Such is the conclusion of david hoffmans account of perhaps the most productive spy in cia history. Hoffmans the billion dollar spy the billion dollar spy is one of the best spy stories to come out of the cold war and all the more riveting. The untold story of the cold war arms race and its dangerous legacy 2009, washington post contributing editor hoffman has strong credentials to tell the unheralded story of adolf. A thoroughly researched excavation of an astoundingly important and sadly sacrificed spy for the cia during the low point of the 1970s. Free download or read online the billion dollar spy. A washington post notable book of the year it was the height of the cold war, and a dangerous time to be stationed in the soviet. Bush, and was subsequently diplomatic correspondent and jerusalem correspondent. David hoffman, author of the billion dollar spy initially, the cia was suspicious of soviet aviation expert adolf tolkachev. From the author of the pulitzer prizewinning history the dead hand comes the riveting story of a spy who cracked open the soviet military research establishment and a penetrating portrait of the cias moscow station, an outpost of daring espionage in the last years of the cold war while driving out of the american embassy in moscow on the evening of february 16, 1978, the chief. A true story of cold war espionage and betrayal david e. Hoffman perhaps the only thing more engrossing than a cold war spy novel is the truth behind the tales.
The book was published in multiple languages including english, consists of 336 pages and is available in hardcover format. We also learn growing up in the 70s and 80s, the cold war and its concomitant threat of nuclear extinction was constantly in our faces in the form of. Hoffman i received this book through the goodreads first reads program. He covered the white house during the presidencies of ronald reagan and george h. A true story of cold war espionage and betrayal by david e. The billion dollar brain by deighton, len a readable copy. It hits the sweet spot between pageturning thriller and solidly researched history even the footnotes are informative and then becomes something more, a shrewd character. The billion dollar brain by deighton len for sale online ebay. It hits the sweet spot between pageturning thriller and solidly researched history even the footnotes are informative and then becomes something more, a shrewd character study of spies and the. Jul 07, 2015 from the author of the pulitzer prizewinning history the dead hand comes the riveting story of a spy who cracked open the soviet military research establishment and a penetrating portrait of the cias moscow station, an outpost of daring espionage in the last years of the cold war while driving out of the american embassy in moscow on the evening of february 16, 1978, the chief of the cia. This book is a well referenced account of the cias work in moscow during the cold war and not only is it an enlightening book explaining how espionage was carried out during the 1970s and 1980s, but it is also an enthralling story containing suspense, love, duty, professionalism, ingenuity, jealousy and lots of betrayal.
The winner of the pulitzer prize for his previous book, the dead hand. Jul 06, 2015 how a billion dollar spy stole soviet secrets and helped the u. The title the billion dollar spy refers to the research and manufacturing costs saved by the united states as a result of mr. Jun 17, 2015 the billion dollar spy david hoffman duration. The wisdom of a third grade dropout will change your life rick rigsby. The untold story of the cold war arms race and its dangerous legacy 2009, washington post contributing editor hoffman has strong. A scrupulously researched work of history that is also a gripping thriller, the billion dollar spy is an unforgettable journey into cold war espionage. How a billion dollar spy stole soviet secrets and helped. The billion dollar spy reads like the very best spy fiction yet is meticulously. Chicago turabian author date citation style guide hoffman, david e.
The good the billion dollar spy was my first cold war espionage book and it has directed me to an entirely new. This spellbinding story pulses with the dramatic tension of running an agent in sovietera moscowwhere the kgb is ubiquitous and cia officers and russian assets are prey. Read the billion dollar spy a true story of cold war espionage and betrayal by david e. It was the fourth to feature an unnamed secret agent working for the british woocp intelligence agency. The billion dollar brain by deighton len for sale online. How a billion dollar spy stole soviet secrets and helped the u. A true story of cold war espionage and betrayal by hoffman, david e isbn. As in most of the authors novels, the plot of billion dollar brain 1967 is intricate, with many dead ends. Jul 06, 2015 the title the billion dollar spy refers to the research and manufacturing costs saved by the united states as a result of mr. The true story of a man who became the pentagons most valuable spy during the last years of the cold war. As recounted by the billion dollar spy, one cia officer new to the soviet station was amused to. A true story of cold war espionage and betrayal by david e hoffman.
The billion dollar spy is one of the best spy stories to come out of the cold war and all the more riveting, and finally dismaying, for being true. It follows the ipcress file 1962, horse under water 1963, and funeral in berlin 1964. From 1979 until 1985, the cia ran an immensely productive spy in the heart of the soviet militaryindustrial complex in moscow. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The title of david hoffmans excellent new book, the billion dollar spy, unintentionally i think evokes a famous item from studies in intelligence many years ago, the million dollar photograph. Every meeting, whether between tolkachev or another of the spies featured in the book is supplemented by the exact right amount of background information. Listen to the billion dollar spy audiobook by david e. Book discussion on the billion dollar spy internet archive. Rodric braithwaite, british ambassador in moscow, 19881992. Every meeting, whether between tolkachev or another of the spies featured in the book is supplemented by the exact right. Hoffman will describe this singularlyimportant operation, based on declassified cia cables and his new book, the billion dollar spy, and argue that despite the many achievements of technology in espionage, human sources are still vital. Over a sixyear perriod, tolkachev met with his cia handlers 21 times on the streets of moscow.
