Spy Dust: Two Masters of Disguise Reveal the Tools & Operations That Helped Win the Cold War

by Antonio J. Méndez, Jonna Méndez, Bruce Henderson

Reviewed & released by the CIA, opening a window on the actual world of espionage--elusive identities, sophisticated gadgetry, triple-think strategies--"Spy Dust" reveals more about US intelligence techniques abroad than most published works of nonfiction.

Moscow, 1988--the twilight of the Cold War. The KGB is at its most ruthless & has indisputably gained the upper hand over CIA. No one knows how. Ten CIA agents & double-agents have gone missing in the last three years. They've either been executed or they're unaccounted for. At Langley, several theories circulate as to how the KGB seems suddenly to have become telepathic, predicting CIA's every move. Some blame the defection of Edward Lee Howard three years prior & suspect that more high-placed moles will be unearthed. Others speculate that the KGB's surveillance successes have been heightened by the invention of an invisible electromagnetic powder that allows them to keep tabs on any touching it: spy dust.

CIA officers Tony Mendez & Jonna Goeser join to head a team of technical wizards & operational specialists, determined to solve the mystery that threatens to overshadow the Cold War's final act. Working against hostile forces, as well as unfriendly elements within CIA, they devise controversial new operational methods & techniques to foil the KGB, & show the extraordinary lengths to which US intelligence is willing to go to protect a source, then rescue him when his world starts to collapse. At the same time, Tony & Jonna fall in love.

During an odyssey that began in Indochina 15 years before & ends in an operation in the heart of the Kremlin's Palace of Congresses, "Spy Dust" catapults readers from the Hindu Kush to Hollywood, from Havana to Moscow, but cannot conclude until its protagonists are wed in rural Maryland. At a time when people have many questions about the role of intelligence services & what's being done in their name, "Spy Dust" gives hope for the espionage battles of the future.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Espionage, Military Fiction, Biography, War, Thriller

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2002

About the author

Antonio Joseph "Tony" Méndez was an American CIA technical operations officer who specialized in clandestine and covert CIA operations. He smuggled six State Department employees out of Tehran during the Iran hostage crisis, an operation portrayed in the movie Argo. He wrote multiple memoirs about his CIA experiences.

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

One imagines reading SPY DUST that Tony and Jonna Mendez are a charming and fascinating couple with some incredible stories to tell. Too bad the book doesn’t actually tell any of them! Whatever the reason — be it intelligence protection or just bad editing — the book is a mess. It repeatedly skips over the most interesting parts of the narrative — including the climactic exfiltration! They’re supposed to be “masters of disguise” but they include no details of their techniques and, despite having a sizable photo section, no images of themselves in disguise. (Unless you count the two photos of Jonna, who looks like an American tourist… looking like an American tourist.)

On the other hand, they provide more details of their romance than anyone would ever require. I’m glad that they found love, and I actually do think there was a skillful way to make that part of the story but, well, this wasn’t it. It sounds mean, but the route they ended up going had the same effect on me as the Will Farrel Lov-ahs sketch on SNL: toes balled up in squirmy little toe fists.

What they got right: the spy speak! “Tradecraft” is golden.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look into the lives and wizardry behind the CIA operating in Russia. A must-read for all fans of spy stories and shows. These are the real life "Marshall Flinkman" and "Q"s of the world. I never knew our US technology was so advanced. Nor did I realize just how bull-headed our State Department was/is in terms of spying. The USSR and KGB had certain things RIGHT! (Well, in terms of espionage, I mean.)

Although at times confusing due to tons of jargon and trying to visualize the ops, and other times confusing because for obvious reasons, they had to eliminate details, I enjoyed the book a LOT!

[Burky Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever wondered what really happens in the spy world? This book tells you. It is more like a diary than a story. (Not a fantiasy, like a James Bond story.) From training around D.C. and Richmond to real-world operations, the authors tell it like it is.

