Spymaster

Startling Cold War Revelations of a Soviet KGB Chief

By: Tennent H. Bagley

Narrated by: Bronson Pinchot

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

From the dark days of World War II through the Cold War, Sergey A. Kondrashev was a major player in Russia’s notorious KGB espionage apparatus. Rising through its ranks through hard work and keen understanding of how the spy and political games are played, he “handled” American and British defectors, recruited Western operatives as double agents, served as a ranking officer at the East Berlin and Vienna KGB bureaus, and tackled special assignments from the Kremlin.

During a 1994 television program about former spymasters, Kondrashev met and began a close friendship with a former foe, ex–CIA officer Tennent H. “Pete” Bagley, whom the Russian asked to help write his memoirs.

Because Bagley knew so about much of Kondrashev’s career (they had been on opposite sides in several operations), his penetrating questions and insights reveal slices of never-revealed espionage history that rival anything found in the pages of Ian Fleming, Len Deighton, or John le Carr. This includes chilling tales of surviving Stalin’s purges while superiors and colleagues did not, of plotting to reveal the Berlin Tunnel, of quelling the Hungarian Revolution and “Prague Spring” independence movements, and of assisting in arranging the final disposition of the corpses of Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun. Kondrashev also details equally fascinating KGB propaganda and disinformation efforts that shaped Western attitudes throughout the Cold War.

Because publication of these memoirs was banned by Putin’s regime, Bagley promised Kondrashev to have them published in the West. They are now available to all who are fascinated by vivid tales of international intrigue.

©2013 Tennent H. Bagley (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

Just what I expected

Well done non-fiction. Interesting and performed perfectly. Not an "exciting thriller" but unique and steady. I enjoyed it a lot

Such high hopes.

The narration was well done, but the writing is awfully dry. Even the best performance could not do much to elevate what should be a riveting account of the KGB in the Cold War USSR. I wish Bagley had utilized a writer to aide him in the telling of this tale.

History repeats over and over.

Very detailed. Very informative.
The truth is better than fiction.
I loved this book and didn't want it to end.

The Source Is More Valuable that the Secret

The world of espionage is always fascinating. This is an account of one spy’s career from Stalin’s era to the time of Gorbashev. The story of Sergey Kondrashev, told posthumously, contains secrets he was not able to relate in his own autobiography. One of the revelations was an insight into one of the primary causes of the Korean War.

I always enjoy the sonorous voice of Bronson Pinchot. When narrating fiction I appreciate his dramatic character voices. This being a non-fiction book, we have to settle for his soothing voice, precise diction and great pacing.

is really good story of a man that lived

is a really good story of a man that lived in the center of history

Fantastic History

This book is an incredible history of the pre and post WWII KGB. It is well written and well narrated. I was totally amazed by some of the information in the book. Well recommended.

Interesting Look at Soviet Spy

Definitely worth a listen for those interested in Cold War history. Narrator does a good job altering voices without trying to overplay Russian accents.

An brilliant personal Cold War perspective

A fascinating story of the personal life of a man who survived the Stalin purges, participated in events that molded the Cold War, and a transparent view of "of the other side".

Fans of the cold war spy game should give it a try

The insight of a soviet spymaster is more than enlightening; he gives answers to questions western intelligence services didn't even know to ask. Although I like and read history, I tend to listen to fiction; having said that, I really enjoyed this one. If you like popular histories, and the nuts and bolts of cold war espionage, this might be the book for you.

Better read

Found it difficult to follow via audible. Would be better if read in a book.