The soviet asked if fulton was american and then said that he wanted to. A thrilling debut novel about how far well go to protect. Air force adolf tolkachev is shown here on vacation near the baltic sea in the early 1970s. It is easy to follow, and readers will find it hard to put down. Hoffman will describe this singularlyimportant operation, based on declassified cia cables and his new book, the billion dollar spy, and argue that despite the many achievements. Working at the soviet radar design bureau phazotron as one of the chief designers, tolkachev gave the cia. A true story of cold war espionage and betrayal by hoffman, david e. Tolkachevs story has now been detailed in 944 pages of previously secret cia cables about the operation that was declassified without condition for the forthcoming book,the billion dollar spy. Mar 29, 2016 footnotes 1 dino brugioni, the million dollar photograph, studies in intelligence 23, no.
Jul 07, 2015 the billion dollar spy is one of the best spy stories to come out of the cold war and all the more riveting, and finally dismaying, for being true. The main characters of this history, non fiction story. The billion dollar spy by instaread overdrive rakuten overdrive. A true story of cold war espionage and betrayal pdf epub book. Working at the soviet radar design bureau phazotron as one of the chief designers, tolkachev. Jul 07, 2015 a thoroughly researched excavation of an astoundingly important and sadly sacrificed spy for the cia during the low point of the 1970s. Billiondollar brain is a 1966 cold war spy novel by len deighton. The billion dollar spy is an excellent and thoroughly engaging read. It hits the sweet spot between pageturning thriller and solidly researched history even the footnotes are informative and then becomes something more, a shrewd character study of spies and the spies who run.
Tolkachevs story is detailed in 944 pages of previously secret cia cables about the operation that were declassified without condition for the forthcoming book the billion dollar spy. Hoffman presents the events in such a way the raises the stakes of each operation to its peak. Billion dollar brain is a 1966 cold war spy novel by len deighton. Hoffman chronicles the six year relationship between the. From the author of the pulitzer prizewinning history the d. Summary of the billion dollar spy ebook by instaread summaries. Waterstones nonfiction book of the month august 2018 and a sunday times bestseller an astonishingly detailed picture. The billion dollar spy and millions of other books are available for instant. From the author of the pulitzer prizewinning history the dead hand comes the riveting story of a spy who cracked open the soviet military research establishment and a penetrating portrait of the cias moscow station, an outpost of daring espionage in the last years of the cold war while driving out of the american embassy in moscow on the evening of. The pulitzer pricewinning russian affairs expert zooms in on the true saga of a soviet engineerthe spy of the titlewho passed the cia billions of dollars worth of top secret intel right under the nose of the kgb, passing off notes into waiting cars and employing other bondworthy tactics to help the u. It hits the sweet spot between pageturning thriller and solidly researched history even the footnotes are informative and then becomes something more, a shrewd character study of spies and the spies who run them, the mixed motives, the risks.
Download and keep this book for free with a 30 day trial. A true story of cold war espionage and betrayal by david e hoffman americas most successful spy in moscow paid with his life for his bravery, says ben macintyre. The first edition of the novel was published in july 7th 2015, and was written by david e. The billion dollar spy is one of the best spy stories to come out of the cold war and all the more riveting.
The billion dollar spy the billion dollar spy audiobook, by david e. Hoffman is a contributing editor at the washington post. On january 12, 1977 around 6 pm, an averagelooking soviet man leaned into the car that the cia station chief, robert fulton, was filling at a gas station. On january 12, 1977 around 6 pm, an averagelooking soviet man leaned into the car that the cia station chief, robert fulton, was. Stirring, unpredictable, and at times unbearably tense, the billion dollar spy is a brilliant feat of reporting that unfolds like an espionage thriller. Pages can include considerable notesin pen or highlighterbut the notes cannot obscure the text. The billion dollar spy reads like the very best spy fiction yet is meticulously drawn from real life. Hoffmans look into the story of tolkachev, the billiondollar spy, is exciting and thrilling, while also being a tragic emotional roller coaster. The billion dollar spy is the fascinating true story of adolf tolkachev, a soviet engineer who for personal reasons wanted to pass critical engineering secrets to the united states. The billion dollar spy reveals the gripping story of adolf tolkachev, an engineer in a soviet military design bureau who used his highlevel access to leak sensitive information about soviet weapons systems. How the cia ran a billion dollar spy in moscow the. The billion dollar spy is the true story of an electronics engineer at a secret military aviation institute in moscow who for almost seven years provided the cia with a huge volume of sensitive and valuable intelligence on soviet research and development r%d activities concerning radars, avionics, aa missiles, and other technologies.
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