well-written account of the life of a once-loyal, but increasingly disaffected KGB agent. Tretyakov, a member of the Soviet elite, a dedicated covert apparatchik, and a sympathetic family man faces choices in the post-Cold War world that make for interesting reading. Earley tells the story with his usual combination of thoroughness and dramatic flair. He does not shy away from questioning some of Tretyakov's more outlandish claims. Prichard's narration is crisp, clear, and professional. I enjoyed this book very much.

buy this book. great insight into the russian gov't....loved it ...learned alot

Here's a work that shows how naive Americans are about the intentions of the Russian state, especially under Vladimir Putin. After Gorbachev and the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Russians were suddenly our friends. Think again. There's a reason why Putin, a former high-ranking KGB officer, still runs the show. This is an excellent story, well told and well-narrated. Strongly recommended for anyone with an interest in current affairs.

For anyone who's as fascinated by the inner workings of the cold war as I am, this is a must read. Easily the most interesting book on espionage I've ever come across. Great stuff!

A different narrarator. This one was really bad.

This story is fantastic. Very exciting and relevant.

No way.

The story is great. I bought the book and loved it. The narrarator was terrible.

Read the book. This is a story worth reading.

Overall this is an interesting and well written tale. Sometimes I had the feeling that it was almost too good to be true. The KGB was portrayed as precisely the corrupt organization that would suit American propaganda. So sometimes I wondered if someone had sneaked some convenient disinformation into the story. Still it is money well spent on a good book.

I'm sure some will not find this book interesting because it isn't as exciting in their view as the action filled fiction novels but this is a really enjoyable book. I particularly enjoyed learning some of the behind the scenes history of events from the 80's and 90's.