[Jaime Pierce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fascinating read about two spies and everything they had to go through, risking their lives, for the safety of the United States. Incredible! I learned about them and this book when Jonna Mendez spoke at a NSDAR event in Washington a couple of years ago. I learned so much. North she and her husband wrote chapters, so it was interesting to see how their relationship evolved over the course of the book.

[Lacie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book months ago, but its stories still come to mind pretty often. I've never had a book give me the kind of palpitations I had as I followed along with the missions -- stealing equipment straight out of a Soviet embassy while its staff was out on holiday, smuggling translators and friendly counter-intelligence officials out at the last possible second, and all this occurring while Soviet friends were getting picked off by the KGB one by one, because the CIA had yet to discover that they had their own high-ranking mole.

Thankfully for my blood pressure, the whole book wasn't one big emotional ordeal. As you'd expect from these masters of disguise, there was a lot written about disguises, including one interesting incident where a subject was made to be decades older than he was, and his leg(s) taped to ensure a proper limp. There is a little bit of car hacking, and fun stories of training exercises where two young trainees attempted to identify and lose their shadowy entourage through the streets of Georgetown. All this is written lightly, but belies the gravity of spycraft, and the story gets heavier as it arrives at its grand finale. Somehow, somewhere, the Americans were showing their hand before their play, and Soviet agents were getting comfortably cocky about it when surveilling their targets. Spy dust, for which the book is named, was one of many possible explanations for effective Soviet counterintelligence, and Team America was never totally sure how much Team USSR knew. In the midst of this uncertainty, Tony and Jonna had to come up with a working plan to exfiltrate their agent and his wife.

There's also a love story element that I didn't find particularly offensive or compelling... probably because I'm not a romantic 16-year-old. However, their love story (well, and their jobs, because this was a workplace affair) took them through parts of Maryland, DC, Virginia, and California that I happen to know personally, and it tickled my fancy to read their goings-on in my stomping grounds. I can vividly imagine gold and auburn leaves kicking up in the autumn air as Tony speeds down Leesburg Pike in his black sports car to whisk his love away forever. (Hmm... spoiler alert? They get together at the end.)

Anyway, this book is fun, all things considered. I'm not surprised to know that the Agency had to change and vet the book, and that various details had to be left out, perhaps to protect present operations. It doesn't detract from the fascinating story.

[Ann Mcgrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Real life action adventures, alternately told in the voices of Tony and Jonna, from the successful disguise of a valuable agent in Indochina, 1973, through the training of agents in avoiding surveillance, to the exfiltration of an agent and his wife right under the noses of their "minders", will keep you turning pages to see what happens next.

[Elliott De · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became friends with Miguel Mendez in 2006. He is the son of the late CIA agent Tony Mendez and stepson to CIA agent Jonna Mendez. His uncle was United States Army Medal of Honor winner Roy Benavidez. Miguel’s call sign was red fox.
Over the course of our friendship I was made aware of who Miguel is and was told about his parents job and how potentially unsafe they are because of their history at the agency. I was told a small detail of agents watch over members of the family, including Miguel. I was made to feel part of a team that included 3 sisters (M, Tara, and Tara’s twin sister Taryn, as well as David). Since that time I’ve been consistently monitored by the CIA agents that watch Miguel. I was told that I would always have someone monitoring me.

Since July 2018, I’ve been trying to get ahold of someone at the CIA who can help me. I finally got ahold of jamesdl2@ucia.gov in November 2018 and emailed him for 2 months. His phone number is (703) 222-4063.

I was told on specific occasions not to return home until I received a call saying my house was clear, and on one occasion that a WASP (surveillance device) had picked up movement in my home. I was never asked or told that such a device would be watching me.
Does my house still have anything in it? Am I safe? The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) CFAA criminalizes unauthorized access to a computer or computer network, and the Wiretap Act prohibits use of a tool to intercept calls, texts or emails. Why was the CIA illegally monitoring me?

