The Moscow Rules

The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War

By: Jonna Mendez, Antonio J. J. Mendez

Narrated by: Wilson Bethel

Length: 7 hrs and 2 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the spymaster and inspiration for the movie Argo, discover the "real-life spy thriller" of the brilliant but under-supported CIA operatives who developed breakthrough spy tactics that helped turn the tide of the Cold War (Malcolm Nance).

Antonio Mendez and his future wife, Jonna, were CIA operatives working to spy on Moscow in the late 1970s, at one of the most dangerous moments in the Cold War. Soviets kept files on all foreigners, studied their patterns, and tapped their phones. Intelligence work was effectively impossible. The Soviet threat loomed larger than ever.

The Moscow Rules tells the story of the intelligence breakthroughs that turned the odds in America's favor. As experts in disguise, Antonio and Jonna were instrumental in developing a series of tactics - Hollywood-inspired identity swaps, ingenious evasion techniques, and an armory of James Bond-style gadgets - that allowed CIA officers to outmaneuver the KGB.

As Russia again rises in opposition to America, this remarkable story is a tribute to those who risked everything for their country and to the ingenuity that allowed them to succeed.

©2019 Antonio J. Mendez, Jonna Mendez (P)2019 Hachette Audio

Critic Reviews

"Intriguing true stories of the techniques of CIA spying on the dangerous front line of the Cold War." (Dame Stella Rimington, former director of MI5)

"A gripping read. Thanks to Tony Mendez's extraordinary talent, the CIA was able to elude KGB surveillance to carry out high-risk, high-payoff operations with impunity - until tripped up by traitors within our own ranks. It's all in this book - the good, the bad, and the ugly, unflinchingly revealed. Tony and his wife and coauthor, Jonna, were two of the stars from the Office of Technical Service, CIA's version of James Bond's 'Q,' and key to so many of the agency's successes - and nowhere more so than in Moscow during the Cold War." (Jack Downing, former chief of station, Moscow, and the CIA's former deputy director for operations)

"A gripping, interesting and relevant read...reads like a spy novel yet tells a true tale of the darkest days of the espionage war largely fought between the CIA and the KGB." (Cipher Brief)

Great for enthusiasts

After watching a YouTube video on Jonna Mendez discussing the art of disguise I preordered the book. I’ve listened to a fair amount of espionage novels on the Cold War and this is another must listen. Covers the case agents skills of deception, it’s nice to learn more info on them book to book.

Interesting, clean, pro-CIA history

It's a very interesting and full of interesting spycraft and stage magic adaptations. However, with what I know of CIA history in general it seems like a very cleaned up version of events. No assassinations, blackmail, or proxy wars. While the book was interesting I can't help but think something was left out due to its cleanliness.

Better Than Most CIA Books

This one goes a little more in depth to the techniques and trade crafts used by the agents. So many of the books rarely talk specifics. This book was not like that.

Very interesting

I really enjoyed this book, and I wasn't sure I would. I found it interesting how they developed new technology to adapt to their situations. The narration was very good, very articulate.

You’ve read one of his books, you’ve read them all.

This book is essentially a retelling of two of his previous books; many of the same stories, slightly repackaged, not much new. For some reason, he can’t help himself but resort to a few of the same hackneyed tropes (e.g. Bond references) in every book. If you haven’t read any of his other books and this topic interests you, then you’ll probably enjoy.

Russia is always a threat to America.

very worthy read. reminder of how Russia will always work to undermine Democracy. it takes a few good men and woman to adapt and persevere. ready to overcome.

Insight into the magic behind CIA operations

Round out your knowledge of the espionage work during the Cold War. Tony opens a window to a world few will ever know. The author reveals the tradecraft behind CIA operations in Moscow. The technical skills and creative thinking involved in working in one of the most hostile political enviroments.

fantastic book

be prepared to listen to it all the way through won't be able to stop

Illuminating

Builds an illuminating feeling of what it is like to like/work in Moscow. Highly recommended.

Wonderful

The Moscow rules is a wonderful book with a depth of technical detail that we don’t always get in historic reviews of intelligence community tradecraft. Highly recommend.