The Moscow Rules

The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War

By: Antonio J. Mendez, Jonna Mendez

Narrated by: Wilson Bethel

A “devilishly fun” (New York Times Book Review) account of a deadly serious business: the undercover spies and the tactics they developed to survive the Cold War in Moscow, from legendary former-CIA operatives.
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.

Critic reviews

“The Moscow Rules is devilishly fun.”—New York Times Book Review

“Opens a rare window into how the CIA works in the Russian capital.”—NPR

“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

“Eye‑opening entertainment. Fans of le Carré and other spinners of secret‑agent tales will find this of considerable interest.”—Kirkus

“If there was ever a single book which could sum up the dangers, heroism, inventiveness and intrepidity of the intelligence officers of the CIA it is The Moscow Rules. This final homage to one of the nation’s bravest patriots will be an instant bestseller. It is the real‑life spy thriller one can’t put down.”—Malcolm Nance, New York Times bestselling author of The Plot to Destroy Democracy

“An insider’s look at CIA operations in Moscow, the most challenging operational city in the world, revealing the tradecraft precepts used to keep priceless assets productive against overwhelming KGB surveillance. Written by two of the people who created these breakthrough tactics, The Moscow Rules takes you every step of the way on the snowy streets of Moscow.”—Jason Matthews, New York Times bestselling author of the Red Sparrow trilogy

“Even inside the CIA, very few know the whole story of how the highest‑level CIA tradecraft was developed for use in Moscow. The legendary Tony and Jonna Mendez were a vital part of creating that tradecraft, and their riveting insider account is unlike any spy story that's ever been published.”—Joe Weisberg, creator and executive producer, The Americans

“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

“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

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.

A Great Story, if a Bit Disorganized

A great story, if a bit disorganized. Definitely worth the read, as it provides interesting insight into the history of the Cold War

excellent review of espionage

a really excellent review of some of the techniques used by the CIA in their battle with a KGB. I am really surprised some of this was put out on a book since the CIA is notorious for their secrecy and their unwillingness to share any techniques even how old they are. In my dealings with them they will live. Very well to that term spooks

Great history of cold war spycraft

Riveting stories and fascinating techniques in a theater more challenging than any other, just wish it was longer, it's that entertaining.

Great Cold War CIA Historical account

If you enjoyed Billion Dollar Spy and other Cold War era intelligence type novels. You will definitely enjoy this. Very engaging and interesting with enough new information to hold your interest even if you find yourself saying “I’ve heard about this situation or device before”


Spoiler Alert

There is a part in the story where a Caucasian agent uses identity transfer to appear as an African American embassy worker in order to elude surveillance. I felt like a joke to the effect of “now that’s what I call going black” would have worked really well. But I do understand it’s not that kind of novel.