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think you could tell this was written by three different people. The second half of the book moved much more quickly, with fewer technical terms. I could picture the scene at the ballet as a movie; probably several films have used similar tactics. There were several parts of the book that I re-read, just to clarify my understanding. Very, very interesting background information, that makes me wonder how much goes on in the espionage field that we never hear about-- or never will. I know that I will think about this as I travel in crowds and wonder who's watching! It makes me appreciate the people who take on such jobs at risk of their own personal safety, and how they could possibly avoid being paranoid.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read other books by Mendez, this one includes his wife, Jonna's, memories of working for the CIA, and includes her memories of falling for Tony Mendez. Mendez was probably one of the CIA's most effect masters of disguise and distraction.
Spy Dust refers to a substance used by the Soviets that allowed them to keep track of people who encountered it. To make matters worse, this was after Howard, Hanssen and Ames had thoroughly betrayed CIA agents and KGB agents working for the CIA. Of necessity, then, the CIA, led by Mendez, was forced to retool their tactics for dealing with the Soviets in the USSR. Facing leadership skepticism, Mendez and those who assisted him were quite successful.
Mendez died earlier this year. He had a really interesting life!!

[Tanmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

The last of the wonderful book series that were authored by high spy power couple Tony and Joanna Mendez. Nothing like good ol' fashioned real world espionage straight from the horse's mouth. The writing style is very lucid and immediately places you in Moscow of the 80s replete with clunky Lada cars and shady figures across every street. If you've always had an interest in spying and espionage, definitely pick up this book. There's a lot of depth to the work brought in from the experience of the authors. You will not be left unimpressed at the end of this work. The innovation used to keep ahead in the game are simply marvelous.

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read all of Tony Mendez's books, including the two co-authored by his wife, Jonna Mendez. Argo is probably the best read, since it deals with one particular story which was covered in the movie of the same title. But, I also have enjoyed the others, including this one which covers the mid-to-late 1980s and the issues and deaths caused by the three US traitors: Howard, Ames and Hanssen.

I never met Mr. Mendez, but was able to acquire signed & personalized copies of Argo as Christmas presents soon after the movie came out. We lost him to Parkinson's in 2019. A great American!

[Jenny OH · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard an interview with Jonna Mendez on NPR a few months ago and immediately looked for this book. While her engaging and knowledgeable personality does come through, some of the writing is a little purple like they were striving too hard for a spy-thriller-novel feel, especially in Tony's sections. Still enjoyable, despite some aspects of spycraft that are discussed being hard to follow due to the need for secrecy.

[Timothy Mcpike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stranger and more fascinating than fiction spy story

If you saw the details of this story in a movie, you’d roll your eyes at many points in disbelief. But unlike fiction, the lives of real people were on the line. High-tech spyware, disguises, body-switches, highly orchestrated break-ins and escapes, and all of it true. I couldn’t put this book down.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a very light and enjoyable review of Antonia and Jonna Mendez's experience in the CIA. There's some politics and office drama that didn't totally make sense to me, but by and large, it was a fascinating account of the crazy things our government has done. It almost makes conspiracy theorists look sane.

[Ronin555 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. Confusing. Slow. Meandering. Self-congratulatory. And, ultimately pointless, with far too much emphasis on the authors falling in love. Of the 280 or so pages, perhaps 50 were worth reading. The authors even managed to botch the story of exfiltration of a Soviet KGB spy. If you would like to read some good fiction by a former CIA’s Operations Directorate, try Red Sparrow.

[Jack Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lively Spy-vs-Spy thriller but unlike James Bond, this stuff is real. Written by a husband and wife team it follows their careers around the globe on behalf of Uncle Sam. It wraps up with a thrilling bait-and-switch right under the KGB's noses in Moscow's Red Square. Good stuff!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have any interest in how the cia operates, this is a super read! I will read all of their books. Fascinated to learn that so many different workers are used to help with disguises etc... A magician's talent was the most eye opening one for me!

[Gary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great spy book -- Cold War-era CIA vs. KGB stuff -- by ex-CIA guy (Antonio J. Méndez and his CIA wife). Mendez also wrote the book ARGO that describes how he planned and exfiltrated six Americans out of Iran after Canadian diplomats had hidden the Americans in Teran.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be a very interesting account of the intelligence work that occurred behind the scenes during the Cold War. The book title led me to believe there would be more details about the various intelligence methods, but it was very cursory which left me a bit disappointed.

[Janice Gully · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful and engaging

As a woman, I admired Jonna’s courage and resourcefulness amid danger and confusion. I also was delighted to read about Jonna and Tony’s love story.

[Claudia Majetich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reads almost like a typical spy thriller, complete with fancy gadgets, romance between the two leads, and happy endings. Interesting, but some of the details were a bit confusing. Quick read.

[Kristian Strauss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read the background on these two alone and it's enough to read there tale, it was a good point of view from the respective intelligence officers in the climax of the cold war.

[Sophie Himmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s CIA propo, but they are honest about it being CIA propo; still a cool autobiography told by a slow burn colleagues to friends to lovers double pov

[Collette · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Erik Graff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this thing up at a used bookstore owing to the discovery that it is written by the author of Argo, the book upon which the popular recent movie of the same name was based. Besides, I generally enjoy peeking into the world of espionage and this book covers the same period covered by another written by another CIA insider.

While Spy Dust reads well, the married authors alternating chapters from their two, first-person perspectives, it's certainly not great literature. While the story of their professional relationship evolving into romance and marriage ties the narrative together on one level, I found all the billing and cooing a bit cloying. The story of the Agency vs. the KGB during the last days of the Cold War provided thread enough to hold the whole together.

What makes this book a bit different than most about the period is that its written by operatives (in disguise and photography), staying close to ground and paying very little attention to geopolitics or the upper, administrative levels of the Agency.

A caveat: The text, vetted and approved by the Agency, is not to be trusted.

[Robert · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a complete fraud. Tauted as an insider's look at Cold War-era espionage, it is really a sappy, on-the-job romance novel. The workplace just happens to be the CIA. The two authors fall in love in a manner that I found repugnantly unprofessional, given the nature and importance of their work. Jonna Mendez even admits that her newfound romance negatively affected her reconnaissance work in China, because all she could think about was "being in love." The most interesting spy-related content comes in the form of random anecdotes that are totally unrelated to the authors' experience. This is complete trash.

[Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by two former members of the C.I.A.'s Disguise Division. Spy Dust is most definitely a fine addition to any library for the serious espionage student or collector, much less future and current members of this elite agency. Really enjoyed the tradecraft mentioned, as well as a review of the legendary "Moscow Rules." This book helps fill in some of the gaps of the actions of the traitors: Lee, Walker, Ames, and Hansen. The final operation covered in the book proves fact is indeed stranger than fiction and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked up Spy Dust at a book sale. It was okay, though lighter on tradecraft and heavier on the romance memoir than I would have liked. I have the feeling that I'd prefer Tony Mendez's first book, Master of Disguise more.

I did like seeing some of the Northern Virginia locales pop up (Jonna Mendez lived in Reston at one point, and Shenanigans in Sterling was mentioned, which I believe used to be off of Route 7).

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

The auditors of the universe decide that Death needs to be retired and replaced with a new Death person. In order to do this they give Death a chance to live (so he can hurry up and die). He goes to earth and learns what it means to live. Overall it had some interesting parts, but some of the side stories were not as exciting.

[Audrey Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Providing fascinating insight into the end of the Cold War through CIA lenses, Spy Dust far surpasses an earlier work by Mendez that I thoroughly enjoyed. Written from the perspective of both Tony and his wife, Jonna, also in the CIA, readers will be stunned at some of the lengths the KGB and CIA both went to in their intelligence war. Gripping!